How Your Brain Works & Changes

Today’s episode provides an introduction to how the nervous system works to create sensations, perceptions, emotions, thoughts and behaviors, as well as how we can change our nervous system—a phenomenon known as neuroplasticity. The information sets the stage for all Huberman Lab podcast episodes that follow by covering neurons, synapses, brain chemicals and the rhythms that control our ability to focus, learn and sleep… and more. Thank you for your interest in science. We'll see you next week!

Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com.

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Thank you to our sponsors

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Timestamps

00:00:00 Introduction  

00:02:25 Sponsors: AG1 & LMNT  

00:07:57 What is the Nervous System  

00:07:25 Deja Vu  

00:08:09 How War, Guns & Soap Shaped Our Understanding of the Brain  

00:10:47 Jennifer Aniston Neurons  

00:11:58 Sensations  

00:13:30 Magnetic Sensing & Mating  

00:14:51 Perceptions & The Spotlight of Attention  

00:16:33 Multi-Tasking Is Real  

00:17:45 Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Control of Behavior  

00:18:38 Focusing the Mind  

00:21:47 Antidepressants  

00:25:01 Thoughts & Thought Control  

00:25:56 Actions  

00:30:40 How We Control Our Impulses  

00:33:44 Neuroplasticity: The Holy Grail of Neuroscience  

00:38:34 The Portal to Neuroplasticity  

00:43:53 Accelerating Learning in Sleep  

00:47:29 The Pillar of Plasticity  

00:52:22 Leveraging Ultradian Cycles & Self Experimentation  

00:57:17 Summary  

00:58:03 Zero-Cost Support, Feedback, Reviews  

Disclaimer & Disclosures