The Huberman Lab Podcast discusses neuroscience: how our brain and its connections with the organs of our body control our perceptions, our behaviors, and our health. We also discuss existing and emerging tools for measuring and changing how our nervous system works. Dr. Andrew Huberman is a tenured Professor of Neurobiology and Ophthalmology at Stanford School of Medicine. His laboratory studies neural regeneration, neuroplasticity, and brain states such as stress, focus, fear, and optimal performance. For more than 20 years, Dr. Huberman has consistently published original research findings and review articles in top-level peer-reviewed journals, including Nature, Science, Cell, Neuron, and Current Biology. He is a regular member of several National Institutes of Health review panels and a Fellow of the McKnight Foundation and the Pew Charitable Trusts. Dr. Huberman regularly consults for technology development companies, professional athletic organizations, and various units of U.S. and Canadian Special Operations.

Essentials: Understanding & Healing the Mind | Dr. Karl Deisseroth

May 15, 2025 0:43:45 0.0 MB Downloads: 0

In this episode of Huberman Lab Essentials, my guest is Dr. Karl Deisseroth, M.D., Ph.D., a clinical psychiatrist and professor of bioengineering and of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University.

We discuss his experiences as a clinician treating complex psychiatric conditions and his lab’s pioneering work in developing transformative therapies for mental illness. He explains the complexities of mental illness and how emerging technologies—such as optogenetics and brain-machine interfaces—could revolutionize care. We also explore promising new therapies, including psychedelics and MDMA, for conditions like depression and PTSD.

Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com.

Thank you to our sponsors

AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman

David: https://davidprotein.com/huberman

Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman

Timestamps

00:00:00 Karl Deisseroth; Neurology vs Psychiatry

00:01:36 Speech; Blood Test?; Seeking Help

00:04:20 Feelings, Jargon; Psychiatric Treatment

00:09:40 Sponsor: David

00:10:55 Future Treatment; Vagus Nerve Stimulation, Depression, Optogenetics

00:19:40 Brain-Machine Interfaces

00:20:53 Sponsor: Eight Sleep

00:23:00 ADHD Symptoms, Lifestyle, Technology

00:29:34 Psychedelics, Depression Treatment, Risks

00:35:43 Sponsor: AG1

00:37:30 MDMA (Ecstasy), Trauma & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Treatment

00:40:33 Projections: A Story of Human Emotions Book, Optimism

Disclaimer & Disclosures