Huberman Lab

In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I explain how to use science-based tools to better set and achieve goals. I discuss the neuroscience of goal pursuit and how dopamine and visual attention shape motivation and effort. I explain whether visualizing success or failure better supports goal pursuit, how to choose goals at the right level of difficulty and evaluate progress. I also share a short “space-time bridging” protocol that helps train long-range, goal-directed behavior. These tools will help you stay motivated and reach goals more effectively. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman David: https://davidprotein.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Goal Setting (00:00:23) Brain & Goal Pursuit (00:03:32) Goal Value, Action Steps (00:05:49) Sponsor: David (00:07:07) Peripersonal vs Extrapersonal Space (00:08:34) Tool: Visual Focus & Pursuing Goals (00:13:04) Visualization & Goal Pursuit, Tool: Visualize Failure (00:15:25) Sponsor: AG1 (00:16:48) Tool: Goal Setting & Difficulty Level (00:18:27) Dopamine & Goal Pursuit, Reward Prediction Error, Tool: Weekly Goal Assessment (00:23:39) Dopamine & Vision; Importance of Behavioral Tools (00:25:37) Recap of Tools for Goal Setting & Pursuit (00:26:49) Sponsor: LMNT (00:28:21) Goal Pursuit, Time; Tool: Space-Time Bridging (00:35:49) Recap, Key Takeaways Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Martin Picard, PhD, is a professor of behavioral medicine at Columbia University and an expert on how our behaviors and psychology shape cellular energy production and rates of aging. He explains that your mitochondria don’t just “make energy”; they translate what you do—your mindset and your relationships—into the energy you experience as vitality or lack thereof. He explains how exercise, nutrition, sleep, meditation, and even certain thought patterns and our sense of purpose can charge our cells like batteries. He also shares findings that hair greying is the result of cellular stress and is reversible. This episode links physical and mental ‘energy’ with cellular energy and provides science-supported tools to improve your physical and mental health. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman Helix: https://helixsleep.com/huberman Lingo: https://hellolingo.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Martin Picard (00:03:50) What is Energy?, Energy Flow & Transformation (00:07:53) Energy, Vitality, Emotions, Sensory Perception (00:14:18) Sponsors: Helix Sleep & Lingo (00:17:19) “Mito-Centric” View of World, Mitochondrial Energy & Information Patterns (00:25:26) Organelles, Mitochondria & Energy Transformation; Maternal Genes (00:31:12) Mitotypes & Differentiation, Mitochondria as “Social Organisms” (00:36:52) Food & Dysfunctional Energy Transformation (00:40:02) Lifestyle Choices & Interests, Physiological Growth (00:46:39) Pregnancy, Amenorrhea; Illness & Tiredness (00:51:07) Sponsor: AG1 (00:52:29) Energy Transformation & Distribution; Body’s Wisdom, Feeling Sick (00:56:27) Tool: Feel Your Energy; Breath & Energy (01:02:31) Flow of Energy; Trade-Offs, Life Purpose & Enjoyment (01:10:15) Biology, Meaningful Experiences & Energy Flow (01:16:27) Sponsor: Function (00:18:15) Inflammation, Energetic Flow (01:20:43) Child Prodigies, Species Lifespan & Mitochondrial Metabolism; Aging (01:28:56) Lifestyle & Aging: Exercise, Fasting; Inflammation, Sleep, Stimulants (01:37:06) Energetic Stress Signals, GDF-15, Cancer, Heart Failure (01:42:18) Genes, Lifestyle & Aging (01:47:54) Gray Hair Reversal, Stress; Inflammation & Aging (01:57:37) Energy Recovery, Sleep & Mitochondrial Function, Stress, Meditation (02:05:16) Tools: Yoga Nidra, NSDR; Pre-Sleep Relaxation, Energy & Restorative Sleep (02:10:58) Diet & Individualization, Clinical Trials; Mitochondria & Nutrition, Keto (02:20:14) Alcohol & Energy Budget; Stress (02:25:02) Exercise, Increase Mitochondria, Overtraining; Resistance & Growth (02:33:06) Sponsor: Waking Up (02:34:41) Supplements & Mitochondria Health, Deficiencies, SS31, Methylene Blue (02:41:31) Energy Flow & Experiences, Balance (02:49:13) Transform Through Resistance, Energetic Awareness, Connection (02:56:05) Food Overconsumption & Mitochondria Disruption; Tissues & Mitochondria (03:01:02) Mitochondrial Health Test; Tool: Ways to Increase Energy; Meditation (03:06:10) Peptides; Fertility Supplements, Urolithin A; Electromagnetic Fields (03:12:16) Acknowledgements (03:14:15) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, my guest is Dr. Justin Sonnenburg, PhD, a professor of microbiology and immunology at Stanford University. We discuss how microbes in our gut impact our mental and physical health and how diet and the environment affect the gut microbiome. We explain how lifestyle factors such as antibiotics and Western-style diets (high fat, low fiber and rich in processed foods) can damage gut diversity and whether prebiotics or probiotics are useful tools. Throughout the episode, we highlight evidence-based dietary and lifestyle strategies for improving gut health. Episode show notes: https://go.hubermanlab.com/VXfckJf Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman Joovv: https://joovv.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Justin Sonnenburg 00:00:20 What is the Microbiome? 00:02:55 Microbiome Origin, Babies, Environmental Factors 00:04:47 Healthy Microbiome, Individuality; Industrialized vs Traditional Populations 00:07:06 Sponsor: AG1 00:08:30 “Reprogramming” the Gut Microbiome; Antibiotics, Western Diet 00:12:58 Cleanses & Fasting 00:13:55 Processed Foods & Microbiome, Artificial Sweeteners, Emulsifiers 00:17:35 Sponsor: Joovv 00:18:55 Inflammatory Western Diseases, Microbiome & Immune System 00:21:51 Fiber, Fermented Foods & Microbiome, Tool: Fermented Food Consumption 00:28:20 Sponsor: Function 00:30:00 Fiber, Depleted Microbiome, Industrialization, Sanitation 00:31:33 Antibiotics, Over-Sanitation, Disease, Hand Washing 00:33:26 Probiotics, Tool: Product Validation, 00:35:15 Prebiotics, Tool: Plant Consumption 00:37:48 Good Gut Book, Justin’s Research Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Twyla Tharp is a world-renowned dancer, choreographer and expert on the creative process. She explains how to achieve creative success by keeping a highly disciplined routine that ultimately allows you to bring your creative visions to life. She explains how to establish a central message for each project, how to think about your audience, navigate criticism and continually elevate your standards with daily actions. We discuss how one's view of hard work, competition and even your name can shape what you think you're capable of and ultimately achieve. This episode offers direct, practical advice from a world-class creator on how to access your inner vision, build a strong body and mind, and do your best work. Show notes: https://go.hubermanlab.com/Yx57rWq Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman Our Place: https://fromourplace.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Mateina: https://drinkmateina.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Twyla Tharp (00:03:28) Focus & Creative Work, Tool: "Spine" of Creative Work (00:06:22) Creator & Audience Dynamic; Intention, Finances (00:11:57) Early vs Late Works, Learning & Selectivity throughout Career (00:15:59) Sponsors: Our Place & Eight Sleep (00:19:09) "Cubby-Holing", Career Change & Reputation (00:21:48) Creator Community & Selectivity; Success & Useful Failure (00:27:42) Work Process, Schedule; Selecting Dancers, Supporting the Arts, Expectations (00:32:36) Successful Performance; Beauty, Arts Compensation (00:36:22) Mikhail Baryshnikov, Ballet & Invention; Philip Glass, Minimalism (00:43:18) Knowledge vs Instinct, Taste; Avant Garde; Classical Training (00:47:05) Kirov Ballet, Kids, Uniformity; Body Types (00:52:13) Sponsor: AG1 (00:53:36) Movement, Body Frequency, Power (01:00:18) Creative Process, Spine; Idea, Habit (01:04:15) Rituals, Gym, Discipline; Farming, Quaker & Community; Communication (01:12:16) Communication, Signaling & Distance; Feeling Emotion (01:18:11) Boxing, Strength Training (01:21:41) Sponsors: LMNT (01:23:01) Ballet Barre Work, Fundamentals (01:29:09) Body's Knowledge, Honoring the Body, Kids & Movement (01:35:42) High Standards & Childhood; Wordlessness & Movement, Twins (01:41:31) Translator, Objectivity; Critics, Creator Honesty (01:46:50) Sponsor: Mateina (01:47:50) Evolution & Learning; Amadeus Film & Research (01:53:53) Medicine, Keto Diet; Ballet Training & Performance, Desire (02:00:50) Young Dancers & Competition, Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Reward, Hard Work (02:08:47) Tool: "The Box"; Ritual, Practice vs Habit; Honorary Degrees (02:13:37) Tool: Idea "Scratching"; Movement & Longevity, Apprentice (02:19:46) Aging & Less Movement, Fearlessness; Taking Up Space, Names (02:25:42) Acknowledgements (02:27:18) 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 explain how to create lasting habits and break unwanted ones. I explain two habit-building systems: one aligned with daily rhythms and another based on a 21-day cycle of forming and reinforcing habits. I also discuss why habit formation differs between individuals and how certain "linchpin" habits can make other behaviors easier to adopt. Finally, I share practical tools—including visualization, task bracketing, and methods for rewiring bad habits—to support lasting behavioral change. 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 LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00) Habits (00:43) What are Habits?, Neuroplasticity (01:15) Goal-Based vs Identity-Based Habits (02:33) How Long Does It Take to Form a Habit?; Limbic Friction (05:31) Sponsor: Eight Sleep (06:59) Tool: Linchpin Habits (08:51) Habit Strength, Context Dependence & Limbic Friction (10:41) How We Form Habits, Tool: Review Procedural Steps (12:49) Tool: Task Bracketing (16:30) Sponsor: LMNT (18:02) Should You Schedule Habits?; Phase-Based Habit Plan (20:00) Phase 1 (Morning) & Challenging Habits (21:23) Phase 2 (Afternoon), Relaxation; Mellow Habits (24:46) Phase 3 (Evening), Enhancing Sleep & Habit Consolidation (28:00) Habit Flexibility & Daily Timing (30:33) Sponsor: AGZ by AG1 (32:02) Tool: 21-Day Habit Program; Habit Missteps (37:16) Tool: How to Break Habits & Replacement Behaviors (39:59) Recap Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Glen Jeffery, PhD, is a professor of neuroscience at University College London and a leading expert on how different colors (wavelengths) of light impact cellular, organ and overall health. He explains that long-wavelength light (red, near-infrared and infrared) can enter the body and brain to enhance mitochondrial function and thereby improve metabolism, eyesight, blood glucose regulation, mood, hormones and more. We also discuss how short-wavelength light from LED bulbs can impair mitochondrial health and why balanced, full-spectrum light is essential for health. Dr. Jeffery shares simple yet powerful ways to use natural and artificial light sources to enhance your metabolic function, eyesight and longevity. Sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman Wealthfront*: https://wealthfront.com/huberman Joovv: https://joovv.com/huberman Rorra: https://rorra.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00 Glen Jeffery 03:12 Light, Ultraviolet (UV), Visible & Infrared (IR) Light 06:25 Light's Impact on the Body & Light, Sunburn, Cataracts 09:55 UV Light, All-Cause Mortality, Skin Cancer 14:55 Sponsors: Wealthfront & Joovv 17:58 Light Impacts Mitochondria Function & Structure, Long-Wavelength Light (Red/IR), Nano Water 25:00 Long-Wavelength Light Passes Through Clothing & Body; Tissue Scattering 30:08 Long-Wavelength Light & Blood Glucose; Mitochondria 36:19 Red Light, Parkinson's Disease, Cell Death; Eye Rods & Aging; Mitochondria Community 42:46 Red/IR Light, Skull & Brain; Safe Non-Ionizing Radiation 48:22 Sponsors: AG1 & Rorra 51:04 Offsetting Retinal Aging, Improve Vision & Long-Wavelength Light 59:28 Tool: Long-Wavelength Light & Preserve Retinal Mitochondria; Sunlight 1:03:50 Mitochondrial Theory of Aging, Circadian Rhythm & Mitochondria 1:07:57 Tool: Improve Vision with Long-Wavelength Light 1:10:44 Macular Degeneration, Rescuing Vision, Early Intervention 1:13:59 Light Effects at Local vs Distant Tissues, Immune System, Body Communication 1:19:09 Sponsor: Function 1:20:56 Short-Wavelength Light, LED Light, Mitochondria & Serious Health Detriments 1:28:39 Lifespan, LED Lights; Sunlight & Balanced Wavelengths; "Sunlike" Marketing 1:34:45 Fires, Incandescent Lights vs LED Lights, Lasers; Long-Wavelength Devices 1:39:07 Incandescent & Halogen Bulbs, Mitochondria & Built Environments 1:45:19 Windows, Light & Office Work; Screens, Kids & Myopia; Tools: Plants; Lighting 1:55:56 Bring the Outdoors Indoors 2:00:35 Tool: Candlelight; Dim Halogen Lamps 2:05:06 Mitochondrial Diseases, Children & Long-Wavelength Light; Light Bulbs 2:11:53 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, 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, my guest is Dr. David Spiegel, MD, the Associate Chair of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Director of the Center on Stress and Health, and Director of the Center for Integrative Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine. We discuss the science and clinical applications of hypnosis, including how hypnosis works in the brain. We examine the evidence-based uses of clinical and self-hypnosis for pain, trauma, phobias, sleep and stress, and explain how to gauge your own level of "hypnotizability." We also outline practical ways to access these tools, from working with a trained clinician to using structured self-hypnosis protocols. Thank you to our sponsors AGZ by AG1: https://drinkagz.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Rorra: https://rorra.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) David Spiegel (00:00:20) What is Hypnosis?; Clinical vs Stage Hypnosis (00:02:33) Brain & Hypnosis, Cognitive Flexibility (00:06:14) Sponsor: Function (00:07:54) ADHD, Self-Hypnosis & Focus (00:08:57) Stress Reduction, Mind-Brain Connection; Improve Sleep, Phobias (00:12:16) Narrative & Hypnosis, Mental State Change; Reframing Trauma (00:18:26) Sponsor: AGZ by AG1 (00:19:56) Naming Importance; Clinical Hypnotist, Durability of Hypnosis, Reveri App (00:22:29) Obsessive Thoughts, OCD, Hypnosis (00:23:47) Hypnotizability, Spiegel Eye Roll Test, Eye-Brain Connection (00:27:02) Sponsor: Rorra (00:28:31) Trauma Recovery, Deliberate Self-Exposure to Pain or Trauma, Control (00:30:37) Mind-Body Connection, Control; Reframing Pain, Tool: Opportunity for Action (00:33:22) Children & Hypnosis; Group Hypnosis (00:35:09) Breathing in Hypnosis, Cyclic Sighing, Relaxation (00:36:46) Peak Performance & Hypnotic States (00:37:55) Reveri Hypnosis App, Finding Clinical Hypnotist; Acknowledgements Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My guest is Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi, MD, board-certified OB/GYN, surgeon and leading expert in women's health. We discuss polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis, two very common yet frequently undiagnosed causes of female infertility. Dr. Aliabadi explains the symptoms, underlying causes and evidence-based treatments for both conditions, including supplement and lifestyle interventions. We also discuss breast cancer risk and screening, pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause, and the hormone tests that women should request. This conversation offers empowering, potentially life-changing information for women of all ages to take control of their hormone, reproductive and overall health. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AGZ by AG1: https://drinkagz.com/huberman Lingo: https://hellolingo.com/huberman Our Place: https://fromourplace.com/huberman Joovv: https://joovv.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00 Thaïs Aliabadi 02:56 Why Endometriosis & Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Go Undiagnosed 08:16 Infertility, Tool: Early Screening 10:54 Sponsors: Lingo & Our Place 14:07 Women's Health Education Gap 15:24 PCOS Overview: Symptoms, Diagnosis, AMH, Disordered Eating 21:28 Irregular Periods, Teenage PCOS Diagnosis 24:36 Diagnosis, Pelvic Ultrasound; PCOS Naming 27:49 Thinning Hair & Acne; 4 PCOS Phenotypes; Mood & Treatment 35:54 Underlying Pillars of PCOS; HPA Axis, Androgens, Menstruation & Ovulation 40:30 Insulin Resistance & PCOS, Visceral Fat & Inflammation 46:30 Sponsors: AGZ by AG1 & Joovv 49:10 PCOS, Chronic Inflammation, Genetics & Lifestyle; Mood 52:31 PCOS, Fertility, Freezing Eggs, Tool: Egg Count & AMH Range By Age 58:34 Women's Health Education, AI, Clinicians; Cataracts Analogy 1:01:20 Stress; PCOS Treatment, Birth Control, Insulin Resistance & Metformin 1:06:44 PCOS Risk Calculator, Supplements, Lifestyle Factors; GLP-1s 1:12:32 Berberine, Metformin; GLP-1s, Food Anxiety & Alcohol 1:19:13 PCOS Prescriptions & Fertility; PCOS Co-Occurrence with Endometriosis 1:21:56 Sponsor: LMNT 1:23:16 PCOS Treatment, Freezing Eggs, Egg Quality; Advocate For Your Health 1:32:02 PCOS Key Takeaways: Symptoms, Tests, Supplements & Lifestyle 1:36:03 Undiagnosed Endometriosis, Fertility 1:39:26 Endometriosis: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Painful Periods, Infertility 1:42:30 Male vs Female Health Issues, Undiagnosed Endometriosis 1:47:01 Inflammation, Ectopic Implants, Chronic Pelvic Pain; Adenomyosis 1:50:36 Egg Quality, Endometriosis, Tools: Egg Counts; Pelvic Ultrasound 1:54:29 Sponsor: Function 1:56:13 Pain & Health Testing, Tool: Endometriosis Symptoms, Screening & Tests 2:01:32 Treatment, Surgery, Different Types of Endometriosis 2:05:22 Endometriosis Causes, Inflammation; Incidence, PCOS 2:11:58 Obstetrics & Gynecology Separation, Surgery 2:16:00 Endometriosis Key Takeaways: Symptoms, Treatment & Diagnosis 2:17:04 Treatment, Estrogen & Progesterone, Birth Control, GnRH Antagonists 2:22:39 Endometriosis Stage & Pain, Endometriosis Types 2:23:49 Pregnancy; Postpartum Depression, Menopause; Frustration for Patients 2:29:55 Fibroids, Surgery, Uterine Septum, Tool: Pelvic Ultrasound 2:34:05 Tool: Assessing Your & Partner's Fertility; Autoimmune Conditions 2:37:51 Breast Cancer, Tool: Lifetime Risk Calculator & Breast Imaging; Mastectomy 2:49:47 Endometriosis Tests, Autoimmune Disease; Brain Fog & Menopause; Inositol 2:53:06 Undiagnosed Infertility; PMDD Treatment; Fasting & Low-Carbohydrate Diets 2:57:21 Hair Loss & Perimenopause; Egg Quality; Endometriosis & Menopause 3:00:40 Increase Progesterone; Diet, Hormone & Menopause; Prolong Fertility 3:04:54 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 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