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: Using Salt to Optimize Mental & Physical Performance
In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I explain how salt (sodium) affects mental and physical performance, as well as cellular health. I describe how the brain monitors sodium levels to regulate thirst and fluid balance, and why salt needs can vary depending on activity level, stress, blood pressure, and diet. I also explain how to determine the right sodium intake for your individual needs and discuss why some people may benefit from increasing salt and other electrolytes.
Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com.
Thank you to our sponsors
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Timestamps
(00:00:00) Salt
(00:00:37) Brain & Monitoring Salt
(00:02:33) Thirst, Osmotic Thirst & Salt
(00:05:35) Hypovolemic Thirst & Blood Pressure
(00:06:59) Sponsor: Function
(00:08:39) Fluid Balance, Kidney & Urine Regulation
(00:11:53) How Much Salt Do You Need?, Blood Pressure, Dizziness & Postural Syndromes
(00:17:29) Replenish Salt for Performance, Tool: Galpin Equation & Exercise
(00:19:15) Sponsor: LMNT
(00:20:46) Stress & Craving Salt
(00:22:29) Electrolytes: Magnesium & Potassium; Low Carbohydrate Diet
(00:25:19) Salt & Sweet Taste, Sugar Cravings, Processed Foods
(00:29:37) Finding Your Ideal Salt Intake, Tool: Unprocessed Food Diet
(00:31:25) Sponsor: AG1
(00:32:50) Neurons, Salt & Action Potentials; Ingesting Too Much Water
(00:34:51) Recap & Key Takeaways
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