How to Speak Clearly & With Confidence | Matt Abrahams

In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I explain how to optimize hormones—particularly testosterone, estrogen, and related sex steroids—to enhance fertility and overall well-being. I discuss the sources of testosterone and estrogen and how their levels fluctuate with age in both males and females. I also cover how behaviors such as exercise, cold and heat exposure, light exposure, illness, and breathing patterns affect hormones. Additionally, I examine specific supplements and replacement therapies, highlighting important precautions to consider when adjusting hormone levels. Read the show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Huberman Lab Essentials are short episodes focused on essential science and protocol takeaways from past full-length Huberman Lab episodes. Watch or listen to the full-length episode at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hubermanlab.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Huberman Lab Essentials; Hormones 00:01:15 Testosterone & Estrogen Sources & Age, Adrenals 00:03:34 Sponsor: Eight Sleep 00:05:05 Competition, Males & Testosterone; Dopamine 00:09:27 Testosterone Decreases, Expectant Fathers, Illness 00:11:30 Sleep Apnea, Testosterone, Estrogen, Cortisol, Tool: Nasal Breathing 00:15:57 Sponsor: AG1 00:17:00 Dopamine, Cortisol, Fertility, Tool: Light Viewing Behavior  00:19:31 Heat, Cold & Hormone Levels 00:21:14 Resistance & Endurance Training, Testosterone, Tool: Exercise Order 00:23:26 Estrogen, Menopause, Hormone Therapy 00:25:07 Sponsor: Function 00:26:54 Vitamins, Opioids, Supplements, Tongkat Ali, Cancer Risk 00:31:26 Luteinizing Hormone, hCG, Fadogia Agrestis, Tool: Blood Tests 00:36:00 Recap & Key Takeaways Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

20 Feb 37min

My guest is Dr. Michael Platt, Ph.D., a professor of neuroscience and psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. We discuss how factors such as hormonal or social status influence what we value, how we make decisions, and even our perceptions across a range of areas, from who and what we find attractive to our political affiliations. We also discuss how humans evaluate and shift power in relationships and form hierarchies in groups. Dr. Platt also shares new science-based tools for improving focus, creativity, and attention. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman Our Place: https://fromourplace.com/huberman Wealthfront**: https://wealthfront.com/huberman BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman **This experience may not be representative of the experience of other clients of Wealthfront, and there is no guarantee that all clients will have similar experiences. Cash Account is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. The Annual Percentage Yield (“APY”) on cash deposits as of December 27,‬ 2024, is representative, subject to change, and requires no minimum. Funds in the Cash Account are swept to partner banks where they earn the variable‭ APY. Promo terms and FDIC coverage conditions apply. Same-day withdrawal or instant payment transfers may be limited by destination institutions, daily transaction caps, and by participating entities such as Wells Fargo, the RTP® Network, and FedNow® Service. New Cash Account deposits are subject to a 2-4 day holding period before becoming available for transfer. Timestamps 00:00:00 Dr. Michael Platt 00:02:12 Humans, Old World Primates & Decision-Making; Swiss Army Knife Analogy 00:07:52 Sponsors: Our Place & Wealthfront 00:11:01 Attention Allocation, Resource Foraging 00:16:40 Social Media; Marginal Value Theorem, Distraction 00:22:22 Tool: Remove Phone from Room; Attention & Urgency 00:25:23 Tool: Self Conversation; Visual Input, Attention as a Skill 00:29:29 Warming-Up Focus, Tool: Visual Aperture & Attention 00:38:57 Sponsor: AG1 00:40:13 Control of Attention, Tool: Changing Environment 00:44:07 Attention Continuum, Professions, Measuring Business Skill with Neuroscience 00:53:06 Theory of Mind, Covert Attention, Attentional Spotlights 01:00:05 Primates, Hormone Status, Brain Size, Monogamy 01:09:31 Monkeys, Neuronal Multiplexing & Context; Equitable Relationships 01:20:05 Sponsor: BetterHelp 01:21:11 Relationships, Power Dynamics, Neuroethology 01:29:34 Humans, Females & Hormone Status; Monkeys, Social Images, Hormones 01:38:03 Humans, Attractiveness, Value-Based Decision Making 01:44:32 Altruism, Group Selection & Cooperation, Selflessness 01:49:08 Males, Testosterone, Behavior Changes 01:55:46 Sponsor: Function 01:57:34 Oxytocin, Pro-Social Behaviors, Behavioral Synchrony 02:08:13 MDMA, Oxytocin, Anxiety; Social Touch, Despair & Isolation 02:17:12 Isolation, Social Connections & Strangers, Tool: Deep Conversation Questions 02:21:17 Bridging the Divide, Tribes & Superficial Biases 02:26:58 Testosterone, Risk-Taking Behavior 02:30:52 Decision-Making, Tool: Accurate or Fast? 02:38:31 Decision-Making, Impact of Time & Fatigue 02:45:23 Advertising, Status, Celebrity, Monkeys 02:52:19 Hierarchy; Abundance & Scarcity, Money & Happiness, Loss Aversion 03:02:47 Meme Coins, Celebrity Endorsement, Social Sensitivity 03:12:22 Decisions & Urgency; Bounded & Ecological Rationality 03:18:09 Longevity Movement; Mortality & Motivation 03:24:48 Retirement?, Serial Pursuits & Pivoting 03:30:17 Apple or Samsung?, Brand Loyalty, Empathy 03:38:15 Political Affiliation, Empathy 03:46:22 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

17 Feb 3h 49min

In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I explain the crucial role hormones play in shaping the sexual development of both the brain and body. I discuss how biological masculinization and feminization depend on factors such as genetics, hormone ratios, and receptor availability. I also explore how hormones like testosterone, estrogen, and other steroid hormones influence sexual characteristics and brain development. Additionally, I examine the impact of environmental factors—such as herbicides like atrazine, cannabis, alcohol, and even cell phones—on hormone function and reproductive health. Read the full episode show notes, including referenced articles, resources, and people mentioned at hubermanlab.com. Huberman Lab Essentials are short episodes focused on essential science and protocol takeaways from past full-length Huberman Lab episodes. Watch or listen to the full-length episode at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hubermanlab.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Our Place: https://fromourplace.com/huberman BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Huberman Lab Essentials; Hormones, Sexual Development 00:01:25 Chromosomal Sex, Gonadal Sex, Hormonal Sex, Morphology 00:06:08 Sponsor: Function 00:07:56 Steroid Hormones, Sexual Characteristics 00:10:59 Primary & Secondary Sexual Characteristics, Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), Kisspeptin 00:15:12 Masculinization of Brain, Estrogen 00:16:29 Sponsors: Our Place, BetterHelp 00:19:15 Herbicides, Atrazine, Hormone Effects, Sperm Counts 00:25:04 Female Sexual Development, Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome 00:28:37 Sponsor: AG1 00:29:41 Cannabis & Aromatase Activity, Gynecomastia; Alcohol & Estrogen Activity 00:32:34 Cell Phones & Gonads 00:35:24 Beard & Hair Growth, DHT 00:38:42 Hyenas, Hormones, Androstenedione; Plants 00:43:44 Recap & Key Takeaways Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

13 Feb 44min

In this episode, my guest is Pavel Tsatsouline, a world-renowned strength and conditioning coach, former military special forces training instructor, author, and founder of StrongFirst—an online school focused on “low-tech, high-concept” training to build strength for men and women of all fitness levels. We discuss the most effective and efficient ways to build strength, endurance, and flexibility. We cover bodyweight-only, free-weight, and machine-based protocols and describe training splits and lesser-known but highly effective ways to train, especially for people with limited time. We also discuss local versus systemic nervous system and muscle recovery, how to complete training sessions with increased energy, why training to “failure” is not advised, optimal rest-between-sets protocols to improve performance, and how to vary effort levels across each week and month to ensure regular progress. This episode brings you highly practical, science-supported, and real-world-tested training methods to build strength, endurance, and flexibility from one of the world’s top experts. Sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman Levels: https://levels.link/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Joovv: https://joovv.com/huberman Maui Nui: https://mauinuivenison.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Pavel Tsatsouline 00:02:29 Fitness, Strength, Model Athlete 00:07:19 Tool: Essential Training Movements 00:13:46 Sponsors: Eight Sleep & Levels 00:16:29 Dips, Pull-Ups, Farmer Carry, Tools: Kettle Bell Mile, Grip Strength & Longevity 00:29:57 Concentric vs Eccentric Only Movements, Isometric, Tool: Pause Reps 00:38:38 Sponsor: AG1 00:39:53 “Greasing the Groove”, Cramming Analogy, Strength is a Skill 00:48:27 Tool: Greasing the Groove Protocol 00:54:12 Tool: Movement & Motivation; Nervous System 01:00:00 Frequency & Recovery, Heterochronicity, Soviet vs American Training 01:10:25 Soviet vs American Strength Schools, Periodization, Recovery 01:20:00 Sponsors: LMNT & Joovv 01:22:45 Bell Squat, Non-Spine Compressing Leg Work, Tool: Zercher Squat 01:27:15 Machines, Beginners vs Advanced? 01:28:41 Shorter Cycles? Linear & Wave Progression, Step Loading, Variable Overload 01:32:04 Strength & Endurance, Bodybuilding, “Bro Split” 01:40:28 Endurance, Cost of Adaptation, Heart Adaptations 01:46:38 Rest Periods, Interval Training, Tool: German Interval Training  01:51:34 Tool: Cardiovascular Training, Glycolytic Power Repeats; Muscle Growth 01:57:31 Sponsor: Maui Nui 01:59:00 Rest Period Activities, Tool: Protecting Back 02:04:33 Endurance Training, Anti-Glycolytic Revolution, Specialized vs Variety  02:11:30 Not Seeking the “Pump”, Repeated Sprint Ability, Tool: Anti-Glycolytic Endurance Training 02:19:06 Seek Soreness or Pump?, Hypertrophy 02:23:05 Tool: Planning Strength & Endurance Training, Individualization 02:32:27 Training Quality, Practiced Skill 02:35:39 Non-Athletes, Strength & Endurance, Training Duration 02:40:20 Post-Exercise Fatigue, Tools: Fragmentation, Feedback, Volume 02:48:01 Pre-Workout Stimulants 02:53:51 Performance & Arousal, Breathing, Disinhibition, Emotion 03:03:42 Train to Failure?, Recovery 03:08:40 Flexibility, Range of Motion Training, Kettle Bell, Tool: Wall Squat 03:14:57 Training for Flexibility; Training as a Practice 03:17:46 Older Adults & Strength Training, Consistency Over Intensity 03:25:08 Body-Weight vs Barbell vs Kettlebell Training 03:34:06 Kettlebell Training, Swings, Power & Endurance 03:41:55 Training Choices, Tool: Simple, Consistent Program 03:47:38 Kids & Training, General vs Specialization? 03:51:21 Core Work, Abdominals, Tools: Tension & Attention; ‘Pressurize’ Abs 04:03:34 Breathing, Force, Strength 04:05:02 Directing Gaze While Weightlifting 04:12:37 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10 Feb 4h 15min

In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I discuss the biology of emotions and moods, focusing on how development and neurochemicals shape our feelings and relationships. I describe how early infant bonds and puberty shape adult patterns of emotional connection. I explain that understanding emotions requires recognizing both internal states and external cues, along with strategies to enhance your emotional awareness. Additionally, I discuss the key elements of healthy emotional bonds and provide practical tools to deepen one’s understanding of emotions, leading to a richer emotional life. Read the full episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Huberman Lab Essentials are short episodes focused on essential science and protocol takeaways from past full-length Huberman Lab episodes. Watch or listen to the full-length episode at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hubermanlab.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Huberman Lab Essentials; Emotions 00:03:01 Sponsor: Eight Sleep 00:04:39 Emotions & Childhood Development 00:06:35 Infancy, Anxiety 00:08:04 Understanding Emotions; Tools: Mood Meter; Emotions & 3 Key Questions 00:11:45 Infancy, Interoception & Exteroception 00:12:48 Sponsor: BetterHelp 00:14:02 Strange-Situation Task & Babies, Social Bonds, Emotional Regulation 00:18:04 Tool: Exteroception vs Interoception Focus? 00:23:07 Sponsor: AG1 00:24:11 Puberty, Kisspeptin; Testing the World & Emotional Exploration 00:31:56 Sponsor: LMNT 00:33:13 Creating Healthy Emotional Bonds; Dopamine, Serotonin & Oxytocin 00:37:07 Vasopressin; Vagus Nerve & Alertness 00:41:34 Recap & Key Takeaway Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

6 Feb 42min

In this episode, my guest is Dr. Ellen Langer, Ph.D., professor of psychology at Harvard University and the world’s leading researcher on the mind-body connection and the power our thinking has on our physical health. She explains how specific ways of framing and asking questions about the world shape our physical health and rate of aging. Dr. Langer also explains how our perception of time and control significantly impact our rate of physical healing, hormones, immune system, and longevity. She describes mindfulness as a way of framing life, not simply a meditation or other practice, and discusses data showing how to use one’s mind to overcome health challenges and achieve remarkable outcomes. Dr. Langer is a luminary and pioneer in researching the relationship between the mind and body with scientific rigor. Her work and our discussion are applicable to women and men of all ages and walks of life. Read the full episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman Helix Sleep: https://helixsleep.com/huberman Joovv: https://joovv.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Our Place: https://fromourplace.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Dr. Ellen Langer 00:02:57 Mindfulness 00:06:53 Mindless, Focus; Being Mindful 00:11:03 Sponsors: BetterHelp & Helix Sleep 00:13:41 Meditation 00:14:47 Choices & Longer Life; Mind & Body Unity, Exercise, Nocebo & Placebo Effect 00:25:39 Self, Mind-Body Interconnectedness 00:32:16 Acupuncture; Cancer & Healing, Probabilities, Tool: Tragedy or Inconvenience? 00:42:18 Sponsors: AG1 & Joovv 00:44:46 Brain & Predictions, Control & Mindlessness; Resolutions 00:48:09 “Should” Thoughts, Multitasking, Making Moments Matter, Work-Life Balance 00:56:55 Sleep, Stress, Tool: Perceived Sleep & Performance 01:01:58 Counterclockwise Study 01:06:15 Pioneering a Field, Change, Decisions & Uncertainty 01:16:47 Sponsor: Function 01:18:35 Making Sense of Behavior, Forgiveness, Blame 01:25:35 Technology, Human Drive; Tool: Noticing & Appreciating New Things 01:32:50 Art, Mindfulness, Education, Awards 01:39:30 Labels, Borderline Effect; Identity, “I Am”, Learning & Age 01:49:44 Sponsor: Our Place 01:50:56 Memory Loss, Vision; Chronic Disease, Symptom Variability 02:01:22 Deadlines, Constraints; Scientific Method & Absolutes 02:06:47 Covid Crisis, Vaccines, Uncertainty, Multiple Answers 02:12:06 Age & Decline?, Experience Levels & “Disinhibited” 02:18:18 Justice, Drama; Life-Changing Events & Perspective 02:25:45 Death, Spontaneous Cancer Remission; Will to Live 02:31:59 Mindful Hospital, Stress, Burnout, Tool: Mindful Checklist 02:36:32 Noticing, Choices 02:41:16 Coddling, Fragility, Social Media, Money 02:48:26 Tool: Playfulness 02:52:08 Nostalgia, Mindfulness; Tool: Gamifying Life; Parenthood & Work 02:59:17 Healing & Time Perception, Awareness & Neuroplasticity, Imagine Possibilities 03:07:12 Reviews & Critical Feedback, Others’ Opinions 03:12:00 Enlightenment, Flexibility, Expansiveness; Everyone Song 03:19:47 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

3 Feb 3h 22min

In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I explain the biological mechanism behind motivation and drive, as well as discuss practical tools for overcoming procrastination.  I discuss the key role dopamine plays in driving cravings and motivating action. I explain how dopamine regulates the balance between pleasure and pain, and what happens when this system becomes dysregulated, leading to addiction. I discuss the role of molecules like serotonin, which help enhance the enjoyment of the present, and explain how to balance the drive for more while staying focused in the present. I also discuss the causes of procrastination and describe strategies to boost dopamine levels through behavioral approaches or supplements.  Huberman Lab Essentials are short episodes (approximately 30 minutes) focused on essential science and protocol takeaways from past Huberman Lab episodes. Essentials will be released every Thursday, and our full-length episodes will still be released every Monday. Read the full episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman Mateina: https://drinkmateina.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Huberman Lab Essentials; Motivation 00:01:57 Dopamine & Brain  00:04:08 Anticipation, Craving & Dopamine 00:05:37 Sponsor: AG1 00:06:46 Food, Drugs & Dopamine Release 00:10:18 Addiction, Pleasure & Pain Balance 00:14:12 Sponsors: Eight Sleep & Mateina 00:17:14 Dopamine, Pain, Yearning 00:19:08 “Here and Now” Molecules, Serotonin, Endocannabinoids, Tool: Mindfulness 00:22:42 Procrastination; Tool: Extend Dopamine, Offset Pain 00:26:15 Sponsor: LMNT 00:27:31 Dopamine & Motivation; Increasing Dopamine, Phenethylamine (PEA) 00:30:58 Dopamine Schedule, Subjectivity 00:33:59 Gambling, Intermittent Reinforcement, Tool: Blunting Rewards 00:38:51 Recap & Key Takeaway Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

30 Jan 39min

In this episode, my guest is Josh Waitzkin, former child chess prodigy and the subject of the movie and true story Searching for Bobby Fischer. Josh is also a world champion martial arts competitor and the author of the book The Art of Learning. We discuss Josh’s childhood as a chess prodigy and how he learned to train and compete at the highest levels by facing his fears and overcoming points of weakness. He explains the principles that unify disparate physical and mental pursuits and how understanding the interconnectedness of the learning process enables ultra-high-level performance across disciplines. We explore how to structure one’s day to tap into the most creative, generative, and unique capabilities. Josh shares his approach to learning, including how to address flaws and mistakes and how to harness the subtle and overt energies of the learning and peak performance process. He also discusses how he structures his life and makes decisions related to career and family. This episode is sure to inspire deep thinking and practical life changes for all who listen. Read the full episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman Wealthfront**: https://wealthfront.com/huberman Our Place: https://fromourplace.com/huberman Joovv: https://joovv.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman **This experience may not be representative of the experience of other clients of Wealthfront, and there is no guarantee that all clients will have similar experiences. Cash Account is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. The Annual Percentage Yield (“APY”) on cash deposits as of December 27,‬ 2024, is representative, subject to change, and requires no minimum. Funds in the Cash Account are swept to partner banks where they earn the variable‭ APY. Promo terms and FDIC coverage conditions apply. Same-day withdrawal or instant payment transfers may be limited by destination institutions, daily transaction caps, and by participating entities such as Wells Fargo, the RTP® Network, and FedNow® Service. New Cash Account deposits are subject to a 2-4 day holding period before becoming available for transfer. Timestamps 00:00:00 Josh Waitzkin 00:03:21 Chess, Competition & Performance 00:10:50 Martial Arts, Tai Chi, Jiu-Jitsu, Foiling, Training Others 00:14:41 Sponsors: Wealthfront & Our Place 00:17:43 Theory of Mind, Chess, Strategy & Mindset 00:26:39 Early Chess Training 00:32:30 Failure & Change, Chess, Tension, Power of Empty Space 00:43:22 Sponsors: AG1 & Joovv 00:48:06 Grief, Competition Loss, Growth, Frustration Tolerance 00:57:22 Arousal, Frame Rates, Intense Moments 01:06:17 Frame Rates & Pupil Size; Firewalking, Training 01:13:12 Sponsor: Function 01:15:58 Stress & Recovery, Tools: Doing Less, Most Important Question (MIQ) 01:23:24 Tool: Still Body, Active Mind; Shame, Strengthening Weaknesses 01:32:02 Child Prodigies, Brittle; Chess Principles & Transfer to Life 01:43:22 Sponsor: Eight Sleep 01:44:48 Preconscious vs Postconscious 01:52:02 Hypoxic Breathwork Caution & Drowning; Foiling, Fear, Postconscious 01:57:05 Static vs Dynamic Mindset, High Performers 02:05:48 Comebacks, Hunting Adversity, Living on Other Side of Pain, Tool: Cold Plunge 02:19:20 Ego, Identity, Unbreakable Will 02:29:18 Studying People; Chess, Computers; Science & AI; Ocean & Control 02:40:37 Time, Future Direction, True to Self, Wounds 02:51:07 Daily Routine, Individualization, Waking Up, Tool: MIQ Gap Analysis 03:00:21 Tool: MIQ; Stuck Points, Distraction 03:05:58 Reflective vs Stimulus-Response, Optimize Quality not Quantity 03:14:12 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Social Media, Protocols Book, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

27 Jan 3h 17min