In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, my guest is Dr. Chris Palmer, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. We explain how nutrition and metabolism directly affect mental health, including the biological mechanisms underlying these effects. We also discuss how carbohydrate restriction, ketogenic diets and fasting can improve mood, energy, and, in some cases, treatment-resistant psychiatric conditions.

Thank you to our sponsors

AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman

Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman

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Timestamps

(00:00:00) Chris Palmer

(00:00:20) Personal Story, Nutrition & Mental Health

(00:05:28) Treatment-Resistant Mental Disorders & Low-Carbohydrate Diet

(00:07:32) Sponsor: Eight Sleep

(00:08:51) Ketogenic Diet & Schizophrenia Success Story

(00:12:20) Nutrition for Mental Disorders, Ketosis, Highly Processed Foods

(00:15:13) Epilepsy & Ketogenic Diet, Fasting; Mitochondrial Benefits

(00:21:14) Sponsor: BetterHelp

(00:22:15) Mitochondria Functions, Mental Disorders

(00:28:05) Mitophagy, Autophagy, Longevity & Calorie Restriction

(00:33:12) Sponsor: AG1

(00:34:25) Carbohydrate Restriction, Depression Treatment

(00:37:23) Acknowledgements

Disclaimer & Disclosures

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Dr. Masud Husain is a Professor of Neurology & Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Oxford and a leading expert on the science of motivation, apathy, and neurological diseases. We discuss how dopamine and specific brain circuits shape motivation, including how the brain weighs the trade-off between effort vs reward when deciding what goals to pursue. Dr. Husain also explains practical tools to increase motivation, reduce distractions, and make it easier to start and maintain goal pursuit. We also discuss dementia, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, including new insights into cognitive resilience and factors that help protect against age-related cognitive decline.

Show notes: https://go.hubermanlab.com/masud-husain-295

Thank you to our sponsors

AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman

David: https://davidprotein.com/huberman

BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman

Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman

Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman

Timestamps

(00:00:00) Masud Husain

(00:02:24) Apathy, Motivation

(00:08:07) Rewards, Apathy & Motivation; Dopamine

(00:13:20) Sponsors: David & BetterHelp

(00:15:44) Types of Apathy; Goal Prioritization: Effort vs Rewards

(00:23:26) Motivation, Apathy, Tool: Activation Energy & Overthinking

(00:29:24) Tools to Increase Motivation: Incentives, Subdivide Tasks, Planning

(00:35:13) Subjective Effort, Mental Framing; Learning & Motivation

(00:42:24) Sponsors: AG1 & Eight Sleep

(00:44:54) Perseverance, Failure; Finding Your Passion, Depression vs Apathy

(00:50:58) Self-Concept, Ambition; Life Satisfaction

(00:58:25) Psychedelics, Anhedonia & Changing Self

(01:03:09) Personal & Social Identity, Tools: Curiosity, Purpose & Dementia Risk

(01:11:58) Addiction, Dopamine; Social Media & Dopamine "Hits"?

(01:18:36) Sponsor: Function

(01:20:13) Dopamine, Parkinson's Disease; Other Roles of Dopamine

(01:26:59) Life Purpose, Culture; Reflection, Weighing Decisions

(01:34:21) Internal & External Attention

(01:39:59) Internal Chatter, Distraction; Working Memory, Stimulants, Nicotine

(01:48:54) ADHD, Diagnosis; Attention & Motivation

(01:54:34) Goal Planning & Perseverance

(01:59:44) Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia, Apathy, Tools: Dementia Risk Factors

(02:06:55) Neurodegenerative Disease & Emerging Treatments

(02:10:59) Can You Train Attention?, Tool: Reduce Distraction

(02:15:14) Enrichment, Art

(02:17:45) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter

Disclaimer & Disclosures

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In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, my guest Rick Rubin, world-renowned music producer and author of The Creative Act: A Way of Being, and I discuss how to access creativity by noticing ideas, trusting your taste and staying fully present with the work. Rick explains the phases of the creative process and how focus, disengagement, self-doubt, deadlines and meditation can support original work. We also explore perception, pro wrestling and why remaining open to uncertainty can help anyone create more authentically.

Thank you to our sponsors

AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman

LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman

Timestamps

(00:00:00) Rick Rubin & Creativity

(00:00:23) Creativity as a Dream or Cloud

(00:01:53) Childhood, Openness & Originality

(00:03:29) Trust Your Taste; Experiment, Don't Over-Explain

(00:05:28) Announcement: Protocols Live Events

(00:07:07) Creative Aperture & New Perspectives

(00:07:48) External Feedback & Staying True to the Work

(00:09:14) Finishing Creative Projects

(00:10:35) Focus, Disengagement & the Subconscious

(00:13:15) Sponsor: LMNT

(00:15:04) Perception, Storytelling & Uncertainty

(00:17:38) Pro Wrestling, Playfulness & Reality

(00:18:59) Morning Routine & Receptivity

(00:19:50) Four Phases of Creative Work; Deadlines

(00:24:47) Sponsor: AG1

(00:26:08) Self-Doubt as a Creative Tool

(00:27:05) Capturing Real Moments; Authenticity

(00:28:10) Routines, Advice & Staying Open

(00:29:45) Look for Clues; Belief & Attention

(00:32:01) Staying Present in the Work

(00:32:44) Meditation: Mantra, Breath & Awareness

(00:34:42) Monroe Institute Surgical Support Series

Disclaimer & Disclosures

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Dr. Ralph Adolphs, PhD, is a Professor of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Biology at Caltech and a leading expert on the science of human emotions. We discuss how emotions shape our attention and decision-making, whether emotions are truly “stored” in the body, and whether facial expressions are truly reliable signals of emotion. We also cover tools for improving emotional regulation, including cognitive reappraisal and deliberate cold exposure. This episode provides a modern scientific explanation of how emotions are created and regulated in the brain and body, their many impacts on other aspects of brain function, and practical tools for improving emotional wellbeing and processing.

Get tickets to Huberman Lab live events: https://www.hubermanlab.com/events

Pre-order Andrew's book Protocols: https://protocolsbook.com

Thank you to our sponsors

AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman

Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman

Helix Sleep: https://helixsleep.com/huberman

LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman

Rorra: https://rorra.com/huberman

Timestamps

(00:00:00) Ralph Adolphs

(00:02:54) Emotions; Qualities of Emotions: Priority, Valence

(00:10:00) Qualities of Emotions: Scalability, Persistence

(00:15:25) Sponsors: Helix Sleep & Rorra

(00:18:17) Do Animals Have Emotions?, Conscious Experience

(00:22:58) Monitoring & Regulating Emotions; Emotional Granularity

(00:31:22) Emotional Regulation, Tools: Situational Avoidance, Ice Baths

(00:37:11) Ultramarathons, Perseverance, Adversity; Awe

(00:45:04) Sponsor: AG1

(00:46:17) Perception of Emotions, Amygdala & Fear, Facial Expressions

(00:51:59) Interpreting Others' Emotions, Prediction

(00:57:52) Emotions as Adaptations to the Environment, Types of Fear

(01:00:13) Feeling Emotions in the Body, Pain, Insula

(01:08:05) Brain & Body Connection; Marketing & Emotion

(01:12:34) Sponsor: Function

(01:14:11) Art, Music & Emotion

(01:17:43) Interpreting Facial Expressions, Developing Emotions, Flexibility vs Reflexes

(01:25:11) Emotional Intelligence, Context-Dependent Social Intelligence; Autism

(01:33:31) Sponsor: LMNT

(01:34:51) Autism & Social Dynamics, Eye Contact

(01:42:01) Change Your Personality?, Body Movement & Thought, Social Interaction

(01:47:18) Emotion Regulation, Tool: Training Mental Stillness

(01:53:46) Task Switching, Tool: Meditation, Breathing Techniques

(02:02:07) Illness, Diagnosis & Emotions, Gratitude & Awe

(02:06:52) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter

Disclaimer & Disclosures

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In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, my guest is Dr. Sara Gottfried, M.D., a Harvard-trained, board-certified gynecologist and expert in female hormone health. We discuss the key biomarkers women should track at each stage of life and how cortisol, thyroid hormone, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone shape energy, mood, metabolism, and long-term disease risk. We also discuss PCOS, the risks and benefits of oral contraceptives, and the shift in brain metabolism that begins in perimenopause. Dr. Gottfried explains actionable tools for hormone and micronutrient testing, nutrition, stress management, and cardiometabolic screening that women can use at any age.

Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com.

Thank you to our sponsors

AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman

LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman

Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman

Timestamps

(00:00:00) Female Hormone Health

(00:00:24) Family History, Intergenerational Trauma; Endometriosis, Fibroids, PCOS

(00:01:31) Biomarkers by Decade; Teens & Cortisol; 20s & Sex Hormones

(00:03:35) Tool: Hormone Test Timing; Micronutrient Testing, Magnesium

(00:05:41) Sponsor: LMNT

(00:07:17) Tool: Smoothies, Greens Powders & Microbiome

(00:08:12) Nutrient Panels, Antioxidants, B Vitamins, Glutathione

(00:09:34) Constipation, Thyroid Dysfunction; Trauma & Female Physiology

(00:11:50) Tools: Reduce Perceived Stress, Meditation, Yoga, Breathwork

(00:13:30) Opportunities by Decade; Androgens & Testosterone Decline

(00:14:50) PCOS, Diagnostic Criteria, Hirsutism, Cardiometabolic Risk

(00:17:10) Insulin & Glucose; Tool: Continuous Glucose Monitors

(00:18:05) Democratizing Health Data

(00:18:52) Sponsor: AG1

(00:20:07) Longevity "Don’ts"; Chronic Cardio & Cortisol; Tool: Adaptive Exercise

(00:22:46) Oral Contraceptives, Benefits & Ovarian Cancer Risk

(00:24:27) Ovarian Cancer Symptoms, Bloating, CA-125

(00:25:51) Oral Contraceptive Risks, Progestins, Inflammation; SHBG & Testosterone

(00:29:08) Clitoral Shrinkage; Tools: Alternatives for Painful Periods

(00:30:14) Sponsor: Eight Sleep

(00:31:32) Menopause & Perimenopause; 30s Hormonal Baseline

(00:33:07) Female Brain, Cerebral Hypometabolism & Alzheimer’s Risk

(00:35:02) Slow Brain Energy, Hormone Therapy; Hot Flashes as Biomarkers

(00:36:54) Tool: Coronary Artery Calcium Score

Disclaimer & Disclosures

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Dr. Fei-Fei Li, PhD, is a professor of computer science at Stanford University and a pioneer and expert in artificial intelligence (AI). We discuss how AI can be used safely and effectively to extend human capabilities – not just to search for information but specifically to increase human intelligence and creativity. We also discuss how humans collaborating with AI and robots stand to positively transform human health and one’s experience of life. And we cover what makes AI fundamentally different from human cognition, and why your intuition and unique experiences are not replicable by AI or machines. Both AI enthusiasts and skeptics are sure to benefit from the information and tools Dr. Fei-Fei Li shares in this episode.

Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com.

Huberman Lab live events: https://www.hubermanlab.com/events

Thank you to our sponsors

AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman

David: https://davidprotein.com/huberman

Lingo: https://hellolingo.com/huberman

LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman

Wealthfront*: https://wealthfront.com/huberman

Timestamps

(00:00:00) Fei-Fei Li

(00:03:46) Vision & Intelligence; Human Vision & Contribution to AI

(00:12:11) Computer Vision & the AI Revolution

(00:18:34) Sponsors: Lingo & Wealthfront

(00:21:19) Speech, Sound & AI Development

(00:23:36) AI & Contextual Learning, Human Intelligence

(00:33:43) Current AI Gaps, Emotion & Creativity

(00:45:48) Computers Enhancing Humanity; Tool: Personal Agency & Learning about AI

(00:53:04) Sponsors: AG1 & LMNT

(00:55:37) Public Discourse about AI

(00:57:34) AI to Enhance Scientific Discovery & Healthcare; Human Collaboration

(01:07:38) Intuition, Motivation & Human States Beyond AI

(01:19:18) Sponsor: David

(01:20:37) Social & Ethical Considerations for AI

(01:27:38) Kids, Development & AI Tools; Tool: Prompt AI Effectively

(01:35:04) Next Frontier for Robotics & AI; Human Agency

(01:43:52) Human-Centered AI Future

(01:50:10) World Labs, Spatial Intelligence

(01:54:12) Concerns about AI & Creativity; Movies, Art, Storytelling

(01:59:51) Younger Generation & AI, Teachers

(02:05:38) 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. Andrew Huberman receives cash compensation from Wealthfront Brokerage for paid testimonials in his podcast, creating a conflict of interest. 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 3.30% on cash deposits as of January 30, 2026, is representative, subject to change, and requires no minimum. If eligible for the overall boosted rate of 4.05% 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. Additional terms and conditions apply, which can be found on Wealthfront.com/Huberman. Funds in the Cash Account are swept to program banks, where it earns the variable APY. 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. 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.

Disclaimer & Disclosures

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In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I explain how key neuromodulators shape motivation, energy, focus and mood throughout the day. I also describe a toolkit of science-supported behavioral, nutritional and supplement-based strategies to increase baseline levels for each neuromodulator, which can be modified to support your specific health and performance goals.

Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com.

Thank you to our sponsors

AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman

Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman

ROKA: https://roka.com/huberman

Timestamps

(00:00:00) Optimize Neurochemicals for Health

(00:00:27) Neuromodulator Levels & 3 Daily Phases

(00:05:07) Hormones Modulate Neuromodulators

(00:06:56) Sponsor: Eight Sleep

(00:08:13) Effects of Key Neuromodulators

(00:10:16) Increase Motivation & Dopamine, Tools: Morning Sunlight; Caffeine

(00:13:30) Dopamine Supplements: Mucuna Pruriens, L-Tyrosine, Phenethylamine (PEA)

(00:16:34) Increase Dopamine, Tool: Deliberate Cold Exposure

(00:19:18) Sponsor: AG1

(00:20:31) Increase Epinephrine (Adrenaline) & Energy, Tools: Exercise, Cyclic Hyperventilation

(00:24:56) Enhance Focus & Acetylcholine: Choline-Rich Foods, Nicotine

(00:27:11) Acetylcholine Supplements: Alpha-GPC, Huperzine

(00:28:05) Sponsor: ROKA

(00:29:21) Serotonin & Mood, Tools: Gratitude, Tryptophan-Rich Foods

(00:31:49) Serotonin Supplement: Myo-inositol

(00:32:26) Using the Neurochemical Toolkit for Your Goals

Disclaimer & Disclosures

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My guest is Dr. Matthew (Max) Krummel, PhD, professor at UCSF and one of the world’s leading immunologists. We discuss how your immune system works and how sleep, emotions, and even memories shape immune function. We also explore thymus function, its role in autoimmunity, and its potential role in combating cancer. And we discuss how the type and timing of immunization can impact health. This episode provides an actionable framework for understanding how your immune system works, which ought to benefit people of all ages and health statuses.

Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com.

Thank you to our sponsors

AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman

Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman

Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman

Joovv: https://joovv.com/huberman

Timestamps

(00:00:00) Max Krummel

(00:02:18) Immune System, Immunotherapy

(00:08:36) Illness, Childhood & Immune System

(00:13:02) Aging & Immunity, DNA Mutations

(00:18:36) Sponsors: Joovv & Eight Sleep

(00:21:14) Self vs Non-Self Recognition, Aging, Cancer; Immune Surveillance

(00:30:11) Cancer, Immune System, Age & Measuring Change

(00:35:57) Thymus, T Cells; Aging & Cancer

(00:42:13) Reproduction, Aging & Immune System; Basic Research

(00:47:28) Sleep & Illness Susceptibility

(00:52:55) Sponsor: AG1

(00:54:08) Umbilical Cord Banking; Organoids, CAR T Cells, Thymus

(01:02:57) Scientific Curiosity, Failures, & Discovery

(01:13:14) Spatial Biology & Immune Cells; Memory & Immune State; Stress, Meditation

(01:25:00) Sponsor: Function

(01:26:37) Mindset; Tissue Engineering, Peptides, Systems Biology

(01:34:25) Immunizations in Childhood and Beyond

(01:39:37) Pharmaceutical Companies, Public Distrust

(01:49:22) Disease Risk, Immunity; Autism, Flu,

(01:58:56) Biological Resilience, Cancer; Computational Research

(02:08:02) Autoimmune Conditions, Asthma, IBD

(02:13:34) Autoimmunity & Genetic Diversity Benefits

(02:17:11) Science Communication, Max's Substack

(02:24:07) 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 Jocko Willink, a retired U.S. Navy SEAL officer, author and host of the Jocko Podcast. We discuss why discipline, rather than motivation, is the reliable driver of daily action, and how taking action is the most effective way to move through adversity, loss and setbacks. We also discuss how exercise generates energy, the leader’s role as a counterweight to team morale, and detachment as a trainable skill for widening perspective and making better decisions under stress.

Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com.

Thank you to our sponsors

AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman

LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman

David: https://davidprotein.com/huberman

Timestamps

(00:00:00) Jocko Willink

(00:00:23) Discipline, Impact & Autonomy in the Military

(00:02:40) Energy, Waking Up, Alarm Clock & Debate

(00:04:12) Tool: Exercise for Energy; Eating, Fasting & Mental Clarity

(00:05:45) Tool: High-Intensity Exercise, Peak Mentality

(00:06:31) Winning & Losing, SEAL Selection, BUD/S, Resilience

(00:08:34) Leadership, Morale & Mob Mentality; Tool: Detach & Correct

(00:10:36) Loss, Grief; Tool: Action as a Cure for Adversity

(00:12:17) Sponsor: AG1

(00:13:31) Parenting & Success; Tool: Be the Counterweight, Balance

(00:16:07) Sense of Self, Hardcore Music, DIY Attitude & Dissent

(00:18:55) Motivation as an Emotion, Discipline

(00:19:44) Tool: Move Toward Problems; Indirect Approach & Conflict

(00:21:14) Sponsor: LMNT

(00:22:46) Meditation, Detachment & Teaching Young Leaders

(00:24:19) Depression, Storm Clouds & Losing Perspective

(00:26:39) Tool: Detachment, Oil Rig Story, Field of View

(00:30:59) Tools: Take a Step Back, Slow Breathing & Widen Field of View

(00:32:04) Tools: Chin Up, Hands Down, Listening; Relationships

(00:34:18) Sponsor: David

(00:35:37) Tool: Deliberate Discomfort & Training Resiliency

(00:36:08) Acknowledgements

Disclaimer & Disclosures

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I answer questions submitted by listeners about topics ranging from how to ensure great sleep after nighttime exercise, effective no-caffeine pre-workouts (that also improve your sleep quality), neuroscience-supported tools for improving your memory and sense of smell, nutrition and supplementation for improving female and male fertility, the link between (peri)menopause and mental health, accelerating recovery from surgery, how to find your life’s passion, and more.

Please note that if your question was not answered this time, we will keep it to consider for future Q&A episodes. A special thank you to everyone who submitted a question!

Read the episode show notes 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) Your Questions Answered

(00:01:42) Late-Day Training & Pre-Workout, Cortisol; Tools: Alpha-GPC, Garlic & TMAO, Hot Shower, Physiological Sigh, Post-Workout Food

(00:13:57) Sponsors: Eight Sleep & BetterHelp

(00:16:12) Morning Daylight, East vs West Facing, Melanopsin Cells; Tool: Ambient Daylight, Prior Light History

(00:22:54) Over-Optimization & Protocol Overwhelm, Core Pillars, Consistency, Resentment, Alcohol

(00:33:32) Sponsor: AG1

(00:34:48) Memory, Hippocampus & Neocortex, Exercise & Arousal, Errors, Sleep, Tool: Self-Testing; Sense of Smell, Tool: Sniff Training, Anosmia

(00:53:11) Fertility & Nutrition, Body Fat, Testosterone Therapy, HCG & Sperm; Low-Inflammation Diet, Fermented Foods, CoQ10, L-Carnitine

(01:08:24) Sponsor: LMNT

(01:09:46) Perimenopause & Menopause, Anxiety, Hormone Therapy, Sleep

(01:18:08) Sunrise vs Sunset Wedding, Chronotypes

(01:22:52) Kidney Donation & Surgery Recovery; Tools: Prehabilitation, Circadian Rhythm in the Hospital; Muscle Memory

(01:30:57) Careers in Science

(01:32:05) Finding Your Passion, Structure & Work, “No Input, No Output”; Tool: Chop Wood, Carry Water

(01:43:49) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter

Disclaimer & Disclosures

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