Journal Club With Dr. Peter Attia | Metformin for Longevity & the Power of Belief Effects
In this journal club episode, my guest is Stanford and Johns Hopkins-trained physician, Dr. Peter Attia, M.D., who is also the host of The Drive podcast and the author of the bestselling book "Outlive: The Science & Art of Longevity." We each present a scientific paper and discuss the findings' strengths, weaknesses and actionable takeaways. First, we discuss an article that addresses whether taking the drug metformin can enhance longevity. Then, we discuss an article on belief effects (similar to placebo effects), showing how the effects of a drug on the brain and cognition depend on one's belief about the dose of the drug taken, not the actual dose. Our conversation also highlights how to read, interpret and critique scientific studies. This episode ought to be of interest to those curious about health and longevity, medicine and psychology and for anyone seeking to better understand how to read and digest scientific findings. For show notes, including referenced articles and additional resources, please visit hubermanlab.com. Use Ask Huberman Lab, our new AI-powered platform, for a summary, clips, and insights from this episode. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Dr. Peter Attia, Journal Club (00:03:43) Sponsors: LMNT & Waking Up (00:06:11) Dreams (00:12:36) Article #1, Metformin, Mitochondria, Blood Glucose (00:19:47) Type 2 Diabetes & Causes, Insulin Resistance (00:25:30) Type 2 Diabetes Medications, Metformin, Geroprotection, Bannister Study (00:36:37) Sponsor: AG1 (00:37:15) TAME Trial; Demographics, Twin Cohort (00:44:27) Metformin & Mortality Rate (00:51:28) Kaplan-Meier Mortality Curve, Error Bars & Significance, Statistical Power (01:02:23) Hazard Ratios, Censoring (01:09:00) Metformin Advantage?, Variables, Interventions Testing Program (01:16:02) Berberine, Acarbose, SGLT2 Inhibitors (01:23:48) Blood Glucose & Energy Balance; Caloric Restriction, Aging Biomarkers (01:32:22) Tool: Reading Journal Articles, 4 Questions, Supplemental Information (01:38:10) Article #2, Belief Effects vs. Placebo Effect (01:45:22) Nicotine Effects (01:51:07) Nicotine Doses & Belief Effects, fMRI Scan (02:00:07) Biological Effects, Dose-Dependent Response & Belief Effects (02:05:14) Biology & Beliefs, Significance, Dopamine Response, Non-Smokers (02:10:57) Dose-Dependence & Beliefs, Side Effects, Nocebo Effect (02:19:06) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous, Neural Network Newsletter, Social Media Disclaimer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
11 Sep 20232h 18min
GUEST SERIES | Dr. Paul Conti: How to Understand & Assess Your Mental Health
This is episode 1 of a 4-part special series on mental health with psychiatrist Dr. Paul Conti, M.D., who trained at Stanford School of Medicine and completed his residency at Harvard Medical School before founding his clinical practice, the Pacific Premiere Group. Dr. Conti defines mental health in actionable terms and describes the foundational elements of the self, including the structure and function of the unconscious and conscious mind, which give rise to all our thoughts, behaviors and emotions. He also explains how to explore and address the root causes of anxiety, low confidence, negative internal narratives, over-thinking and how our unconscious defense mechanisms operate. This episode provides a foundational roadmap to assess your sense of self and mental health. It offers tools to reshape negative emotions, thought patterns and behaviors — either through self-exploration or with a licensed professional. The subsequent three episodes in this special series explore additional tools to further understand and improve your mental health. For the full show notes, including articles, books, and other resources, visit hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Dr. Paul Conti (00:03:46) Sponsors: BetterHelp & Waking Up App (00:06:55) What is a Healthy Self? (00:10:41) Agency & Gratitude; Empowerment & Humility (00:16:13) Physical Health & Mental Health Parallels (00:20:21) Structure of Self; Unconscious vs. Conscious Mind; “Iceberg” (00:26:15) Defense Mechanisms; Character Structure “Nest”, Sense of Self (00:31:27) Predispositions & Character Structure (00:36:01) Sponsor: AG1 (00:37:27) Character Structure & Action States; Physical Health Parallels (00:46:20) Anxiety; Understanding Excessive Anxiety (00:53:12) Improving Confidence: State Dependence & Phenomenology; Narcissism (00:59:44) Changing Beliefs & Internal Narratives (01:06:04) Individuality & Addressing Mental Health Challenges (01:11:21) Mental Health Goals & Growth (01:17:32) Function of Self (01:23:00) Defense Mechanisms: Projection, Displacement (01:30:14) Projection, Displacement, Projective Identification (01:34:50) Humor, Sarcasm, Cynicism (01:40:41) Attention & Salience; Negative Internal Dialogue (01:45:02) Repetition Compulsion & Defense Mechanism, Trauma (01:58:55) Mirror Meditation & Self Awareness; Structure & Function of Self, “Cupboards” (02:04:57) Pillars of the Mind, Agency & Gratitude, Happiness (02:13:53) Generative Drive, Aggressive & Pleasure Drives (02:21:33) Peace, Contentment & Delight, Generative Drive; Amplification (02:24:18) Generative Drive, Amplification & Overcoming (02:33:00) Over-Thinking, Procrastination, Choices (02:42:20) Aggressive, Pleasure & Generative Drives, Envy (02:49:46) Envy, Destruction, Mass Shootings (02:55:38) Demoralization, Isolation, Low Aggressive Drive (03:02:50) Demoralization, Affiliate Defense (03:09:32) Strong Aggressive Drive, Competition, Generative Drive Reframing (03:20:02) Cultivating a Generative Drive, Spirited Inquiry of the “Cupboards” (03:26:06) Current Mental Health Care & Medications (03:35:33) Role of Medicine in Exploration (03:40:41) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Social Media, Momentous, Neural Network Newsletter Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac Disclaimer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
6 Sep 20233h 42min
How Risk Taking, Innovation & Artificial Intelligence Transform Human Experience | Marc Andreessen
In this episode, my guest is Marc Andreessen, the legendary software innovator who co-created the internet browser Mosaic, co-founded Netscape, and is now at Andreessen Horowitz — a venture capital firm that finds and brings to life technologies that transform humanity. We discuss what it takes to be a true innovator, including the personality traits required, the role of environment and the support systems needed to bring revolutionary ideas to fruition. We discuss risk-taking as a necessary but potentially hazardous trait, as well as the role of intrinsic motivation and one’s ability to navigate uncertainty. We also discuss artificial intelligence (AI) and Marc’s stance that soon everyone will use AI as their personalized coach and guide for making decisions about their health, relationships, finances and more — all of which he believes will greatly enhance our quality of life. We also delve into nuclear power, gene editing, public trust, universities, politics, and AI regulation. This episode is for those interested in the innovative mind, psychology, human behavior, technology, culture and politics. For show notes, including referenced articles and additional resources, please visit hubermanlab.com. Use Ask Huberman Lab, our new AI-powered platform, for a summary, clips, and insights from this episode. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Marc Andreessen (00:03:21) Sponsors: LMNT & Waking Up (00:06:05) Personality Traits of an Innovator (00:12:49) Disagreeableness, Social Resistance; Loneliness & Group Think (00:18:48) Testing for Innovators, Silicon Valley (00:23:18) Unpredictability, Pre-Planning, Pivot (00:28:53) Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Motivation, Social Comparison (00:32:53) Sponsor: AG1 (00:33:49) Innovators & Personal Relationships (00:39:24) Risk Taking, Innovators, “Martyrs to Civilizational Progress” (00:46:16) Cancel Culture, Public vs. Elite (00:53:08) Elites & Institutions, Trust (00:57:38) Sponsor: InsideTracker (00:58:44) Social Media, Shifts in Public vs. Elite (01:05:45) Reform & Institutions, Universities vs. Business (00:14:14) Traditional Systems, Lysenkoism, Gen X (01:20:56) Alternative University; Great Awakenings; Survivorship Bias (01:27:25) History of Computers, Neural Network, Artificial Intelligence (AI) (01:35:50) Apple vs. Google, Input Data Set, ChatGPT (01:42:08) Deep Fakes, Registries, Public-Key Cryptography; Quantum Internet (01:46:46) AI Positive Benefits, Medicine, Man & Machine Partnership (01:52:18) AI as Best-Self Coach; AI Modalities (01:59:19) Gene Editing, Precautionary Principle, Nuclear Power (02:05:38) Project Independence, Nuclear Power, Environmentalism (02:12:40) Concerns about AI (02:18:00) Future of AI, Government Policy, Europe, US & China (02:23:47) China Businesses, Politics; Gene Editing (02:28:38) Marketing, Moral Panic & New Technology; Politics, Podcasts & AI (02:39:03) Innovator Development, Courage, Support (02:46:36) Small Groups vs. Large Organization, Agility; “Wild Ducks” (02:54:50) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous, Neural Network Newsletter, Social Media Disclaimer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
4 Sep 20232h 54min
AMA #10: Benefits of Nature & “Grounding," Hearing Loss Research & Avoiding Altitude Sickness
Welcome to a preview of the 10th Ask Me Anything (AMA) episode, part of Huberman Lab Premium. The Huberman Lab Premium subscription was launched for two main reasons. First, it was launched in order to raise support for the standard Huberman Lab podcast channel — which will continue to come out every Monday at zero-cost. Second, it was launched as a means to raise funds for important scientific research. A significant portion of proceeds from the Huberman Lab Premium subscription will fund human research (not animal models) selected by Dr. Huberman, with a dollar-for-dollar match from the Tiny Foundation. Subscribe to Huberman Lab Premium at https://hubermanlab.com/premium. Timestamps (00:00:00) Introduction (00:01:42) Scientifically-Supported Benefits of Nature (00:24:12) Huberman Lab Premium In the full AMA episode, we discuss: New Research for Those With Sudden Hearing Loss Science-Backed Methods for Altitude Sickness Prevention & Enhanced Acclimatization Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac Disclaimer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
30 Aug 202321min
Goals Toolkit: How to Set & Achieve Your Goals
In this episode, I describe science-based protocols to set and achieve your goals in a way that maximizes the likelihood of reaching them. I explain how to define a priority and reach a specific goal by systematically assessing the challenge level, measurability, milestones, and action states needed to make progress from start to finish. I also explain research-supported tools to improve your performance during cognitive or physical goal work — including directed visualization, variable reward timing, and optimizing your physical environment. I also dispel common myths about goal setting and achievement. This episode provides a science-supported toolkit of zero-cost strategies for goal-setting, goal-pursuit, and goal-completion that can be applied to any physical or cognitive endeavor. For show notes, including referenced articles and additional resources, please visit hubermanlab.com. Use Ask Huberman Lab, our new AI-powered platform, for a summary, clips, and insights from this episode. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Goal Setting Toolkit (00:02:26) Sponsors: LMNT & Waking Up (00:04:43) Biology of Goal Setting & Pursuit (00:08:50) Tool 1: Choose a Priority Goal (00:12:04) Tool 2: Pursue Lofty Goals (00:17:23) Tool 3: Define Verb Actions, Measurability & Specificity; Writing vs. Typing (00:24:06) Tool 4: Visual Reminder Myth; “Post-It Fallacy” (00:26:44) Tool 5: Accountability Myth, “Don’t Tell the World” Rule (00:31:35) Intrinsic Motivation & Goal Achievement (00:33:22) Sponsor: AG1 (00:33:54) Tool 6: Measurable Goal; Quarterly Cycle (00:37:35) Tool 7: Quantifiable Goals; Book Writing (00:43:34) Tool 8: Visualization of End; Motivation & Negative Thinking (00:50:38) Sponsor: InsideTracker (00:51:44) Tool 9: Visual Target/Finish Line Training & Perceived Effort (01:05:50) Tool 10: Distance from Phone (01:08:31) Tool 11: Random, Intermittent Reinforcement; Cognitive Rewards (01:17:11) Tool 12: “Middle Problem”; Time Chunking (01:23:16) Tool 13: Circadian Rhythm & Attention (01:30:09) Tool 14: Protocol Flexibility, Subjective Feelings (01:32:13) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous, Neural Network Newsletter, Social Media Disclaimer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
28 Aug 20231h 32min
Life, Death & the Neuroscience of Your Unique Experience | Dr. David Linden
In this episode, my guest is Dr. David Linden, Ph.D., professor of neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the author of many popular books about the brain. We discuss individual differences between people — focusing on differences in how people sense the world around them and the roles that chance, heredity, and life experiences (even in utero) play in determining our physical and cognitive traits. We discuss the bidirectional connection between the mind and body and how our thoughts and mental practices (e.g., meditation and breathwork) impact our health. We also discuss the link between inflammation and depression. We also discuss Dr. Linden’s terminal illness diagnosis, his mindset during chemotherapy and what his diagnosis has taught him about the mind, gratitude, time perception and life. This episode also covers sensual touch, cerebellar function, and epigenetic inheritance and ought to be of interest to all interested in neuroscience, genetics, psychology and human development. For show notes, including referenced articles and additional resources, please visit hubermanlab.com. Use Ask Huberman Lab, our new AI-powered platform, for a summary, clips, and insights from this episode. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) David Linden (00:04:15) Sponsors: LMNT & Waking Up (00:07:54) Sensory Touch & Genitals, Krause Corpuscles (00:16:46) Sexual Experiences & Sensation (00:19:14) Human Individuality & Variation; Senses & Odor Detection (00:29:32) Sponsor: AG1 (00:31:22) Visual Individuality; Heat Tolerance; Early Life Experiences & Variation (00:40:28) Auditory Variability, Perfect Pitch (00:42:08) Heritability & Human Individuality: Cognitive & Physical Traits (00:49:36) Heritability, Environment, Personality; Twin Studies (01:01:19) Development, Chance; Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance (01:07:37) Single Generation Epigenetic Inheritance & Stress; Autism (01:15:52) Sleep Paralysis; Cerebellum, Prediction (01:23:47) Nature vs. Nature, Experience; Linden Hypothesis (01:30:37) Mind-Body Interaction; Chemical Signals (01:39:10) Inflammation & Depression (01:43:35) Neuroplasticity, Inflammation & Mental Disorders; Microglial Cells, Exercise (01:52:15) Fads & Science (01:55:16) Mind-Body Communication; Cancer (02:03:28) Mind-Body, Mediation, Breathwork (02:07:30) Atrial Fibrillation, Synovial Sarcoma, Heart (02:14:22) Gratitude & Anger; Chemotherapy, Curiosity & Time Perception (02:19:58) Death, Brain & Future Prediction, Religion & Afterlife (02:24:15) Life Advice; Time Perception & Gratitude (02:34:35) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
21 Aug 20232h 33min
Improving Sexual & Urological Health in Males and Females | Dr. Rena Malik
In this episode, my guest is Dr. Rena Malik, M.D., a board-certified urologist and pelvic surgeon, male and female pelvic medicine expert, and public health educator. We discuss the major causes of and treatments for sexual and urologic dysfunction, including how to restore, maintain and enhance pelvic floor function and proper neural and vascular (blood) supply to the genitals. We also discuss what controls and can enhance desire and arousal, how to assess and treat erectile dysfunction, and challenges with vaginal lubrication and/or orgasm. We also discuss vaginal and penile health, including preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs) and which common prescription drugs can cause sexual dysfunction in males and females. This episode covers a range of topics: oral contraception, masturbation, pornography, prostate health, and male and female hormone health. Note: This episode covers topics related to sexual and reproductive health. Some content might not be suitable for all audiences and ages. For show notes, including referenced articles and additional resources, please visit hubermanlab.com. Use Ask Huberman Lab, our new AI-powered platform, for a summary, clips, and insights from this episode. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Rena Malik (00:04:21) Sponsors: LMNT & Waking Up (00:07:45) Pelvic Floor: Urination & Sexual Function (00:14:13) What is a Healthy Pelvic Floor? (00:19:44) Kegels, Benefits & Risks, Urinary Incontinence (00:24:08) Pelvic Floor Relaxation; Exercise & Pelvic Floor (00:28:03) Desire vs. Arousal, Erections: Psychology, Hormones, Blood Flow & Nerves (00:35:31) Sponsor: AG1 (00:37:07) Pelvic Floor: Medical Professionals & Physical Therapy (00:40:15) Sexual Dysfunction, Erectile Dysfunction, Orgasm Difficulty (00:43:13) Desire & Arousal Issues; Erectile Dysfunction, Viagra, Cialis (Tadalafil) (00:52:20) L-Citrulline, Supplements (00:54:09) Erectile Dysfunction & Cialis; Prostate Health; Females (00:58:58) Erectile Dysfunction in Young Men (01:01:37) Pornography, Masturbation & Ejaculation; Healthy Sexual Behavior (01:08:22) Arousal Habituation, Masturbation, Addiction (01:12:57) Female Arousal Response, Orgasm, Coolidge Effect (01:17:22) Priapism, Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone; Women & Low Libido Medications (01:22:25) Libido & Individuality (01:26:18) Female Arousal, Vaginal Lubrication; Discharge, Odors & Douching (01:33:09) Vaginal Infections, Discharge; Vaginal Microbiome (01:35:45) Female Orgasm, Vaginal Penetration, Stimulation, Clitoris, G-Spot (01:42:31) Erection & Orgasm, Pelvic Floor Muscles (01:46:32) Dopamine-Enhancing Medication & Arousal Arc (01:51:18) Menstrual Cycle & Libido (01:52:49) Vaginal Penetration, Variation & Communication (01:55:24) Sexual Interaction Communication, Sex Therapists (01:58:45) Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) in Male & Females; Prevention, Vaginal Estrogen (02:04:04) Male Urination Sitting; Spermicide, Cranberry, D-Mannose & UTIs (02:11:33) Testosterone, Post-Menopausal Women & Libido (02:14:56) Kidney Stones: Prevention & Treatment (02:19:14) Oral Contraception, Libido, Individuality, Intrauterine Device (IUDs) (02:26:52) Anti-Depressants, SSRIs & Low Libido (02:29:32) Prostate Health, Cialis, Urination Difficulty (02:34:22) Bicycling, Genital Numbness, Erectile Dysfunction (02:37:48) Anal Sex, Females, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), Lubricants (02:44:14) Libido, Behavioral Interventions, Supplements (02:49:15) Supplements for Libido (02:52:14) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
14 Aug 20232h 51min
Ketamine: Benefits and Risks for Depression, PTSD & Neuroplasticity
In this episode, I explain how ketamine causes rewiring of brain circuits and dissociative states to relieve symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). I explain how ketamine impacts both the brain’s glutamate and its endogenous opioid pathways, which together regulate mood and well-being. I discuss how ketamine therapy is used clinically to treat major depression, bipolar depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), suicidality and other psychiatric challenges. I also describe how ketamine causes the subjective effects of dissociation and euphoria and, at higher doses, is an anesthetic. I compare the different routes of ketamine administration, dosages and forms of ketamine, and if micro-dosing ketamine is effective. I also highlight the potential risks of recreational ketamine use (and the colloquial term ‘K-holes’). This episode should interest anyone interested in ketamine, treatments for depression, neuroplasticity mechanisms, psychiatry and mental health. For show notes, including referenced articles and additional resources, please visit hubermanlab.com. Use Ask Huberman Lab, our new AI-powered platform, for a summary, clips, and insights from this episode. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Ketamine (00:02:46) Sponsors: LMNT & Waking Up (00:05:13) Ketamine & PCP; Clinical & Recreational Use (00:09:00) Depression & Current Treatments (00:15:17) Preclinical Models of Depression & Ketamine; “Learned Helplessness” (00:22:11) Ketamine & Clinical Uses; Depression & Suicidality (00:28:32) Ketamine & Other Psychiatric Challenges; Relief & Durability (00:33:40) Sponsor: AG1 (Athletic Greens) (00:34:29) NMDA Receptor & Neuroplasticity (00:41:36) Excitatory & Inhibitory Communication, Seizure, NMDA Receptors & Ketamine (00:48:26) How Ketamine Functions in Brain; Acute & Long-Term Effects (00:55:36) Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) & Ketamine Therapy (01:03:40) Ketamine & Opioid Pathway (01:10:00) Divergent Mechanisms of Immediate & Long-Term Effects (01:15:45) Habenula, Pro-Depressive Behaviors & Ketamine Therapy (01:20:36) Ketamine & Context-Dependent Strategy; Reward Pathway (01:22:45) Dissociative States (01:26:04) Doses & Routes of Administration; “K-holes”; Risk & Caution (01:32:25) Ketamine Forms; R-, S- vs R/S- Ketamine; Micro-Dosing (01:38:24) Ketamine: Effects & Therapy (01:40:40) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7 Aug 20231h 39min
