The Science of Emotions & Relationships | Huberman Lab Essentials

Andrew Huberman

Feb 6, 2025

Episode description

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.

Episode show notes: https://go.hubermanlab.com/WVYQ8qO

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: https://youtu.be/hcuMLQVAgEg

*Timestamps*
00:00:00 Huberman Lab Essentials; Emotions
00:03:01 Emotions & Childhood Development
00:04:57 Infancy, Anxiety
00:06:35 Understanding Emotions; Tools: Mood Meter; Emotions & 3 Key Questions
00:10:06 Infancy, Interoception & Exteroception
00:11:10 Strange-Situation Task & Babies, Emotional Regulation
00:15:12 Tool: Exteroception vs Interoception Focus?
00:19:42 Puberty, Kisspeptin; Testing the World, Emotional Exploration
00:28:00 Creating Healthy Emotional Bonds; Dopamine, Serotonin & Oxytocin
00:31:54 Vasopressin; Vagus Nerve & Alertness
00:36:22 Recap & Key Takeaway

Disclaimer & Disclosures: https://www.hubermanlab.com/disclaimer

Episode description

Mindsip insights from this episode:

Explore vasopressin's role in monogamy and relationships

The hormone vasopressin and its receptors are strongly linked to whether a species, and potentially humans, will be monogamous or non-monogamous.

#hormones

#relationships

Utilize Mood Meter app to enhance emotional language

The "Mood Meter" app helps you develop a more nuanced emotional language by plotting your feelings on a grid of energy and pleasantness.

#emotion

Understand emotions through arousal, valence, and attention focus

Your emotions are a combination of your level of alertness (arousal), whether you feel good or bad (valence), and where your attention is focused (internally or externally).

#attention

#emotion

Train your focus to regulate emotional state

You can deliberately practice shifting your focus from internal bodily sensations (interoception) to the outside world (exteroception) to better regulate your emotional state.

#emotion

#focus

Discover kisspeptin's role in initiating puberty

A molecule in the brain called Kisspeptin is what initiates the entire hormonal cascade of puberty.

#hormones

#neurology

Understand biological drive behind teenage rebellion

Puberty triggers a biological drive for "dispersal," creating an intense desire for adolescents to spend less time with caregivers and more with peers.

#children

Balance calm and excitement to strengthen emotional bonds

Healthy emotional bonds are built by alternating between calm, serotonin-driven activities and exciting, dopamine-driven activities.

#emotion

#relationships

Utilize vagus nerve stimulation to enhance alertness

Contrary to popular belief, vagus nerve stimulation is not just for calming down; it can powerfully increase alertness and has been used to treat severe depression.