Essentials: The Science of Emotions & Relationships

In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I discuss the biology of emotions and moods, focusing on how development and neurochemicals shape our feelings and relationships. I describe how early infant bonds and puberty shape adult patterns of emotional connection. I explain that understanding emotions requires recognizing both internal states and external cues, along with strategies to enhance your emotional awareness. Additionally, I discuss the key elements of healthy emotional bonds and provide practical tools to deepen one’s understanding of emotions, leading to a richer emotional life. 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 our full-length episodes will still be released every Monday. Read the full episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Huberman Lab Essentials; Emotions 00:03:01 Sponsor: Eight Sleep 00:04:39 Emotions & Childhood Development 00:06:35 Infancy, Anxiety 00:08:04 Understanding Emotions; Tools: Mood Meter; Emotions & 3 Key Questions 00:11:45 Infancy, Interoception & Exteroception 00:12:48 Sponsor: BetterHelp 00:14:02 Strange-Situation Task & Babies, Social Bonds, Emotional Regulation 00:18:04 Tool: Exteroception vs Interoception Focus? 00:23:07 Sponsor: AG1 00:24:11 Puberty, Kisspeptin; Testing the World & Emotional Exploration 00:31:56 Sponsor: LMNT 00:33:13 Creating Healthy Emotional Bonds; Dopamine, Serotonin & Oxytocin 00:37:07 Vasopressin; Vagus Nerve & Alertness 00:41:34 Recap & Key Takeaway Disclaimer & Disclosures