Lex Fridman Podcast

#139 – Andrew Huberman: Neuroscience of Optimal Performance

Nov 16, 2020

Andrew Huberman, a Stanford neuroscientist, dives into the fascinating world of the brain's adaptability and its implications for optimal performance. He discusses the neuroscience of fear, exploring how virtual reality can simulate experiences to help people confront their fears. Insights on deep work and cognitive function reveal how external challenges and environment shape performance. Huberman also shares personal anecdotes on battling claustrophobia and skydiving, illustrating the mental techniques for overcoming psychological limits.

02:36:20

Creator website

Episode guests

Andrew Huberman

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Sensory Apparatus and Creativity

01:35

Meaning of life is fluid: micro and macro

01:21

The Science Behind the Fight or Flight Response

01:15

The Neuroscience of David Goggins' Success

01:49

Intro

4min

Balancing Intuition and Data in Decision Making

3min

The Neuroscience of Fear and Immersive Simulations

12min

Confronting Fear: Personal Journeys

4min

Understanding Brain Responses to Fear and Performance

4min

Navigating Optimal Performance

28min

Sensory Control for Creativity

12min

The Intricacies of Brain Functionality

25min

The Neuroscience of Perception and Reality

22min

10.

Neuroscience Meets Innovation

11min

11.

Mastering Self-Regulation for Peak Performance

17min

12.

Communicating Science and Meaning

13min

13.

Reflections on Life, Time, and Meaning

2min

Andrew Huberman is a neuroscientist at Stanford. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
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EPISODE LINKS:
Andrew’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab
Andrew’s Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_D._Huberman
Andrew’s Website: http://www.hubermanlab.com/

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OUTLINE:
Here’s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.
(00:00) – Introduction
(06:24) – Fear
(14:36) – Virtual reality
(18:20) – Claustrophobia
(20:08) – Skydiving
(21:43) – Overcoming fears
(26:43) – Optimal performance
(29:57) – Deep work
(45:22) – Psychedelics
(49:08) – Deep work
(1:02:48) – Everything in the brain is an abstraction
(1:10:06) – Human vision system
(1:21:42) – Neuralink
(1:49:12) – Science of consciousness
(2:04:00) – David Goggins
(2:21:04) – Science communication
(2:28:36) – Man’s Search for Meaning

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