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.
How Psilocybin Can Rewire Our Brain, Its Therapeutic Benefits & Its Risks
In this episode, I discuss what psilocybin is (chemically) and how it works at the cellular and neural circuit level to trigger neuroplasticity, which is our brain’s ability to rewire itself in ways that lead to long-lasting shifts in our emotional, cognitive and behavioral patterns and abilities. I discuss the emerging clinical trial evidence for the use of psilocybin in the treatment of depression, addictions and other psychiatric challenges. I explain the typical duration and phases of a psilocybin journey, the different categories of dosages often used and I explain the importance of set, setting and support when using psychedelics. I explain which groups of people place themselves at great risk by taking psilocybin as well as groups that could benefit, and I highlight the rapidly changing legal and medical landscape around psilocybin. This episode is a thorough exploration of psilocybin from the scientific and clinical literature perspective and ought to be of interest to anyone curious about psilocybin, mental health, neuroplasticity and/or psychedelics more generally.
For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com.
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Timestamps
(00:00:00) Psilocybin, Legal Considerations
(00:08:32) Sponsors: Eight Sleep, ROKA, HVMN
(00:12:00) Psilocybin Becomes Psilocin in the Gut, Serotonin
(00:17:00) The Serotonin 2A Receptor, Therapeutic Outcomes SSRIs vs. Psilocybin
(00:21:40) Serotonin Receptor Expression; Visual Hallucinations & Eyes Closed
(00:27:21) Safety & Cautions for Specific Patient Populations
(00:29:13) Sponsor: AG1 (Athletic Greens)
(00:30:28) Psilocybin, “Magic Mushrooms” Dosing, Micro-Dosing, “Heroic Doses”
(00:36:21) Psychedelic Journey: Set, Setting & Support
(00:43:43) Music & the Psilocybin Journey; Duration of Effects
(00:48:58) Psilocybin & the Brain: Subjective Experiences, Perception
(00:58:36) Sponsor: LMNT
(00:59:48) Brain Networks & Therapeutic Outcomes
(01:05:23) Creativity; Music, Emotionality & Psychedelic Journeys
(01:12:39) Depression & Psychedelics as Neuroplasticity “Wedge”
(01:16:53) Positive Psychedelic Journeys, Unity, “Oceanic Boundlessness”
(01:25:23) “Bad Trips”, Anxiety & Physiological Sighs
(01:32:57) Therapeutic Use of Psilocybin
(01:36:11) Neuroplasticity, Structural Brain Changes & Psilocybin
(01:48:08) Psychedelics: Therapeutic Breakthroughs & Depression
(01:56:37) Combining Psilocybin Therapy & Talk Therapy, Antidepressant Effects
(02:03:11) Psilocybin Experience & Mental Health
(2:06:42) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous, Neural Network Newsletter, Social Media
Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac