Using Play to Rewire & Improve Your Brain

[@microfx]

Dear Mr Huberman, you are the hero the world needs. Please be the world president.

[@Itadakiman]

I like to think under the table Dr. Huberman is resting his feet on a skateboard slightly rolling it left and right

[@jacquesdutoitpvt]

Highly underrated comment

[@nastylemonade]

Lmaoooo

[@mattbabb.]

Once I get my PhD I’ll be doing this. Thank you for the inspiration

[@plado24k]

Ha ha or he’s just wearing shorts with skater shoes and a business shirt up top lol

[@jordanbester5254]

Facts

[@memastarful]

I worked over 17 years in pediatrics as a nurse. Being around children and babies is so good for the soul. It helps keep the heart innocent and pure. Love the playfulness of children and some animals.

[@ActuallyAbdullah]

This is lovely. I’m so glad there are so many people who see the value of childhood, even well into adulthood.

[@memastarful]

@@ActuallyAbdullah thanks 😊

[@cameron2538]

@@ActuallyAbdullah agreed, this is a lovely comment 😊

[@rubyblu21]

Bless your beautiful soul! The ability to see and appreciate children is such a wonderful skill. I also love the young and young at heart, their enthusiasm and curiosity for life is contagious.

[@memastarful]

@@rubyblu21 thank you very much

[@aaronboyum5985]

I sincerly appreciate all of the time and effort you put into these Podcasts. I've been a Physical Therapist for 22 years, and I frequently reference your Podcasts to my clients and colleagues. Education regarding the neurobiology and research behind the "actionable" is transformative. Keep up the great work.

[@henrypursner568]

Yes! I’ve been a PT for 26 years and this podcast is awesome and has been a game changer to reframe so many things including mindsets, goal setting and neurophysiology

[@halynaboguski7109]

I am as well a PT with 22 years and I have started to implement some of the info/knowledge in my assessments and treatments :)

[@walterwilczynski9461]

About to start PT rotations in a few months. I agree! This podcast has been so beneficial for focus/staying present with patients due to knowing more about light. Huge game changer for me. Glad you guys feel the same!

[@anyadula1025]

@@henrypursner568 Kiki Kiki me I’ll ilok

[@rahulnathr]

Want to ask...can we erase memories which are unwanted from brain...using neuroscience..

[@gazels11]

Picaso once said, "The first half of life is learning to be an adult - the second half is learning to be a child." Great lecture as always. Much thanks.

[@roxandroll7122]

... and owing to quotes like this Picasso is remembered only as a great painter and not a great thinker too.

[@thechimpmonkey7786]

@@srichman5 whats this idea about? i searched about it but found camel instead of sheep.

[@iloveyellow7214]

Hey Mr. Huberman, I dont know if youre gonna be able to see & read this but thank you. I found you in 2019, a year after my traumatic brain injury accident. By sharing your expertise I was able to fully recover and get over my anxiety. I may have a palm sized hole in my head but thanks to you, I know I will have a great life just like before I had my accident. Thank you for sharing your expertise and sharing it with us and of course for helping me discover the wonderful world of my brain. I cant thank you enough, but thank you so much Mr. Huberman 🙋🏻‍♀ I have fully recovered now. Which makes not only my parents happy, but also my surgeons, and neuro doctors happy. Thank you 😘

[@MiriB0m]

Wow, thank you for sharing details of your journey to being healed. Thank you also for being an example of how we can take responsibility to find and implement the many things we can do to heal, aside from allopathic medicine. 🌼

[@Phrinkle]

Thank you for the highest quality, concise and useful series of lectures I have ever experienced.

[@rogernilsson5037]

@guttergrown was here Zach Bush is damn good too

[@mymom9466]

You said it perfectly, that’s exactly what Dr. Huberman’s lectures are!

[@denisemoharsky5878]

As a pediatric occupational therapist, I can't tell you how much excitement and joy this episode has brought me! Andrew, PLEASE do an episode on Autism and Sensory Processing Disorder, and more episodes on neurologic impairments. The OT community NEEDS this! Parents need it, schools need it ! Thank you for what you do!🙏

[@TreCayUltimateLife]

Yes!!!

[@gigitoronto29]

Yessss

[@szilviand693]

Yes, please!!

[@mfundodlamini8544]

I cant believe I have been listening to this pod passively for close to an hour and it just feels like 10 minutes.....Keep doing what you do sir.

[@selfretired3025]

Ah HA! That's why! When people at work kept inquiring why I sighed so much, I simply advised it was part of my normal breathing pattern. I didn't realize it was my body releasing stress, keeping me sane and focused. Noted observation!

[@youtubemom497]

yes same! i sigh all the time for no reason and people are always like “what is it!? what’s wrong!?”

[@dbzgtcrazy]

Excessive sighing/yawning can also indicate poor CO2 tolerance and chronic subtle hyperventilation, from a Buteyko method perspective, anyway.

[@rositsazlatanova1146]

I'm yet to rediscover the child in me abandoned a long time ago because I was brought up to believe other people's needs are more important. I keep 2 framed pictures of myself where I'm about 2 and 5 years old. I want to find that lively, smiling, little girl I was once. Thank you, Dr Huberman, I'm looking forward to watching the video. 🍀

[@memastarful]

Aaaww thanks for sharing 👍 I pray you find that inner joy and calm just like a child.

[@tayvianjohnson9178]

I pray you find that joyful, little girl!

[@rositsazlatanova1146]

@@memastarful Thank you. 🖐️

[@rositsazlatanova1146]

@@memastarful Thank you. 🙂

[@Munimuninibrittney]

Earlier, I was waiting for today's video to be posted, and as I am now watching it, i thought suddenly that i have come to take it for granted that every Monday there will be a podcast posted by Dr. Huberman about a certain topic and I would learn something from it. I am just acknowledging that since January 2021, Dr. Huberman have never missed a Monday. I know this podcast is not easy to make but come what may, every Monday, there is a new podcast! I thank you Dr. Huberman for your dedication in sharing with us your interest in science.

[@tonysaenz]

Dr. Huberman, I’ve been recommending your podcast to dozens of people… it’s hard to not bring up your podcast in everyday conversations, especially when I’m driving for Uber! I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for making the world a better place. My recommendations for guests are: - Jim Kwik (memory) - Dr. Casey Means (insulin resistance)

[@JegrTube]

So cool, I would like to ride with you, where are you at?

[@RichD746]

I don't know if this is on the same level of what you listen to, but I found Huberman from first listening to Guy Winch

[@sendnoodles5437]

“Hey mate Busy tonight?” 5 minutes later “So as I was saying the epithelial ganglia modulate gonadotropins periodic releases thereby neurobiologically altering the phenotypes of offspring in Himalayan Pygmy rats” “Yeah just drop me off here” “I thought you were heading downtown” “I’ll walk”

[@landonmorrison9334]

YES!! affective neuroscience!! the primary-process emotion of PLAY has untold benefits. I'm a yoga therapist in training, and I have to thank Huberman for producing content that has so much value for the soon-to-be-booming field of affect balance therapy. Talk therapy has limitations, but our ability to re-balance the emotions that are generated in subcortical and limbic structures through movement, social connection, and activation of the SEEKING and PLAY circuits (capitalized ala Affective Neuroscience Godfather Dr. Jaak Panksepp) allow us a bottom-up treatment for PTSD, depression, anxiety, and addictive disorders of all kinds. Awesome, more affective neuroscience please!!

[@ufis567]

Do you have a website/offer remote therapy?

[@rprensky]

Thanks for mentioning Dr. Jaak Panksepp. I looked him up, and I'm quite interested in his work, especially around the use of Naltrexone (either high or low-dose) for the treatment of anxiety, depression, and sleep insomnia. My wife is suffering all of the symptoms that are being observed in Opioid addicts, yet she never took an opiate. Instead, her low-levels of dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin are the result of PTSD-related stress. We're getting information from many sources now that Naltrexone is an extremely exciting drug for the treatment of PTSD. I am particularly excited that Naltrexone is non-toxic, non-addictive, available in once-a-month injection format, and has no negative side effects - that's an impressive drug profile! We're definitely going to talk to her doctor about giving it a try; it seem like there's nothing to lose and everything to gain (though I'm interested in hearing what others think, of course). Have you done any further inquiry into Naltrexone?

[@spots8060]

I'm a professional dog trainer and using play as a reward for obediance makes all the difference for motivation, impulse control, rules to be established and cooperation. This all leads to a very different relationship, this podcast was amazing and love using your knowledge to people myself and my dog training.

[@CristalLaLune]

This is such a valuable comment! Using play as a reward instead of food is also magical with horses. Completely transforms the relation and their general state.

[@ZRun001]

I'm so happy that play is finally getting it's due respect! So many great thinkers, artists, and even spiritual leaders have pushed this idea throughout the ages. It is such a great way to interact with life and to fully enjoy existence. I have personally found that play has always had a profound impact on my relationships, work, and growth in every facet of my life even since childhood. Much love for this episode Andrew & I hope everyone implements more play in their daily lives! 🤘

[@tuningsnow]

Actually the great thinkers and real spiritual leaders say you must devote some time to play

[@ZRun001]

@@tuningsnow Exactly what I was saying, upon re-reading I see that using the word "pushed" was a bit confusing. I meant it in the sense that they pushed this idea forward not pushed it away.

[@MosesRabuka]

“The playing adult steps sideward into another reality, the playing child advances forward to new stages of mastery” ~ Erik H. Erikson

[@bodymindsoul60]

As an adult, Play daily has led me to deep ✨mystical✨ experiences ✨

[@JoeyCappuccino]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5PFY5Z9Yt6nsNE

[@rahulnathr]

How to make work into play..suppose learning from book..

[@carnarte]

@@bodymindsoul60 how do you play what do you like to do?

[@haleygray6443]

Try reading more fiction than “How to” books. It redirects your mind into learning differently.

[@jordyhall3308]

Your playful spirit sparkles through your serious intent in flashes of wry humour and mischievous references to the shortcomings of the colourful characters you have encountered. This listener loves play, funlearning, and having fun , still young at 58.

[@lauraholloway3368]

My dog was so happy that I finished listening to this podcast this evening, as it truly inspired me to PLAY with her during our evening walk -- laughter and jumping around and play bows and all! So much more fun for both of us than the usual moseying or run. Thank you!

[@ritazita1111]

As you were talking about Banksy, I flashed on Ken Kesey's outrageous sense of PLAY. Being from the Peninsula, Andrew, you may have heard about his various (legendary?) Pranks...the most famous one was the Merry Pranksters Bus Trip in 1964. I was on that Bus Trip! I have always had a strong sense of play/creativity--- and all these years later, after various art forms, I settled on being an abstract painter for many years. Also, I've been meditating for 50 years. BTW, I somehow think that being Radically Honest fits in with what can happen with a free and playful mind/life. I thank you deeply for the many hours of free education you've given us. You and Tom and Rich and Mark, et al are such an enormous blessing, especially during these last few years. I'm now uber brilliant!.....You're all Fantastic.!!

[@2figuras]

Dr. Huberman, with all due respect, I wish you could be my GPS voice.

[@raviperav8858]

He is becoming that inner GPS voice for me during my morning run!!

[@mercedesg450]

“We are built to play” 💗 Beautiful episode, I smiled so much while listening to it. Thank you! I get the feeling Mother Nature wants us to lighten up and not take ourselves or life so seriously. ✨ 😝

[@memastarful]

Totally agree with you

[@TalkingBrains]

Very interesting talk! "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing" George Bernard Shaw

[@sunidaye011110]

100% true! 🌷

[@patriciastark7292]

I’m a grandmother (will be 80 in December). I provide childcare for my 4 year old granddaughter while her parents are at work. All day long we play, dance, sing, run, jump, invent games, etc. I love it and it’s keeping me young. Your podcast was so encouraging! Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing your knowledge!!

[@jaden6680]

I loved this episode. I played as a kid but became really rigid in my late teens and early 20s, and so for the last few years have been working on getting the playful part back (I’m 25 now), and this episode really cemented why that has been so good for my mental health and just how I feel/ability to learn. Last year I joined a parkour gym and it’s a form of play for me. I’ve never been athletic before but this is a lot of fun. It’s constantly challenging me to use my body in new ways + be creative of how to move my body through space + socializing in news ways (the ppl there tend to also be playful) + all the health benefits of just being active. I really feel like a kid again when I’m there. I’ve always said I want to be a life long learner but I also need to remind myself I want to be a life long playful person too!

[@heloneida.Toronto]

You are still very young, and with this knowledge, you will never grow old. 🙃😄

[@FranicJosip]

27 now, Andrew's lecture is resonating. Play is the "thing" I kind of abandoned for 10+ years. And when I keep hearing neuroplasticity in a same sentence with play, I'm getting hyped that something is to be continued since my teen years.

[@jaden6680]

@@FranicJosip As Heloneida said, we are both still very young and I can tell you from my experience that even after abandoning it, it can be brought back and it feels great. I kind of feel like I'm getting some of my lost teen years back where I was too serious/maybe a bit depressed. +feeling like I am able to learn more feels good. So yeah, I'm hyped too!! Wishing you the best!

[@juanpabloaranovich5619]

Just sharing my notes. I posted this on Medium as well for your convenience (easier to read) Some TLDR: • The power of play resides in plays ability to change our nervous system for the better. • Play functions as a way to explore new ways of being. • Allows more creative thinking. • Learning to play enhances focus, and it's good for ADHD. Children who don't play enough are more likely to develop ADHD. Homeostatic regulation of play • Play is homeostatically regulated. If we are restricted from playing, we are going to play more when we are given the opportunity. • Periaqueductal gray: rich with neurons that make endogenous (self-made) opioids. Play evokes small amount of opioids release. That chemical state allows other areas of the brain (prefrontal cortex) to get smarter. The prefrontal cortex starts seeing and exploring many more possibilities of how we interact with our environment, with others, and with the roles we can assume with ourselves. It expands the number of operations that the prefrontal cortex can run. Playing makes the prefrontal cortex more plastic. Childhood play • ALL YOUNG ANIMALS have more playfulness. • What's the purpose of play? • Play is not just about games. • How we play is how we test and expand our potential roles in all kinds of interactions. • The baby brain: when babies are in discomfort, someone (the caretaker) comes with a solution. • As babies grow, they can get things for themselves, but when they do they think those things belong to them… Poem: the toddlers creed. It's a reflection of how a healthy toddler would think about the world. The things in the world are their possession. • Next stage: children start interacting with other children. They learn that everything in the world is not theirs. They go from being self-centered to thinks like sharing and cooperation. Tool: playful mindset. • Putting yourself in scenarios where you might not be the top performer… • PLAY for the sake of playing. It makes the prefrontal cortex more plastic. • Play allows to explore different outcomes. Play is contingency testing. When we play with other people we learn all sort of things about them (and about ourselves, if we pay attention). Play postures • When humans want to play they do a head tilt to the side. We open the eyelids (“soft eyes”) and purse the lips. These are reflexive. • Partial postures: when we approach to play in a friendly way. We tend to “shrink”. This happens with low stake games. Doesn’t happen in sports. • Eyes open and tongue out: primate species do this when they are definitely here to play. Role play • When you role play, the prefrontal cortex has to expand its operations in order to make predictions. • Imaginary friends are a way to engage in cooperative play, and also play the role of a leader. Neurobiology of play. • Play is about testing and experimenting and expanding the brain capacity. • Periaqueductal gray (PAG): the release of opioids relax us. • For something to be playful and have the positive effect we have to have low amounts of adrenaline. • If you are very concerned about the outcome of the game, that’s not going to engage the play circuit. It would not constitute a low stake game. When you take it so seriously it is a high adrenaline and dopamine state. • The state of playfulness is what allows you to perform best because it allows to explore new paths and flexible thinking. Playing is key to neuroplasticity. • Expanding into new ways of playing is also important. • Playing returns us to the states of early development (when we were children). • Play is the way in which we are able to test how we function in real world context. • Play is a unique form of “focus-rest”, which is the way in which neuroplasticity works. • From 0 to 25yrs old we learn passively because the neurons are much more over-connected that they will be later in life. 40% of these connections are removed by 25. Much of our learning during development is about the removal of incorrect connections, and also about strengthening connections that are good (Fire together-wire together). • Children that have been subjected to trauma have a hard time engaging to play and neuroplasticity. High levels of adrenaline (generated during stress and trauma) locks the circuits that generates play behavior. However, this is something that can be re-learned and changed thru games and playing! • From about 25yrs old we learn by “focus-rest”. • Animals that engage in playful behaviors for the longest time are the ones that the greatest degree of neuroplasticity. • Adults that maintain a playful stance allows ongoing plasticity. Competitive play • You can be competitive as long as you are enjoying yourself. Forms of play that enhance neuroplasticity: 1. Novels forms of movement (including new speeds and new forms). 2. Non athletic forms: chess. a. In a single game of chess you have to assume multiple identities. Personal Play Identity • Identity that you assume in playful and non-playful scenarios. • 4 dimensions: 1. How you play 2. Personality 3. Socio culture and environment 4. Economics and technology Play transforms your future-self. • We don't just have a childhood and an adulthood. Development happens thru our entire lifespan. • Playing is the portal by which we can change ourselves for the better. Recommendations: 1- Engage in at least one hour of play per week. 2- It should be novel (something that you are not very good at). 3- If it is something you already are good at, try to incorporate new ways of doing it (running faster, backwards, sideways). 4- Book: play it away - Charlie Hoehn. Twitter @Juampiaranovich you can find the article

[@taitumkeeper20]

Leaving a comment to return later❤

[@raspberry_dreams]

Thank you for the thorough notes!!

[@juliangonzalez6907]

epa la arepa

[@RG-fp7ik]

So you're monetizing the free information The Huberman Lab produces by condensing it and drawing viewers away to your own platform. Watch time on videos is an important metric for creators. Promoting your own article based on someone else's work on their own channel is kind of tacky.

[@juanpabloaranovich5619]

@@RG-fp7ik I am monetizing nothing. I don't sell anything and I post this for free on medium and twitter. I started posting only on youtube and people kept on asking me to share all my notes so I did.

[@christinegautreaux3022]

I've been a certified InterPlay leader for the past 7 years & play with adults all across the nation & world & I know this to be true!! Thank you for sharing the research and spreading the message about the power of play!! "Play provides a broader framework for which you can learn new things."

[@Oklonjkbnkjjkvn]

I attribute to my content with life to my child like disposition. I enjoy play and will easily get on my children's level. This has made my children's life more enjoyable. It's sad that others look down on people that can still play. People find it odd but I'm glad I have been right all along.

[@jaden6680]

Yeah, I do find it odd that ppl will look down on it! I know a lot of ppl consider it ‘immature’ but in reality if you’re able to provide and prioritize adult responsibilities then there’s nothing wrong with also playing! (& as we learned, it’s also good for you)

[@Oklonjkbnkjjkvn]

@@jaden6680 I live an area where people are molded to be very stereotypical. We have people constantly trying to put on a personas of materialism. I think it's due to our evolution as a minority. We try to constantly validate ourselves that we do not embrace differences. For example in this area they follow the status quo and you'll be treated as an outsider if you don't fit in. Like the pandemic, if you don't follow a particular narrative you are looked down upon. It's sad but it took a long time to accept this. It's practically more sane to just stick to my family and a few close friends. This podcast really helps me, know that many people out there accept each other without criticism or judgment is amazing. We are all in different stages of personal growth and we need to accept that and be more understanding. ✨️

[@Oklonjkbnkjjkvn]

I speak from my heart and it's difficult when others are not as transparent and accepting.

[@jaden6680]

@@Oklonjkbnkjjkvn Absolutely, thank you for sharing. I am glad that despite all of that you are strong enough to still play and get on your children's level, I bet they really appreciate it (or if they don't know, they will in the years to come later). I agree with what you said, but I will add in that I think some of the judgement on it comes from a place of self-protection. I know some ppl who have had tough lives and have a difficulty time playing and therefore see it as immature bc they were forced to grow up too early and become more molded into society's views. This point of view helps me have a bit more empathy for them, as I wish for them to also find the joys of playing and being able to let loose a little and not be so stressed and worried about the material things in life or at least find some sort of balance. Our society has so much mental health issues and I've struggled with them too but if society was more accepting of not fitting into that status quo it'd probably help a lot.

[@catalina694150]

Dr. Huberman, I have several people around me now who listen to your podcast religiously. Your work is so important, thank you for another great lecture!

[@lindarothera7838]

These lectures are very calming & straighten my head out when lm feeling stressed

[@johnnimbus8761]

Watching Dr Huberman blushing over a number of points was the most fun I had today! In my practice as a counsellor I often challenge clients about where do they fit in play and fun into their week. it's so important.

[@gloria6396]

OMG WHAT U EXPLAINED IN THE FIRST SEGMENT EXPLAINS Y SO MANY KIDS FAILED TESTS DURING COVID AND DISTANT LEARNING THE NEWS TELLS US IT WAS PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS I WOULD HOPE THIS PODCAST REACH TEACHERS AND CARE GIVERS

[@Tessa30031]

Many thanks for a lovely episode, Professor Huberman! I love it that you mention the benefits of dancing for neuroplasticity. In addition to providing benefits through novel body movements and improved balance, I have found that dancing (I can speak only for ballroom dancing) is also a powerful role play. The great dancers do not just showcase their physical abilities with their dance, they also walk us viewers through quasi-theatrical experiences, where each dance tells a different but exciting story. Even amateur dancers are taught to adopt certain roles to better learn specific aspects of a dance, and one of the key questions a coach asks a professional dancer is “What story do you want to convey to the public?” Better yet, these stories have to be invented and told by a couple, not each partner separately, which makes dancing such a wonderful example of play. So thank you very much for mentioning dancing as a tool to enhance neuroplasticity and overcome trauma!

[@MrDavos501]

Last few years I have spent wondering why I am the way I am. Mr. Huberman, you have been answering most of my questions. Now I can happily move on or know how to fix myself when broken. Thank you. 🙏

[@nunomarques5625]

Prof. Huberman is definitely becoming more playful. Great sense of humour. Real science can be fun to learn. Thank you

[@cindyou8446]

Reflecting when my two children were smaller and how true on idiom what’s mine is mine and what’s yours is mine. Thank you always for sharing your knowledge here and reminding us that playing is not a waste of time! 🙏

[@JGEssex]

Thank you so much for your fine lectures. I have used dance, theater, art and music for many decades to help people overcome trauma but also to grow, and change their lives. You mentioned dance, which brings time, space, motion and the human body into the service of human development and healing through improvisation. Especially when people dance in groups, not learning steps, but improvising a score together, they create an art form spontaneously, which everyone is satisfied. I think this is a very high skill activity, but no one has any direct education about it. This is a challenging but very pleasurable activity, adult play It involves failure and recovery, and then an analysis of what occurred. . Anyway, I was very happy to hear you mention this type of therapy in your podcast.

[@HudsonValleyPlanet]

Important to remember that children play because that’s what they enjoy in the moment, not with a goal in mind. I would bet that humans derive more benefits from play when we don’t think ahead. Do it because it’s fun. Period. With that mindset we can lose our ego while playing.

[@lytecyde]

There is also something to be said about planning and strategies in different roles while knowing the stake is fairly low, but not zero. Sometimes there is mental anguish because the problems of play are sooo difficult, but i know as a chess player that this is highly highly correlated with a big win in the end of the game.

[@JohnMoseley]

@@lytecyde Yeah, glad you mentioned Chess, because it's play, but it's so different from the standard ideas that tend to come when someone talks about the value of play. Stanley Kubrick said his chess playing hugely helped his screenwriting because he learned from the former that even when you think you've found a perfect move, a little more thought will often reveal its flaws and/or show you better ones. Also, from chess, very much, you can have the kinds of experience Huberman talks about where you gain insight into the psychologies of the other players.

[@hillstomphabitat2704]

I so appreciated this deep dive into the science of play. As a long time homeschooler - well before pandemic times - I've had the opportunity to collect many anecdotal observations about the intersection between learning and play. The one that always comes to mind foremost is my 12-year-old son's relationship to music. From the beginning, he was curious and playful with music. At 5-years-old I was struggling to get him to read and sit still enough to care about the sounds of letters. And yet, he could sit and study chord charts. In fact, one of the only times I remember him sitting still was when we went to a live kids music event at a coffee house. All the other kids were dancing and my usually exuberant son was glued to the floor, watching the fingers of the performer. At home he would strum and play our "beater ukulele", not worried at all if he was playing the "right" note or chord. It was so low stakes and fun for him. Consequently, he mastered bar chords on a guitar by the time he was 7-ish. And while he is no concert pianist, he now plays guitar, bass, mandolin and drums. And while he doesn't take lessons in all of these things, he will simply pick up an instrument and fool around with it. His younger sister didn't have that same relationship to music, and when I enrolled her in piano lessons, she was frustrated to the point of tears every time she hit the "wrong" note (now she plays the fiddle). Her area of experimentation was around drawing and mark making, which never stayed on the page. She would draw on walls and her own body. And my musical son, could never sit down long enough to make more than a single line on a page, and definitely not a straight one at that. We've recently been having some homeschool battles over learning foreign languages. I'm not really a strict curriculum follower nor am I an unschooler. Somewhere in between. But I feel language is important. My son and I were butting heads over it, so I thought of this podcast, and just tried to cast learning language in a new low consequences light. It's almost as if my tone of "this is important" made the whole matter too high stakes (and not to say there isn't a place for tolerating hard and boring things). So last week, he and I sat down and randomly picked Dutch out of Duolingo. Just the kind of randomness and playfulness with which we choose the language lightened the mood. And now we have practiced together which is really all I can ask for. I think it's important for me to feel low stakes about it as well. There are so many "important" things to do, keeping this a light-hearted endeavor eases the stress around it and will hopefully keep us returning to it.

[@PracticalHealthNow]

It's difficult to overestimate the impact of Andrew Huberman's channel on the field of academic research. Andrew does not only provide super valuable information on how the brain works, but also drives a revolution in the academic research field. So, he shows that - Academic knowledge can be communicated in a simple and understandable format, not through papers on PubMed - A professor can be a KZbin star, not only Kardashians :) I hope it creates a lot of pressure on other researchers to create their own KZbin channel. David Sinclair already did it, but where are the KZbin channels of Matt Walker, Steven Horvarth and others?!

[@transformxruby]

we need more people lioke him

[@andtitov]

Every single professor should have a KZbin channel, like Andrew’s!

[@nemishasharma5737]

"create a lot of pressure"? Gee I hope not

[@PracticalHealthNow]

@@nemishasharma5737 Good pressure :)

[@amyboydgreen456]

This so relevant I always played as the Sheriff's daughter. My deputies were imaginary except my younger brother. I was The Boss. We rode our stick horses-brooms and mops. Made badges. All in the woods behind our home. I had forgotten.You assisted my memory bank. Thank you.

[@eylulfidanaknc290]

1:21:00 this resonates so much and confirms something I hypothesized: I have been getting major flashbacks and resolutions from traumatic events of my childhood during an improvisational dance class called Gaga (a technique of movement prompts for all kinds of bodies and experiences developed by Ohad Naharin). This happened numerous times both to me and a dear friend. I thought it is the unpredictable movements that we are urged to explore leading us to emotionally break some barriers or make new bridges. The thinking and reevaluating of these memories would happen right after the class when we would sit, relaxed, on the subway car. We never anticipated some benefit like this going in, we were only motivated by checking out a new dance form and spending time in studio with new people. I am so excited to learn that I wasn’t just imagining the mechanism

[@ChapsShrugged]

I am going to have to write you a letter, Dr. Huberman: your work has already made such an impact on my journey toward maximizing myself- but I believe this discussion is the key to getting out of the 6 or more years of near-hell I've been living. I have been working to be "responsible" and life keeps throwing- haha, metaphorical "dirt-clods" at me, so I did not even realize that I have truly been living in what is almost entirely a constant state of stress. I do not play- "I don't have time to play." But I did NOT realize how stress & neurepinephrine inhibit the learning of neuropathways. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that this is not only why I have started to grey, but why I seem stuck in a cycle: I AM, but now I know WHY. The icing on the cake is a very specific neuropathy condition that shifts the tension-transfer of my entire kinetic chain systems, and results in at least 7 medically labeled imbalance conditions- the one that drives me CRAZY being "Descending TMJ", cutting off the rear left activity at my Atlas, which extends all the way to my pinky finger and heel. But I blamed THIS for my issues of being to focus and prioritize, feeling out of it, being unable to re-establish innervation without hours of stretching and rolling tension out. After listening to this, it all makes sense FINALLY. In truth- it is a 2-part feedback cycle, I realize after having been able to successfully meditate and release the tension back into about 90% normal innervation- but that relaxing must extend further into my life, so that I may think properly, and actually grow and heal. Thank you, SO much. I will now make an appointment to address the issues with my left plantar fascia, and simply overcome any physical discomfort mentally, to start checking off the list of new activities I want to do like climbing, dance, martial art- and I will MAKE time, to get social, and forget about "priorities" for at least a few hours per week. THANK YOU. God bless you!

[@AleksandarIvanov69]

When something around play is damaged, you live a miserable life. Exhibit A... I am currently in therapy for that constant misery and it turns out I always connect playful situations with negative emotions like feeling embarrassed, hurt etc. I hope this podcast gives me some useful insight.

[@mylinhnguyen3751]

Same with the negative feelings when playing

[@AleksandarIvanov69]

@@mylinhnguyen3751 i hope that therapy could help me, cause rationally I know it is paradoxical and ridiculous, but the emotions are there and are very strong

[@AleksandarIvanov69]

57:07 - I was a tinkerer. I liked taking things apart and seeing what is inside. My parents however saw that not as curiosity, play and potential for success in life, they saw it as destruction, so I was punished every time I tried to do that until I eventually gave up...

[@MartiQBD]

@@AleksandarIvanov69, perhaps tinkering now, starting with something with low to no risk would be beneficial and as we grow in comfort and skill while resolving those feelings and the issues that go with them, we can move forward to a lil more risk. I understand that part of the purpose to aid in plasticity is not to be concerned as much about outcome, but for individuals like you & me, that experienced negative effects (being labeled destructive, etc) we could benefit by taking the risk in a planned way. i.e. taking pictures of the items we are deconstructing at different phases of the process so that we have a roadmap on how to reconstruct them properly. Once convinced that we are capable of following through, we can maybe tinker for kicks, benefiting from the plasticity this will create. Good luck to you!

[@ar-xg7fs]

Have you tried somatic experiencing? I experienced the same, somatic experiencing was the breakthrough.

[@goldenmare2594]

Thankful..someone with credentials that can teach the lay person in way easy to understand. I just found this channel yesterday..now on a binge of watching..learning and sharing. Thank you Stanford School of Medicine for supporting or at least not trying to interfere with this amazing Professor to teach the general public.

[@juliangarcia6237]

Question: Does video games engage in all the benefits physical play may have? (Doing it as an adult, not a kid) It seems it fills in most of the boxes you mention of play to be beneficial. Great content as always, I really appreciate the effort and passion you put in to bring science and tools to the general public. Thanks for all of it Dr Huberman.

[@mihaidinu6637]

Dr. Huberman, I'd like to drop a word of appreciation for the work you put into these podcasts and the value they bring to the world, you are simply amazing in making the subject of Neuroscience easy to comprehend to the general public. While I'm still a student pursuing a career in Computer Science, I have a passion for neuroscience as it, until now, allowed me to understand myself and others to a much better degree. And your podcasts are a great introduction in the subject for me.

[@AyooDarisss]

Ive trained parkour for years and am now a coach for children too and this podcast definitely aligns perfectly with parkour and how both sport and play can work great together

[@gracie99999]

love parkour

[@lindaelarde2692]

Educators need to know this. We teach everything on devices...and student performance is impacted for myriad reasons related to this shift in how we expect students to access, comprehend, and retain information.

[@ozgemetinaslan822]

Gökhan, whose paper is mentioned in Personal Play Identity Timestamps, is one of my colleagues with whom I worked for a long time. It is truly an honor to hear his name and paper. Congratulations Gökhan.

[@r.p.8906]

he was asking if the prononciation of his name is correct. is it?

[@HudaSyster]

I remember my non verbal child at the age of 2 the therapist told me to teach him through play. I couldn’t as o didn’t know how to play. Only manic behaviour in the home growing up left little room for learning how to play or even understand it. But I wanted to learn, but didn’t know how to ask the therapist. 10 years later you will be teaching me Dr Huberman I am grateful.

[@daedra40]

Thank you Dr. Huberman. Wishing you well ❤

[@marillavanbeuren8572]

Andrew Huberman is a fantastic speaker, vastly intelligent on the numerous topics he covers but also totally personal. The kind of person one would like to meet and be friends with.

[@d.b.8203]

Dear Huberman Lab and Dr. Huberman: Thank you for this podcast. I'm working my way through the episodes now, so forgive me if this is something you've touched on,.but in line with this community's love of Examine, I was thinking it might be helpful to have some episodes framed by the most common medications and supplements, what we know about them, and how they contradict things that may have been touched on in other podcasts. (Also, I know that some medications or types of medications are so different from all of these things or come with such contraindications that it must be alienating to be on those.) Thanks so much! I have so much admiration for this work.

[@zoezigzag3067]

Thank you! Your teaching has been life changing for me. I’ve struggled with retroactive jealousy for two years in a relationship and learning how i can rewire my brain is a revelation! Along with mediation, hypnosis, good sleep and putting the knowledge into practice has improved my ROCD by 90% i am living a different life to how i was two months ago. Thank you 🙏🏻

[@w.w.w.n]

Happy Monday ☕

[@BarryHynum_MultiwareSoftware]

As a software engineer I am stuck w/ look-ups on the internet. Info is changing so fast only the internet can stay up. This is actually quite true of most cutting edge materials. Books can't keep up. And if I print it or buy a book, my library is quickly overwhelmed & dated. So my solution: get a personal electronic copy, annotate & highlight in many colors -- a form of play incorporated into my serious pursuit of knowledge. An organized electric library is challenging as well but I manage w/ folders & sub-folders. Thanks for all you are doing, Dr. Huberman!

[@alewis794]

Listening as a mother of a young son as well myself an athletic person up until 23-25 has really reignited my desire to hit the track running or perfecting my set & spike skills. In of that itself I can teach & expose him to new forms play, simultaneously enhancing our love bond and brain power. ……I am in deep gratitude for your dedication & authenticity Dr. Huberman 🤓🫡🤩😉😊

[@_negentropy_]

I’m up for bringing back dirt clod wars. Who's in? Relieved and delighted to know I have play mostly sorted. A wee high-five to my periaqueductal gray bits. A note on tinkering…it hasn’t been my experience that a proclivity to tinker is particularly appreciated when you’re a woman. This might be generational. I hope other women have experienced otherwise. I hope managers, academic mentors, even parents listening to this will come to understand its benefit and learn how to make space for it and cultivate it in their staff/students/children regardless of gender.

[@mikelarrimore8815]

I have fond memories of dirt clod wars and many other types of shenanigans growing up. I have allowed myself to grow old and need to simply "play" more these days. Oddly enough, I have supported and encouraged both my wife and daughter to "tinker" in whatever medium pleases them but have fallen away from it myself.

[@playhealing3064]

“I find it wonderful and reassuring that people are looking at PLAY and play behaviour as not just one tiny shard of possibility there, but that it might just be the main driver and highly productive lever by which to rewire the traumatised brain.” This was music to my ears. Resonating with my mission deeply. This is why I called my Community Interest Company ‘PLAY HEALING.’ Play has the power to heal us from trauma, Heal Communities as well as build the most incredible CONNECTIONS in our brains. I believe it’s time for companies and communities to raise the profile of PLAY so that we can heal and recover from what is and has been a highly traumatising and painful time for so many. My piece of the PLAY puzzle is the PAUSE, PLAY CONNECT Flow that I unpack as lunch & learns for staff who feel ’Too busy to play.’ Having permission to play unlocks opportunities and incredible possibilities - let's spread this message far and wide!!

[@andrewschuberth]

Hi Andrew, great content. You just mentioned about riding your bike then skate board and now just directly taking a straight path to work. I've heard on multiple occasions of breaking out of depression to take a different route to and from work. It seems like what your getting into now is backing up that as a simple form of play. Awesome

[@dlppl3407]

I was stopped on my tracks when i read the title. Here it is! Finally an explanation to what my spirit does! ❤

[@chiaroscural]

I sincerely look forward to using this week’s episode to justify my love for video games despite being a grown woman, thanks Dr Huberman you’re the best!

[@TheZengerian]

Same here!! 😂. Using games for breaks.

[@outlander234]

Playing a videogame you enjoy is far more better for the brain than spending time on KZbin and internet in my experience but also its scientifically true. Far less dopamine saturation. Todays teenagers and kids dont even have focus enough to play a videoge their brains are fried from tik tok and youtube.

[@tuningsnow]

Watch the episode on Dopamine with Anna Lembke, video games do more harm than good, because they are engineered to suck your dopamine system

[@outlander234]

@@tuningsnow Thats generalizing videogames. I have been a gamer all my life with breaks and I have been internet user for last 15 years... Internet is far worse particulary KZbin and not to mention tik tok or yt shorts. The worse of videogames are online ones but even they dont compare to what KZbin does to your dopamine.

[@brentonfantozzi4129]

You should try pubg mobile... It's fun af... 😂📱👀

[@SiO2lvr]

I listened to this on my way to play with my grandson. After a stressful day, it’s my favorite way to unwind recently. Knowing more about brain development through this podcast (thank you!!), the experience is that much richer.

[@gursimrankanwal2048]

Topic request: OCD (and the seemingly endless amount of agonizing themes/subtypes that can come with it)

[@r.p.8906]

1:18:00 What a fascinating video! I'm understanding so much now. My grand pa was a WW2 survivor who lost his mom at a young age and soon after that, he lost his only brother. He later became a self taught chess player, violoniste and incredible dancer! Later, he became an International Chess Master with a signature chess moves of sending his opponents in chess mate in 2-3 moves! His way of fighting "the war" I imagine... A book came out recently with his top games published showing his unique strategy. Absolutely FASCINATING!! It was a trauma self therapy. I noticed his gift of dancing going through my dad to me. It was simply a natural way to deal with sadness for me. I was perplexed why I feel like dancing when a big sadness hits me. Now, I understand. I'm grateful to you. It is absolutely true and this gives me permission to be as I am and encourages me to just play it! I did recently restart playing a card game that I played as a child-teen and I absolutely loved playing. I noticed a very significant improvement of my mathematic and logical skills. Bingo!!

[@cecipalacios1007]

Fantastic lecture; as always a keeper for future reference. You have nailed your lectures which is not an easy task considering the length. Please invite Dr Zach Bush, another amazing Humanist! Thanks for all your work and your amazing lectures.

[@titania177]

As someone who never stopped making up stories - I’m a writer, of short stories and poems - I often feel like I’ve just carried on playing the way I did as a child, and I’m definitely always exploring different possibilities for life and for how to be through my writings. Great episode!

[@youtubemom497]

You brighten my day Dr. Huberman🤗☀️✨❤️

[@juditcsefalvai2143]

Thank you Dr. Huberman for this episode! My little one suffered a serious ischemic stroke during birth and we are in play-centered development helping program now. Your professional opinion helped a lot to know we are on the right path!

[@georgevas2889]

Let’s go!!!!! Thank you Huberman Lab team!

[@jyotisukhnani3235]

Dr. Huberman's podcasts are top notch! I can't thank him enough for the quality information and education he gives. I'm seeing marked difference in my physical and mental health after 3 sessions of cold therapy, starting EPA supplement, getting light exposure without sunglasses, and delaying caffeine intake in the morning. I would love to see him cover topics like in magnetic stimulation and electric stimulation to treat depression, anxiety, ADHD, improve focus and performance, etc.

[@lk_specter7861]

Hello Dr Hubermann, I appreciate your content very much. You make it simple and clear to understand. Greetings from Germany.

[@FunkyKobe]

Thank you for all the amazing and life-changing content you provide. I have watched all the episodes (sometimes multiple times). Here are my suggestions for future topics and guests: TOPICS -Microbiome/Gut health -Plant-based diets (facts vs. hype) -The neurobiology of music -The neurobiology of creativity -The neurobiology of humor/laughter -The neurobiology of self-transcendence -Attachment styles / Love languages -Mobility and flexibility of the body/fascia -More on breathing/breathwork (and the elusive effects of breath retention) -Meditation - what it does to your brain/body and the latest research (incl. different types of meditation) GUESTS -Lex Fridman (again!) -Rick Rubin -Simon Hill -James Nestor -Jon Kabat-Zinn -Dr. Andrew Weil -Kelly McGonigal -Dr. Laurie Santos -Dr. Richard Davidson -Dr. Christopher Gardner -Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett -Dr. Nicole LePera (holistic psychologist) -Dr. Judson Brewer (mindfulness for habit change, anxiety, etc.) -Dylan Werner (yogic breathwork practitioner, author of "The Illuminated Breath" -Shinzen Young (mindfulness teacher and neuroscience consultant known for his precise, algorithmic approach and scientific analogies) Thank you again.

[@alyssaa7768]

Much needed topic! Thank you Dr. Huberman for your tremendous efforts to educate public!👍

[@BarbaraMerryGeng]

Thank you for this report 💫 > I have several ideas on how to teach adults how to engage in play - as a way to recover from childhood trauma. > Today, I think the circle has increased broadly - with regards to over work - over worry - over stress - as well as dealing w. assorted life crisis. It’s even more important than ever to engage in real - informal play. - Just as a way to drain the excess adrenaline in the body. > I see people being stressed out in every day activities; in that it’s done in a competitive way and / or an aggressive way. People in general are very uptight ! > I live in NYC 💫

[@w.w.w.n]

Best thing to look forward to every Monday!

[@nicks9776]

The first thing I do when I wake up every Monday morning is to make sure there is a new episode! THX! I take notes.

[@w.w.w.n]

@@nicks9776 Great, you can expect it every Monday same time, never late, all 58 episodes so far ! Dr. Huberman is rock solid, and I'm glad I've learned so much from all 58

[@amanyabouzeid9689]

Sir, you have simply changed my life! I listen and listen again to all your talks. Thank you sooo much

[@aryanairline]

Just finished listening to the podcast on the Spotify and it was really informative and interesting! Also I am amazed by how easy and engaging you speak...Its is always a pleasure to listen to your podcasts. Thank you and your team for all the effort and sharing this knowledge with us! Keep Up the excellent work!

[@tonyagrenville2]

Through my education I have learned how important play is for children. Now you have given us the evidence for how important and beneficial it is as adults. Thank you for the leg work with your research on this! An addage we have learned and can benefit all throughout a lifetime is "don't forget to play".

[@pi5724]

Reminds me of Feynman describing his fallout with Science after atom bomb and his 1st wife dying, he comments years later and says "you know, i used to enjoy physics...not so seriously, but just to PLAY, and i'd like to continue doing so -> im paraphrasing, but appreciate you coming to unpack his sentiments (inadvertently)

[@JohnMoseley]

I loved his anecdote about how he'd come up with some idea during lunch at whatever college he was teaching at, then went and ran some experiments and got a fascinating result. He told a colleague about it and got the reply, 'But what's the application?' 'No application!' he said. It was just fun and interesting. But later, whatever it was he'd discovered did turn out to have an important practical application (sorry I can't remember further detail).

[@dondraxler166]

Wonderfully put about play! I have been fortunate to study acting for years and it always stays new and fresh, because no two roles are the same. Additionally, the majority of some of my early work was in movement to free up my breath and in doing so gained more awareness; 'unrestricted breath' has acted as a barometer in following my impulses. Developing an unrestricted free-flowing breath allows the unknown to blossom, as opposed to the overly technical pre-deciding what to do 'method.' It's allowed me to stay flexible in experiencing new things. This is easier said than done. Not always that easy to stay open. It does take awareness. My challenge presently, is learning the proper communication to facilitate this open learning to children 8-12 yrs old in playing sports, where I volunteer. We want creativity in our growing kids in all sports, yet we so often perpetually over-coach and tell people how to do something. Be playful!, instead of following directions. Being told what to do and giving the answers to solving problems in my experience is that it takes away the creativity of the individual to experience and discover their own unique ways to solving problems. Thank you for your work and your consistently interesting and informative podcasts. :)

[@remcograas2298]

Just seeing the subject released some dopamine! Greetings from Austria! Thanks for all of your work Andrew, keep it up!!

[@shirintobie-paul3501]

Thank you Dr. Huberman, team, sponsors and supporters!☀️ Each episode is right on time for me! Did anyone else do a self-check against that creed😁 “We don’t know yet, how this happens.” A scientist’s premonition. 1 MILLION SUBSCRIBERS … So close!🥳 #valueaddinghumans #sciencerocks #excellence

[@abhishekgaekwad2590]

I am all play no work 😀, thanks again Doc, everything you say makes sense

[@juanitaanimus9132]

My dynamic girl child has been encouraging me to listen to The Huberman Lab podcasts for weeks now and today was my Go Day! Super interesting and inspiring, I’m looking forward to listening to them all. Thank you!!

[@NsimaInyang]

Haha, we all know adults that follow the toddlers creed 😂😂. Also Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a bit like play for me, there are always new techniques to learn, and the ability to train and “roll” with people allows you to “play” with many other people on a daily basis while working on your health and fitness.

[@onurdegirmencitv]

The amount of knowledge you have and still look (and hopefully are) fit and healthy is very inspiring. Thanks a lot Andrew, you’re truly appreciated

[@KazzyOfficial]

Just found out about your channel. Your content is so good!!!

[@hubermanlab]

Thank you for the kind words and welcome!

[@sudhakarkaushik6128]

I saw him first on rich roll and his growing up story and his grit is what got me, on top of his deep knowledge in diverse areas

[@WHATTHEBEEP1]

Me too, Here from Ians recommendation from Timcast IRL

[@AC-gz2ks]

@@sudhakarkaushik6128 same here.. saw him on richroll and found richroll because of Dr. bernard :)

[@copy7816]

May the universe bless you Dr. Huberman

[@Life_Has_Changed]

Would play in video games have the same effect as the physical and board game play that Dr. Huberman mentioned? My guess would be yes since it meets the criteria of play, and you could argue that there can be more ways to be creative in certain video games.

[@shaanscreativemind]

i have the same question lol

[@katieburnett6710]

From playing with my son or making dinner I always enjoy the playfulness and ease. I hope to expand this mindset into other areas of my life while also knowing the science behind it! Excellent podcast.

[@insearchofOrthodoxy]

Thank you so much for your podcasts! Could you please talk about how to memorize large amounts of information? Either for exams or work.

[@DeepakKumar-uw7gq]

Need of an hour

[@tonysaenz]

Invite Jim Kwik to the show!

[@WTF-Cubing]

Play is so important in my life, I’ve tattooed it on my body. The 3 words that make up my personal “mantra”: Survive. Evolve. Play.

[@mnmillard]

Good morning class 🌞. What a fabulous topic. Thank you Dr. H. ….I’m taking notes.

[@peterpearson8999]

Anyone else making the connection to drama, theatre and improvisation? It's all play man. You put on a play!

[@mikaylalarson1605]

Hi Andrew, I was curious as a legally blind person with about a 3 degree field of vision(Lebers Congenital Amoursis) if you have seen lower rates of the SIGH because of the narrowed field. Or if there is any other higher risk of ADHD or memory for people with these retinal diseases like mine or RP? I found this very interesting for a few reason but one is that my memory personally is excellent i memorize everything and everywhere because it’s necessity. I also don’t tend to have issues with consentration, but I do have slower reading comprehension purely because I read extremely slow due to the small field and Nystagmus. Just curious on your thoughts or opinions on the difference in the average person and someone with a narrow field how it could affect all the things you mentioned by narrowing our views by looking at smaller screens when my whole world is the smaller screen. Great podcast !! Thanks

[@RastusSoup]

Very interesting question. From everything he said it makes sense that that would be the case..I think? Either way, commenting and upvoting in hopes that you get an answer

[@juliangonzalez6907]

Andrew, regardless of the scientific validity of this thing called "Synchronicity", this podcast has surely made a believer in these beautiful coincidences. This is exactly what I have been waiting for!!! and you brought the house down with the level of analysis and insight about having a certain "levity" in one's pursuits in a day-to-day basis. Thank you.

[@RickySterling]

I wish you would put together an e-book with the cliff notes from all the lessons learned on your channel so far. Something with actionable bullet points. I’d gladly pay $100 for it.

[@FranicJosip]

I'm sure there will be an audience that will overbook pre-sale samples. Bullet points are the THING I like when I'm summarizing Dr.Hubermann's lecture.

[@CeceKruchkoSmith]

I just want to say thank you to your Mom and Father. Good job 👏 👍 👌