In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I discuss the biology of emotions and moods, focusing on how development and neurochemicals shape our feelings and relationships.

I describe how early infant bonds and puberty shape adult patterns of emotional connection. I explain that understanding emotions requires recognizing both internal states and external cues, along with strategies to enhance your emotional awareness. Additionally, I discuss the key elements of healthy emotional bonds and provide practical tools to deepen one’s understanding of emotions, leading to a richer emotional life.

Huberman Lab Essentials are short episodes (approximately 30 minutes) focused on essential science and protocol takeaways from past Huberman Lab episodes. Essentials will be released every Thursday, and our full-length episodes will still be released every Monday.

Read the full episode show notes at hubermanlab.com.

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Timestamps

00:00:00 Huberman Lab Essentials; Emotions

00:03:01 Sponsor: Eight Sleep

00:04:39 Emotions & Childhood Development

00:06:35 Infancy, Anxiety

00:08:04 Understanding Emotions; Tools: Mood Meter; Emotions & 3 Key Questions

00:11:45 Infancy, Interoception & Exteroception

00:12:48 Sponsor: BetterHelp

00:14:02 Strange-Situation Task & Babies, Social Bonds, Emotional Regulation

00:18:04 Tool: Exteroception vs Interoception Focus?

00:23:07 Sponsor: AG1

00:24:11 Puberty, Kisspeptin; Testing the World & Emotional Exploration

00:31:56 Sponsor: LMNT

00:33:13 Creating Healthy Emotional Bonds; Dopamine, Serotonin & Oxytocin

00:37:07 Vasopressin; Vagus Nerve & Alertness

00:41:34 Recap & Key Takeaway

Disclaimer & Disclosures