In this episode, I discuss neuroscience and psychology studies that address the basis of willpower and tenacity, how they differ from motivation and how we can all increase our levels of willpower and tenacity. I discuss whether willpower is a limited resource, the controversial “ego depletion” theory of willpower and the role that beliefs play in determining our tenacity and willpower. Then, I discuss the neural basis of willpower in the brain and body and how tenacity and willpower relate to sleep, stress, focus, and possibly lifespan. Then, I provide a series of science-supported tools and protocols to increase your level of tenacity and willpower.
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 (Athletic Greens): https://athleticgreens.com/huberman
LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman
Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman
Momentous: https://www.livemomentous.com/huberman
Timestamps
(00:00:00) Tenacity & Willpower
(00:01:36) Sponsors: LMNT & Waking Up
(00:03:49) Tenacity & Willpower vs. Habit Execution; Apathy, Depression & Motivation 
(00:10:40) Ego Depletion & Willpower as a Limited Resource; Controversy 
(00:19:14) Tool: Autonomic Function, Tenacity & Willpower; Sleep & Stress 
(00:28:31) Sponsor: AG1
(00:28:58) Willpower as a Limited Resource (Theory)
(00:35:36) Willpower & Glucose, Brain Energetics
(00:42:44) Beliefs about Willpower & Glucose; Multiple Challenges
(00:54:01) Willpower Brain ‘Hub’; Anorexia Nervosa, Super-Agers
(01:07:15) Anterior Midcingulate Cortex & Brain/Body Communication 
(01:14:54) Allostasis, Anterior Midcingulate Cortex Function
(01:25:19) Anterior Mid-Cingulate Cortex (aMCC), Difficult Tasks & Neuroplasticity
(01:29:30) Tool: Novel Physical Exercise & Brain; Cognitive Exercise
(01:43:43) Tool: “Micro-sucks”, Increase Tenacity/Willpower
(01:50:58) Impossible Tasks, Super-Agers & Learning, Will to Live
(01:57:23) Tool: Rewards & Improving Tenacity/Willpower
(02:01:07) Tenacity & Willpower Recap
(02:05:55) Zero-Cost Support, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Momentous, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter
Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac
Disclaimer

How to Increase Your Willpower & Tenacity

Huberman Lab discusses neuroscience — how our brain and its connections with the organs of our body control our perceptions, our behaviors, and our health. We also discuss existing and emerging tools for measuring and changing how our nervous system works.
Andrew Huberman, Ph.D., is a neuroscientist and tenured professor in the department of neurobiology, and by courtesy, psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford School of Medicine. He has made numerous significant contributions to the fields of brain development, brain function and neural plasticity, which is the ability of our nervous system to rewire and learn new behaviors, skills and cognitive functioning. 
Huberman is a McKnight Foundation and Pew Foundation Fellow and was awarded the Cogan Award, given to the scientist making the most significant discoveries in the study of vision, in 2017. His lab’s most recent work focuses on the influence of vision and respiration on human performance and brain states such as fear and courage. He also works on neural regeneration and directs a clinical trial to promote visual restoration in diseases that cause blindness. Huberman is also actively involved in developing tools now in use by the elite military in the U.S. and Canada, athletes, and technology industries to optimize performance in high stress environments, enhance neural plasticity, mitigate stress and optimize sleep.  
Work from the Huberman Laboratory at Stanford School of Medicine has been published in top journals including Nature, Science and Cell and has been featured in TIME, BBC, Scientific American, Discover and other top media outlets. 
In 2021, Dr. Huberman launched the Huberman Lab podcast. The podcast is frequently ranked in the top 5 of all podcasts globally and is often ranked #1 in the categories of Science, Education, and Health & Fitness.

Science

Health & Fitness

Life Sciences

In this episode, my guest is Dr. Casey Means, M.D., a physician trained at Stanford University School of Medicine, an expert on metabolic health and the author of the book, "Good Energy." We discuss how to leverage nutrition, exercise and environmental factors to enhance your metabolic health by improving mitochondrial function, hormone and blood sugar regulation. 
We also explore how fasting, deliberate cold exposure and spending time in nature can impact metabolic health, how to control food cravings and how to assess your metabolic health using blood testing, continuous glucose monitors and other tools. 
Metabolic dysfunction is a leading cause of chronic disease, obesity and reduced lifespan around the world. Conversely, improving your mitochondrial and metabolic health can positively affect your health span and longevity.
Listeners of this episode will learn low- and zero-cost tools to improve their metabolic health, physical and mental well-being, body composition and target the root cause of various common diseases.
For show notes, including referenced articles and additional resources, please visit hubermanlab.com.
Thank you to our sponsors
AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman
Maui Nui Venison: https://mauinuivenison.com/huberman 
Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman 
AeroPress: https://aeropress.com/huberman 
InsideTracker: https://insidetracker.com/huberman 
Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman
Timestamps
00:00:00 Dr. Casey Means
00:02:18 Sponsors: Maui Nui, Eight Sleep & AeroPress
00:06:32 Metabolism, Metabolic Dysfunction, Medicinal Blindspot
00:14:17 Trifecta of Bad Energy
00:24:02 Western Living, United States, Specialization & Medicine
00:27:57 Insulin Resistance, Tool: Mitochondrial Capacity & Exercise
00:33:33 Sponsor: AG1
00:35:03 Tools: Walking & Glucose; Frequent Movement
00:44:25 Tools: Exercises to Improve Mitochondrial Capacity; Desk Treadmill
00:51:18 Soleus Push-Ups & Fidgeting, Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT)
00:57:14 Sponsor: InsideTracker
00:58:21 Tool: Blood Test Biomarkers, Vital Signs & Mitochondrial Function
01:11:16 Navigate Medical System & Blood Tests, Consumer Lab Testing
01:16:46 Tool: Environmental Factors; Food, Life as a Process
01:21:58 Tool: Ultra-Processed vs. Real Food, Obesity, Soil & Micronutrients
01:32:03 Ultra-Processed Foods: Brain & Cellular Confusion
01:39:10 Tools: Control Cravings, GLP-1 Production, Microbiome Support
01:51:42 Ozempic, GLP-1 Analogs; Root Cause & Medicine
02:00:54 Tool: Deliberate Cold & Heat Exposure, Brown Fat
02:07:27 Tool: Intermittent Fasting & Metabolic Flexibility; Insulin Sensitivity
02:17:03 Tool: Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) & Awareness, Glucose Spikes
02:24:34 Tool: CGMs, Glycemic Variability, Dawn Effect, Individuality
02:33:10 Sleep; Continuous Monitoring & Biomarkers
02:37:39 Mindset & Safety, Stress & Cell Danger Response
02:44:04 Tool: Being in Nature, Sunlight, Fear
02:54:44 Zero-Cost Support, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter
Disclaimer

Dr. Casey Means: Transform Your Health by Improving Metabolism, Hormone & Blood Sugar Regulation

This is episode 5 of our 6-part special series on sleep with Dr. Matthew Walker, Ph.D., a professor of neuroscience and psychology at the University of California, Berkeley and the host of The Matt Walker Podcast. In this episode, we explain the connection between sleep and mood, emotional regulation and mental well-being. 
We explain the role of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep in processing emotions and emotional memories and why sleep deprivation causes agitation, impulsivity and emotional reactivity. 
We also discuss why sleep disruption is a hallmark feature of PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicidality, and other psychiatric conditions. 
We explain protocols for improving REM sleep and other sleep phases in order to harness the therapeutic power of quality sleep to feel calmer and emotionally restored.
This episode describes various actionable tools to improve sleep for those struggling with mental health or mood and those wanting to bolster their overall state and well-being. 
The next episode in this special series explores dreams, including lucid dreaming, nightmares and dream interpretation.
For show notes, including referenced articles and additional resources, please visit hubermanlab.com.
Thank you to our sponsors
AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman
Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman
LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman
BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman
InsideTracker: https://insidetracker.com/huberman 
Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman
Timestamps
(00:00:00) Sleep & Mental Health
(00:01:09) Sponsors: Eight Sleep, LMNT & BetterHelp
(00:05:14) Emotions & Sleep, Amygdala
(00:17:27) Emotional Memory & Sleep
(00:25:48) “Overnight Therapy” & REM Sleep, Noradrenaline
(00:29:13) Sponsor: AG1
(00:30:27) Sleep to “Remember & Forget”, Trauma; REM Sleep
(00:38:27) Hinge Analogy; Motivation, Impulsivity & Addiction
(00:47:08) Tool: Improve REM Sleep, Social Jet Lag, Alcohol & THC, Addiction
(00:56:18) Sponsor: InsideTracker
(00:57:23) Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) & REM Sleep
(01:06:53) Noradrenaline & REM Sleep, PTSD & Prazosin
(01:09:40) Addiction, Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR); Liminal States
(01:16:46) Anxiety & Sleep, Mood vs. Emotions
(01:23:50) Deep Non-REM Sleep & Anxiety, Sleep Quality
(01:28:51) Tool: Improve Deep Non-REM Sleep, Temperature; Alcohol
(01:34:56) Suicidality & Sleep, Pattern Recognition; Nightmares
(01:46:21) Depression, Anxiety & Time Context
(01:51:24) Depression, Too Much Sleep?; REM Changes & Antidepressants
(01:57:37) Sleep Deprivation & Depression
(02:01:34) Tool: Circadian Misalignment & Mental Health, Chronotype
(02:04:05) Tools: Daytime Light & Nighttime Darkness; “Junk Light”
(02:13:04) Zero-Cost Support, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Momentous, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter
Disclaimer

GUEST SERIES | Dr. Matt Walker: Improve Sleep to Boost Mood & Emotional Regulation

Welcome to a preview of the 17th Ask Me Anything (AMA) episode, part of Huberman Lab Premium.
Huberman Lab Premium was launched for two main reasons. First, it was launched in order to raise support for the main Huberman Lab podcast — 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. Read our Annual Letter 2023.
If you're an existing Premium member, you can login to access the full episode.
If you're not a member, you can join Huberman Lab Premium to enjoy exclusive content, including monthly Ask Me Anything (AMA) episodes, AMA transcripts, podcast episode transcripts, early access to live events and help advance human scientific research.
Resources
Foundational Fitness Protocol
Timestamps
(00:00:00) Introduction to AMA #17
(00:00:14) Exciting Announcement
(00:02:16) Diving Into the Foundational Fitness Protocol
(00:09:37) Flexibility in Your Fitness Routine
(00:17:12) Optimizing Workout Times & Prioritizing Health
(00:23:31) Closing Thoughts & Huberman Lab Premium Benefits
In the full AMA episode, we discuss:

Periodization & the Philosophy of Fitness

Unlocking the Secrets of Sleep: Insights & Tools

Chronotypes and Personalized Sleep Strategies

The QQRT Formula: Quantity, Quality, Regularity & Timing of Sleep

Exploring Naps & Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR)

Effective Learning & Note-Taking Strategies

The Power of Teaching & Self-Testing in Learning


Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac
Disclaimer

AMA #17: Making Time for Fitness, Top Sleep Tools & Best Learning Strategies

In this episode, I explain how to strengthen and build a stable, pain-free back and how to reduce or eliminate existing back pain. I explain the anatomy and physiology of the spinal cord and vertebrae, intervertebral disks and nerve pathways, and the abdominal and back muscles that together can be leveraged to stabilize the back. 
Then, I describe protocols: “McGill’s Big 3” exercises, a highly effective psoas stretch, abdominal stabilization, breathing techniques, and protocols to reinforce essential supports for the back, including the neck, pelvis, feet, and toes. 
I also explain how you can reduce and potentially eliminate back pain and sciatica using a specific type of bar hang, “cobra push-ups,” medial-glute strengthening exercises, and more. 
Back pain greatly impedes one’s ability to enjoy daily activities; this episode provides zero-cost, minimal time-investment protocols to improve your back strength and stability and allow you to move through life pain-free and with ease and mobility. 
For show notes, including referenced articles and additional resources, please visit hubermanlab.com.
Thank you to our sponsors
AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman
AeroPress: https://aeropress.com/huberman
Joovv: https://joovv.com/huberman
Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman
Plunge: https://plunge.com/huberman
Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman
Timestamps
(00:00:00) Back Health
(00:03:47) Sponsors: AeroPress, Joovv & Waking Up
(00:07:57) Back Anatomy: Spine, Vertebrae, Spinal Cord
(00:12:07) Spinal Cord & Nerves; Herniated Discs
(00:19:50) Build Strong Pain-Free Back; Bulging Discs
(00:24:26) Back Pain & Professional Evaluation; Tool: Spine Self-Assessment 
(00:34:58) Sponsor: AG1
(00:36:29) Tool: McGill Big 3 Exercises, Curl-Up
(00:44:40) Tool: McGill Big 3 Exercises, Side Plank
(00:53:13) Tool: McGill Big 3 Exercises, Bird Dog; Back Pain
(01:04:10) Sponsor: Plunge
(01:05:37) Tool: Back Pain & Oreo Analogy, Bar Hang
(01:10:34) Time & Back Pain; Tool: Reversing Disc Herniation, Cobra Push-Ups 
(01:21:28) Sciatica, Referred Pain, Herniated Disc
(01:24:21) Tool: Improve Spine Stability, Strengthen Neck
(01:29:23) Tools: Strengthen Feet, Toe Spreading
(01:34:35) Tools: Belly Breathing; Stagger Stance
(01:42:03) Tools: Relieve Low Back Pain, Medial Glute Activation; Rolled Towel
(01:50:59) Tool: Psoas Stretching
(01:57:00) Tool: Back Awareness; Strengthen & Pain-Proof Back
(02:05:49) Zero-Cost Support, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Momentous, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter
Disclaimer

Protocols to Strengthen & Pain Proof Your Back

This is episode 4 of a 6-part special series on sleep with Dr. Matthew Walker, Ph.D., a professor of neuroscience and psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, and author of the best-selling book "Why We Sleep." In this episode, we discuss the relationship between sleep, learning and creativity. 
We explain why and how sleep before and after a learning bout can improve memory and performance for both cognitive tasks and physical skills. We also discuss how to use time learning and sleep, how to use naps, non-sleep deep rest states, and caffeine to optimize learning, and the mechanisms for sleep and memory consolidation. 
We also explain the critical role that sleep plays in creativity and one's ability to discover novel solutions to challenges and problems. 
This episode is filled with actionable information on using sleep to enhance skill learning and improve memory and creativity. 
The next episode in this guest series explains how sleep benefits emotional regulation and mental health. 
For show notes, including referenced articles and additional resources, please visit hubermanlab.com.
Thank you to our sponsors
AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman
Helix Sleep: https://helixsleep.com/huberman 
WHOOP: https://join.whoop.com/huberman 
Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman 
InsideTracker: https://insidetracker.com/huberman 
Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman
Timestamps
(00:00:00) Sleep & Learning
(00:00:59) Sponsors: Helix Sleep, Whoop & Waking Up
(00:05:48) Learning, Memory & Sleep
(00:09:32) Memory & Sleep, “All-Nighters”, Hippocampus
(00:13:46) Naps & Learning Capacity
(00:16:59) Early School Start Times, Performance & Accidents
(00:26:38) Medical Residency & Sleep Deprivation
(00:29:35) Sponsor: AG1
(00:30:49) Tool: Sleep Before Learning; Cramming Effect
(00:35:09) Tools: Caffeine; Timing Peak Learning; “Second Wind”
(00:44:25) Memory Consolidation in Sleep
(00:55:07) Sleepwalking & Talking; REM-Sleep Behavioral Disorder
(01:00:16) REM Sleep Paralysis, Alcohol, Stress
(01:07:41) Sponsor: InsideTracker
(01:08:46) Skills, Motor Learning & Sleep
(01:17:03) Tool: Timing Sleep & Learning, Skill Enhancement
(01:20:00) Naps; Specificity & Memory Consolidation, Sleep Spindles
(01:27:21) Sleep, Motor Learning & Athletes; Automaticity
(01:34:10) Can Learning Improve Sleep?
(01:39:13) Tool: Exercise to Improve Sleep; Performance, Injury & Motivation
(01:44:38) Pillars of Health; Dieting & Sleep Deprivation
(01:49:35) Performance & Poor Sleep, Belief Effects, “Orthosomnia”
(01:57:03) “Overnight Alchemy”, Sleep & Novel Memory Linking
(02:05:58) Sleep & Creativity
(02:11:09) Tools: Waking & Technology; Naps; “Sleep on a Problem”
(02:20:51) Creative Insight & Sleep
(02:26:18) Zero-Cost Support, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Momentous, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter
Disclaimer

How to Increase Your Willpower & Tenacity

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