The Huberman Lab Podcast discusses neuroscience: how our brain and its connections with the organs of our body control our perceptions, our behaviors, and our health. We also discuss existing and emerging tools for measuring and changing how our nervous system works. Dr. Andrew Huberman is a tenured Professor of Neurobiology and Ophthalmology at Stanford School of Medicine. His laboratory studies neural regeneration, neuroplasticity, and brain states such as stress, focus, fear, and optimal performance. For more than 20 years, Dr. Huberman has consistently published original research findings and review articles in top-level peer-reviewed journals, including Nature, Science, Cell, Neuron, and Current Biology. He is a regular member of several National Institutes of Health review panels and a Fellow of the McKnight Foundation and the Pew Charitable Trusts. Dr. Huberman regularly consults for technology development companies, professional athletic organizations, and various units of U.S. and Canadian Special Operations.
Dr. Matthew MacDougall: Neuralink & Technologies to Enhance Human Brains
In this episode, my guest is Matthew MacDougall, MD, the head neurosurgeon at Neuralink. Dr. MacDougall trained at the University of California, San Diego and Stanford University School of Medicine and is a world expert in brain stimulation, repair and augmentation. He explains Neuralink’s mission and projects to develop and use neural implant technologies and robotics to 1) restore normal movement to paralyzed patients and those with neurodegeneration-based movement disorders (e.g., Parkinson’s, Huntington’s Disease) and to repair malfunctions of deep brain circuitry (e.g., those involved in addiction). He also discusses Neuralink’s efforts to create novel brain-machine interfaces (BMI) that enhance human learning, cognition and communication as a means to accelerate human progress. Dr. MacDougall also explains other uses of bio-integrated machines in daily life; for instance, he implanted himself with a radio chip into his hand that allows him to open specific doors, collect and store data and communicate with machines and other objects in unique ways. Listeners will learn about brain health and function through the lens of neurosurgery, neurotechnology, clinical medicine and Neuralink’s bold and unique mission. Anyone interested in how the brain works and can be made to work better ought to derive value from this discussion.
For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com.
Thank you to our sponsors
AG1 (Athletic Greens): https://athleticgreens.com/huberman
HVMN: https://hvmn.com/huberman
Levels: https://levels.link/huberman
Thesis: https://takethesis.com/huberman
InsideTracker: https://insidetracker.com/huberman
Supplements from Momentous
https://www.livemomentous.com/huberman
Timestamps
(00:00:00) Dr. Matthew MacDougall
(00:04:05) Sponsors: HVMN, Levels, Thesis
(00:07:38) Brain Function & Injury; Brain Tumor Treatment
(00:13:52) Frontal Lobe Filter; Sleep Deprivation
(00:19:00) Neuroplasticity, Pharmacology & Machines
(00:22:10) Neuralink, Neural Implants & Injury, Robotics & Surgery
(00:31:05) Sponsor: AG1 (Athletic Greens)
(00:32:20) Neocortex vs. Deep Brain
(00:36:45) Decoding Brain Signals
(00:42:08) “Confidence Test” & Electrical Stimulation; RFID Implants
(00:51:33) Bluetooth Headphones & Electromagnetic Fields; Heat
(00:57:43) Brain Augmentation & Paralysis
(01:00:51) Sponsor: InsideTracker
(01:02:09) Brain Implants & Peripheral Devices
(01:12:44) Brain Machine Interface (BMI), Neurofeedback; Video Games
(01:22:13) Improving Animal Experimentation, Pigs
(01:33:18) Skull & Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
(01:39:14) Brain Health, Alcohol
(01:43:34) Neuroplasticity, Brain Lesions & Redundancy
(01:47:32) Car Accidents & Driver Alertness
(01:50:00) Future Possibilities in Brain Augmentation & BMI; Neuralink
(01:58:56) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter
Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac