The Challenge Hypothesis of Testasteranthus | 4min snip from Huberman Lab

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Dr. Robert Sapolsky: Science of Stress, Testosterone & Free Will

Huberman Lab

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The Challenge Hypothesis of Testasteranthus

Testasteranins increase the volume of behaviors that are already present in a person./nThe challenge hypothesis of testasteranin action is that it challenges people to be more motivated and strong in their behaviors.

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Episode notes

In this episode, I interview Dr. Robert Sapolsky, Ph.D., Professor of Biology, Neurology & Neurosurgery at Stanford University. We discuss stress, what defines short-term versus long-term stress, and how stress can be beneficial or detrimental, depending on the context. We also discuss stress mitigation and how our sense of control over stress mitigation techniques, including exercise, determine health outcomes. Dr. Sapolsky explains some of the key effects of the hormone testosterone — how it can amplify pre-existing tendencies for aggression or sexual behavior, but that it does not produce those behaviors per se. He also explains how testosterone impacts our social hierarchies, sense of confidence, and willingness to embrace challenges of different kinds. He also explains how our behaviors and perceptions shape testosterone levels. And we discuss estrogen and the powerful role it plays in brain development, health and longevity. Finally, we discuss free will, what it means to have free will, and if we have any free will, including how knowledge alone might allow us to make better decisions for ourselves and society.

Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com.