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Essentials: Lose Fat With Science-Based Tools

Apr 3, 2025 38m 4s 8 insights
In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I explore how the nervous system impacts fat loss and how certain behaviors and supplements can accelerate fat burning. I explain how non-exercise movements like fidgeting and shivering trigger adrenaline to boost fat metabolism. I also examine the impact of exercise intensity and fasted workouts on fat burning, and how supplements such as caffeine, GLP-1 and berberine can further support fat loss. These science-based tools go beyond traditional calorie counting to enhance metabolism and improve body composition. 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 episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Huberman Lab Essentials are short episodes focused on essential science and protocol takeaways from past full-length Huberman Lab episodes. Watch or listen to the full-length episode at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hubermanlab.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.
Actionable Insights

1. Prioritize Caloric Deficit

To achieve fat loss and weight management, consistently ingest fewer calories than your body burns, as this fundamental formula is the most important factor for reducing body fat.

2. Maintain Low Insulin

Keep your insulin levels low through dietary choices to facilitate fat oxidation, as high insulin inhibits the body’s ability to convert fatty acids into energy within cells.

3. Increase Daily Fidgeting

Incorporate subtle, non-exercise movements like fidgeting, pacing, or bouncing your knee throughout the day to trigger epinephrine release from neurons, stimulating fat mobilization and oxidation, which can help offset excessive calories.

4. Shiver for Fat Burning

Utilize cold exposure to induce shivering by getting into cold water (at a safe, uncomfortable temperature) until you shiver, then exit for 1-3 minutes without drying, and repeat this 3 times, 1-5 times per week, to stimulate adrenaline and brown fat thermogenesis.

5. Fasted High-Intensity to Zone 2

If safe and approved, perform 20-60 minutes of high-intensity training (e.g., weights, sprints) followed by lower-intensity, steady-state cardio (zone two) while fasted to leverage low insulin levels for increased body fat oxidation.

6. Caffeine Pre-Workout

Ingest 100-400mg of caffeine 30-40 minutes prior to exercise to enhance fat oxidation and mobilization by increasing epinephrine and adrenaline release, assuming safe and adapted use.

7. Yerba Mate for Fat Oxidation

Drink yerba mate before exercise or at rest to increase GLP-1, which facilitates fat burning by promoting fat oxidation and shifting overall metabolism.

8. Adopt Low-Insulin Diet

Select an eating plan that naturally keeps insulin levels low, such as lower or moderate carbohydrate diets, to position your body for increased fat oxidation both during activity and at rest, prioritizing adherence for long-term success.