Neuroscientist Andrew Huberman discusses supplements for better health, sleep, and longevity, including the benefits of the Sheila Jeep supplement. They also explore the role of testosterone and chilogy, and discuss their personal experiences with supplementation. The podcast touches on probiotics and gut health, vision modulation, and the use of psychedelics in therapy for terminal cancer patients.
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Quick takeaways
Panoramic vision and relaxing gaze can quickly relax the nervous system and reduce stress levels.
Controlling our breath, especially through the proper sigh technique, can promote relaxation and balance our internal state.
Movement techniques like somatic release and shaking out stress can release tension from the body and contribute to stress reduction.
Deep dives
The Link Between Vision and Stress
The way we view the world affects our level of stress. Focusing our attention on a specific point creates vigilance and alertness, while dialing out our gaze and taking in the whole environment promotes relaxation. This shift in vision, known as panoramic vision, can quickly relax the nervous system, making it a useful tool for stress control.
Breathing as a Stress Control Tool
Controlling our breath can help regulate our autonomic arousal. A proper sigh, which involves inhaling twice through the nose and exhaling through the mouth, can promote relaxation by balancing the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body. By understanding the mechanisms behind breathing and practicing techniques like the proper sigh, we can effectively control our internal state and reduce stress.
Exploring Movement and Stress Control
The way we move and activate our vestibular system can have an impact on neurochemistry and stress levels. Techniques like shaking out stress, somatic release, and even electrical stimulation can help release tension from the body, promoting relaxation and stress reduction. Understanding how different patterns of movement affect our internal state can provide valuable tools for stress management.
The Intersection of Neuroscience, Physiology, and Stress Control
By studying the brain's response to stress and exploring techniques from various disciplines, including vision, breathing, and movement, researchers are uncovering effective tools for stress control. These low-cost and accessible practices, such as panoramic vision, proper sighing, and somatic release, allow individuals to take control of their nervous system and improve their overall well-being.
The Power of Panoramic Vision and Relaxing Gaze
Panoramic vision and relaxing gaze can have powerful effects on our stress levels and mental well-being. By deliberately disengaging the alertness pathway and engaging the calmness pathway, we can experience a sense of calm and lower our stress levels. Panoramic vision, similar to how predators like lions utilize it, allows us to broaden our perception of time and space, which can be inherently calming. This is why spending time in nature or looking out at expansive vistas can have such a profound impact on our health. By deliberately toggling between focal vision and dilated vision, we can reset our ability to focus and regulate our perception of time. This ability to control our space-time representations is a unique skill of the human brain and has the potential to enhance our mental health and well-being.
Exploring Psychedelics and Mental Health
The discussion around psychedelics and their potential benefits for mental health is gaining traction. Psychedelics can induce states that mimic sleep-like states, where space and time become fluid and somewhat controllable. While caution must be exercised due to legal considerations and the need for further research, psychedelics offer a shortcut to experiencing wonder and awe. However, it's important to note that substances may not be the only answer, and that developing other tools and practices, such as nature experiences and breathwork, can also help broaden our perception of time and enhance mental well-being. Moreover, the field of mental health and wellness should focus on finding ways to help individuals reset their perception of time, leading to a better understanding that current discomfort is temporary and survivable.
Andrew Huberman is a neuroscientist and tenured professor in the Department of Neurobiology at the Stanford University School of Medicine. He has made numerous important contributions to the fields of brain development, brain plasticity, and neural regeneration and repair.
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