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.
Essentials: Boost Your Energy & Immune System with Cortisol & Adrenaline
In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I explain how specific hormones influence both energy levels and the immune system and discuss practical tools for increasing energy throughout the day and managing stress.
I discuss the mechanism through which cortisol and epinephrine (adrenaline) impact the brain and body and why it’s important to regulate their levels, considering factors like time of day or stress levels. I also cover the positive benefits of short-term stress and behavioral protocols to increase energy and enhance stress resilience. Additionally, I explain how to optimize hormone levels through tools like sunlight exposure, meal timing, and supplements such as ashwagandha.
Huberman Lab Essentials episodes are approximately 30 minutes long and focus on key science and protocol takeaways from past Huberman Lab episodes. Essentials will be released every Thursday, and our full-length episodes will continue to be released every Monday.
Read the full episode show notes at hubermanlab.com.
Thank you to our sponsors
AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman
BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman
LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman
Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman
Timestamps
00:00:00 Huberman Lab Essentials; Immunity & Energy
00:01:34 Cortisol, Epinephrine (Adrenaline)
00:03:32 Sponsors: BetterHelp & LMNT
00:06:03 Cortisol & Epinephrine Biology
00:07:50 Timing Cortisol Release, Tool: Morning Sunlight Exposure
00:10:07 Daytime Stress, Learning & Cortisol
00:11:30 Tool: Increase Energy, Ice Baths, Cyclic Breathing, HIIT
00:16:23 Sponsor: AG1
00:17:26 Tool: Building Resilience; Cortisol vs. Epinephrine Effects, Immune System
00:21:29 Brief Stressors & Immune System
00:25:12 Sponsor: Function
00:26:59 Chronic Stress, Cortisol, Hunger & Food Choice
00:29:18 Stress & Gray Hair?
00:29:55 Reduce Cortisol & Supplements, Ashwagandha, Apigenin
00:31:39 Optimizing Cortisol & Epinephrine, Tool: Meals, Circadian Eating, Fasting
00:34:15 Recap & Key Takeaways