In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I explore how your sense of smell (olfaction), taste, and chemical sensing influence memory, alertness, focus, and even communication between people.
I explain how these senses help us detect chemicals in the environment and respond to a variety of environmental cues. I discuss the connection between the olfactory system and cognitive performance, and I provide practical tools to enhance learning, sensory function, and brain health. Additionally, I examine how chemical signals exchanged between people subtly influence emotions, biology, and social bonds.
Huberman Lab Essentials episodes are approximately 30 minutes long and focus on key science and protocol takeaways from past Huberman Lab episodes. Essentials are released every Thursday, while full-length episodes continue to air every Monday.
Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com.
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Timestamps
00:00:00 Huberman Lab Essentials; Smell & Taste
00:02:04 Tears, Biological Response & Communication
00:05:16 Sponsor: AG1
00:07:16 Smell, Innate vs Learned Response, Memory
00:10:31 Accessory Olfactory Pathway, Pheromones, Vandenbergh
effect
00:12:42 Smell & Alertness, Smelling Salts, Tool: Nasal
Breathing & Learning
00:16:06 Tool: Increase Sense of Smell
00:16:51 Sponsor: LMNT
00:18:07 Smell, Brain Health, Olfactory Neurons, Tool:
Improve Smell
00:20:11 Traumatic Brain Injury & Olfactory Dysfunction
00:22:25 Smell, Alertness, Smelling Salts, Tool: Peppermint
00:24:32 Taste Modalities & Functions; Taste &
Digestive System
00:30:47 Sponsor: Our Place
00:32:39 Pheromones, Coolidge Effect, Humans & Chemical
Communication
00:38:44 Recap & Key Takeaways