Huberman Lab

In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I discuss the science of social connection and how we form meaningful bonds with others. I explore the neural basis for "social homeostasis"—our drive for a certain amount of social interaction—which explains why we feel lonely, seek connection and how we navigate social hierarchies. I also explain how the brain and neurochemicals, such as oxytocin and dopamine, shape our relationships from infancy through adulthood and underlie traits like introversion and extroversion. The episode also offers practical insights into forming deeper connections and how shared experiences with others enhance social bonding. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AGZ by AG1: https://drinkagz.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman David: https://davidprotein.com/huberman Timestamps 0:00 Social Connection 1:10 Social Bonds, Social Isolation & Stress Hormones 3:09 Sponsor: LMNT 4:42 Brain & Social Homeostasis; Social Hierarchies & Flexibility 9:14 Dopamine & Pro-Social Behaviors; Chronic Social Isolation & Introversion 11:04 Introverts vs Extroverts, Dopamine & Social Homeostasis; Context 13:08 Loneliness, Dorsal Raphe Nucleus & Social Hunger 14:18 Key Takeaway: Introvert vs Extrovert & Dopamine 15:23 Social Bonds & Physiological Synchrony, Tool: Shared Experiences 18:19 Sponsor: AGZ by AG1 19:48 Right- vs Left-Brained Attachment, Parent & Child, Unconscious Mind 24:30 Friends & Romantic Partners, Emotional & Cognitive Empathy 27:52 Sponsor: David 29:09 Oxytocin & Social Connection 31:39 Tool: Emotional & Cognitive Empathy 32:54 Introverts, Extroverts & Social Interaction 33:48 Break-Ups; Key Takeaways Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My guest is Matt Abrahams, lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business and a world expert in communication and public speaking. He explains how to speak with clarity and confidence and how to be more authentic in your communication in all settings: public, work, relationships, etc. He shares how to eliminate filler words ("umm"-ing), how to overcome stage fright and how to structure messages in a way that makes audiences remember the information. He also shares how to recover gracefully if you "blank out" on stage and simple drills and frameworks that dramatically improve spontaneity, storytelling and overall communication effectiveness. People of all ages and communication styles will benefit from the practical, evidence-supported protocols Matt shares to help you communicate with greater confidence and impact. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Pre-order Andrew's book Protocols: https://go.hubermanlab.com/protocols Thank you to our sponsors AGZ by AG1: https://drinkagz.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman Joovv: https://joovv.com/huberman Mateina: https://drinkmateina.com/pages/store-locator Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Timestamps (0:00) Matt Abrahams (3:21) Public Speaking Fear, Status; Speech Delivery (5:36) Speech, Connection, Credibility; Authenticity (9:05) Monitoring, Self-Judgement; Memorization, Tool: Object Relabeling Exercise (13:13) Sponsors: Eight Sleep & BetterHelp (15:40) Cadence & Speech Patterns; Lego Manuals, Storytelling & Emotion (19:18) Visual vs Audio Content, Length, Detail (23:19) Understanding Audience's Needs, Tool: Recon – Reflection – Research (24:25) Judgement in Communication, Heuristics (27:33) Questions, Responding to the Audience, Tool: Structuring Information (31:34) Feedback & Observation; Tools: Three-Pass Speech Review; Communication Reflection Journal (39:09) Movement, Stage Fright, Content Expertise (42:54) Sponsors: AGZ by AG1 & Joovv (45:34) Multi-Generation Communication Styles & Trust; Curiosity, Conversation Turns (50:32) Linear vs Non-Linear Speech, Tool: Tour Guide Expectations (53:21) Develop Communication Skills, Audience Size, Tools: Distancing; Practicing (1:01:43) Tool: Improv & Agility; Great Communication Examples; Divided Attention (1:09:36) One-on-One Communication vs Public Speaking (1:11:00) Sponsor: Mateína (1:12:00) Neurodiversity, Introverts, Communication Styles; Writing & Editing (1:16:30) Calculating Risk, Tool: Violating Expectations & Engaging Audience (1:21:20) Authenticity, Strengths, Growth & Improv (1:23:23) Damage Control, Tools: Avoid Blanking Out; Contingency Planning, Silence (1:30:32) Nerves, Tool: Breathwork; Spontaneous Communication; Beta-Blockers (1:34:29) Communication Hygiene, Caffeine, Tools: NSDR/Yoga Nidra; Vestibular System & Sleep (1:40:08) Conversation Before Speaking; Delivering Engaging Speeches (1:42:56) Sponsor: Function (1:44:43) Anticipation, Tool: Introduce Yourself; Connect to Environment, Phones (1:51:30) Customer Service & Kids Jobs; Tool: Role Model Communication; COVID Pandemic (1:56:04) Quiet But Not Shy, Extroverts; Social Media Presence (2:00:25) Martial Arts, Sport, Running, Presence & Connection (2:04:16) Apologizing; Communication Across Accents & Cultures (2:07:36) Interruptions, Tools: Paraphrasing; Speech Preparation (2:10:57) Public Speaking Fear, Tool: Envision Positive Outcome; Arguments & Mediation (2:13:19) Omit Filler Words, Tool: Landing Phrases; Time & Storytelling (2:16:52) Asking For a Raise; Poor Communicators & Curiosity; Memorization (2:19:49) Pre-Talk Anxiety Management; Acknowledgements (2:23:47) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, my guest is Dr. Jack Feldman, PhD, a Distinguished Professor of Neurobiology at the University of California, Los Angeles, and a leading expert in the science of breathing. We explain the mechanics of breathing and the neural circuits that generate and regulate our breathing rhythm. We also discuss how breathing patterns profoundly influence mental states, including their role in reducing anxiety and enhancing emotional resilience. Dr. Feldman also shares practical tools, such as box breathing for daily performance and magnesium L-threonate supplementation to support cognitive health and longevity. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AGZ by AG1: https://drinkagz.com/huberman Mateina: https://drinkmateina.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Jack Feldman 00:00:23 Breathing Mechanics, Diaphragm; Pre-Bötzinger Complex & Breath Initiation 00:03:25 Nose vs Mouth Breathing 00:04:23 Sponsor: Mateina 00:05:24 Active Expiration & Brain; Retrotrapezoid Nucleus 00:08:32 Diaphragm & Evolution; Lung Surface Area & Alveoli, Oxygen Exchange 00:12:56 Diaphragmatic vs Non-Diaphragmatic Breathing 00:14:23 Physiological Sighs: Frequency & Function; Polio & Ventilators 00:18:21 Sponsor: AGZ by AG1 00:19:52 Drug Overdose, Death & Gasps 00:21:38 Meditation, Slow Breathing & Fear Conditioning Study 00:25:28 Mechanistic Science in Breathwork Validation; Breath Practice & Reduced Fear 00:27:21 Breathing & Emotional/Cognitive State, Olfaction, Vagus Nerve 00:29:44 Carbon Dioxide, Hyperventilation & Anxiety 00:31:21 Sponsor: Eight Sleep 00:32:47 Breathing, Emotion & Autonomic Processes Coordination; Depression & Breath Practices 00:36:43 Tool: Breathwork Practices, Box Breathing, Tummo, Wim Hof 00:38:46 Magnesium L-Threonate & Cognitive Enhancement; Compound Refinement 00:44:28 Clinical Trial, Magnesium L-Threonate & Cognitive Improvements; Dose, Sleep 00:48:28 Acknowledgements Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My guest is Dr. Jennifer Groh, PhD, professor of psychology and neuroscience at Duke University. She explains how our brain encodes sights and sounds and integrates them so we can navigate and understand the world around us. She explains what thoughts really are and how what you focus on determines your thoughts, not just in that moment but your future thoughts too. We discuss this in the context of how to improve your level of focus and happiness and how to complete tasks and task-switch more effectively. We also discuss how you can rewire the neural circuits that underlie your default patterns of thinking and attention. Sponsors AGZ by AG1: https://drinkagz.com/huberman Lingo: https://hellolingo.com/huberman Wealthfront*: https://wealthfront.com/huberman Our Place: https://fromourplace.com/huberman Helix Sleep: https://helixsleep.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Timestamps 0:00 Jennifer Groh 3:41 Sounds & Vision, Sensory Integration; Dynamic Maps 7:42 Context & Mapping; Screens, Projection & Perception, Ventriloquists 13:52 Sound Localization 16:53 Sponsors: Lingo & Wealthfront 19:50 Hearing Loss & Sound Localization, Ear Folds 21:56 Unfamiliarity of Hearing Your Own Voice; Tool: Bone Conduction Headphones 26:16 Tool: Headphone Volume & Protecting Hearing 28:57 3D Sound, Sound Distance, Thunder, Earthquakes 37:24 Sound Integration; Sound Frequency & Distance, Warning Signals 44:36 Sponsors: AGZ by AG1 & Our Place 47:39 Music, Rhythm, Community & Emotion 57:00 Music, Military; Courtship; Evolution of Music & Language 1:02:37 Ears, Visual & Auditory Integration, Sound Localization 1:09:48 Evolution of Visual & Auditory Systems, Music; Brain Controlling Vision 1:15:17 Sponsor: Helix Sleep 1:16:45 Physical Space & Sounds; Cathedrals, Sound Delay 1:22:37 Music, Emotion & Community; Science & Admitting Weakness 1:27:01 Thinking & Sensory Simulations; Forming Thoughts 1:33:18 Attention, Attractor States, Flow States, Tool: Changing Environment 1:37:38 Sounds & Environment for Focus, Attention, Tool: Mental Interval Training 1:44:37 Sponsor: LMNT 1:45:58 Endurance & Interval Mental Work; Mental Rest, Music 1:50:37 Musician, Rehearsal & Performance; Pressure 1:54:16 Chickens; Hypnotizing Chickens, Visual Attention & Focus 2:03:47 Relaxation, Phones & Schools, Boredom, Social Media 2:12:48 Acknowledgements 2:13:58 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter *This experience may not be representative of other Wealthfront clients, and there is no guarantee of future performance or success. Experiences will vary. The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.  Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The base APY is 3.50% on cash deposits as of November 07, 2025, is representative, subject to change, and requires no minimum. If eligible for the overall boosted rate of 4.15% offered in connection with this promo, your boosted rate is also subject to change if the base rate decreases during the 3 month promo period. Funds in the Cash Account are swept to program banks, where it earns the variable APY. New Cash Account deposits are subject to a 2-4 day holding period before becoming available for transfer. Investment advisory services are provided by Wealthfront Advisers LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Securities investments: not bank deposits, bank-guaranteed or FDIC-insured, and may lose value. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I explore the neuroscience of fear and trauma and how to effectively process and eliminate traumatic responses. I explain why successful fear treatment requires both extinction of the old fearful response and replacement with a new positive association—not just cognitive reframing. I also explain how the threat reflex activates specific circuits connecting the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and dopamine systems, and why detailed recounting of traumatic events progressively reduces their physiological impact. Finally, I review evidence-based approaches, including prolonged exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, discuss how five minutes per day of deliberate stress through cyclic hyperventilation can rewire fear responses, explain the critical role of social connection in activating neural pathways that reduce trauma, and share supplementation options for managing anxiety. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AGZ by AG1: https://drinkagz.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Timestamps (0:00) Introducing Fear & Trauma (0:17) What is Fear? (1:03) Autonomic Arousal: "Alertness" vs. "Calmness" (2:05) Fear vs. Stress & Anxiety (9:20) "The Threat Reflex": Neural Circuits for Fear (20:50) Cognitive (Narrative) Therapies for Fear (26:35) PTSD Treatments: Ketamine, MDMA, Oxytocin (33:11) Deliberate Brief Stress Can Erase Fears & Trauma (35:51) Nutrition, Sleep, & Other General Support Erasing Fear & Trauma (38:18) Recap Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My guest is Dr. David Fajgenbaum, MD, professor of translational medicine and human genetics at the University of Pennsylvania. He explains how, unbeknownst to most doctors, many approved medications can successfully treat or even cure diseases other than the ones they are typically used to treat. He shares his story of escaping death from Castleman's disease by discovering a life-saving treatment using repurposed drugs that were approved for other purposes. Our conversation explores how researchers, physicians, and you—the general public—can explore novel treatments and cures to conditions the medical profession has deemed untreatable, including cancers. We also discuss the crucial role of mindset in battling diseases and the lesser-known use of compounds to promote health and longevity. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AGZ by AG1: https://drinkagz.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman Rorra: https://rorra.com/huberman David: https://davidprotein.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Timestamps (0:00) David Fajgenbaum (4:06) Self-Agency in Healthcare; New Uses for Old Medicines (6:44) Other Uses of Aspirin & Viagra; Drug Development & Approved Use (8:53) Lidocaine & Breast Cancer; Pharmaceutical Companies & Incentives (11:36) Sponsors: Eight Sleep & Rorra (14:16) Pharmaceutical Companies, Patents & New Uses; Lithium (18:40) Tools: Finding Reliable Health Sources, Asking Questions & Disease Organizations; DADA2 Treatment (21:53) Medical Community & Connections; Integrated Medical Databases (24:36) Drug Repurposing, Thalidomide, Pembrolizumab (28:45) Medical Research Databases, Mapping Disease Connections (33:51) Every Cure Database & Programs, Bachmann-Bupp Syndrome; Colchicine & Heart Disease (37:57) Sponsors: AGZ by AG1 & David (40:41) David’s Medical & Career Journey, Glioblastoma, Castleman Disease (49:10) Autoimmune Disease, Driven Personality, Stress & Immune System (52:52) Castleman Disease, Treatment, Chemotherapy (55:54) Physician Continuing Education, Santa Claus Theory of Civilization; Science Collaboration (1:03:32) Medical School, Relapse & “Overtime”, Finding a New Treatment, Rapamycin (1:12:46) Sport, Football & Resilience; Challenge & Personal Growth, Family (1:18:41) Sponsor: Function (1:20:29) Social Support; “Overtime”, Gratitude (1:23:19) Business School, Castleman Disease Treatment; Repurposing Drugs & AI (1:28:29) Drug Repurposing, POEMS Syndrome; Mitigating Risk (1:35:32) Nicotine, Compounds for Preventive Health; GLP-1 Agonists (1:40:51) Bioprospecting, Drug Development; AI, Prioritization & Novel Connections (1:46:18) Healthcare & Children; Hope, Action & Impact Circuit; Challenge & Super-Agers (1:52:50) Get Involved with Every Cure (1:56:20) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, my guest is Dr. David Sinclair, PhD, a professor of genetics at Harvard Medical School and a leading expert on the biology of aging. We discuss the cellular and molecular mechanisms of aging—and how specific behaviors, such as fasting, regular exercise and NAD⁺-boosting compounds like NMN, can activate the body's natural longevity pathways. This discussion highlights how lifestyle choices profoundly influence the aging process and may even slow or reverse key aspects of biological aging. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AGZ by AG1: https://drinkagz.com/huberman David: https://davidprotein.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman Timestamps (0:00) David Sinclair (0:20) Longevity, Anti-Aging, Aging as a Disease (2:27) Causes of Aging; Epigenome & Genes (4:53) CD & Scratches Analogy, DNA, Silencing & Expressing Genes (6:44) Physical Appearance & Aging (7:36) Sponsor: David (8:54) Childhood Development & Aging, Horvath Clock, Accelerate Aging (11:30) Rates of Puberty & Aging, Growth Hormone (12:37) Body Size & Longevity; Epigenetics (13:07) Fasting, Calorie Restriction & Longevity, Sirtuins, Insulin & Glucose (16:31) Tool: Skip a Meal (17:07) Longer Fasts & Autophagy, “Deep Cleanse” (18:07) Sponsor: AGZ by AG1 (19:36) Fasting, Fluids, Electrolytes (20:16) Sirtuins, Glucose, mTOR & Fasting; Leucine, Tool: Pulsing Behaviors (24:24) Breaking a Fast, Tools: Do Your Best; Transitions (27:00) Sirtuins, NAD, NMN Supplementation (29:04) Sponsor: Eight Sleep (31:10) Iron & Senescent Cells; Personalize Medicine (32:40) Tool: Blood Markers, CRP (34:50) Tool: Aerobic & Resistance Exercise (35:55) Estrogen, Fasting & Fertility; Aging & Rejuvenation (38:20) Acknowledgements Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here I explain the lymphatic system, a crucial bodily network for overall health and appearance. I explain how the lymphatic system works to remove cellular waste and fluid from your organs and combat infections. I provide science-based tools that support your lymphatic system for the sake of health and appearance, including: how to reduce fluid retention in your limbs, trunk or face, how to eliminate 'bags' under your eyes and brain fog, and how to improve cardiac health and longevity. Because your lymphatic system lacks a central pump, it needs the mechanical forces generated by specific types of bodily movement, breathing and pressure to circulate your lymph properly, and I explain how you can activate these. I also explain how to support optimal functioning of your glymphatic system, a brain- and spinal cord waste-clearing system active during sleep that is crucial for brain functioning and longevity, including to prevent dementia. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AGZ by AG1: https://drinkagz.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman David: https://davidprotein.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Lymphatic System (00:04:11) Circulatory System, Heart; Oxygen, Nutrient & Waste Transfer (00:11:03) Lymphatic System, Fluid, Lymphedema, Chronic Inflammation; Brain Fog (00:14:52) Sponsor: LMNT & David Protein (00:17:28) Lymphatic Vessels, Tool: Enhance Lymphatic Drainage with Movement (00:26:24) Tools: Jumping (Rebounding), Treading Water, Swimming (00:27:41) Tool: Swelling, Lymphatic Drainage & Diaphragmatic Breathing (00:32:05) Swimming & Lymphatic Flow; Tai Chi (00:34:00) Lymphatic Massage, Cancer & Lymphedema; Jade Roller & Gua Sha (00:37:28) Sponsor: AGZ by AG1 (00:38:56) Lymph Flow, Tool: Lymphatic Massage & Manual Lymphatic Drainage (00:45:02) Immune Function of Lymphatic System, Sore Lymph Nodes (00:54:24) Cancer Treatment, Lymph Nodes & Lymphedema (00:57:02) Limb Swelling, Minor Lymphedema & Inflammation, Lymphatic Boots (01:00:09) Sponsors: Eight Sleep (01:01:43) Glymphatic System, Brain & Sleep (01:05:56) Sleep & Brain Waste Recycling; Discovery of the Glymphatic System (01:12:24) Enhance Glymphatic Clearance, Brain Fog, Age, Tool: Side Sleeping Position (01:15:54) Tools: Optimize Sleep, Cardiovascular Exercise, Elevate Feet, Pillow (01:17:29) Puffy Face, Tool: Lymphatic & Facial Massage (01:21:23) Sponsor: Function (01:23:11) Tool: Hydration & Lymphatic Support (01:24:48) Tool: Cardiovascular Exercise & Lymphatic Vessels, Heart, Aging (01:31:06) Tool: Infrared & Red Light, Mitochondria, Lymphedema, Skin Appearance (01:36:08) Key Takeaways (01:37:21) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I explore the science of gratitude and how to develop an effective, research-supported gratitude practice. I explain why common gratitude practices (like simply listing things you're grateful for) are far less impactful than engaging in story-based gratitude practices. I also explain how being grateful activates specific brain regions, which enhance calm, social connection and motivation, while reducing anxiety and inflammation. Finally, I share why we can't simply trick our brains into feeling grateful and describe a practical weekly gratitude practice that will improve both your mental and physical well-being. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AGZ by AG1: https://drinkagz.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman Our Place: https://fromourplace.com/huberman Timestamps (0:00) Gratitude (0:30) Gratitude Practice Benefits (3:22) Pro-Social vs Defensive Behaviors, Gratitude (6:25) Sponsor: Eight Sleep (8:07) Serotonin, Brain & Context, Gratitude Mindset (14:02) Context, Can You Lie to Yourself? (14:48) Effective Gratitude Practice, Tools: Receiving Gratitude, Story (21:18) Sponsor: AGZ by AG1 (22:47) Tool: Find & Revisit Inspirational Stories (27:30) Heartfelt Intention, Genuine Thanks (29:42) Sponsor: Our Place (31:03) Gratitude Practice Benefits for Anxiety, Fear & Motivation (33:29) Gratitude Practice Benefits for Immune System (36:02) Recap: Establishing an Effective Gratitude Practice Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices