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.
The Science & Treatment of Bipolar Disorder | Episode 82
In this episode, I explain the biology, symptoms, causes and types of bipolar disorder (sometimes called bipolar depression). I discuss neuroplasticity and how the brain normally regulates mood, energy, and perceptions; then, I contrast that with the biology of bipolar disorder, which is characterized by extremes of energy and mood, e.g., mania and depression. I outline the mechanisms through which bipolar disorder manifests in the brain, including deficits of interoception and reduced connections between the parietal and limbic systems. I also outline how treatment options (such as lithium) work in part through homeostatic plasticity.’ I discuss not only lithium but also the treatment of bipolar with ketamine, different talk therapies, electroconvulsive therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and nutraceuticals, including Omega-3 and Inositol supplementation. This episode should interest anyone who has or knows someone with bipolar disorder and, more broadly, those interested in how the brain works to create a balance between thoughts, energy levels, focus, and mood.
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For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com.
Timestamps
(00:00:00) Bipolar Disorder
(00:02:23) Momentous Supplements,
(00:03:42) Tool: Appetite Suppression & GLP-1, Parallel Pathways, Yerba Mate
(00:10:23) InsideTracker, ROKA, Blinkist
(00:14:24) Prevalence & Severity of Bipolar Disorder
(00:16:30) Bipolar Disorder I, Diagnostic Criteria of Mania
(00:28:58) Bipolar Disorder II, Individual Variability
(00:33:07) Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II: Manic, Depressive & Symptom-Free States
(00:38:20) Consequences of Bipolar Disorder, Heritability
(00:46:53) Bipolar Disorder vs. Borderline Personality Disorder
(00:51:51) Mania & Depression, Negative Impacts
(00:53:06) History of Lithium Treatment
(01:02:44) Lithium Treatment & Side-Effects
(01:05:05) Effects of Lithium: BDNF, Anti-inflammatory & Neuroprotection
(01:10:10) Neural Circuits of Bipolar Disorder, Interoception, Hyper- vs. Hypoactivity
(01:17:11) Neural States & Mania, Parietal Lobe & Limbic System
(01:22:58) Homeostatic Plasticity, Synaptic Scaling, Lithium & Ketamine
(01:36:00) Talk Therapies: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Family-Focused Therapy, Interpersonal & Social Rhythm Therapy
(01:43:18) Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)
(01:48:01) Psylocibin, Cannabis
(01:51:50) Lifestyle Support, Supplements: Inositol & Omega-3 Fatty Acids
(02:03:31) Omega-3s, Membrane Fluidity & Neuroplasticity
(02:06:44) Mania, Creativity & Occupations
(02:15:33) Bipolar Disorder: Diagnosis, Neural Circuits & Treatment
(02:17:45) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous Supplements, Instagram, Twitter, Neural Network Newsletter
Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac