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The Science of Hunger & Medications to Combat Obesity | Dr. Zachary Knight

Episode 181 Jun 17, 2024 2h 18m 17 insights
In this episode, my guest is Dr. Zachary Knight, Ph.D., a professor of physiology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) investigator. We discuss how the brain controls our sense of hunger, satiety, and thirst. He explains how dopamine levels impact our cravings and eating behavior (amount, food choices, etc) and how we develop and can change our food preferences and adjust how much we need to eat to feel satisfied. We discuss factors that have led to the recent rise in obesity, such as interactions between our genes and the environment and the role of processed foods and food combinations. We also discuss the new class of medications developed for the treatment of obesity and diabetes, including the GLP-1 agonists semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro). We discuss how these medications work to promote weight loss, the source of their side effects, and the newer compounds soon to overcome some of those side effects, such as muscle loss. Dr. Knight provides an exceptionally clear explanation for our sense of hunger, thirst, and food cravings that translates to practical knowledge to help listeners better understand their relationship to food, food choices, and meal size to improve their diet and overall health. For show notes, including referenced articles and additional resources, please visit hubermanlab.com.
Actionable Insights

1. Prioritize Unprocessed Foods

Aim to get most of your food from unprocessed or minimally processed sources to ensure adequate nutrient intake without overeating, supporting physical and mental health.

2. Ensure Sufficient Protein Intake

Consume adequate protein to avoid overeating calories in pursuit of minimum protein needs, benefit from protein’s satiating effect, and leverage its higher thermic effect of food for increased calorie burning.

3. Optimize Sleep Temperature

Control your sleeping environment’s temperature to facilitate a body temperature drop (1-3 degrees) for deep sleep and an increase (1-3 degrees) for refreshed waking.

4. Prioritize Regular Therapy

Engage in regular therapy, considering it as important for overall health as cardiovascular exercise and resistance training.

5. Sustain Meditation Practice

Maintain a consistent meditation practice by utilizing resources that offer variety and flexible durations, making it easier to fit into your schedule daily.

6. Combine Resistance Training with Weight Loss

To minimize muscle loss during weight reduction, combine resistance training with a higher protein diet, as this can almost completely eliminate lean mass loss.

7. Maintain Electrolyte Balance

Ensure adequate intake of critical electrolytes like sodium, magnesium, and potassium by drinking Element dissolved in water, supporting proper cell and neuron function.

8. Limit Ultra-Processed Foods

Reduce consumption of ultra-processed foods and eat more whole foods, as whole foods are more satiating and lack engineered palatability that can lead to overeating.

9. Drink Water When Unsure of Hunger

If you feel hungry, try drinking water first, as the body’s interoceptive sense can sometimes confuse thirst for hunger.

10. Utilize Yoga Nidra/NSDR

Engage in 10-20 minutes of yoga nidra (non-sleep deep rest) to restore mental and physical vigor without the post-nap grogginess.

11. Select an Effective Therapist

Choose a therapist with whom you have good rapport, who provides support for personal growth, and offers useful, non-obvious insights.

12. Augment Nutrition with AG1

Consider taking AG1 daily as a nutritional insurance policy to ensure foundational vitamin, mineral, probiotic, and adaptogen intake, augmenting a quality food diet.

13. Try BetterHelp for Therapy

Access professional online therapy by visiting betterhelp.com/Huberman to receive 10% off your first month.

14. Save on Eight Sleep Pod

Get an Eight Sleep mattress cover for temperature control and sleep tracking by visiting eightsleep.com/Huberman to save $350 off the Pod 4 Ultra.

15. Access Waking Up App Trial

Get a free 30-day trial of the Waking Up meditation app by visiting wakingup.com/Huberman.

16. Claim AG1 Special Offer

Try AG1 by visiting drinkag1.com/Huberman to receive five free travel packs and a year’s supply of vitamin D3K2 with your order.

17. Get Free Element Sample Pack

Claim a free Element sample pack with the purchase of any Element drink mix by visiting drinklmnt.com/Huberman to support hydration and electrolyte balance.