Understanding Neuroplasticity and Meaningful Learning

In this episode, my guest is Dr. Michael Kilgard, PhD, a professor of neuroscience at the University of Texas at Dallas and a leading expert on neuroplasticity and learning across the lifespan. We discuss the need for alertness, effortful focus, post-learning reflection and sleep to induce neuroplasticity, and how dopamine, acetylcholine, serotonin and norepinephrine are each involved. He explains the behavioral steps for neuroplasticity, as well as vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) and other therapies for tinnitus, stroke, depression, PTSD and paralysis. This episode ought to be of use to anyone interested in understanding the modern science of brain rewiring and learning to improve cognitive or motor skills or treat sensory or motor disorders.

Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com.

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Timestamps

(00:00) Michael Kilgard

(03:24) Neuroplasticity

(05:13) Child vs Adult Plasticity, Childhood Development & Learning

(09:37) Sponsors: Eight Sleep & Wealthfront

(12:41) Kids, Real vs Artificial Experiences & Balance, Video Games, Natural World

(21:13) Social Media & Videos, Kids, Overstimulation & Development

(33:42) Early Language Development, Passive vs Real Experiences, Kids & Adults

(39:23) Sponsors: AG1 & Carbon

(42:44) Learning & Plasticity Requirements; Focus, Friction, Rest & Reflection

(52:24) Brain Connections, Complexity, Life Experiences & Plasticity

(1:02:51) Learning, Reflection, Visualization, Testing

(1:09:45) Experience Diversity & Time, Happiness, Life Appreciation

(1:18:05) Sponsor: Function

(1:19:53) Learning & Life Meaning

(1:23:25) Neuromodulators, Brain Complexity, Synaptic Eligibility Trace & Learning

(1:34:28) Synapses, Therapy for PTSD, Rewiring the Brain

(1:39:01) Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS), Stroke, Spinal Cord Injury, Tinnitus, PTSD

(1:47:33) Psychedelics, Neurostimulation, Importance of Timing

(1:57:47) Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) & Major Depression

(2:01:51) Psychedelics/SSRIs as Plasticity Tools, SSRIs & Bone Strength, Failed Clinical Trials

(2:13:18) Can VNS Accelerate Learning?

(2:16:01) VNS Surgery, Patient Use & Specificity, Closed-Loop Vagus Nerve Stimulation

(2:18:18) Tinnitus Cause, Incidence & Self-Amplification; PTSD & Control

(2:28:12) VNS for Tinnitus; Disease Complexity & Treatments, Lazy Eye

(2:41:05) Complexity of Disease Treatments & Combination Therapies

(2:48:50) Brain-Machine Interfaces, Information & Experiences; Closed-Loop Feedback; Resilience

(2:59:09) Evolving Clinical Trials, Combination Treatments & Disease Complexity

(3:05:21) Acknowledgements

(3:07:04) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter

Disclaimer & Disclosures

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