Huberman Lab
Huberman Lab
#health&fitness #science

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.

Understanding & Conquering Depression | Episode 34

August 23, 2021 2:02:02 0.0 MB Downloads: 0

This episode, I explain what major depression is at the biological and psychological level and the various treatments that peer-reviewed studies have revealed can help prevent and treat depression. I explain the three major chemical systems that are altered in depression: norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine. I discuss genetic predispositions to depression and how stress, thyroid hormone and cortisol play a role in many forms of depression. I also discuss inflammation as a common feature of many depression symptoms. I review 8 specific science-supported protocols for treating and avoiding depression, including EPA fatty acids (which have been shown to rival certain prescription treatments), how exercise protects against depression, studies of creatine, adjusting dopamine balance and more. I also discuss the results of ongoing clinical trials for ketamine and psilocybin for depression, how these compounds work and finally, I review how ketogenic diets can help in certain cases of depression, especially treatment-resistant major depression.

 

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Timestamps:

  • 00:00:00 Mood Disorders & Maintaining Mental Health (Protocol 1)
  • 00:07:10 Sponsors
  • 00:11:15 Major Depression
  • 00:18:40 “Anti-Self” Confabulation
  • 00:21:42 Autonomic (Vegetative) Symptoms of Depression
  • 00:26:58 Norepinephrine, Dopamine & Serotonin
  • 00:31:50 SSRIs (Prozac, Zoloft, etc.): Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
  • 00:37:00 Epinephrine/Motor Functions, Dopamine/Motivation & Craving, Serotonin/Emotions
  • 00:39:33 Physical & Emotional Pain are Linked: Substance P
  • 00:41:50 Hormones & Depression: Thyroid & Cortisol 
  • 00:46:50 Genetic Susceptibility to Depression: Impact of Stress 
  • 00:50:50 Understanding Biological Mechanism Is Key: Recipes versus Skills
  • 00:52:50 Tools for Dealing with Depression: Logic & Implementation (Protocol 2)
  • 00:56:25 Brain Inflammation & Mental State: Cytokines, Prostaglandins, etc.
  • 00:59:20 Protocol 3: Essential Fatty Acids (Omega-3, EPAs: Eicosapentaenoic Acid)*
  • 01:02:50 How EPAs Help Offset Depression: Serotonin Synthesis, Kynurenine, Quinolinic Acid
  • 01:05:25 Protocol 4: How Exercise Offsets Depression 
  • 01:11:44 Protocol 5: Creatine Monohydrate, Forebrain Function & NMDA receptors*
  • 01:20:30 Protocol 6*: Ketamine, PCP (*Prescription-Only), & NMDA-Receptor Function
  • 01:33:08 Protocol 7*: Psychedelics (*In Clinical Trials) for Major Depression: Psilocybin*
  • 01:47:00 Protocol 8: Ketogenic Diet, GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)
  • 01:54:50 Summary of Protocols Covered
  • 02:00:10 Support & Additional Resources