How Your Nervous System Works & Changes

Today’s episode provides an introduction to how the nervous system works to create sensations, perceptions, emotions, thoughts and behaviors, as well as how we can change our nervous system— a phenomenon known as neuroplasticity. The information sets the stage for all Huberman Lab Podcast episodes that follow by covering neurons, synapses, brain chemicals and the rhythms that control our ability to focus, learn and sleep… and more. Timestamps for the episode can be found below. Thank you for your interest in science. We’ll see you next week. For an updated list of our current sponsors, please visit our website as previous sponsors mentioned in this podcast episode may no longer be affiliated with us: Social & Website Instagram: Threads: @hubermanlab Twitter: Facebook: TikTok: @hubermanlab LinkedIn: Website: Newsletter: Timestamps 0:00 Introduction 5:00 What is the Nervous System 8:55 Deja Vu 10:50 How War, Guns & Soap Shaped Our Understanding of the Brain 13:30 Jennifer Aniston Neurons 14:30 Sensations 16:10 Magnetic Sensing & Mating 17:30 Perceptions & The Spotlight of Attention 18:30 Multi-Tasking Is Real 20:10 Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Control of Behavior 21:15 Focusing the Mind 21:55 Emotions The Chemicals of Emotions 24:30 Antidepressants 27:40 Thoughts & Thought Control 28:35 Actions 33:20 How We Control Our Impulses 36:25 Neuroplasticity: The Holy Grail of Neuroscience 41:20 The Portal to Neuroplasticity 46:40 Accelerating Learning in Sleep 50:20 The Pillar of Plasticity 55:00 Leveraging Ultradian Cycles & Self Experimentation #HubermanLab #Neuroscience Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac - The Huberman Lab podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.