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.
The Science of MDMA & Its Therapeutic Applications
In this episode, I discuss Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), which is also commonly known as “ecstasy” or “molly,” including how it works in the brain to cause short- and long- term-shifts in emotional processing and its clinical applications for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcohol and other substance-use addictions. I discuss the neuronal mechanisms for how MDMA elevates mood, empathy, motivation, social engagement, and empathy, and reduces “threat detection” and how these effects can synergistically support talk therapy. I also explain the ongoing debate about the potential neurotoxicity of MDMA, myths about the origins and treatments for post-MDMA “crash,” the evolving legal landscape around MDMA use for clinical purposes, and I caution recreational users about the extremely dangerous additives (e.g., fentanyl) now commonly found in black market MDMA. This should be of interest to those curious about MDMA, neuropharmacology, the origins of emotional processing in the brain, empathy, PTDS, neuroplasticity, mental health and psychiatry.
For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com.
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Timestamps
(00:00:00) MDMA “Ecstasy”
(00:04:37) Sponsors: Helix Sleep, ROKA, HVMN
(00:08:18) MDMA History & Synthesis; Legality
(00:14:45) MDMA, Methamphetamine (Meth), Dopamine & Serotonin
(00:23:30) MDMA vs Psychedelics vs Ketamine
(00:26:54) MDMA & Serotonin 1B Receptor, Subjective Feelings, Trauma
(00:33:36) Sponsor: AG1 (Athletic Greens)
(00:34:51) Amygdala & Threat Detection, Pro-Social Behavior, MDMA Dosages
(00:45:48) Interoception, MDMA & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
(00:52:36) Long-Term Effects, Threat Detection & PTSD
(00:56:14) MDMA, Social Connection & Empathy; Meth, SSRIs
(01:06:10) Sponsor: LMNT
(01:07:22) Oxytocin & MDMA
(01:16:10) Safety & Neurotoxicity; Recreational Use, Caffeine & Fentanyl
(01:26:36) Is MDMA Neurotoxic?; Poly-Pharmacology, Body Temperature
(01:37:07) Post-MDMA “Crash”, Prolactin & P‑5‑P
(01:43:07) PTSD & Trauma; Talk Therapy, SSRIs
(01:54:09) PTSD Treatment: Talk Therapy + MDMA
(02:02:46) MDMA & Addiction; Dissociative PTSD & Empathy
(02:09:47) Side-Effects?, MDMA Efficacy & Legality
(02:15:22) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter
Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac