Episode
Dr. Nolan Williams: Psychedelics & Neurostimulation for Brain Rewiring
2:46:39
Published: Mon Oct 10 2022
Description
In this episode, my guest is Nolan Williams, M.D., a triple board-certified psychiatrist, neurologist and professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford School of Medicine. He is also the Director of the Stanford Brain Stimulation Lab. We discuss clinical applications for brain stimulation, behavioral protocols and novel drug treatments to halt and reverse mental health disorders, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We first discuss the neural circuits for self-identity and mood and stress control. We discuss Dr. Williams’ work using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to depression, trauma, PTSD, and other mood disorders. We then dive deep into the history, biology, modern use, and safety margins of the various psychedelics, including MDMA, LSD, ketamine, ibogaine, ayahuasca, and psilocybin, as well as cannabis and the use of SSRIs in both adults and children. Finally, we discuss behavioral treatments for mental health disorders, including sleep and sleep deprivation, light exposure, exercise, and training to control the brain-heart-rate pathways. Regardless of age, all those interested in mental health should benefit from the incredible breadth and depth of Dr. Williams’ knowledge and the clarity with which he conveys that information. For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1 (Athletic Greens): https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Thesis: https://takethesis.com/huberman Supplements from Momentous https://www.livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Dr. Nolan Williams, Brain Stimulation & Depression Treatment (00:03:48) Sponsors: LMNT, Thesis, Momentous (00:08:37) Momentous Supplements (00:09:16) Depression, Risk Factors, Emergency Psychiatric Treatments (00:15:11) The Brain-Heart Connection, Vagus Nerve, Prefrontal Cortex (00:17:51) Right vs. Left Brain Hemispheres & Mood Balance, Connectome (00:22:34) Heart Rate & Depression, Behavioral Interventions, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) (00:33:02) Prefrontal Cortex & Cognitive Control, TMS (00:35:30) Sponsor: AG1 (00:39:00) Belief/Identity “Rules”, Re-scripting, TMS & Talk Therapy (00:45:49) Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex, TMS & Depression Treatment (00:48:36) Cingulate Cortex & Emotion, Dissociation & Catatonia (00:54:27) Ketamine, the Opioid System & Depression; Psychedelic Experience or Biology? (01:03:42) SSRIs, Serotonin & Depression; Childhood, Chemical Imbalance or Circuit? (01:13:58) Memories & “Rule” Creation; Psilocybin & “Rule” Resolution (01:21:00) MDMA & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Treatment, Psilocybin & Depression Treatment (01:24:12) Is MDMA Neurotoxic?, Drug Purity, Dopamine Surges, Post-MDMA Prolactin (01:30:38) Psilocybin, Brain Connectivity & Depression Treatment (01:34:53) Exposure Response Prevention: “Letting Go” & Depression Treatment (01:41:23) Normal Spectrums for Mental Health Disorders (01:45:35) Ibogaine & “Life Review”; PTSD, Depression & Clinical Trials (01:57:16) Clinical Use of Psychedelics (02:01:59) Ayahuasca, Brazilian Prisoner Study (02:06:55) Cannabis: THC, CBD & Psychosis, Clinical Uses (02:14:52) Personal Relative Drug Risk & Alcohol (02:20:42) Circadian Reset for Depression, Sleep Deprivation, Light (02:28:43) Stanford Neuromodulation Therapy (SNT) Study (02:34:25) Space Learning Theory & TMS Stimulation (02:45:35) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Huberman Lab Premium, Neural Network Newsletter, Social Media Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac Disclaimer
Chapters
Dr. Nolan Williams shares his research on depression and mood disorders, focusing on the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and other experimental treatments such as ibogaine, psilocybin, MDMA, cannabis, and DMT.
00:00 - 01:23 (01:23)
Summary
Dr. Nolan Williams shares his research on depression and mood disorders, focusing on the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and other experimental treatments such as ibogaine, psilocybin, MDMA, cannabis, and DMT. They discuss the history of each drug and their current status for clinical use and legality.
EpisodeDr. Nolan Williams: Psychedelics & Neurostimulation for Brain Rewiring
PodcastHuberman Lab
Researchers are investigating a direct link between the areas of the brain related to emotion and heart rate, to understand and better treat depression, which can be as disabling as suffering from a heart attack.
01:23 - 13:45 (12:21)
Summary
Researchers are investigating a direct link between the areas of the brain related to emotion and heart rate, to understand and better treat depression, which can be as disabling as suffering from a heart attack.
EpisodeDr. Nolan Williams: Psychedelics & Neurostimulation for Brain Rewiring
PodcastHuberman Lab
This podcast episode discusses the link between dorsolateral prefrontal cortex stimulation, heart rate deceleration, and alleviating symptoms of depression, questioning why this is the case.
13:45 - 21:23 (07:37)
Summary
This podcast episode discusses the link between dorsolateral prefrontal cortex stimulation, heart rate deceleration, and alleviating symptoms of depression, questioning why this is the case.
EpisodeDr. Nolan Williams: Psychedelics & Neurostimulation for Brain Rewiring
PodcastHuberman Lab
The connection between heart rate and depression lies in the body's ability to regulate its own nervous system, rather than the actual heart rate itself.
21:23 - 29:30 (08:07)
Summary
The connection between heart rate and depression lies in the body's ability to regulate its own nervous system, rather than the actual heart rate itself. While a lower heart rate is not necessarily protective against depression, there are other ways to slow one's heart rate down through techniques like exhale-emphasized breathing or deliberately slow cadence breathing.
EpisodeDr. Nolan Williams: Psychedelics & Neurostimulation for Brain Rewiring
PodcastHuberman Lab
Researchers have identified a specific area in the brain involved in the cognitive control of hypnosis, the left dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex, and found that inhibiting this area leads to an increased susceptibility to hypnosis.
29:30 - 35:57 (06:27)
Summary
Researchers have identified a specific area in the brain involved in the cognitive control of hypnosis, the left dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex, and found that inhibiting this area leads to an increased susceptibility to hypnosis.
EpisodeDr. Nolan Williams: Psychedelics & Neurostimulation for Brain Rewiring
PodcastHuberman Lab
The overactivity of the anxiety-generating conflict-detecting cingulate in depression generates spontaneous and semi-volitional content that could also, surprisingly, create a present moment sort of experience in contrast to the perceived stressfulness of living with depression.
35:57 - 46:47 (10:49)
Summary
The overactivity of the anxiety-generating conflict-detecting cingulate in depression generates spontaneous and semi-volitional content that could also, surprisingly, create a present moment sort of experience in contrast to the perceived stressfulness of living with depression.
EpisodeDr. Nolan Williams: Psychedelics & Neurostimulation for Brain Rewiring
PodcastHuberman Lab
Scientists performed a study to investigate the effect of opioid properties of Ketamine on the Antidepressant Effect.
46:47 - 1:02:30 (15:43)
Summary
Scientists performed a study to investigate the effect of opioid properties of Ketamine on the Antidepressant Effect. They went on to research how Mood Regulation has a connection with the Opioid receptors.
EpisodeDr. Nolan Williams: Psychedelics & Neurostimulation for Brain Rewiring
PodcastHuberman Lab
Turning brain regions on can help in treating depression more than just relying on drugs that block the reuptake of serotonin to combat the widely held, but possibly incorrect, theory that the central issue with depression is a lack of serotonin.
1:02:31 - 1:13:53 (11:21)
Summary
Turning brain regions on can help in treating depression more than just relying on drugs that block the reuptake of serotonin to combat the widely held, but possibly incorrect, theory that the central issue with depression is a lack of serotonin.
EpisodeDr. Nolan Williams: Psychedelics & Neurostimulation for Brain Rewiring
PodcastHuberman Lab
The highly plastic state induced by psychedelics such as Ibogaine and MDMA may have therapeutic effects, as memories are reconsolidated and broader areas of the brain become co-active.
1:13:53 - 1:30:29 (16:36)
Summary
The highly plastic state induced by psychedelics such as Ibogaine and MDMA may have therapeutic effects, as memories are reconsolidated and broader areas of the brain become co-active. Purity and sourcing is key for clinical trials, as contaminants like methamphetamine can have neurotoxic effects.
EpisodeDr. Nolan Williams: Psychedelics & Neurostimulation for Brain Rewiring
PodcastHuberman Lab
Psilocybin's therapeutic effect may be linked to the idea of "letting go," where patients allow themselves to assume a state they've been fighting the whole time, allowing a new perspective to overcome negative thoughts and memories.
1:30:29 - 1:39:13 (08:43)
Summary
Psilocybin's therapeutic effect may be linked to the idea of "letting go," where patients allow themselves to assume a state they've been fighting the whole time, allowing a new perspective to overcome negative thoughts and memories. This theory is particularly relevant to patients with depression, addiction, or OCD, as well as anyone seeking psychological relief through psilocybin therapy.
EpisodeDr. Nolan Williams: Psychedelics & Neurostimulation for Brain Rewiring
PodcastHuberman Lab
The speaker emphasizes the importance of talking about mental health and normalizing conversations around it, instead of ignoring it due to societal pressures.
1:39:13 - 1:48:45 (09:32)
Summary
The speaker emphasizes the importance of talking about mental health and normalizing conversations around it, instead of ignoring it due to societal pressures.
EpisodeDr. Nolan Williams: Psychedelics & Neurostimulation for Brain Rewiring
PodcastHuberman Lab
A straight scientific examination of psychedelics today would lead to the conclusion that they are a huge breakthrough in psychiatry with the ability to combine the benefits of SSRIs and psychotherapy.
1:48:45 - 2:03:54 (15:08)
Summary
A straight scientific examination of psychedelics today would lead to the conclusion that they are a huge breakthrough in psychiatry with the ability to combine the benefits of SSRIs and psychotherapy. While it is important to approach their use with caution, there is a need to recognize the therapeutic potential of these substances.
EpisodeDr. Nolan Williams: Psychedelics & Neurostimulation for Brain Rewiring
PodcastHuberman Lab
The likelihood of cannabis causing or treating psychosis depends on the proportions of CBD to THC.
2:03:54 - 2:11:29 (07:35)
Summary
The likelihood of cannabis causing or treating psychosis depends on the proportions of CBD to THC. High doses of THC have been linked to pro-psychotic symptoms but it is not clear if cannabis can be considered bad for people overall.
EpisodeDr. Nolan Williams: Psychedelics & Neurostimulation for Brain Rewiring
PodcastHuberman Lab
Dr. Jennifer Martin discusses the relationship between sleep and mental health, including the impact of sleep deprivation on depression and the effects of alcohol on both sleep and mental health.
2:11:29 - 2:23:51 (12:21)
Summary
Dr. Jennifer Martin discusses the relationship between sleep and mental health, including the impact of sleep deprivation on depression and the effects of alcohol on both sleep and mental health.
EpisodeDr. Nolan Williams: Psychedelics & Neurostimulation for Brain Rewiring
PodcastHuberman Lab
This podcast episode explores the different types of neuromodulation therapy and their therapeutic potential for treating sleep disorders.
2:23:51 - 2:34:54 (11:02)
Summary
This podcast episode explores the different types of neuromodulation therapy and their therapeutic potential for treating sleep disorders. Devices such as transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation can provide targeted stimulation to specific brain regions to ultimately improve sleep quality.
EpisodeDr. Nolan Williams: Psychedelics & Neurostimulation for Brain Rewiring
PodcastHuberman Lab
A new technique has been developed to send memory signals into the brain and "take it out of the hippocampus's hand" for those with serious memory impairments.
2:34:54 - 2:41:30 (06:36)
Summary
A new technique has been developed to send memory signals into the brain and "take it out of the hippocampus's hand" for those with serious memory impairments. By using a high-powered magnet, trials are taking place in which real versions of the signals are being tested, helping to improve memory access and concentration.
EpisodeDr. Nolan Williams: Psychedelics & Neurostimulation for Brain Rewiring
PodcastHuberman Lab
This transcript covers the launch of the premium Huberman Lab Channel which helps in supporting research projects related to mental health and physical performance.
2:41:30 - 2:47:13 (05:43)
Summary
This transcript covers the launch of the premium Huberman Lab Channel which helps in supporting research projects related to mental health and physical performance. The channel also offers clinical trials for depression and psychiatric disorders.