Here are some notes I took on this podcast. They are not complete, but they might be useful for somebody. Take care, everyone! • Sleep well (8 hrs) literally restores the baseline dopamine • Sunlight early in the morning (10 minutes, double if it is cloudy) • Cold shower or inmersion (30 sec to 3 minutes, if shower, on the head) (11.5 min total / week) • Caffeine (early in the morning) • 30 days of absolute abstinence of the thing you want to stop doing (painful, but worthy) • L-Tyrosine supplements (early in the morning) (500 mg - 1 gr) • Exercise: anything will give you everything. • How dopamine works: like a wave pool, if the spike is too high, some water will drop out of the pool and the baseline will go below what was before. • Desire -> spike in dopamine; followed by a decrease in dopamine below baseline -> triggers craving; cues of how we're doing (directly proportional of our sensation that we're going in the right direction towards obtaining what were craving -> mini spikes in dopamine; After getting what we wanted we restore the dopamine to baseline, plus the difference between what we got and what we expected. • The steepness of the curve of dopamine (the rate -in time as the x-axis and the amount of dopamine releasing every second as the y-axis- at which dopamine releasing increases) is as important to the dopamine cycle and how we feel about the thing we're desiring, as the size of the peak itself. • That's why cocaine (or any other drugs), orgasms by masturbation, chocolate, fast food, etcetera are so dangerous: the amount of time between desire and getting the thing is so tiny, so we tend to want more, and more, and more. • There are 3 types of 'pleasure-unpleasure' that our brains categorize: the yum (very good, pleasurable), the yiugh (very unpleasant) and the meh (neither one nor the other) • There's also a phenomenon that goes like this: if we give dopamine stimulating rewards to people after the do things that are 'yum', and do it repeatedly and every time they engage in that activity, and then stop giving them the reward (there was an experiment with children giving them rewards after they drew or wrote anything in their spare time -meaning that was the thing they liked more, because they were doing it instead of every other thing-), then they will lose the pleasure for that activity (and will turn out to be 'meh' for them from now on (they will return to normal, but takes time). • If we want to really engage in an activity and feel please by doing it, we must, then, learn to feel pleasure by doing the activity itself, not by stacking rewards or boosts neither prior or after the activity (e.g. staks of pre-workouts, caffeine, yerba mate, Alpha GPC, L-Tyrosine, etc; do them from time to time -and watch out what is your baseline level of caffeine: the caffeine you need to have every day [preferably in the morning so you don't ruin your sleep at nights] to survive or do basic functions, if you're part of the ones who don't need caffeine to survive, you're already ahead of those who need at least a little bit of it- and not systematically, the point is to avoid the brain knowing 'its caffein' time' so the cravings start. • The difference between an activity or a substance that makes our dopamine peak and one that increases our baseline dopamine • The duration of the dopamine troph (troph is the contrary to peak, is directly proportional to the deepness of that troph itself. What that means is that in order for us to get out of a dopamine troph as soon as possible (maybe we had a peak prior to it, or just feel dismotivated or want to overcome procrastination, what we gotta do is: • Increase that troph: engage in an activity that makes you feel discomfort (IMPORTANT: not physical or mental pain, that's useless and not what we're referring to), maybe it is cleaning the house or deliberate cold exposure or meditation, so the more disconfort makes (the more steeper the troph is -I guess, in relation to time), the more quickly we'll be able to get out of that disconfort and procrastinating zone. • The holy grail of motivation: to be able to attach reward to the effort process itself.
Every time I find a comment that lists main points I find that someone (the list maker) should watch the video a few more times . (and no one should just read the list )
My learnings: Foundational Practices: Focus on quality sleep, non-sleep deep rest (NSDR), and proper nutrition to increase the baseline level of dopamine and restore dopamine reserves. Exposure to sunlight: In the morning, expose yourself to sunlight for at least 5-10 minutes, facing the Eastward towards the sun on a clear day, to increase cortisol and dopamine levels. Movement: Incorporate resistance or cardiovascular training into your routine to maintain elevated levels of baseline dopamine achieved through regular exercise. Cold water exposure: Take a brief dip in cold water up to the neck for 30 seconds to 2 minutes to increase baseline dopamine levels for at least 2-5 hours. Start warmer than you think you need to and ease into it over a few days. Do not expose yourself to cold water after strength or hypertrophy training. Tyrosine supplementation: Consider taking a low dosage of l-tyrosine (250-500mg) 30-60 minutes before a cognitive or physical task to increase baseline levels of dopamine for extended periods of time and improve performance. Avoid excessive dopamine-releasing behaviors or substances: Be mindful of how often you engage in behaviors or substances that stimulate dopamine release and how many you stack together. Guard and protect activities you enjoy: Avoid attaching too many dopamine-releasing behaviors or substances to activities you enjoy to protect their intrinsic value. Overcoming procrastination: If you find yourself procrastinating, try doing something tangential or more painful to quickly pull yourself out of a procrastination state.
Thanks Man, These notes are super practical. I think Professor Hubberman is gonna create a condensed version of this podcast later for those of us who can't listen to the whole thing properly and need this stuff highlighted but its very valuable when someone shares something like this!
I have two questions: 1. 1:09:27 does it mean we should take a cold shower before exercise then take a warm shower after that? 2.Does the "exercise" include aerobic exercise?
My issue is starting most tasks. Once I start I can continue IF I am listening to music or a podcast or audiobook or on phone w someone. I need a distraction to keep me ‘out of my own thought process’. So this helps me A LOT. IT IS CHEMISTRY not a character flaw. Relieved. So glad I found this channel and this Doc.
Dopamine Enigma Unveiled seriously blew my mind. Learning about dopamine optimization and detox completely changed how I approach productivity and focus. Has anyone else here tried applying these techniques? The section on unlocking peak mental performance was a game-changer for me!
Here’s a tip for everyone, those of us with ADHD in particular: When you find yourself locked in the couch, dreading a task - give yourself a tiny goal: Stand up. That’s it. And then allow this micro-momentum to drive you further while you are in the passenger seat. You’ll find yourself behind the wheel soon enough.
I did that just yesterday. I’ve had a diy raised planter on my balcony, still in the box for a YEAR. After much procrastination I decided yesterday to “just open the box”. An hour later the planter was built and seeds planted. Great suggestion.
@@Blokonomicon Not completely. He states at the end of the video/podcast that these little micro-tasks are often offered, like here, and sometimes they can work. It depends on the person. If someone wishes to try this idea, there's no harm in them doing it. It's just that doing something harder than what you're procrastinating may help more, if you can figure out what "hurts more".
Brilliant podcast. What a time to be alive - having access to so much information & research about these spectacular brains and bodies of ours. Thank you and your team for the time invested in making this so palatable and helpful 🤘🏼
I agree..this is such a complicated science broken down to enlighten the general public...by the way..big fan of yours, Cobus!!!!!! You were one of the reasons for my drive to learn drums...i used to watch all of your drum covers..now i've been playing drums for more than 6 years..Happy to know that you follow Dr. Huberman too :)
stop that, you're going to peak his dopamine by adding the reward of gratitude to his work, let his intrinsic motivation be and don't disrupt his baseline levels please..
Since listening to this podcast (about a month or two) pairing it with reading a chapter a day of Atomic Habits by James Clear I have achieved the following: - completely quit weed and alcohol - haven’t eaten out once - lost 15 pounds - successfully did my first powerlifting competition and didn’t beat myself up for any perceived failures - started a 4:30 am wake up routine (I used to fall asleep at this time so this is massive) - I’m in bed and reading by 8:30 pm - I do 3 pieces of physical activity a day (2 outside no matter the weather) - increased my work productivity so much people don’t recognize me at the office
My friends don’t even recognize who I am and at the same time I feel more myself than I ever have. It reminds me of a time that I haven’t experienced since I was a child - this deep and constant drive that I suppressed to deal with decades of severe sexual, emotional and physical trauma. I am rediscovering my love for science, my love for reading, my love for learning, and my love for me. Thank you SO much, Dr. Huberman. No words for how thankful I am - truly life changing.
Almost everyone is addicted nowadays, if it´s not alcohol or smoking, it´s scrolling through social media, watching UA-cam or checking your phone when you know you should be doing something more productive. No wonder so many of us struggle with anxiety, depression and insomnia. I quit watching the video at 39:44, notebook and pen in my hand, because I was actually procrastinating on doing something else. I´ll get to that first now and plan time this afternoon to watch rest of the video. THANKS!
It's crazy how much value this man is adding to my life. Currently quitting weed and the cravings were very bad today. Was about to get myself some, but went for a run instead and the cravings are gone. Ty so much for all the insight and tools that we can use to better our lives!
I love the way that you teach. I'm a professor (Graduate Pharmacology and Undergraduate Anatomy and Physiology) and I see so many educational videos that are more "edutainment" than education. This is so straightforward and it's presented in such a calm and clear way, that it allows you to sit back and just absorb the concepts. It's incredibly refreshing. One of my students told me about you and I'm very happy that they did. Thanks!
Your assessment of those vids being more entertaining than educating can't be more right. Wide array of music, colorful visuals. It's literally designed to absorb your attention and deplete your dopamine. This is the traps and addicting nature of social media of all kinds
@@drewmonroe8586 Absolutely. It's frustrating because students are becoming reliant on that type of stimulus in order to pay attention. Normal conversation, journal articles, reality in general is no longer interesting. I'm not sure how to combat it, but it's worrisome.
As someone who sits a lot at home currently, writing job applications every day, this is the perfect podcast at literally the perfect timing. Words can't express how grateful I am to be able to listen to this podcast basically free of charge! Mr. Huberman: You're a savior and an inspiration!
Good morning class, so unbelievable that yesterday I was listening to the previous dopamine podcast after being frustrated with my learning being a bit slow back in school for nurse practitioner in psychiatry. It may be a coincidence but I am so grateful, thank you Prof Huberman.
Thank you for taking on psychiatry and educating yourself so well. Us adhd folk and every other person struggling with mental health needs ppl like you
When I was in CRNA school his early episodes on neurotransmitters and the learning process really helped me understand why school was so challenging/uncomfortable. It was a great time to learn those things because I was living the pain of learning like trying to drink from a firehouse.
I just have to say it’s so comforting to hear someone as smart as you expressed that you struggle With procrastination as well. Thank you for showing your humanity whilst giving us this incredible information!
There's a sentence I heard in a series, it goes : "You've changed my life the way opening a window changes a dark room." Listening to your podcasts has really been that window! The value you add to people's life is immense.🙌🏻
Andrew and Lex: You are unlocking brains,hearts and eyes like nobody else did this before … Thank you again and keep going,we are very hungry of knowledge …
@Ayo Because it increases your baseline levels of dopamine over a relatively longer period of time unlike cocaine or other addictive substances that increases the peak of your dopamine levels over a short period of time, which is followed by a trough and that is what leads us to seek the experience again to get out of the trough which is painful and this creates the addictive cycle.
After a good 4 years of developing my routine and 1.5 years of holding it consistently I Overloaded on “beneficial practices” and lost motivation. Listening to this I can reflect back and almost directly track the decline to cutting meditation out of the schedule. Checking myself into thinking I could do it on the go. Thank you for the humbling reminder.
hmmm. Well i can directly track my decline to reducing my social involvement during the past decade or more, especially less involvement w/ community and with politics (actually less political involvement/engagement ever since '90's when i was in my twenties. Time for many of us to assert ourselves politically in this country. Bcuz ppl with minority-views in red zones are being actively opressed and told they are not welcome! (TX, FL)
@@18_rabbit Yes, great idea, let's make Texas and Florida just as inclusive, if not more than California is today, but gotta say, Florida and Texas don't have drug addicts lurking on the streets day and night.
Andrew, you have no idea how my life changed since the first moment I saw you on Rich Roll...I was looking for a signal to change my life and you just resonated so great in my mind that I started following your protocols along with your videos. I thought that I had depression and anxiety for many years...Until I understood that bad habits needed to go away...My personal and professional life made a 180 change for sure. Never felt so great mentally and physically, especially those downs in life where now I can function no matter what. My thoughts and the feeling of lack of motivation are not dictating orders in my life anymore...I don't even pay attention to that shadow anymore. From Madrid, Spain: THANK YOU
Wow I got goosebumps when you said the best way to overcome procrastination is pain. It makes total sense, but never clicked before, it's literally built into the mechanisms. Also explains why things like social media, the increasing accessibility of small dopamine peaks, ultimately prolongs and exacerbates the issue, personally as well as on a societal scale
So I have to wonder, if I'm totally stressed because I live a life of constant pain due to a childhood form of arthritis adding pain is NOT likely to help but more likely to produce a full-blown panic attack. I can't get myself to do the cold water thing. NOPE to that. So, some other way has to be found.
It's an interesting insight. Essentially the body wants to return to baseline, so by diving deeper into pain, the elastic pull to baseline gets stronger and stronger. What I didn't understand was his examples of what pain is. Cold water exposure yes, certain forms of meditation yes, but completing other small tasks no? Presumably the reward for small unrelated tasks gives us a reward which sends us back towards baseline, yet distracted and no closer to our true goal? I don't fully understand. So some things that are truly just painful on a psychological level and won't introduce a reward could be cold water exposure, hard exercise (assuming you aren't a gym rat), pinching yourself, "fearsetting", reliving memories of procrastination or other avoidant behavior, ... care to add any more? Love Huberman's podcasts but I didn't feel satisfied with his short list of examples, sometimes of unlike behaviors.
@@kriswittyk it was fairly easy for myself to understand being a service member for, going on, 11 years, and now being a drill sergeant. When I went through basic training there was no limit to the amount of exercise they could make you do and they were also allowed to take your sleep. Imagine if you didn't move quickly to accomplish a task so I scream at you, make you do a bunch of exercises to the point of pain, and then you still have to do it, but there's also the threat of having to do more. Years before that they were allowed to beat you, and I mean break your bones beat you. You're basically grateful to get to do the less hard thing. That's one of the reasons rich people tend to be spoiled. Their parents let them be spoiled because it often requires them to feel discomfort to discipline the child too. However, if you don't discipline them you're going to seriously regret it. Anyway, I myself am still sitting here coming up with actual activities beyond cold shower, but that's basically what we're looking for. Make it stop. I will do what you want, I'll do it quickly, and I'll be happy doing it. The anxiety we feel before a deadline is torture. You want it to stop and that's why you're moving whereas before you couldn't find the motivation. Imagine if the deadline had actually been moved, but no one told you. You still imposed the pain on yourself to move quickly thinking you'd lose something or be embarrassed if you didn't, meanwhile you had a full week. It's like thinking you won the lottery when you didn't. Those elated feelings came from within you, even though you never won. This is basically just learning how to be your dad, in a way. This only works if we use this in the manner of a disciplinarian. Do X or Y will happen. The threat actually isn't going to work sometimes. That's normal, because you're in a trough. So follow through with what you said you were going to do. You're going to be mad. Then you say, "Had enough?" The ego will say, "Yes, please just let me do the other thing." Your body will adjust to a certain temperature after a while. I know because I worked my way up to being able to step into a shower on the coldest setting and take a normal shower like that. Did it for about a year. It might have still motivated me, but maybe I'd have to do ice baths or something. If I build the habits of just being a disciplined individual then I don't have to rely on punishment at all and much of the time the threat alone can get it moving.
You’re changing my life man, and it’s very interesting to see random people quote you online now. You’re reaching a lot of people and leaving them undoubtedly better for it, thank you.
This is exactly what I need right now. I'm attempting to start a 30-day overhaul. No phone, no cannabis, no intrusive thoughts, etc. I know it's going to be really difficult, but my body is currently in a place where I need to reset my brain and internal system in general. I plan on listening to a lot of these podcasts to help keep me motivated. This video instantly revealed to me my addiction/dopamine problem with cannabis and shopping and how severe it really is, and how badly I need to fix my problems.
@@MansoyHumilde777I don’t smoke weed but I don’t think saying that to someone who’s about to quit is very aware or helpful. They are looking for support not your opinion.
Thank you so much Andrew Huberman! My partner and I have been vaping for 8 years. I listened to your podcast in February. Within the same week I downloaded Reveri and quit vaping successfully. I have now been vape free for 1 1/2 months. I've tried several times before and have wanted to quit for years, but the information you provided was more beneficial than Nicotine gum, patches, or hypnotherapy. My partner quit vaping 1 week after me after being a smoker / vape user for 10+ years. Thank you so much for the information that you have shared, it helped pave the way to a healthier and happier life for my partner and I. I am in awe of the amazing work you do and we are whole heartily grateful for your work. You are changing lives for the better one day, one podcast at a time! What you have done and continue to do for the community is invaluable.
As someone that has suffered with addiction and depression and anxiety all my life, this episode is so valuable. THANK YOU ANDREW!!! You are a saint, This is some of the most valuable info any person can ever learn.
I was so depressed and was feeling there is no hope for me to get rid of anxiety, after watching your videos on dopamine and how it affects the human mind I get to know about the way to lower my anxiety and how to focus on daily works. Thank you very much❤
I think you just changed my life. I'm newly alcohol free (5 months). (I'm 54 years old). I've been looking for ways to have healthy dopamine levels in my sobriety. I've been thinking about it all wrong. Searching for a 'high' rather than considering a baseline and healthy waves of dopamine. Not only have I been procrastinating more than ever lately, I am also starting to 'avoid' by shopping/food/sugar/games on my phone - anything to circumvent what I need to do and give me a quick dopamine spike. I am SO thankful that I really hate meditation! - off now to have a cold shower. Thank you!!!
My 5 tools: 1. Meditation 2. Cleaning 3. Showering (executive dysfunction makes this super hard personally) 4. Menial work tasks that I hate (I have a creative job with a technical aspect I dislike so forcing myself to complete some of those tasks would be useful) 5. Mid-intensity cardio where it's long enough to get bored but high intensity enough to feel fatigued. +20mins -40mins Share yours!
I agree with these ! I also use weightlifting, and walking outside with natural light. Just getting started step by step, one small task at a time . Sometimes it is harder than it sounds , but it has made a huge difference.
Cold shower would be one for sure. Especially if it was in the middle of the day. It's so bad I'm not sure I could do it. Meditation or journaling. Sitting still and not doing something like read or even think or plan mentally.
As a guy with ADD, overthinking, procrastinating and such, this confirmed my solution which works quite well. I tell myself when I'm in the trough that I'll just go prepare the tools for my next assignment, or tidy a bit around to prep. And before I know it, I have done the most challenging part, which is starting. And before I know it I'm in the flow, getting stuff done. But I'll definitely try the cold showers too. I have first year psychology from Uni, so I have some limited knowledge from before, and that makes it just brilliant that you're actually doing this in detail, but still simple enough for common folks to understand. Thanks for this!
Planing is the half way done. .and expectations..we are not alowed to fail ..yes we can ..another day ..guilt is a big block and fear to fail . We learning from failure and nothing is perfect
Agreed! I'm a type A lawyer, but with the ADHD it's so easy to get stuck in the trough. I call the prep 'mis en place' so it matches what chefs do and makes the dreaded task so much easier.
This man is literally changing my life, one video at a time. Thank you Prof. Huberman!! I appreciate the time and effort you put into putting this knowledge together
This explains why i have been so incredibly numb and flat feeling for the last few months. The way you explained using L-dopa and stacking dopamine releasing behaviors and supplements onto an already enjoyable behavior like exercise is exactly what i have been doing. That is to say because i quit a 5 year on and off opiate addiction coupled with alcohol in the new year. I think i'm going to use the cold water emersion technique with just exercise to re-set. Can't thank you enough Andrew....i really appreciate your knowledge and thoughtful deep dives into subjects like this. You truly are an asset to the human species
The way Hidden Time Wealth dives into the concept of productivity is mind-blowing. Hidden Time Wealth tips are pure gold, and I wish more people knew about them.
What a great podcast; so full of great information. I went through it twice, took notes and saved it to revisit. Thank you so much! I love the NSDB meditation too. Saved that as well. There have been times over the last few years where I have fallen into a very deep depression with no will to live. I know that this is the dark before the dawn and I know I have to just be still (I can only wait on God during those times). I started listening to Huberman Lab Podcasts to have positive information injected into my brain, even if I fell asleep. It helps me every single time. I've learned so much. Thank you for what you do Andrew. You're a blessing.
Would love to hear everyone’s list of effortful / painful activities to take up when procrastinating! Thanks Andrew, really insightful to learn about pulling out of dopamine troughs. Hopefully I’ll need to rely less on self-induced deadline panic moving forward!
Been listening to this repeatedly the last few days to try and absorb all of it. I feel like I've finally found the piece I've been missing to fully understand and optimize my drive and motivation - and why it is sometimes lacking. Thanks so much!
So lucky to have found you, diagnosed at 50 with early onset Parkinsons, numerous concussions in my late teens and early twenties (AFL) culminating in a closed head injury sending me into ICU and being induced into a "24 hour" coma, so the brain could reduce it's swelling and start to heal. Four days later I slowly came to and spent three weeks in a "head injury ward" learning to basically start again, walking talking and the basics all had been "smudged" and had to be re-learnt for lack of a better term. Between 6:10 and 22:30, man you truly are on the money, thank you. Currently in the process of getting back into some sort of shape at 52, I am listening to you at every opportunity. Kudos Andrew, people like you are what life is all about.
Thank you, Dr Huberman, you motivate me and so many others! I look forward to your regular weekly shows and apply your tools every day. It's important for people to see such high quality, scientific-based information about living a healthy life from someone who cares enough to share it free of charge. A true gift! You are an excellent, caring person, teacher and role model. I've seen all your episodes and hope you continue them for a very long time to come. As a working 71 year-old software developer, you've benefited me greatly. I practiced a healthy lifestyle a lot of my life before you began your youtube channel. I have about the time I seriously considered retiring because I was slowing down some. Then I saw you on Rogan, Rich Roll and Tim Ferriss before your podcast began and was so happy to see you start your own show. Since then, you've been the ever-present beacon of positive attitude and motivation for me. So grateful to you, sir! 😊❤
I teach kinder and first graders that have ADD and or Dyslexia. I listen to these podcasts and learn and profess this information. Thank you AH may God bless you. Keep it coming. I am staying one beat behind.
The yoga-nidra and body scanning part is closely aligned with Vipassan meditation practice. An understanding of the dopamine functioning is keeping me away from the ocassional smoke that I would have, So thank you for making me think and act differently already Andrew. Also, staring at sunlight, being in India I can now appreciate the gift of sunny days even more. Keep going. :)
I literally just had therapy today and we talked about Dopamine. What an amazing coincidence. Love you, Huberman, this is hands-down one of my favorite podcasts ♥
Christine Meth addict here , listening to this (despite English is not my first language ) helps a lot to the understanding for my current fighting to this drug..... thanks a lot for your time explaining all of this 🙏
Dear Dr Huberman, I wont say thank you because I simply dont know a proper word to use in situation like this. This podcast and this analysis gave me not only knowledge but also path to this knowledge that made it "digestable" and somewhat easy to follow. I began my process of a theraphy close to 1 year ago and now finally I can say I understand why I am doing things that Im doing. This in process leads to state when Im starting to like me. It takes to be really good person to just share it like that. All good to you!
Thank you Andrew and rest of the team for what is undoubtably one of the most valuable information sources out there today. I am so grateful for your work! Please could you consider dedicating an entire episode to tinnitus? I know you covered it briefly during the hearing episode, but there is so much more to cover. It can have such a negative impact on quality of life and there are so many contradictory claims being thrown around online. I would be especially interested in hearing about the link to derealization and visual snow, as that is something I suffer from
Yes - ironically - have had this occur to me recently more than once in the last few months. I've never had it last a day or more until my 40's. However - I've experienced symptoms related to tinnitus for 2-3 days at a clip seemingly insidiously. Would be very interested in having AH breaking down the causation and correlations for us with this topic as well. 🙏
It would be really helpful to have some kind of visual material edited in when doing explanations related to the biological layout of the body such as the 'Dopamine Brain Circuits' section. It's way easier and less prone to misinterpretation than to imagine things as narrated. That being said, I would like to thank you and the team for the effort you put in to make those incredibly in depth podcasts, there's a lot to be learned from them.
@@TakaiDesu Having visuals added does not detract from your enjoyment of the audio, which you already have. It's normal for people to have different needs.
Huberman Lab has quickly become my favorite podcast. Appreciate you taking a deep-dive into complex topics but presenting them in a way that is easy to understand. As someone with synesthesia, would appreciate a podcast where you discuss synesthesia, such as the different types and how it is developed. Thank you again for your content!
Hi, I know this is a year old, but it’s just now hitting me. I’m new to Andrew Huberman, and as a mother of three in my mid-40s, I’m trying to get my dopamine levels under control and better understand my mind. I’ve never addressed my ADHD because I was told I didn’t have it, but I started exploring this topic about two years ago, so I’m quite new to it all. I also wanted to mention that it’s nice to hear from someone who enjoys working out and talking about it, as well as experiencing it in the moment. I feel the same way, but I don’t feel like I’m surrounded by people who share this passion. No one in my circle thinks it’s good that I wake up early to work out; they describe it as gross and yucky. I’m glad I found this video, and I hope to find a supportive community.
Professor Huberman, anytime my dopamine level is about to drop, you release a podcast based on how to leverage it. I like every single detail that you lay out for us and use them to optimize my behavior. Thank you
This is life changing. The fact that this is not talked about by therapist and doctors is insane. I've spent the last year and a half trying to figure out what was wrong with me. Saw functional doctors, ran labs, went to therapy and I was still feeling like crap. Tired all the time, anxious, didn't feel like doing anything, barely had energy to make it through the day, couldn't find pleasure in anything. I was certain that I had a thyroid problem, POTS or even PTSD. Also tried taking all kinds of supplements to no avail. There were days were I felt pretty good but I could not identify what caused me to have the good days. I noticed that after a terrible separation with my kids mother that I was engaging in compulsive behaviors. Always looking for something to make me feel better in the moment. What I didn't realize is that it was destructive and it was getting out of control. For a week now i've given up all of the things that I was doing to spike my dopamine to re-establish a healthy baseline and I can feel a drastic difference already. I know i'm not 100% there, but I can tell it's working. I encourage anyone that's feeling like crap to take an honest look at your behavior patterns. Especially the things that you do when you are stressed. If you give those up and fight the urge to engage in them, I'm more than certain you will start to feel better.
I've noticed this in the psychology profession as well. In order to learn about the how the brain affects behaviour I had to read Behave by Robert Sapolsky, and am now reading other books on neuroscience. Hormones like epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol, estrogen, oxytocin, vasopressin, testosterone; neurotransmitters like acetylcholine, GABA, dopamine, serotonin, glutamate - I've never heard these mentioned by psychologists in a technical manner. Perhaps, casually - or on social media but not in a serious scientific study of their effects on behaviour. Unfortunately, genetics, neuroscience, mind-gut connection, and behavioural endocrinology are not the core study focus in psychology or counselling degrees, even though they are key to understanding how we think and feel. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and mindfulness are considered the gold standard, and empiricism is hailed as the core value of the profession. I think that CBT is the minimum requirement in order to practice psychology. Doctors will also promote cognitive behavioural therapy, because of the amount of research that shows its success rate. Because of the research that has been done on therapies like CBT, that is what is funded by the government. That is what is taught and administered to patients.There's not much further looking into brain chemistry, hormones, neurotransmitters, and the genes which affect these processes; unless people choose to specialise in neuropsychology or neuropsychiatry. Perhaps the industry will change in the future, from a mental diagnostic model to a neurological, biological and genetically informed model of mental health. It is suggested in the book 'Brain & Behaviour' by Bob Garrett and Gerald Hough, "as neuroscience and evidence-based practices progress, we are realizing that two people can have the same symptom with different causes or the same brain defect with different symptoms. As a result, the National Institute of Mental Health encourages researchers to shift their focus from diagnostic categories to underlying neural and genetic mechanisms (G. Miller, 2010)." The paper referenced in the brackets is "Psychiatry. Beyond DSM: seeking a brain-based classification of mental illness" by G Miller.
I learned on a different vid that antihistamines for allergies depletes dopamine in the brain. So people tend to feel unmotivated, no energy, etc while taking antihistamines. (When the antihistamine doesnt knock you out.) No dr has ever mentioned this issue. I often feel unmotivated with no energy...but I also take antihistimines.
@@livpizzano3044 none whatsoever. I noticed it after my divorce possibly due to high stress and also had COVID at that same time. It might have been a combination of both.
There's a book called Hidden Time Wealth, and it talks about how using some secret techniques, you can overcome procrastination and accomplish anything in life. It's not just a bunch of empty promises; it's the real deal.
Thank you! I have been struggling so much with working on important tasks and always lamenting myself for my lack of discipline! Your lectures have created a paradigm shift in my approach now. Instead of trying to muster discipline in me, I am learning to enjoy the process of working and creating, to naturally increase my motivation and drive to do work. After implementing methods like listening to uplifting music while doing work, and making myself feel happy doing work, it has helped me greatly! I would much prefer the dopamine from working then the dopamine from passively scrolling social media and wasting my time away doing stuff that I will end up regretting. Much thanks once again :)
Hey I just started taking AG1 a few days ago and oh my gosh. I’m sleeping better, recovering better, have more energy during the day, and have so much more mental clarity. It’s actually crazy. Thank you so much for changing and saving my life
I enjoy your podcast's. I'm not a collegiate of any kind, but I love learning. I used my lack of motivation to watch your podcast today. Now I must go and do something more painful. I have procrastinated long enough. Thank you Andrew, I appreciate you!
You’re the most inspiring human I’ve ever listened to. It may be dramatic to say you’ve saved my life. But you certainly have helped me increase my ability to make better decisions on every level of life. Thank you!
I don’t feel so bad for my procrastination after listening to this. The guilt and shame was actually making me worse. Now I understand the root causes and how so many people are going through the same, I can change my perception of myself. I’m now a Creative, proactive entrepreneur no longer trapped in a procrastinators body!! Thank you Dr Huberman for releasing me from myself.
This might sound very random at this point but I'd really love to see a video on Teeth and oral health in general as it is a pretty big indicator of illnesses in the body. I haven't found many useful videos on the Internet regarding this topic so I'd really appreciate if you take an interest in it. Thank you for all your helpful videos.
Hi Andrew, Greetings from Venezuela. I am a medical student and you've been a huge source of inspiration for me for some time now. I feel a deep admiration for you. The way you transmit your passion for neurophysiology and nature is contagious. It's not just the facts, but the way you communicate and talk about science. Thank you for being a role model for new generations. You greatly influence my whole life. With the utmost gratitude, I send you all my best blessings and good wishes.
Okay. I did 30 minutes in a cold bath (about 12°C) in the morning. Tried to warm up without towel drying. Took me 2 hours of shivering to warm back up. Later that evening I felt like I was high on xtc and couldn't come down. Also couldn't sleep. Next day I still didn't come down so I skipped a day. Yesterday I did 45 min cold bath. After 30 minutes colors seemed brighter and I felt happy and a bit more active. But that was short lived. I really want to be more motivated and active after a couple years of depression and therapy and hope the cold baths will help get my base line dopamine back up. I know its a journey and it takes doing all the basics and more to really change into a normal human being after being inactive for years. Sometimes one can feel like giving up. But your videos give me hope. Thank you!
Hello Dr. Huberman! Thank you for providing this information. Can you please make a video on overcoming a heartbreak and a scientific approach to getting your life back and avoiding the procrastination and self-sabotage behaviors?
This man just about busted out laughing, telling us all how we have to trick ourselves into doing difficult things by doing even more difficult things first.
My English professor introduced me to Andrew Huberman a few months ago when we were assigned a podcast to write a reflection paper about. I am grateful! Andrew Huberman has a great podcast with lots of valuable information.
THANK YOU! Waiting for an episode about hoarding as I struggle to recover and get things done, I know this is COMPLETELY tied in with dopamine. Keep thinking about the rat study where they could not be bothered to move one rat-length to get what they "wanted".
Making Effort the Reward. I am almost certain your effort in imparting your knowledge to strangers through these videos is your form of reward. Thank you for everything you are doing.
Funny enough I brought your podcast up on my past therapy appointment and turns out my therapist and I share the love to your podcast! I deeply appreciate what you do and truly don't think there has been a single social setting I have not brought your work up even a single time. Grateful to have such passionate person in the media that cares about spreading the scientifically backed knowledge and the importance of educated health-related choices in peoples lives. Thank you Professor Huberman!
I would love to see a study on ice baths and ADHD , been doing it 5 to 6 days a week and felt a huge ability to focus for about 3 hours. But try to stop the procrastination but the struggle is real. I listen to your podcast while I'm at asda doing shifts, so much great stuff, ice baths and hot baths (don't have a sauna) it has changed my health and focus, including supplements.
I take a cold 🚿 but not every day. And I always love making myself do that. My shower only puts out cold water for about 10 seconds. I might try my other shower to take at least a minute one.
@@aprilhassell1747 if you measure tap water usually is between 8 and 10c (46f) which is cold enough, takes the wind out of you but is ace for focus. I'm convinced it's helped my ADHD symptoms. If you have a bath it's a good place to start, I'm not the typical extreme person, but found that doing it has helped me do more stuff I find difficult, like getting up early and doing runs, doing more things immediately then procrastinating. Also recovery time has been so much better. Up to 9 miles in running and only had some pain and mainly because I had work that was mega busy that day
@Oliver Hargreaves i have a huge bathtub, but i think a cold short shower is better and more convenient. I get the coldest Wisconsin water. lol it literally takes my breath away for the first 5 seconds. I have a lake in town i could use too. I wish i had a cold buddy. I have adhd and im trying everything to stay off adhd medication. Are you currently on medication?
@@aprilhassell1747 at the moment, although I'm wanting to do a masters and may go on it then to give me better focus. At the moment I'm running in the morning, and then doing a 3 to 5 min cold plunge. I find the length matters in terms of concentration. Just seems to quiet out the noise. I have visual reminders everywhere of stuff I need to do and spend about 10 to 20 mins a day looking through my calander seeing what's coming up,so it's drilled in. Lake may be good but I would say try it first at home, to be honest the cold is that intense I can't focus, I concentrate on my breathing and sort of sit praying until it's over. Did 10 mile run today and 10 mins in the cold , but need to figure out how to make it colder. The good things with pushing on alone is your motivation and discipline isn't attached to someone else, but to your mindset. Ive spent this year trying to get disciplined as it's a constant struggle. I'm off facebook and most social media, off gaming stuff (for now) and trying to like dopemine detox from the crap. UA-cam is great but has the ability to suck you in to stuff for a while. ADHD is hard, but means when you have achieved you've overcome a massive barrier that no one else has and I think that develops toughness
This literally changed my life. Getting early morning sun every day - I’m almost in euphoria at night so at first it’s made me almost too energetic 😂 I would seriously appreciate covering the topic of serotonin. I suffer with severe anxiety due to autoimmune hypothyroidism (hashimotos) fo r a decade but it took an excessive turn when South African went into one of the roughest covid lockdowns in the world. I did not sleep for 3 months. I tried EVERY natural option - I mean everything- eventually the stress and anxiety attacks lead to all night chest pain, elevated heart rate and hyperventilating. It took a full panel of blood tests and cocktail of sleeping meds and anti anxiety drugs (administered by a specialist) to get me to regulate. I’m now off of everything except rivotril but the anxiety totally takes over very often. Elevating my baseline dopamine, ice baths, cold showers, contrast therapy, morning sunlight, regular bed time, physical exercise, nutrition, watching stand up comedy, cuddling my dog, quality time away with my partner, seeing my psychologist etc etc all help but sometimes that chest pain resurfaces - especially in sync with certain parts of a monthly hormonal cycle. I’m very interested to know if I can leverage serotonin pathways in any way that’s doesn’t involve pharma drugs 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
I had the same. anxious and stressed, eating comfort food (chocolate, fried chicken) and drinking (mostly red wine). Realized the chest pains came on days where I overdid chocolate and wine. Thought it was a trigger, then noticed I’d have twinges *before* the choc/wine. Realized was stress causing it and I was making it worse. Turns out it was gastro esophageal spasms. Feels like a heart attack, or a spike going thru your back and chest. I find yoga breathing helps back it off when I have an attack, and avoiding those comforts when I want them the most helps. So may be *correlation* and not just *causation*. You have troubs swallowing pills? Or overdone chicken and pork or hard boiled eggs? Your esophagus may be narrow. (Not dismissing, just may be a comorbidity).
@@missusingle I realized I would get anxious right after meals, looked this up & and narrow esophagus seems to fit for me. Thanks for mentioning the difficulty swallowing pills & certain foods, those are added clues for me!
Professor, it would be really kind of you if you would make a separate episode dedicated to that dopamine trough recovery, reward prediction error that you discussed in the video and how can we avoid those dopamine spikes in today's world where even watching you videos give me dopamine spikes.
Really learning a lot. So, There is trough, crest of our dopamine level. The steeper the slope of dopamine rise. The steeper will be the trough slope. To elevate from that state of trough - You can wait. Because our dopamine circutory is design in such way - You can put your body and mind into more uncomfort state which doesn't only Teaches you do hard things but also It taps into very neural chemical system which allows you to fell motivated and capable to pursue the goal which is the thing you're more concerned about. Also to elevate your baseline of Dopamine - take cold showers early in the morning - Take sunlight Do not overlap if you enjoy doing something
Professor Huberman I just recently discovered your channel and I can't stop watching your content. The topics you choose and your way of teachings things make your podcast such a valuable thing to my life. Greetings from Germany, much love!
Please consider doing a show on TMJ and teeth grinding. Millions of us suffer from grinding and it negatively effects us in areas of sleep and focus. If it has been covered in any way please share the episode or any other references that could be helpful. Thank you!
Go to an ent. They teach you correct placement of tongue. Lips together, tongue touching top teeth, like you’re saying the letter N. I went as a teenager and it helped me a lot, as I was suffering from jaw pain.
im going against user s219.... go to the orthodontist. it could be quite difficult to find someone who really understands tmj because it is quite hard topic and from my orthodontist point of view, i dont symphatize with myofunctional therapy like the tongue position... sure it can be usefull in some cases but i think, people take it as "allmighty" solution for all mouth problems that exist from tmj dissorders, tooth position, jaw aesthetic and so on.. as for the bruxism (teeth grinding) ideal occlusion with ideal tmj possition done by a skillful orthodontist is great for that or we are using night guards, it is something like an invisalign but harder and it blocks damage on your enamel by grinding in sleep. and/or it can be problem with the masseter muscle being pretty strong (maybe botulotoxin but im not sure about that indication, never looked into that) or you are in a stress and teeth grinding is your way to relive that stress and Dr. Huberman once had a podcast where he refered to book "jaws" according to those problems, but i havent red it yet, so i can not say if it is good or not
@@rihaveinaiba8269 well, the ent I went to also made me a mouth guard. I never used it because it was uncomfortable and I basically wasn’t suffering from the pain anymore because the jaw issue resolved from correct tongue placement. Basically the mouth guard was causing me more pain and I never could get comfortable to sleep with it. I went in the late late 90s-early 2000s. Im 34 now, I went as a older kid, nearly teenager. Way before the “mewing” popularity. Not saying a orthodontist can’t help, it’s just that I never went to one as I never had teeth alignment issues/braces. This is what my dentist recommended and it worked for me. My dentist even suggested I go back just for a follow up when I went back to him (after several years) as an adult. Another suggestion for pain in the jaw was to relax the jaw using a makeshift heating pad. Fill an old long white sock with rice and heat it up in the microwave when needed.
@@21972012145525 yes. sometimes when the tongue position is wrong, it can cause narrow upper arch, posterior cross bite, open bite and mouth breathing and by the medical protocoles this i best treated by functional apliances before the maximum growth spurt around 8 years. of course it can be treated later, but usually the later, the more raditional approach is needed. and i agree with the heat approach of treatment. usually heat can relax muscles aby by that ease the joint, works for most joints.
This explains when I have caffeine as first thing in the morning, I experience crash in the afternoon for like 4 hours.. another coffee helps, but that crash comes back.. now I am afraid to have that coffee immediately after I wake up.. having it after one hour.. Slowly will bring it to 3 hours after waking up.. Instead of listening to songs, it’s good to listen to your podcasts during my household works… immense knowledge and Crystal clear explanation on the whole dopamine world 🤩
Discovering Hidden Time Wealth has been one of the best things I've done for my productivity. It feels like I’ve finally cracked the code to overcoming procrastination.
List of painful/effortful/useful activities to do when feeling unmotivated to return to baseline levels of dopamine: -Cold exposure -Samatha (focused-oriented) Meditation -Run -breathwork -yoga nidra and Non deep sleep rest Give more examples in the comments!
Great podcast! Here's a topic suggestion: Healthy Weight Gain. I find that there is a lot of information out there on weight loss. Optimizing metabolism usually means speeding it up in this case. But what about those of us who are underlean? Who can eat tons of calories without putting on weight. Doing the opossite of the rest of the world often feels unhealthy. Are there ways to slow down your metabolism in a healthy way? How to put on weight (muscle and maybe some fat) without eating a bunch of crap? Other interessting topics for probably a lot of people: - Asthma - Allergies Thanks for being such a valuable source of information for all of us!
I wholeheartedly agree with this. A lot of good advice about how to be healthy is not at all conducive to weight gain. For example, eating whole foods rather than processed foods may be better for a person's metabolic health, but you're also absorbing fewer calories; and whole foods are more satiating and less addictive, so you're likely to eat far less of them. (And that's to say nothing of intermittent fasting, eating plenty of fruit and veg, and intense cardio/resistance training) Sadly, there doesn't appear to be any advice online that goes beyond 'just eat more'. Well, if gaining weight were as simple as 'just eat more', then *losing* weight should be as simple as 'just eat less' -- but the sheer number of overweight and obese people in Western countries and the abundance of books and UA-cam videos on weight loss suggest that there's probably more to it than that. Granted, this is a relatively niche suggestion for a video, but I think it would greatly help those of us who do struggle to gain weight. There must be better options out there than drenching everything in olive oil or eating processed foods.
Thanks, Dr. Huberman!!! I needed to understand the "peaks" and the "troughs". For the first time ever, I could apply this technique with my grown son. He took much time to do something that I'd requested of him and was in expectation that he'd do it almost within a good range of time. This video helped me to meditatively have a "plan b" if he had not done what was requested of him, and, sure enough, when I found out that he didn't do as I'd requested, I "smoothly controlled" my anger, even my demeanor towards him was still very pleasant. This in turn took me back to my baseline much quicker with a very good feeling deep inside. Great video!!
Andrew Huberman has single handedly helped me clean up and order the health dimension of my life with his extremely useful protocols and information. I can't thank you enough !!
Thank you for this breakdown and the tools, love this podcast! Could you give another example of doing a more "painful" activity to reduce procrasination. Cold exposure,working out, any physical activity is not more painful than doing difficult cognitive work for me? I understand my question is somewhat subjective, but how can I determine an activity that I would find less pleasant? Also why would one not have procrasination towards a more "painful" task...
Ideas for pain to stop procrastination: i). quick set of pushups, jumping jacks, plank, squat, wall sit, or some other kind of short intense workout you can do in your normal clothes. ii). Find some kind of puzzle, like new york times puzzles, or learning a new word and writing sentences with it. Or forming a sentence in a language you are new to. í) you could practice a new instrument for 5 or 10 minutes. iv) you could work on a math problem. v) Meditation is hard work, try focusing on your breath and remember real work is refocusing after you get distracted. Those are cognitive tasks that might challenge you. I would say that you might be overthinking what activities you might find to be less pleasant, simply try one of these things above that might challenge you, or even mildly inconvenience you. Also, I think that you might have less of a tendency to procrastinate these sorts of things, because they should only be taking you 30 seconds to 10 minutes, depending on what you want. You know it's not going to take a full hour, because it is a short activity!
These videos are absolute gold mines of information. I am 16 and have taken quite the liking to the study of dopamine, discipline, and mental strength. Bright future ahead
Teacher of lifetime matters. 1000 applause to our Dr. Huberman for doing his best for humanity.
absolutely😍
YES! Dr. Huberman is the best and most informative doctor on UA-cam. I’ve learned So much from him 👍👏
@tulga nn LOL
Andrew is amazing, love his podcasts
Absofuckinlutely 🎉
Here are some notes I took on this podcast. They are not complete, but they might be useful for somebody. Take care, everyone!
• Sleep well (8 hrs) literally restores the baseline dopamine
• Sunlight early in the morning (10 minutes, double if it is cloudy)
• Cold shower or inmersion (30 sec to 3 minutes, if shower, on the head) (11.5 min total / week)
• Caffeine (early in the morning)
• 30 days of absolute abstinence of the thing you want to stop doing (painful, but worthy)
• L-Tyrosine supplements (early in the morning) (500 mg - 1 gr)
• Exercise: anything will give you everything.
• How dopamine works: like a wave pool, if the spike is too high, some water will drop out of the pool and the baseline will go below what was before.
• Desire -> spike in dopamine; followed by a decrease in dopamine below baseline -> triggers craving; cues of how we're doing (directly proportional of our sensation that we're going in the right direction towards obtaining what were craving -> mini spikes in dopamine; After getting what we wanted we restore the dopamine to baseline, plus the difference between what we got and what we expected.
• The steepness of the curve of dopamine (the rate -in time as the x-axis and the amount of dopamine releasing every second as the y-axis- at which dopamine releasing increases) is as important to the dopamine cycle and how we feel about the thing we're desiring, as the size of the peak itself.
• That's why cocaine (or any other drugs), orgasms by masturbation, chocolate, fast food, etcetera are so dangerous: the amount of time between desire and getting the thing is so tiny, so we tend to want more, and more, and more.
• There are 3 types of 'pleasure-unpleasure' that our brains categorize: the yum (very good, pleasurable), the yiugh (very unpleasant) and the meh (neither one nor the other)
• There's also a phenomenon that goes like this: if we give dopamine stimulating rewards to people after the do things that are 'yum', and do it repeatedly and every time they engage in that activity, and then stop giving them the reward (there was an experiment with children giving them rewards after they drew or wrote anything in their spare time -meaning that was the thing they liked more, because they were doing it instead of every other thing-), then they will lose the pleasure for that activity (and will turn out to be 'meh' for them from now on (they will return to normal, but takes time).
• If we want to really engage in an activity and feel please by doing it, we must, then, learn to feel pleasure by doing the activity itself, not by stacking rewards or boosts neither prior or after the activity (e.g. staks of pre-workouts, caffeine, yerba mate, Alpha GPC, L-Tyrosine, etc; do them from time to time -and watch out what is your baseline level of caffeine: the caffeine you need to have every day [preferably in the morning so you don't ruin your sleep at nights] to survive or do basic functions, if you're part of the ones who don't need caffeine to survive, you're already ahead of those who need at least a little bit of it- and not systematically, the point is to avoid the brain knowing 'its caffein' time' so the cravings start.
• The difference between an activity or a substance that makes our dopamine peak and one that increases our baseline dopamine
• The duration of the dopamine troph (troph is the contrary to peak, is directly proportional to the deepness of that troph itself. What that means is that in order for us to get out of a dopamine troph as soon as possible (maybe we had a peak prior to it, or just feel dismotivated or want to overcome procrastination, what we gotta do is:
• Increase that troph: engage in an activity that makes you feel discomfort (IMPORTANT: not physical or mental pain, that's useless and not what we're referring to), maybe it is cleaning the house or deliberate cold exposure or meditation, so the more disconfort makes (the more steeper the troph is -I guess, in relation to time), the more quickly we'll be able to get out of that disconfort and procrastinating zone.
• The holy grail of motivation: to be able to attach reward to the effort process itself.
This is such a good comment thanks!
Amazing work here in this comment!
Maybe you (or anybody) have more ideas about "painful" activities other than meditation and cold imersstion?
Every time I find a comment that lists main points I find that someone (the list maker) should watch the video a few more times . (and no one should just read the list )
Thanks for the notes. It's spelled "trough" by the way.
My learnings:
Foundational Practices: Focus on quality sleep, non-sleep deep rest (NSDR), and proper nutrition to increase the baseline level of dopamine and restore dopamine reserves.
Exposure to sunlight: In the morning, expose yourself to sunlight for at least 5-10 minutes, facing the Eastward towards the sun on a clear day, to increase cortisol and dopamine levels.
Movement: Incorporate resistance or cardiovascular training into your routine to maintain elevated levels of baseline dopamine achieved through regular exercise.
Cold water exposure: Take a brief dip in cold water up to the neck for 30 seconds to 2 minutes to increase baseline dopamine levels for at least 2-5 hours. Start warmer than you think you need to and ease into it over a few days. Do not expose yourself to cold water after strength or hypertrophy training.
Tyrosine supplementation: Consider taking a low dosage of l-tyrosine (250-500mg) 30-60 minutes before a cognitive or physical task to increase baseline levels of dopamine for extended periods of time and improve performance.
Avoid excessive dopamine-releasing behaviors or substances: Be mindful of how often you engage in behaviors or substances that stimulate dopamine release and how many you stack together.
Guard and protect activities you enjoy: Avoid attaching too many dopamine-releasing behaviors or substances to activities you enjoy to protect their intrinsic value.
Overcoming procrastination: If you find yourself procrastinating, try doing something tangential or more painful to quickly pull yourself out of a procrastination state.
Thanks Man, These notes are super practical. I think Professor Hubberman is gonna create a condensed version of this podcast later for those of us who can't listen to the whole thing properly and need this stuff highlighted but its very valuable when someone shares something like this!
Thank you!
This is what needs to be included with these podcasts
I have two questions:
1. 1:09:27
does it mean we should take a cold shower before exercise
then take a warm shower after that?
2.Does the "exercise" include aerobic exercise?
Thank u
My issue is starting most tasks. Once I start I can continue IF I am listening to music or a podcast or audiobook or on phone w someone. I need a distraction to keep me ‘out of my own thought process’.
So this helps me A LOT. IT IS CHEMISTRY not a character flaw.
Relieved. So glad I found this channel and this Doc.
Dopamine Enigma Unveiled seriously blew my mind. Learning about dopamine optimization and detox completely changed how I approach productivity and focus. Has anyone else here tried applying these techniques? The section on unlocking peak mental performance was a game-changer for me!
This sounds like shadow marketing. Sketchy
Here’s a tip for everyone, those of us with ADHD in particular: When you find yourself locked in the couch, dreading a task - give yourself a tiny goal: Stand up. That’s it. And then allow this micro-momentum to drive you further while you are in the passenger seat. You’ll find yourself behind the wheel soon enough.
It's very funny that this tip is completely contradicted by the video
@@Blokonomicon How so?
I did that just yesterday. I’ve had a diy raised planter on my balcony, still in the box for a YEAR. After much procrastination I decided yesterday to “just open the box”. An hour later the planter was built and seeds planted. Great suggestion.
@@Blokonomicon Not completely. He states at the end of the video/podcast that these little micro-tasks are often offered, like here, and sometimes they can work. It depends on the person. If someone wishes to try this idea, there's no harm in them doing it. It's just that doing something harder than what you're procrastinating may help more, if you can figure out what "hurts more".
Making a list is also helpful. If I put something on my daily to-do list, there’s a greater chance I’ll get it done.
Brilliant podcast. What a time to be alive - having access to so much information & research about these spectacular brains and bodies of ours. Thank you and your team for the time invested in making this so palatable and helpful 🤘🏼
I agree..this is such a complicated science broken down to enlighten the general public...by the way..big fan of yours, Cobus!!!!!! You were one of the reasons for my drive to learn drums...i used to watch all of your drum covers..now i've been playing drums for more than 6 years..Happy to know that you follow Dr. Huberman too :)
stop that, you're going to peak his dopamine by adding the reward of gratitude to his work, let his intrinsic motivation be and don't disrupt his baseline levels please..
jk, and yea, he's a life savior, this podcast came just in the right time for mee :D
Went into a little unmotivated slump after an appointment so when I got home I did a cold shower for 2-3 min and I notice quite a difference! 😃
Price of konch beej (indian name of MUCUNO.) Are going to overdrive
Since listening to this podcast (about a month or two) pairing it with reading a chapter a day of Atomic Habits by James Clear I have achieved the following:
- completely quit weed and alcohol
- haven’t eaten out once
- lost 15 pounds
- successfully did my first powerlifting competition and didn’t beat myself up for any perceived failures
- started a 4:30 am wake up routine (I used to fall asleep at this time so this is massive)
- I’m in bed and reading by 8:30 pm
- I do 3 pieces of physical activity a day (2 outside no matter the weather)
- increased my work productivity so much people don’t recognize me at the office
My friends don’t even recognize who I am and at the same time I feel more myself than I ever have. It reminds me of a time that I haven’t experienced since I was a child - this deep and constant drive that I suppressed to deal with decades of severe sexual, emotional and physical trauma. I am rediscovering my love for science, my love for reading, my love for learning, and my love for me. Thank you SO much, Dr. Huberman. No words for how thankful I am - truly life changing.
@@Radairski Thanks for sharing, so happy for you and very motivating to read! :)
Excellent 😁
One in a million
Your great grand father must be Super Man😊
That is inspiring, thanks for sharing!
I have a looong long way to go. But your story gives me hope.
Almost everyone is addicted nowadays, if it´s not alcohol or smoking, it´s scrolling through social media, watching UA-cam or checking your phone when you know you should be doing something more productive. No wonder so many of us struggle with anxiety, depression and insomnia. I quit watching the video at 39:44, notebook and pen in my hand, because I was actually procrastinating on doing something else. I´ll get to that first now and plan time this afternoon to watch rest of the video. THANKS!
great insight!
Everyone uses social media, UA-cam, etc. but not everyone is 'addicted' to that to the point of foregoing important daily activities.
@@rutvin8763 all power to you if you manage to have that perfect balance, a lot of us don't
It's crazy how much value this man is adding to my life. Currently quitting weed and the cravings were very bad today. Was about to get myself some, but went for a run instead and the cravings are gone. Ty so much for all the insight and tools that we can use to better our lives!
Hang in there, 3 months going strong at the moment.
@@b.buster Thank you!
Keep it up!🎉
Keep Ur head up king 👑 you got this brother don't give up
❤
I love the way that you teach. I'm a professor (Graduate Pharmacology and Undergraduate Anatomy and Physiology) and I see so many educational videos that are more "edutainment" than education. This is so straightforward and it's presented in such a calm and clear way, that it allows you to sit back and just absorb the concepts. It's incredibly refreshing. One of my students told me about you and I'm very happy that they did. Thanks!
I'm sure I'd love the way YOU teach too!
@@prometheusrex1 That's so nice... Thanks!
RECENTLY I COMMENTED ON KONCH BEEJ (MUCUNO.) ON HIS RECENT VIDEO AND ANDREW BROUGHT IT TO LIGHT THANKS
Your assessment of those vids being more entertaining than educating can't be more right. Wide array of music, colorful visuals. It's literally designed to absorb your attention and deplete your dopamine. This is the traps and addicting nature of social media of all kinds
@@drewmonroe8586 Absolutely. It's frustrating because students are becoming reliant on that type of stimulus in order to pay attention. Normal conversation, journal articles, reality in general is no longer interesting. I'm not sure how to combat it, but it's worrisome.
As someone who sits a lot at home currently, writing job applications every day, this is the perfect podcast at literally the perfect timing.
Words can't express how grateful I am to be able to listen to this podcast basically free of charge!
Mr. Huberman: You're a savior and an inspiration!
Best wishes, hope you land something GREAT.
What are you, his best friend?
@@marwar819 You must be unberable to live with.
real
Good morning class, so unbelievable that yesterday I was listening to the previous dopamine podcast after being frustrated with my learning being a bit slow back in school for nurse practitioner in psychiatry. It may be a coincidence but I am so grateful, thank you Prof Huberman.
Good afternoon brother, from cambridgeshire in the uk o/
Thank you for taking on psychiatry and educating yourself so well. Us adhd folk and every other person struggling with mental health needs ppl like you
When I was in CRNA school his early episodes on neurotransmitters and the learning process really helped me understand why school was so challenging/uncomfortable. It was a great time to learn those things because I was living the pain of learning like trying to drink from a firehouse.
I just have to say it’s so comforting to hear someone as smart as you expressed that you struggle With procrastination as well. Thank you for showing your humanity whilst giving us this incredible information!
These are like instruction manuals for how to live in a human body. Thank you so much, Dr Huberman! Most definitely sharing ❤
There's a sentence I heard in a series, it goes : "You've changed my life the way opening a window changes a dark room."
Listening to your podcasts has really been that window! The value you add to people's life is immense.🙌🏻
Andrew and Lex:
You are unlocking brains,hearts and eyes like nobody else did this before …
Thank you again and keep going,we are very hungry of knowledge …
who´s Lex?
I'm taking notes. This episode feels like a gift, thank you so much. I tell everyone to watch your podcasts.
same here
@Ayo because it doesn’t spike dopamine. It’s released over a long time. People who get addicted usually take x the normal dosage to get high.
D I T T O
Me too!! 😊
@Ayo Because it increases your baseline levels of dopamine over a relatively longer period of time unlike cocaine or other addictive substances that increases the peak of your dopamine levels over a short period of time, which is followed by a trough and that is what leads us to seek the experience again to get out of the trough which is painful and this creates the addictive cycle.
After a good 4 years of developing my routine and 1.5 years of holding it consistently I Overloaded on “beneficial practices” and lost motivation. Listening to this I can reflect back and almost directly track the decline to cutting meditation out of the schedule. Checking myself into thinking I could do it on the go. Thank you for the humbling reminder.
hmmm. Well i can directly track my decline to reducing my social involvement during the past decade or more, especially less involvement w/ community and with politics (actually less political involvement/engagement ever since '90's when i was in my twenties. Time for many of us to assert ourselves politically in this country. Bcuz ppl with minority-views in red zones are being actively opressed and told they are not welcome! (TX, FL)
@@18_rabbitBased
@@18_rabbit Yes, great idea, let's make Texas and Florida just as inclusive, if not more than California is today, but gotta say, Florida and Texas don't have drug addicts lurking on the streets day and night.
Andrew, you have no idea how my life changed since the first moment I saw you on Rich Roll...I was looking for a signal to change my life and you just resonated so great in my mind that I started following your protocols along with your videos. I thought that I had depression and anxiety for many years...Until I understood that bad habits needed to go away...My personal and professional life made a 180 change for sure. Never felt so great mentally and physically, especially those downs in life where now I can function no matter what. My thoughts and the feeling of lack of motivation are not dictating orders in my life anymore...I don't even pay attention to that shadow anymore. From Madrid, Spain: THANK YOU
You said it : from Madrid Spain
You got it man
Right place
Here in America not a ton of psychedelics will help you brush stress and anxiety
This episode is probably one of the best podcasts in podcast history. Thank You Dr. Huberman.
Wow I got goosebumps when you said the best way to overcome procrastination is pain. It makes total sense, but never clicked before, it's literally built into the mechanisms. Also explains why things like social media, the increasing accessibility of small dopamine peaks, ultimately prolongs and exacerbates the issue, personally as well as on a societal scale
So I have to wonder, if I'm totally stressed because I live a life of constant pain due to a childhood form of arthritis adding pain is NOT likely to help but more likely to produce a full-blown panic attack. I can't get myself to do the cold water thing. NOPE to that. So, some other way has to be found.
And also explains why the Huberman podcast helps me beat procrastination. Every single time
It's an interesting insight. Essentially the body wants to return to baseline, so by diving deeper into pain, the elastic pull to baseline gets stronger and stronger.
What I didn't understand was his examples of what pain is.
Cold water exposure yes, certain forms of meditation yes, but completing other small tasks no? Presumably the reward for small unrelated tasks gives us a reward which sends us back towards baseline, yet distracted and no closer to our true goal? I don't fully understand.
So some things that are truly just painful on a psychological level and won't introduce a reward could be cold water exposure, hard exercise (assuming you aren't a gym rat), pinching yourself, "fearsetting", reliving memories of procrastination or other avoidant behavior, ... care to add any more? Love Huberman's podcasts but I didn't feel satisfied with his short list of examples, sometimes of unlike behaviors.
Well said. I'm just thinking of how to "torture" myself into this.
@@kriswittyk it was fairly easy for myself to understand being a service member for, going on, 11 years, and now being a drill sergeant. When I went through basic training there was no limit to the amount of exercise they could make you do and they were also allowed to take your sleep. Imagine if you didn't move quickly to accomplish a task so I scream at you, make you do a bunch of exercises to the point of pain, and then you still have to do it, but there's also the threat of having to do more. Years before that they were allowed to beat you, and I mean break your bones beat you. You're basically grateful to get to do the less hard thing. That's one of the reasons rich people tend to be spoiled. Their parents let them be spoiled because it often requires them to feel discomfort to discipline the child too. However, if you don't discipline them you're going to seriously regret it.
Anyway, I myself am still sitting here coming up with actual activities beyond cold shower, but that's basically what we're looking for. Make it stop. I will do what you want, I'll do it quickly, and I'll be happy doing it.
The anxiety we feel before a deadline is torture. You want it to stop and that's why you're moving whereas before you couldn't find the motivation. Imagine if the deadline had actually been moved, but no one told you. You still imposed the pain on yourself to move quickly thinking you'd lose something or be embarrassed if you didn't, meanwhile you had a full week. It's like thinking you won the lottery when you didn't. Those elated feelings came from within you, even though you never won.
This is basically just learning how to be your dad, in a way. This only works if we use this in the manner of a disciplinarian. Do X or Y will happen. The threat actually isn't going to work sometimes. That's normal, because you're in a trough. So follow through with what you said you were going to do. You're going to be mad. Then you say, "Had enough?" The ego will say, "Yes, please just let me do the other thing." Your body will adjust to a certain temperature after a while. I know because I worked my way up to being able to step into a shower on the coldest setting and take a normal shower like that. Did it for about a year. It might have still motivated me, but maybe I'd have to do ice baths or something.
If I build the habits of just being a disciplined individual then I don't have to rely on punishment at all and much of the time the threat alone can get it moving.
You’re changing my life man, and it’s very interesting to see random people quote you online now. You’re reaching a lot of people and leaving them undoubtedly better for it, thank you.
Listening to Dr. Huberman speak on the topic of dopamine is a dopamine hit for me 😊.
As an ADHD person, had saved this episode so long ago: Finally overcame my procastination of listening to this episode. Feeling good about that.. yaay
Your podcast is quite literally the only thing that has helped me become closer to my true potential. Thank you.
He is pretty amazing isn't he.
I remember a saying from you, Andrew, which is "we only have ONE UNIVERSAL currency, that is dopamine"
Thank you so much for this, as always!
This is exactly what I need right now. I'm attempting to start a 30-day overhaul. No phone, no cannabis, no intrusive thoughts, etc. I know it's going to be really difficult, but my body is currently in a place where I need to reset my brain and internal system in general. I plan on listening to a lot of these podcasts to help keep me motivated. This video instantly revealed to me my addiction/dopamine problem with cannabis and shopping and how severe it really is, and how badly I need to fix my problems.
You recognizing this about yourself is already battle half won. Good luck on the journey. U got this!
Weed is really bad . Gave me restless legs syndrome after quitting it. My sleep is messed up too. Never touching that crap again. Im carnivore now
Go outside and run as fast as you can until you have to stop. Rest 5 minutes. Then do it again. Do this 4 times.
@@MansoyHumilde777I don’t smoke weed but I don’t think saying that to someone who’s about to quit is very aware or helpful. They are looking for support not your opinion.
Yeah, it will be hard (I’m in the similar position)
But it will be worth it and
it IS doable
Thank you so much Andrew Huberman! My partner and I have been vaping for 8 years. I listened to your podcast in February. Within the same week I downloaded Reveri and quit vaping successfully. I have now been vape free for 1 1/2 months. I've tried several times before and have wanted to quit for years, but the information you provided was more beneficial than Nicotine gum, patches, or hypnotherapy. My partner quit vaping 1 week after me after being a smoker / vape user for 10+ years. Thank you so much for the information that you have shared, it helped pave the way to a healthier and happier life for my partner and I. I am in awe of the amazing work you do and we are whole heartily grateful for your work. You are changing lives for the better one day, one podcast at a time! What you have done and continue to do for the community is invaluable.
As someone that has suffered with addiction and depression and anxiety all my life, this episode is so valuable. THANK YOU ANDREW!!! You are a saint, This is some of the most valuable info any person can ever learn.
I was so depressed and was feeling there is no hope for me to get rid of anxiety, after watching your videos on dopamine and how it affects the human mind I get to know about the way to lower my anxiety and how to focus on daily works. Thank you very much❤
litterally me andrew huberman is a godsend
I think you just changed my life. I'm newly alcohol free (5 months). (I'm 54 years old). I've been looking for ways to have healthy dopamine levels in my sobriety. I've been thinking about it all wrong. Searching for a 'high' rather than considering a baseline and healthy waves of dopamine. Not only have I been procrastinating more than ever lately, I am also starting to 'avoid' by shopping/food/sugar/games on my phone - anything to circumvent what I need to do and give me a quick dopamine spike. I am SO thankful that I really hate meditation! - off now to have a cold shower. Thank you!!!
Lol my exact reaction- thank goodness I hate meditation!!
What does hating meditation mean here? What did I miss?
Rather meditate than cold shower
My 5 tools:
1. Meditation
2. Cleaning
3. Showering (executive dysfunction makes this super hard personally)
4. Menial work tasks that I hate (I have a creative job with a technical aspect I dislike so forcing myself to complete some of those tasks would be useful)
5. Mid-intensity cardio where it's long enough to get bored but high intensity enough to feel fatigued. +20mins -40mins
Share yours!
1. cooking
2. meditation
3. cardio (I took that from you. great idea!)
4. Taking meaningless long walks outside
5. Planning my finances
I had to read a few times before noticing you didn't write "erectile dysfunction".. :D
I agree with these ! I also use weightlifting, and walking outside with natural light. Just getting started step by step, one small task at a time . Sometimes it is harder than it sounds , but it has made a huge difference.
Cold shower would be one for sure. Especially if it was in the middle of the day. It's so bad I'm not sure I could do it.
Meditation or journaling.
Sitting still and not doing something like read or even think or plan mentally.
1 - cold showers/ ice baths
2 - meditation
3 - Breathwork
4 - gym then sauna
5 - watching vids like this
As a guy with ADD, overthinking, procrastinating and such, this confirmed my solution which works quite well. I tell myself when I'm in the trough that I'll just go prepare the tools for my next assignment, or tidy a bit around to prep. And before I know it, I have done the most challenging part, which is starting. And before I know it I'm in the flow, getting stuff done.
But I'll definitely try the cold showers too. I have first year psychology from Uni, so I have some limited knowledge from before, and that makes it just brilliant that you're actually doing this in detail, but still simple enough for common folks to understand. Thanks for this!
Planing is the half way done. .and expectations..we are not alowed to fail ..yes we can ..another day ..guilt is a big block and fear to fail . We learning from failure and nothing is perfect
Agreed! I'm a type A lawyer, but with the ADHD it's so easy to get stuck in the trough. I call the prep 'mis en place' so it matches what chefs do and makes the dreaded task so much easier.
This man is literally changing my life, one video at a time. Thank you Prof. Huberman!! I appreciate the time and effort you put into putting this knowledge together
This explains why i have been so incredibly numb and flat feeling for the last few months. The way you explained using L-dopa and stacking dopamine releasing behaviors and supplements onto an already enjoyable behavior like exercise is exactly what i have been doing. That is to say because i quit a 5 year on and off opiate addiction coupled with alcohol in the new year. I think i'm going to use the cold water emersion technique with just exercise to re-set. Can't thank you enough Andrew....i really appreciate your knowledge and thoughtful deep dives into subjects like this. You truly are an asset to the human species
Good luck with your recovery Jona, Keep going one day at a time
One of the best podcast episodes (and podcasts) of all time. Thank you, Dr. Huberman for doing what you do. 🙏🏼
I get dopamine hits whenever Mr Huberman talks about it.
Seriously.
The way Hidden Time Wealth dives into the concept of productivity is mind-blowing. Hidden Time Wealth tips are pure gold, and I wish more people knew about them.
What a great podcast; so full of great information. I went through it twice, took notes and saved it to revisit. Thank you so much! I love the NSDB meditation too. Saved that as well.
There have been times over the last few years where I have fallen into a very deep depression with no will to live. I know that this is the dark before the dawn and I know I have to just be still (I can only wait on God during those times). I started listening to Huberman Lab Podcasts to have positive information injected into my brain, even if I fell asleep. It helps me every single time. I've learned so much. Thank you for what you do Andrew. You're a blessing.
Would love to hear everyone’s list of effortful / painful activities to take up when procrastinating!
Thanks Andrew, really insightful to learn about pulling out of dopamine troughs. Hopefully I’ll need to rely less on self-induced deadline panic moving forward!
Cold shower.
Going outside when it’s cold (I live in Montreal haha).
Doing the plank for at least a minute.
Thats what I got so far
Following. I don’t have any. But then again my baselines have been off for awhile. Need to work on that first
Following
Been listening to this repeatedly the last few days to try and absorb all of it. I feel like I've finally found the piece I've been missing to fully understand and optimize my drive and motivation - and why it is sometimes lacking. Thanks so much!
So lucky to have found you, diagnosed at 50 with early onset Parkinsons, numerous concussions in my late teens and early twenties (AFL) culminating in a closed head injury sending me into ICU and being induced into a "24 hour" coma, so the brain could reduce it's swelling and start to heal. Four days later I slowly came to and spent three weeks in a "head injury ward" learning to basically start again, walking talking and the basics all had been "smudged" and had to be re-learnt for lack of a better term.
Between 6:10 and 22:30, man you truly are on the money, thank you.
Currently in the process of getting back into some sort of shape at 52, I am listening to you at every opportunity.
Kudos Andrew, people like you are what life is all about.
Thank you, Dr Huberman, you motivate me and so many others!
I look forward to your regular weekly shows and apply your tools every day.
It's important for people to see such high quality, scientific-based information about living a healthy life from someone who cares enough to share it free of charge. A true gift!
You are an excellent, caring person, teacher and role model.
I've seen all your episodes and hope you continue them for a very long time to come.
As a working 71 year-old software developer, you've benefited me greatly. I practiced a healthy lifestyle a lot of my life before you began your youtube channel.
I have about the time I seriously considered retiring because I was slowing down some.
Then I saw you on Rogan, Rich Roll and Tim Ferriss before your podcast began and was so happy to see you start your own show.
Since then, you've been the ever-present beacon of positive attitude and motivation for me.
So grateful to you, sir! 😊❤
I teach kinder and first graders that have ADD and or Dyslexia. I listen to these podcasts and learn and profess this information. Thank you AH may God bless you. Keep it coming. I am staying one beat behind.
Thank you, Dr. Huberman. Your videos have been life changing! I look forward to another lesson.
The yoga-nidra and body scanning part is closely aligned with Vipassan meditation practice. An understanding of the dopamine functioning is keeping me away from the ocassional smoke that I would have, So thank you for making me think and act differently already Andrew. Also, staring at sunlight, being in India I can now appreciate the gift of sunny days even more. Keep going. :)
I literally just had therapy today and we talked about Dopamine. What an amazing coincidence. Love you, Huberman, this is hands-down one of my favorite podcasts ♥
Prob not a coincidence, your phone was listening to you and led to the UA-cam recommendation ;) this happens to me a lot lol
Christine Meth addict here , listening to this (despite English is not my first language ) helps a lot to the understanding for my current fighting to this drug..... thanks a lot for your time explaining all of this 🙏
Dear Dr Huberman, I wont say thank you because I simply dont know a proper word to use in situation like this. This podcast and this analysis gave me not only knowledge but also path to this knowledge that made it "digestable" and somewhat easy to follow. I began my process of a theraphy close to 1 year ago and now finally I can say I understand why I am doing things that Im doing. This in process leads to state when Im starting to like me. It takes to be really good person to just share it like that. All good to you!
Thank you Andrew and rest of the team for what is undoubtably one of the most valuable information sources out there today. I am so grateful for your work!
Please could you consider dedicating an entire episode to tinnitus?
I know you covered it briefly during the hearing episode, but there is so much more to cover. It can have such a negative impact on quality of life and there are so many contradictory claims being thrown around online. I would be especially interested in hearing about the link to derealization and visual snow, as that is something I suffer from
Please leave a like so Andrew and his team don’t miss this comment!
Yes - ironically - have had this occur to me recently more than once in the last few months. I've never had it last a day or more until my 40's. However - I've experienced symptoms related to tinnitus for 2-3 days at a clip seemingly insidiously. Would be very interested in having AH breaking down the causation and correlations for us with this topic as well. 🙏
It would be really helpful to have some kind of visual material edited in when doing explanations related to the biological layout of the body such as the 'Dopamine Brain Circuits' section. It's way easier and less prone to misinterpretation than to imagine things as narrated.
That being said, I would like to thank you and the team for the effort you put in to make those incredibly in depth podcasts, there's a lot to be learned from them.
I actually prefer it explained and podcast like, yes images would be helpful,but I like listening while doing cleaning in my house ❤
@@TakaiDesu Having visuals added does not detract from your enjoyment of the audio, which you already have. It's normal for people to have different needs.
This would be great
Huberman Lab has quickly become my favorite podcast. Appreciate you taking a deep-dive into complex topics but presenting them in a way that is easy to understand. As someone with synesthesia, would appreciate a podcast where you discuss synesthesia, such as the different types and how it is developed. Thank you again for your content!
Hi, I know this is a year old, but it’s just now hitting me. I’m new to Andrew Huberman, and as a mother of three in my mid-40s, I’m trying to get my dopamine levels under control and better understand my mind. I’ve never addressed my ADHD because I was told I didn’t have it, but I started exploring this topic about two years ago, so I’m quite new to it all.
I also wanted to mention that it’s nice to hear from someone who enjoys working out and talking about it, as well as experiencing it in the moment. I feel the same way, but I don’t feel like I’m surrounded by people who share this passion. No one in my circle thinks it’s good that I wake up early to work out; they describe it as gross and yucky.
I’m glad I found this video, and I hope to find a supportive community.
Listened to Huberman all day long! Such a way of explaining and calming voice!
Professor Huberman, anytime my dopamine level is about to drop, you release a podcast based on how to leverage it. I like every single detail that you lay out for us and use them to optimize my behavior. Thank you
This is life changing.
The fact that this is not talked about by therapist and doctors is insane.
I've spent the last year and a half trying to figure out what was wrong with me. Saw functional doctors, ran labs, went to therapy and I was still feeling like crap. Tired all the time, anxious, didn't feel like doing anything, barely had energy to make it through the day, couldn't find pleasure in anything. I was certain that I had a thyroid problem, POTS or even PTSD. Also tried taking all kinds of supplements to no avail.
There were days were I felt pretty good but I could not identify what caused me to have the good days. I noticed that after a terrible separation with my kids mother that I was engaging in compulsive behaviors. Always looking for something to make me feel better in the moment. What I didn't realize is that it was destructive and it was getting out of control. For a week now i've given up all of the things that I was doing to spike my dopamine to re-establish a healthy baseline and I can feel a drastic difference already. I know i'm not 100% there, but I can tell it's working.
I encourage anyone that's feeling like crap to take an honest look at your behavior patterns. Especially the things that you do when you are stressed. If you give those up and fight the urge to engage in them, I'm more than certain you will start to feel better.
I've noticed this in the psychology profession as well. In order to learn about the how the brain affects behaviour I had to read Behave by Robert Sapolsky, and am now reading other books on neuroscience. Hormones like epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol, estrogen, oxytocin, vasopressin, testosterone; neurotransmitters like acetylcholine, GABA, dopamine, serotonin, glutamate - I've never heard these mentioned by psychologists in a technical manner. Perhaps, casually - or on social media but not in a serious scientific study of their effects on behaviour. Unfortunately, genetics, neuroscience, mind-gut connection, and behavioural endocrinology are not the core study focus in psychology or counselling degrees, even though they are key to understanding how we think and feel.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and mindfulness are considered the gold standard, and empiricism is hailed as the core value of the profession. I think that CBT is the minimum requirement in order to practice psychology. Doctors will also promote cognitive behavioural therapy, because of the amount of research that shows its success rate. Because of the research that has been done on therapies like CBT, that is what is funded by the government. That is what is taught and administered to patients.There's not much further looking into brain chemistry, hormones, neurotransmitters, and the genes which affect these processes; unless people choose to specialise in neuropsychology or neuropsychiatry.
Perhaps the industry will change in the future, from a mental diagnostic model to a neurological, biological and genetically informed model of mental health. It is suggested in the book 'Brain & Behaviour' by Bob Garrett and Gerald Hough,
"as neuroscience and evidence-based practices progress, we are realizing that two people can have the same symptom with different causes or the same brain defect with different symptoms. As a result, the National Institute of Mental Health encourages researchers to shift their focus from diagnostic categories to underlying neural and genetic mechanisms (G. Miller, 2010)."
The paper referenced in the brackets is "Psychiatry. Beyond DSM: seeking a brain-based classification of mental illness" by G Miller.
Just curious we’re u using cocain or any stimulant
I learned on a different vid that antihistamines for allergies depletes dopamine in the brain. So people tend to feel unmotivated, no energy, etc while taking antihistamines. (When the antihistamine doesnt knock you out.) No dr has ever mentioned this issue. I often feel unmotivated with no energy...but I also take antihistimines.
@@livpizzano3044 none whatsoever. I noticed it after my divorce possibly due to high stress and also had COVID at that same time. It might have been a combination of both.
There's a book called Hidden Time Wealth, and it talks about how using some secret techniques, you can overcome procrastination and accomplish anything in life. It's not just a bunch of empty promises; it's the real deal.
I can't find it anywhere can you tell me where I could find it
these are bot comments don't fall for it I've seen multiple in various other videos.
Thank you! I have been struggling so much with working on important tasks and always lamenting myself for my lack of discipline! Your lectures have created a paradigm shift in my approach now. Instead of trying to muster discipline in me, I am learning to enjoy the process of working and creating, to naturally increase my motivation and drive to do work. After implementing methods like listening to uplifting music while doing work, and making myself feel happy doing work, it has helped me greatly! I would much prefer the dopamine from working then the dopamine from passively scrolling social media and wasting my time away doing stuff that I will end up regretting. Much thanks once again :)
Hey
I just started taking AG1 a few days ago and oh my gosh. I’m sleeping better, recovering better, have more energy during the day, and have so much more mental clarity. It’s actually crazy. Thank you so much for changing and saving my life
I enjoy your podcast's. I'm not a collegiate of any kind, but I love learning. I used my lack of motivation to watch your podcast today. Now I must go and do something more painful. I have procrastinated long enough. Thank you Andrew, I appreciate you!
Your work is priceless! You are the reason that more people are living happier lives.
You’re the most inspiring human I’ve ever listened to. It may be dramatic to say you’ve saved my life. But you certainly have helped me increase my ability to make better decisions on every level of life. Thank you!
Thank You.
I don’t feel so bad for my procrastination after listening to this. The guilt and shame was actually making me worse.
Now I understand the root causes and how so many people are going through the same, I can change my perception of myself.
I’m now a Creative, proactive entrepreneur no longer trapped in a procrastinators body!! Thank you Dr Huberman for releasing me from myself.
Finally a way to get rid of procrastination that's stopping me from watching all of the Huberman Lab episodes 🙂
Hubermonday
Si
We need t shirts
Hubernator 2 Judgment Day
Hubarnating..
@@pawelstyszko5591 tomorrow my friend.
Always taking the knowledge from this big badass neuroscientific, this is great value for humanity! Thank you Mr Huberman! 🙏
This might sound very random at this point but I'd really love to see a video on Teeth and oral health in general as it is a pretty big indicator of illnesses in the body. I haven't found many useful videos on the Internet regarding this topic so I'd really appreciate if you take an interest in it. Thank you for all your helpful videos.
You should check out the book; Breathe.
Hi Andrew,
Greetings from Venezuela. I am a medical student and you've been a huge source of inspiration for me for some time now. I feel a deep admiration for you. The way you transmit your passion for neurophysiology and nature is contagious. It's not just the facts, but the way you communicate and talk about science. Thank you for being a role model for new generations. You greatly influence my whole life. With the utmost gratitude, I send you all my best blessings and good wishes.
Okay. I did 30 minutes in a cold bath (about 12°C) in the morning. Tried to warm up without towel drying. Took me 2 hours of shivering to warm back up. Later that evening I felt like I was high on xtc and couldn't come down. Also couldn't sleep. Next day I still didn't come down so I skipped a day. Yesterday I did 45 min cold bath. After 30 minutes colors seemed brighter and I felt happy and a bit more active. But that was short lived. I really want to be more motivated and active after a couple years of depression and therapy and hope the cold baths will help get my base line dopamine back up. I know its a journey and it takes doing all the basics and more to really change into a normal human being after being inactive for years. Sometimes one can feel like giving up. But your videos give me hope. Thank you!
I am literally staring at the list of things I have to do this week as part of writing a side-hustle research paper. How timely. :)
Hello Dr. Huberman! Thank you for providing this information. Can you please make a video on overcoming a heartbreak and a scientific approach to getting your life back and avoiding the procrastination and self-sabotage behaviors?
This man just about busted out laughing, telling us all how we have to trick ourselves into doing difficult things by doing even more difficult things first.
That's because mental health can be a bit of a paradox at times. This can be advantageous for recovery.
So true. I help a friend clean his house several times a week. And then come home and clean mine which isn’t as bad but I will procrastinate.
My English professor introduced me to Andrew Huberman a few months ago when we were assigned a podcast to write a reflection paper about. I am grateful! Andrew Huberman has a great podcast with lots of valuable information.
This is the most profound podcast I have listened to all of 2023. Thank you for your amazing work.
These videos have bettered my life in so many ways. Thank you, Andrew.
Who else is watching this instead of doing what they should do ? 😂
The person who needs to watch this again and again so it sinks in
THANK YOU! Waiting for an episode about hoarding as I struggle to recover and get things done, I know this is COMPLETELY tied in with dopamine. Keep thinking about the rat study where they could not be bothered to move one rat-length to get what they "wanted".
Making Effort the Reward. I am almost certain your effort in imparting your knowledge to strangers through these videos is your form of reward. Thank you for everything you are doing.
Funny enough I brought your podcast up on my past therapy appointment and turns out my therapist and I share the love to your podcast! I deeply appreciate what you do and truly don't think there has been a single social setting I have not brought your work up even a single time. Grateful to have such passionate person in the media that cares about spreading the scientifically backed knowledge and the importance of educated health-related choices in peoples lives. Thank you Professor Huberman!
I would love to see a study on ice baths and ADHD , been doing it 5 to 6 days a week and felt a huge ability to focus for about 3 hours.
But try to stop the procrastination but the struggle is real.
I listen to your podcast while I'm at asda doing shifts, so much great stuff, ice baths and hot baths (don't have a sauna) it has changed my health and focus, including supplements.
I take a cold 🚿 but not every day. And I always love making myself do that. My shower only puts out cold water for about 10 seconds. I might try my other shower to take at least a minute one.
@@aprilhassell1747 if you measure tap water usually is between 8 and 10c (46f) which is cold enough, takes the wind out of you but is ace for focus.
I'm convinced it's helped my ADHD symptoms.
If you have a bath it's a good place to start, I'm not the typical extreme person, but found that doing it has helped me do more stuff I find difficult, like getting up early and doing runs, doing more things immediately then procrastinating. Also recovery time has been so much better. Up to 9 miles in running and only had some pain and mainly because I had work that was mega busy that day
@Oliver Hargreaves i have a huge bathtub, but i think a cold short shower is better and more convenient. I get the coldest Wisconsin water. lol it literally takes my breath away for the first 5 seconds. I have a lake in town i could use too. I wish i had a cold buddy. I have adhd and im trying everything to stay off adhd medication. Are you currently on medication?
@@aprilhassell1747 at the moment, although I'm wanting to do a masters and may go on it then to give me better focus.
At the moment I'm running in the morning, and then doing a 3 to 5 min cold plunge. I find the length matters in terms of concentration. Just seems to quiet out the noise. I have visual reminders everywhere of stuff I need to do and spend about 10 to 20 mins a day looking through my calander seeing what's coming up,so it's drilled in.
Lake may be good but I would say try it first at home, to be honest the cold is that intense I can't focus, I concentrate on my breathing and sort of sit praying until it's over.
Did 10 mile run today and 10 mins in the cold , but need to figure out how to make it colder.
The good things with pushing on alone is your motivation and discipline isn't attached to someone else, but to your mindset. Ive spent this year trying to get disciplined as it's a constant struggle. I'm off facebook and most social media, off gaming stuff (for now) and trying to like dopemine detox from the crap.
UA-cam is great but has the ability to suck you in to stuff for a while.
ADHD is hard, but means when you have achieved you've overcome a massive barrier that no one else has and I think that develops toughness
This literally changed my life. Getting early morning sun every day - I’m almost in euphoria at night so at first it’s made me almost too energetic 😂
I would seriously appreciate covering the topic of serotonin. I suffer with severe anxiety due to autoimmune hypothyroidism (hashimotos) fo r a decade but it took an excessive turn when South African went into one of the roughest covid lockdowns in the world. I did not sleep for 3 months. I tried EVERY natural option - I mean everything- eventually the stress and anxiety attacks lead to all night chest pain, elevated heart rate and hyperventilating. It took a full panel of blood tests and cocktail of sleeping meds and anti anxiety drugs (administered by a specialist) to get me to regulate. I’m now off of everything except rivotril but the anxiety totally takes over very often. Elevating my baseline dopamine, ice baths, cold showers, contrast therapy, morning sunlight, regular bed time, physical exercise, nutrition, watching stand up comedy, cuddling my dog, quality time away with my partner, seeing my psychologist etc etc all help but sometimes that chest pain resurfaces - especially in sync with certain parts of a monthly hormonal cycle. I’m very interested to know if I can leverage serotonin pathways in any way that’s doesn’t involve pharma drugs 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
I had the same. anxious and stressed, eating comfort food (chocolate, fried chicken) and drinking (mostly red wine). Realized the chest pains came on days where I overdid chocolate and wine. Thought it was a trigger, then noticed I’d have twinges *before* the choc/wine. Realized was stress causing it and I was making it worse. Turns out it was gastro esophageal spasms. Feels like a heart attack, or a spike going thru your back and chest. I find yoga breathing helps back it off when I have an attack, and avoiding those comforts when I want them the most helps. So may be *correlation* and not just *causation*. You have troubs swallowing pills? Or overdone chicken and pork or hard boiled eggs? Your esophagus may be narrow. (Not dismissing, just may be a comorbidity).
@@missusingle I realized I would get anxious right after meals, looked this up & and narrow esophagus seems to fit for me. Thanks for mentioning the difficulty swallowing pills & certain foods, those are added clues for me!
Professor, it would be really kind of you if you would make a separate episode dedicated to that dopamine trough recovery, reward prediction error that you discussed in the video and how can we avoid those dopamine spikes in today's world where even watching you videos give me dopamine spikes.
Really learning a lot.
So, There is trough, crest of our dopamine level. The steeper the slope of dopamine rise. The steeper will be the trough slope.
To elevate from that state of trough
- You can wait. Because our dopamine circutory is design in such way
- You can put your body and mind into more uncomfort state which doesn't only Teaches you do hard things but also It taps into very neural chemical system which allows you to fell motivated and capable to pursue the goal which is the thing you're more concerned about.
Also to elevate your baseline of Dopamine
- take cold showers early in the morning
- Take sunlight
Do not overlap if you enjoy doing something
This is actually one of the best takes I've seen on this topic
I've never clicked so fast on a thumbnail. I feel like this is the episode I was waiting for the most!
Thanks for all you guys do to put these out
Professor Huberman I just recently discovered your channel and I can't stop watching your content. The topics you choose and your way of teachings things make your podcast such a valuable thing to my life. Greetings from Germany, much love!
Please consider doing a show on TMJ and teeth grinding. Millions of us suffer from grinding and it negatively effects us in areas of sleep and focus. If it has been covered in any way please share the episode or any other references that could be helpful. Thank you!
Go to an ent. They teach you correct placement of tongue. Lips together, tongue touching top teeth, like you’re saying the letter N. I went as a teenager and it helped me a lot, as I was suffering from jaw pain.
im going against user s219.... go to the orthodontist. it could be quite difficult to find someone who really understands tmj because it is quite hard topic and from my orthodontist point of view, i dont symphatize with myofunctional therapy like the tongue position... sure it can be usefull in some cases but i think, people take it as "allmighty" solution for all mouth problems that exist from tmj dissorders, tooth position, jaw aesthetic and so on..
as for the bruxism (teeth grinding) ideal occlusion with ideal tmj possition done by a skillful orthodontist is great for that or we are using night guards, it is something like an invisalign but harder and it blocks damage on your enamel by grinding in sleep. and/or it can be problem with the masseter muscle being pretty strong (maybe botulotoxin but im not sure about that indication, never looked into that) or you are in a stress and teeth grinding is your way to relive that stress
and Dr. Huberman once had a podcast where he refered to book "jaws" according to those problems, but i havent red it yet, so i can not say if it is good or not
@@rihaveinaiba8269 well, the ent I went to also made me a mouth guard. I never used it because it was uncomfortable and I basically wasn’t suffering from the pain anymore because the jaw issue resolved from correct tongue placement. Basically the mouth guard was causing me more pain and I never could get comfortable to sleep with it.
I went in the late late 90s-early 2000s. Im 34 now, I went as a older kid, nearly teenager. Way before the “mewing” popularity. Not saying a orthodontist can’t help, it’s just that I never went to one as I never had teeth alignment issues/braces. This is what my dentist recommended and it worked for me. My dentist even suggested I go back just for a follow up when I went back to him (after several years) as an adult.
Another suggestion for pain in the jaw was to relax the jaw using a makeshift heating pad. Fill an old long white sock with rice and heat it up in the microwave when needed.
@@rihaveinaiba8269 are you an orthodontist?
@@21972012145525 yes.
sometimes when the tongue position is wrong, it can cause narrow upper arch, posterior cross bite, open bite and mouth breathing and by the medical protocoles this i best treated by functional apliances before the maximum growth spurt around 8 years. of course it can be treated later, but usually the later, the more raditional approach is needed.
and i agree with the heat approach of treatment. usually heat can relax muscles aby by that ease the joint, works for most joints.
This explains when I have caffeine as first thing in the morning, I experience crash in the afternoon for like 4 hours.. another coffee helps, but that crash comes back..
now I am afraid to have that coffee immediately after I wake up.. having it after one hour..
Slowly will bring it to 3 hours after waking up..
Instead of listening to songs, it’s good to listen to your podcasts during my household works… immense knowledge and Crystal clear explanation on the whole dopamine world 🤩
Discovering Hidden Time Wealth has been one of the best things I've done for my productivity. It feels like I’ve finally cracked the code to overcoming procrastination.
You’re really an absolute credit to your field, well done!
List of painful/effortful/useful activities to do when feeling unmotivated to return to baseline levels of dopamine:
-Cold exposure
-Samatha (focused-oriented) Meditation
-Run
-breathwork
-yoga nidra and Non deep sleep rest
Give more examples in the comments!
NSDR Protocoll (non-sleep deep rest) or/and yoga nidra. find guided instructions for both on youtube.
Ask God for help. He has really helped me.And Slashing cold water on your face throughout the day.
Great podcast! Here's a topic suggestion: Healthy Weight Gain.
I find that there is a lot of information out there on weight loss. Optimizing metabolism usually means speeding it up in this case. But what about those of us who are underlean? Who can eat tons of calories without putting on weight. Doing the opossite of the rest of the world often feels unhealthy. Are there ways to slow down your metabolism in a healthy way? How to put on weight (muscle and maybe some fat) without eating a bunch of crap?
Other interessting topics for probably a lot of people:
- Asthma
- Allergies
Thanks for being such a valuable source of information for all of us!
I wholeheartedly agree with this. A lot of good advice about how to be healthy is not at all conducive to weight gain. For example, eating whole foods rather than processed foods may be better for a person's metabolic health, but you're also absorbing fewer calories; and whole foods are more satiating and less addictive, so you're likely to eat far less of them.
(And that's to say nothing of intermittent fasting, eating plenty of fruit and veg, and intense cardio/resistance training)
Sadly, there doesn't appear to be any advice online that goes beyond 'just eat more'. Well, if gaining weight were as simple as 'just eat more', then *losing* weight should be as simple as 'just eat less' -- but the sheer number of overweight and obese people in Western countries and the abundance of books and UA-cam videos on weight loss suggest that there's probably more to it than that.
Granted, this is a relatively niche suggestion for a video, but I think it would greatly help those of us who do struggle to gain weight.
There must be better options out there than drenching everything in olive oil or eating processed foods.
Great topic suggestions
Thanks, Dr. Huberman!!! I needed to understand the "peaks" and the "troughs". For the first time ever, I could apply this technique with my grown son. He took much time to do something that I'd requested of him and was in expectation that he'd do it almost within a good range of time. This video helped me to meditatively have a "plan b" if he had not done what was requested of him, and, sure enough, when I found out that he didn't do as I'd requested, I "smoothly controlled" my anger, even my demeanor towards him was still very pleasant. This in turn took me back to my baseline much quicker with a very good feeling deep inside. Great video!!
Andrew Huberman has single handedly helped me clean up and order the health dimension of my life with his extremely useful protocols and information. I can't thank you enough !!
ADHD dopamine levels and procrastination and hyper focus is exactly what you are describing ❤
Lmao this telephone number bots are getting out of hand😂😂
The advice given at 1:29:00 applies to relationships/people too. Guard yourself and the time you spend with the people you care about in the same way.
Thank you for this breakdown and the tools, love this podcast! Could you give another example of doing a more "painful" activity to reduce procrasination. Cold exposure,working out, any physical activity is not more painful than doing difficult cognitive work for me? I understand my question is somewhat subjective, but how can I determine an activity that I would find less pleasant? Also why would one not have procrasination towards a more "painful" task...
Ideas for pain to stop procrastination: i). quick set of pushups, jumping jacks, plank, squat, wall sit, or some other kind of short intense workout you can do in your normal clothes. ii). Find some kind of puzzle, like new york times puzzles, or learning a new word and writing sentences with it. Or forming a sentence in a language you are new to. í) you could practice a new instrument for 5 or 10 minutes. iv) you could work on a math problem. v) Meditation is hard work, try focusing on your breath and remember real work is refocusing after you get distracted. Those are cognitive tasks that might challenge you. I would say that you might be overthinking what activities you might find to be less pleasant, simply try one of these things above that might challenge you, or even mildly inconvenience you.
Also, I think that you might have less of a tendency to procrastinate these sorts of things, because they should only be taking you 30 seconds to 10 minutes, depending on what you want. You know it's not going to take a full hour, because it is a short activity!
These videos are absolute gold mines of information. I am 16 and have taken quite the liking to the study of dopamine, discipline, and mental strength. Bright future ahead
Thank you Andrew Huberman, I'm 15 and that's the holy grail i've been looking for.