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Life, Death & the Neuroscience of Your Unique Experience | Dr. David Linden

Episode 138 Aug 21, 2023 2h 33m 10 insights
In this episode, my guest is Dr. David Linden, Ph.D., professor of neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the author of many popular books about the brain. We discuss individual differences between people — focusing on differences in how people sense the world around them and the roles that chance, heredity, and life experiences (even in utero) play in determining our physical and cognitive traits. We discuss the bidirectional connection between the mind and body and how our thoughts and mental practices (e.g., meditation and breathwork) impact our health. We also discuss the link between inflammation and depression. We also discuss Dr. Linden’s terminal illness diagnosis, his mindset during chemotherapy and what his diagnosis has taught him about the mind, gratitude, time perception and life. This episode also covers sensual touch, cerebellar function, and epigenetic inheritance and ought to be of interest to all interested in neuroscience, genetics, psychology and human development.  For show notes, including referenced articles and additional resources, please visit hubermanlab.com. Use Ask Huberman Lab, our new AI-powered platform, for a summary, clips, and insights from this episode.
Actionable Insights

1. Appreciate What You Have

Appreciate what you have while you have it, as this universal advice, though seemingly trite, is a profound realization, especially in the face of life’s uncertainties.

2. Exercise for Brain Health

Engage in regular physical exercise to improve mental function, act as an antidepressant, and make blood vessels (including those in the brain) more elastic, protecting against depression and cognitive decline.

3. Hydrate with Electrolytes

Dissolve electrolytes (like Element) in 16-32 ounces of water first thing in the morning and during physical exercise to ensure adequate hydration and electrolyte intake, which is critical for optimal brain and body function.

4. Foundational Nutrition Support

Take a vitamin, mineral, and probiotic drink (like AG1) once or twice daily to cover foundational nutritional needs, support gut health, and optimize communication between gut microbiota, brain, and immune system.

5. Utilize Meditation & NSDR

Use meditation apps (e.g., Waking Up) to explore various meditation types and durations, including Yoga Nidra or Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR), to restore cognitive and physical energy and modulate brain and body states.

6. Get Morning Sunlight

Get yourself and your children outside, especially in the morning, to set healthy circadian rhythms and potentially reduce the likelihood of myopia in children by influencing eyeball shape development.

7. Provide Basic Needs

Advocate for and ensure access to basic needs such as nutrition, medical care, and education for all individuals, as these are crucial for fulfilling genetic potential for positive traits like height and intelligence.

8. Modulate Breathing Consciously

Practice conscious modulation of your breathing patterns, as this can have widespread and manifold effects on neural function across various brain regions.

9. Curiosity in Adversity

For those with a deeply curious nature, direct that curiosity towards personal challenges like mortality or medical situations, as this ‘way of the nerd’ can provide a sense of empowerment and utility.

10. Anti-Inflammatories for Depression

If experiencing depression and not responding to SSRI antidepressants, consider exploring the potential benefit of anti-inflammatory drugs, as there is preliminary evidence suggesting they may help this specific subset of individuals.