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: Science of Stress, Testosterone, Aggression & Motivation | Dr. Robert Sapolsky

July 10, 2025 0:36:50 6.94 MB ( -6.95 MB less) Downloads: 0

In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode my guest is Dr. Robert Sapolsky, PhD, a professor of biology, neurology and neurological sciences at Stanford University.  

We discuss different types of stress and how our perception of stress as harmful or beneficial largely depends on context. He also explains how testosterone amplifies pre-existing behaviors and tendencies, and he highlights the crucial role of estrogen in supporting brain and body health. We also discuss daily cognitive practices for stress mitigation and how modern life, influenced by social media and complex social hierarchies, shapes our responses to stress.

Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com.

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Timestamps

00:00:00 Robert Sapolsky

00:00:23 Positive & Negative Stress; Excitement, Amygdala

00:02:47 Testosterone & Brain, Aggression, Hierarchy

00:06:27 Sponsors: Function & LMNT

00:09:18 Testosterone, Motivation, Challenge & Confidence

00:13:52 Dopamine, Testosterone & Motivation

00:16:20 Estrogen, Brain & Health, Replacement Therapies

00:18:12 Stress Mitigation

00:22:09 Sponsors: AG1 & David

00:24:59 Cognitive Practices for Stress Mitigation, Individual Variability, Consistency

00:27:18 Stress, Perception & Individual Differences

00:29:39 Context, Stress & Brain

00:32:47 Social Media, Context, Multiple Hierarchies

00:35:57 Acknowledgments

Disclaimer & Disclosures

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