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: How to Learn Skills Faster
In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I explore how to improve motor skill learning and proficiency—whether for athletic performance, learning an instrument or refining any physical skill.
I explain practical tools to build skills, including how to structure learning sessions to focus on repetitions, use internal feedback systems and learn from errors—key elements for accelerating progress. I also discuss strategies such as visualization, metronoming, idle time and the impact of supplements like alpha-GPC and caffeine on performance. This episode provides valuable insights for anyone looking to accelerate and optimize their motor skill development.
Huberman Lab Essentials are short episodes (approximately 30 minutes) focused on essential science and protocol takeaways from past Huberman Lab episodes. Essentials will be released every Thursday, and our full-length episodes will still be released every Monday.
Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com.
Thank you to our sponsors
AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman
LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/lmnt
Mateina: https://drinkmateina.com/huberman
Timestamps
00:00:00 Huberman Lab Essentials; Learning Motor Skills
00:01:10 Building New Skills, Tools: Open vs Closed Loop; Focus
00:03:58 Sponsor: LMNT
00:05:15 Skills & Realistic Expectations, Super Mario Effect
00:09:34 Tube Test & Brain, Tool: Increase Repetitions
00:12:19 Importance of Errors, Framing Effect, Neuroplasticity
00:14:39 Sponsor: AG1
00:15:43 Learning Session Protocol, Tool: Idle Time Post-Learning
00:19:44 Movement Speed, Ultra-Slow Movements
00:21:49 Skill Proficiency & Errors, Tool: Metronoming
00:24:16 Sponsor: Mateina
00:25:42 Mental Rehearsal & Limits, Tool: Visualization
00:28:24 Skill Learning & Supplements, Alpha-GPC, Caffeine
00:32:14 Recap & Key Takeaways