This episode serves as a sort of “Dopamine Masterclass”. I discuss the immensely powerful chemical that we all make in our brain and body: dopamine. I describe what it does and the neural circuits involved. I explain dopamine peaks and baselines, and the cell biology of dopamine depletion. I include 14 tools for how to control your dopamine release for sake of motivation, focus, avoiding and combating addiction and depression, and I explain why dopamine stacking with chemicals and behaviors inevitably leads to states of underwhelm and poor performance. I explain how to achieve sustained increases in baseline dopamine, compounds that injure and protect dopamine neurons including caffeine from specific sources. I describe non-prescription supplements for increasing dopamine—both their benefits and risks—and synergy of pro-dopamine supplements with those that increase acetylcholine.

#HubermanLab #Dopamine #Motivation

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Links:
Review on Dopamine: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41583-021-00455-7
Cold Exposure & Dopamine: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs004210050065

Timestamps:
00:00:00 Introduction & Tool 1 to Induce Lasting Dopamine
00:04:48 Sponsors: Roka, InsideTracker, Headspace
00:09:10 Upcoming (Zero-Cost) Neuroplasticity Seminar for Educators
00:09:58 What Dopamine (Really) Does
00:15:30 Two Main Neural Circuits for Dopamine
00:18:14 How Dopamine Is Released: Locally and Broadly
00:22:03 Fast and Slow Effects of Dopamine
00:25:03 Dopamine Neurons Co-Release Glutamate
00:28:00 Your Dopamine History Really Matters
00:30:30 Parkinson’s & Drugs That Kill Dopamine Neurons. My Dopamine Experience
00:36:58 Tool 3 Controlling Dopamine Peaks & Baselines
00:40:06 Chocolate, Sex (Pursuit & Behavior), Nicotine, Cocaine, Amphetamine, Exercise
00:46:46 Tool 4 Caffeine Increases Dopamine Receptors
00:49:54 Pursuit, Excitement & Your “Dopamine Setpoint”
00:56:46 Your Pleasure-Pain Balance & Defining “Pain”
01:00:00 Addiction, Dopamine Depletion, & Replenishing Dopamine
01:07:50 Tool 5 Ensure Your Best (Healthy) Dopamine Release
01:15:28 Smart Phones: How They Alter Our Dopamine Circuits
01:19:45 Stimulants & Spiking Dopamine: Counterproductive for Work, Exercise & Attention
01:22:20 Caffeine Sources Matter: Yerba Mate & Dopamine Neuron Protection
01:24:20 Caffeine & Neurotoxicity of MDMA
01:26:15 Amphetamine, Cocaine & Detrimental Rewiring of Dopamine Circuits
01:27:57 Ritalin, Adderall, (Ar)Modafinil: ADHD versus non-Prescription Uses
01:28:45 Tool 6 Stimulating Long-Lasting Increases in Baseline Dopamine
01:37:55 Tool 7 Tuning Your Dopamine for Ongoing Motivation
01:47:40 Tool 8 Intermittent Fasting: Effects on Dopamine
01:53:09 Validation of Your Pre-Existing Beliefs Increases Dopamine
01:53:50 Tool 9 Quitting Sugar & Highly Palatable Foods: 48 Hours
01:55:36 Pornography
01:56:50 Wellbutrin & Depression & Anxiety
01:58:30 Tool 10 Mucuna Pruriens, Prolactin, Sperm, Crash Warning
02:01:45 Tool 11 L-Tyrosine: Dosages, Duration of Effects & Specificity
02:05:20 Tool 12 Avoiding Melatonin Supplementation, & Avoiding Light 10pm-4am
02:07:00 Tool 13 Phenylethylamine (with Alpha-GPC) For Dopamine Focus/Energy
02:08:20 Tool 14 Huperzine A
02:10:02 Social Connections, Oxytocin & Dopamine Release
02:12:20 Direct & Indirect Effects: e.g., Maca; Synthesis & Application
02:14:22 Zero-Cost & Other Ways To Support Podcast & Research

The Huberman Lab Podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.

Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac - https://www.blabacphoto.com