AMA #19: Collagen vs. Whey Protein, Creatine, Smelling Salts, Stimulants & More

In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I explore how your sense of smell (olfaction), taste, and chemical sensing influence memory, alertness, focus, and even communication between people. I explain how these senses help us detect chemicals in the environment and respond to a variety of environmental cues. I discuss the connection between the olfactory system and cognitive performance, and I provide practical tools to enhance learning, sensory function, and brain health. Additionally, I examine how chemical signals exchanged between people subtly influence emotions, biology, and social bonds. Huberman Lab Essentials episodes are approximately 30 minutes long and focus on key science and protocol takeaways from past Huberman Lab episodes. Essentials are released every Thursday, while full-length episodes continue to air every Monday. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Our Place: https://fromourplace.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Huberman Lab Essentials; Smell & Taste 00:02:04 Tears, Biological Response & Communication 00:05:16 Sponsor: AG1 00:07:16 Smell, Innate vs Learned Response, Memory 00:10:31 Accessory Olfactory Pathway, Pheromones, Vandenbergh effect 00:12:42 Smell & Alertness, Smelling Salts, Tool: Nasal Breathing & Learning 00:16:06 Tool: Increase Sense of Smell 00:16:51 Sponsor: LMNT 00:18:07 Smell, Brain Health, Olfactory Neurons, Tool: Improve Smell 00:20:11 Traumatic Brain Injury & Olfactory Dysfunction 00:22:25 Smell, Alertness, Smelling Salts, Tool: Peppermint 00:24:32 Taste Modalities & Functions; Taste & Digestive System 00:30:47 Sponsor: Our Place 00:32:39 Pheromones, Coolidge Effect, Humans & Chemical Communication 00:38:44 Recap & Key Takeaways Disclaimer & Disclosures

My guest is Dr. Karolina Westlund, Ph.D., a professor of ethology at the University of Stockholm and an expert in animal emotions and behavior who uses science-based methods to improve the lives of animals in human care. We discuss the often overlooked needs of domesticated animals—primarily dogs and cats—and the things we can do to improve their well-being and our relationship with them. We cover how to interpret animal body language, the unique needs of specific dog breeds, and the needs of cats and birds. We also discuss the pros and cons of spaying and neutering and how weaning age impacts a pet’s attachment style. Whether you’re a pet owner, trainer, or simply an animal lover, this episode teaches you how specific pet behaviors are rooted in their immutable biology—and the simple things you can do to vastly improve your pets’ health and well-being, as well as your relationship with them. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com.huberman Our Place: https://fromourplace.com/huberman BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman Joovv: https://joovv.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Karolina Westlund 00:02:19 Students & Animal Species; Horses 00:06:36 Dog Breeds & Interaction, Predatory Sequence, Smell, Domestication 00:12:42 Sponsors: Our Place & Eight Sleep 00:16:09 Dog Breeds & Domestication, Bulldogs 00:20:16 Core Affect Space, Petting, Tool: Consent Test; Polyvagal Theory 00:27:53 Space, Dominance, Resources, Leash Walking; Dog-Owner Training 00:37:13 Tail Wagging & Interpreting Body Signals, Facial Expressions 00:43:24 Play Bow, Tool: MARS & Playing; Dogs & Empathy 00:48:39 Sponsors: AG1 & Joovv 00:51:46 Fairness, Social Groups; Anthropomorphism vs Anthropodenial 00:57:45 Cats, Hunting, Bring Gifts?, Interaction & Socialization 01:03:56 Scent & Territorial Marking; Covering Waste, Tool: Litter Box Placement 01:08:17 “Pee Mail” & Communication; Wolves, Domestication 01:11:54 Zoos, Conservation; Tigers 01:18:53 Sponsor: Function 01:20:41 Stalking; Birds, Parrots 01:25:22 Nose Work, Wildlife Chasing, Tool: Dog Feeding & Challenge 01:31:01 Understanding & Choosing Dog for Your Lifestyle, Tool: Introducing Cats 01:34:27 Recognizing Self vs Other, Inbreeding Avoidance, Imprinting 01:40:51 Imprinting vs Attachment Bonds; Dogs, Weaning & Secure Attachment 01:48:36 Spaying & Neutering, Hormones, Tool: Neutering Alternatives 01:57:07 Humans as Animals, Tools, Cultural Learning 02:02:47 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures

In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I discuss the science of vision and share simple, effective tools to enhance eyesight and preserve eye health. I explain how the eyes and brain work together to process light, color and motion using specialized structures such as the retina and photoreceptors, and why conditions like nearsightedness, visual hallucinations and lazy eye occur. I also cover specific visual protocols to increase alertness and focus during work, improve sleep, and support visual health. Additionally, I highlight key vitamins essential for vision and discuss supplements such as lutein and astaxanthin for maintaining long-term eye health. 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 full-length episodes will continue to be released every Monday. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman ROKA: https://roka.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Huberman Lab Essentials; Improve Vision 00:01:01 Eyes, Lens, Eyelashes 00:02:40 Retina, Photoreceptors & Brain 00:06:34 Eyesight & Subconscious Vision Effects 00:07:25 Sponsor: Eight Sleep 00:09:02 Time of Day & Retina, Tool: Morning Sunlight Exposure 00:12:02 Tool: Reduce Nearsightedness & Outdoor Time 00:12:33 Accommodation, Focus, Tools: Panoramic Vision; Upward Gaze 00:16:20 Sponsor: AG1 00:18:14 Improve Vision, Tools: View Distances; Smooth Pursuit; Accommodation 00:21:08 Binocular Vision, Lazy Eye, Children 00:23:57 Hallucinations & Visual System 00:25:09 Sponsor: ROKA 00:26:57 Improve & Test Vision, Tool: Snellen Chart 00:29:03 Support Vision, Tool: Vitamin A & Vegetables 00:30:23 Supplements, Lutein, Astaxanthin 00:32:52 Recap & Key Takeaways; Cardiovascular System Disclaimer & Disclosures

My guest is Ryan Soave, LMHC, a leading expert in addiction recovery with extensive experience helping people heal from all types of substance and behavioral dependencies. We discuss actionable tools for breaking out of the addictive cycle and staying free of obsessions and compulsions. We also examine the relationship between trauma and addiction. We explore the full recovery process—from detoxing and physical stabilization to building distress tolerance. We review evidence-supported tools to structure your life at each stage of recovery and highlight the power of learning “self-directed state shifting” through yoga nidra (NSDR), breathwork, meditation and prayer. We explain how to recognize signs of addiction in yourself and others, and the treatment options available across all levels of resources, from residential programs to 12-step. If you or someone you know is struggling with any kind of addiction, this episode offers practical steps to break free and stay free. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman Levels: https://levelshealth.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Ryan Soave 00:01:32 Addiction, Addictive Behaviors, Relief 00:06:10 Rehab, Detox, Physical & Emotional Stability 00:13:33 Sponsors: BetterHelp & Levels 00:16:08 Recognizing Addition; Video Games, Parents & Responsibility 00:23:38 Experiencing Real Life vs Addictive Behavior; Dopamine Dynamics 00:29:38 Drugs & Feelings; Reordering Your Life; Roles, Kids vs Parents 00:40:03 Sponsors: AG1 & LMNT 00:43:13 Tool: 30 Days Abstinence & Addiction; Impact 00:46:10 Creating a Life Post-Addiction, Jellinek Curve 00:55:30 Tool: Emotional Weather Forecast, Gratitude, Plan, Strivings 01:02:48 Connection with Others, Mental Willpower Throughout Day, Defining Best Self 01:08:39 Emotional Weather Map, Navigating Life 01:10:16 Sponsor: Function 01:12:03 Tolerating Stress, Sailing Analogy, Discomfort 01:16:03 Building Distress Tolerance, Proactive Behaviors, Cold Plunge 01:23:55 Stilling Leads to Seeing, Tool: Recognizing Stress Response; Relationships 01:30:56 Yoga Nidra, Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NDSR) 01:38:54 Yoga Nidra & Authenticity, Breaking Patterns 01:45:45 Yoga Nidra Timing, Regulation of Autonomic Nervous System; Breathwork 01:52:53 Sponsor: Waking Up 01:54:28 Alcoholism, Social Acceptability, Community, AA, Powerlessness 02:02:23 Gambling, Kids & Susceptibility 02:08:58 Transmuting Energy, Running, Dopamine, Feelings 02:15:41 Cocaine, Amphetamine, Stimulant Addiction 02:18:21 Overcoming Porn Addiction, Shame 02:30:03 Struggle, “Discomfort Appetite” 02:36:09 Addiction Treatment, Detox, Rehab Centers, 12-Step Meetings, AA 02:46:54 Is Addiction the Problem?, Trauma, Stress & Addiction Cycle 02:49:05 GLP-1 Agonists & Addiction Treatment?, HALT; Addicted to Stress? 02:52:44 Sugar Addiction, Caffeine; Ibogaine, Psylocibin & Considerations 02:59:56 Helping Someone With Addiction 03:04:58 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures

In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I explain how to build endurance and describe targeted protocols to enhance different types of endurance. I discuss how endurance—the ability to sustain effort—requires the coordination of physical and mental systems driven by energy availability, brain willpower, and specific training adaptations in the muscles, heart, lungs and neurons. I explain conditioning protocols designed to enhance four types of endurance, from long-duration steady state to muscular endurance and high-intensity intervals, and how each training style triggers unique adaptations in the body and brain, such as improved mitochondrial function and oxygen utilization. Additionally, I highlight the crucial role of hydration and electrolytes, which are essential for neural function and influence the brain’s willpower to sustain effort. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Follow Huberman Lab Instagram Threads X Facebook TikTok LinkedIn Timestamps 00:00:00 Huberman Lab Essentials; Build Endurance 00:00:50 Energy Sources, ATP, Oxygen 00:04:14 Neurons & Willpower, Glucose & Electrolytes 00:09:19 Heart, Lungs; Physiology & Performance Limiting Factors 00:10:35 Sponsor: AG1 00:12:30 Muscular Endurance, Protocol, Concentric Movements, Mitochondria 00:19:10 Sponsors: LMNT & Eight Sleep 00:22:00 Long-Duration Endurance, Efficiency, Mitochondria, Capillaries 00:25:54 High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), Anaerobic Endurance, Protocol 00:32:33 High-Intensity Aerobic Endurance, Adaptations 00:35:30 Sponsor: Function 00:37:26 Brain & Body Adaptations, Heart 00:40:40 Hydration, Tool: Galpin Equation 00:42:21 Supplements, Stimulants, Magnesium Malate 00:43:11 Recap & Key Takeaways Disclaimer & Disclosures