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.
Optimal Protocols for Studying & Learning
In this episode, I discuss science-supported protocols to optimize your depth and rate of learning of material and skills. I explain the neurobiology of learning and neuroplasticity and how correctly timed, self-directed test-taking can be leveraged to improve learning and prevent forgetting.
I discuss the study habits of the most successful learners, ways to limit distractions, how to set study goals, and how tests can be used as tools to learn, not just as a means for evaluating one’s mastery of learned material. A surprising aspect of tests, specifically self-testing soon after exposure to new material, is that they can significantly improve your ability to learn, apply, and maintain new knowledge. I also discuss tools to improve focus and alertness while studying.
By the end of this episode, you will have learned various science-supported actionable tools you can use to better learn, remember, and apply new information.
Access the full show notes, including referenced articles, books, people mentioned, and additional resources at hubermanlab.com.
Andrew's New Book
Protocols: An Operating Manual for the Human Body: https://protocolsbook.com
Thank you to our sponsors
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Timestamps
00:00:00 Improve Studying & Learning
00:02:11 Sponsors: Eight Sleep, BetterHelp & Waking Up
00:06:45 Offsetting Forgetting
00:08:22 Learning & Neuroplasticity
00:13:06 Periodic Testing
00:16:09 Focus & Alertness, Sleep, Tool: Active Engagement
00:21:37 Tool: Improve Focus, Mindfulness Meditation, Perception Exercise
00:24:38 Sleep & Neuroplasticity, Tool: Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR)
00:28:29 Tools: Study Habits of Successful Students
00:36:21 Sponsor: AG1
00:37:33 Studying & Aspiration Goals; Challenging Material
00:42:54 Tool: Testing as a Learning Tool
00:48:23 Self-Testing, Repeated Testing
00:55:29 Testing Yourself & Knowledge Gaps
01:01:11 Sponsor: LMNT
01:02:23 New Material & Self-Test Timing
01:07:21 Familiarity vs Mastery
01:10:55 Self-Testing & Offsetting Forgetting
01:15:53 Best Type of Self-Tests; Phone & Post-Learning Distractions
01:22:03 Tool: Gap Effects; Testing as Studying vs. Evaluation
01:25:40 Tool: Emotion & Learning, PTSD, Deliberate Cold Exposure, Caffeine
01:33:28 Tool: Interleaving Information; Unskilled, Mastery & Virtuosity
01:39:10 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter