The Biology of Aggression, Mating, & Arousal | Dr. David Anderson

My guest is David Anderson, PhD, a world expert in the science of sexual behavior, violent aggression, fear and other motivated states. Dr. Anderson is a Professor of Biology at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), a member of the National Academy of Sciences and an investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI). We discuss how states of mind (and body) arise and persist and how they probably better explain human behavior than emotions per se. We also discuss the many kinds of arousal that create varying levels of pressure for certain behaviors to emerge. We discuss different types of violent aggression and how they are impacted by biological sex, gender, context, prior experience, and hormones, and the neural interconnectedness of fear, aggression and sexual behavior. We also discuss peptides and their role in social isolation-induced anxiety and aggression. Dr. Anderson also describes novel, potentially powerful therapeutics for mental health. This episode should interest anyone wanting to learn more about mental health, human emotions, sexual and/or violent behavior. For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com.

Actionable Insights

1. Prevent Aggression by Avoiding Isolation

Actively avoid prolonged social isolation, as it can significantly increase aggressiveness, fear, and anxiety by upregulating brain chemicals like tachykinin. This effect is profound and counterproductive for managing violent tendencies.

2. Optimize Hydration with Electrolytes

Dissolve one packet of Element electrolytes (sodium, magnesium, potassium, no sugar) in 16-32 ounces of water first thing in the morning and during physical exercise. This ensures proper hydration and adequate electrolytes, which are critical for optimal brain and body function and vital for cell/neuron functioning.

3. Support Gut Health Daily

Take a foundational nutritional drink like Athletic Greens (AG1) once or twice a day. This provides essential probiotics for gut health, which is crucial for brain, immune system, and overall immediate and long-term health, along with adaptogens, vitamins, and minerals.

4. Restore Energy with NSDR

Practice yoga nidra or non-sleep deep rest (NSDR) sessions, even for short durations like 10 minutes. These practices are scientifically shown to greatly restore levels of cognitive and physical energy and can place the brain and body into different beneficial states.

5. Avoid Online Aggression

Refrain from seeking out or engaging in “combat” on social media platforms like Twitter. Such interactions are often unproductive, lack intellectual depth, and may be driven by an underlying impulse to fight that is not constructive.

6. Explore Pet Anxiety Treatments

Stay informed about potential future pharmaceutical developments, such as tachykinin blockers, for treating pet separation anxiety. These treatments, effective in mice for reducing aggression, fear, and anxiety, could significantly improve the welfare of many pets.

7. Support Huberman Lab Podcast

Support the podcast by subscribing to the YouTube channel, podcast on Spotify/Apple, leaving reviews, commenting on YouTube, checking out sponsors, following on social media (@HubermanLab), and signing up for the free Neural Network newsletter at hubermanlab.com.