Podcast: Huberman Lab Podcast
Description
In this episode, I explain how dopamine dynamics — meaning changes and interactions between our baseline and peak levels of dopamine drive our cravings and sense of motivation. I also explain how to leverage dopamine dynamics to overcome procrastination. I cover behavioral, cognitive, nutrition-based and supplementation-based tools to optimize baseline and peak dopamine levels to ensure a persistently motivated state. I also discuss how to boost motivation when you are in a rut, why you might not want to stack behaviors/substances that spike dopamine and how to build and maintain a “growth mindset” for pursuing goals of any kind. Dopamine is an incredibly powerful neuromodulator involved in basic functions (e.g., hunger, romantic attraction, etc.) and feats of cognitive and physical performance; by understanding the dynamics of dopamine, listeners ought to be better positioned to overcome procrastination, maintain motivation, and improve confidence.
Articles
Pain modulates dopamine neurons via a spinal–parabrachial–mesencephalic circuit: https://go.nature.com/3FPaFIH Dopamine, Updated: Reward Prediction Error and Beyond: https://bit.ly/3Gha0A7 Human physiological responses to immersion into water of different temperatures: https://bit.ly/3IumXX1 Effect of tyrosine on cognitive function and blood pressure under stress: https://bit.ly/3LSSHZq Tyrosine Improves Working Memory in a Multitasking Environment: https://bit.ly/3LSgCZ6
My Notes
00:00:00 Dopamine
- dopamine is involved in pleasure, motivation, drive, and pursuit
- critical for overcoming procrastination
- maintaining ongoing motivation and confidence