Episode
Dr. Robert Sapolsky: Science of Stress, Testosterone & Free Will
1:31:00
Published: Mon Aug 30 2021
Description
In this episode, I interview Dr. Robert Sapolsky, Ph.D., Professor of Biology, Neurology & Neurosurgery at Stanford University. We discuss stress, what defines short-term versus long-term stress, and how stress can be beneficial or detrimental, depending on the context. We also discuss stress mitigation and how our sense of control over stress mitigation techniques, including exercise, determine health outcomes. Dr. Sapolsky explains some of the key effects of the hormone testosterone — how it can amplify pre-existing tendencies for aggression or sexual behavior, but that it does not produce those behaviors per se. He also explains how testosterone impacts our social hierarchies, sense of confidence, and willingness to embrace challenges of different kinds. He also explains how our behaviors and perceptions shape testosterone levels. And we discuss estrogen and the powerful role it plays in brain development, health and longevity. Finally, we discuss free will, what it means to have free will, and if we have any free will, including how knowledge alone might allow us to make better decisions for ourselves and society. 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) Introduction: Dr. Robert Sapolsky (00:02:25) Sponsors: AG1, LMNT, Thesis, Momentous (00:06:30) Stress: Short & Long-Term, Good & Bad (00:09:11) Valence & Amygdala (00:11:00) Testosterone: Common Myths vs. Actual Truths (00:15:15) Behaviors that Affect Testosterone (00:17:20) Mindsets & Contexts that Affect Testosterone (00:20:28) How Finger Length Ratios Reflect Prenatal Hormone Levels (00:22:30) Aggression: Male-Female, Female-Male, & Female-Female (00:24:05) Testosterone: The Challenge Hypothesis (00:29:20) How Dopamine Impacts Testosterone & Motivation (00:32:32) Estrogen: Improves Brain & Longevity BUT TIMING IS KEY (00:39:40) Are Testosterone & Sperm Counts in Males Really Dropping? (00:42:15) Stress Mitigation & Our Sense of Control (00:51:35) How Best to Buffer Stress (00:57:04) Power of Perception, Choice & Individual Differences (01:00:32) Context-Setting, Prefrontal Cortex & Hierarchy (01:11:20) How Dr. Sapolsky Accomplishes Deep Thinking (01:13:17) Do We Have Free Will? (01:20:50) How to Apply Knowledge & Learning (01:23:44) Robert’s New Book: “Determined: The Science of Life Without Free Will” (01:28:27) Reflections, Support of Podcast, & Supporting Stress Research Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac Disclaimer
Chapters
Dr. Robert Sapolsky combines primatology with human behavior to study the impact of stress and hormones on social behavior.
00:00 - 07:24 (07:23)
Summary
Dr. Robert Sapolsky combines primatology with human behavior to study the impact of stress and hormones on social behavior. In this podcast, he also discusses the importance of quality blood tests and InsideTracker's recommendations for optimal health.
EpisodeDr. Robert Sapolsky: Science of Stress, Testosterone & Free Will
PodcastHuberman Lab
Testosterone is often associated with aggression in males, but this belief is not entirely accurate.
07:24 - 19:35 (12:10)
Summary
Testosterone is often associated with aggression in males, but this belief is not entirely accurate. Although higher levels of testosterone can predict higher levels of aggression and sexual activity, recruitment of the amygdala into an adverse circumstance can influence interpretation of the situation as more negative.
EpisodeDr. Robert Sapolsky: Science of Stress, Testosterone & Free Will
PodcastHuberman Lab
This podcast discusses the different and complex effects of testosterone in both animals and humans, including its role in sexual behavior, energy levels, motivation, and confidence.
19:34 - 33:07 (13:32)
Summary
This podcast discusses the different and complex effects of testosterone in both animals and humans, including its role in sexual behavior, energy levels, motivation, and confidence.
EpisodeDr. Robert Sapolsky: Science of Stress, Testosterone & Free Will
PodcastHuberman Lab
Estrogen, while offering benefits like a decreased risk of Alzheimer's, can also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, and dementia.
33:07 - 42:28 (09:20)
Summary
Estrogen, while offering benefits like a decreased risk of Alzheimer's, can also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, and dementia. However, lab studies with non-human primates suggest that keeping estrogen levels high after menopause can improve brain health and reduce the risk of dementia and stroke.
EpisodeDr. Robert Sapolsky: Science of Stress, Testosterone & Free Will
PodcastHuberman Lab
The podcast discusses the question of how humans can start to mitigate their own stress and explores different ways to manage stress, including exercise, breathing, and hypnosis, without becoming too reliant on it.
42:28 - 57:48 (15:19)
Summary
The podcast discusses the question of how humans can start to mitigate their own stress and explores different ways to manage stress, including exercise, breathing, and hypnosis, without becoming too reliant on it.
EpisodeDr. Robert Sapolsky: Science of Stress, Testosterone & Free Will
PodcastHuberman Lab
The perfect stimulatory amount of stress varies greatly between different individuals and can be influenced by social and moral contexts.
57:48 - 1:08:00 (10:12)
Summary
The perfect stimulatory amount of stress varies greatly between different individuals and can be influenced by social and moral contexts. The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain that plays a crucial role in our perception of stress and can significantly impact how we respond to it.
EpisodeDr. Robert Sapolsky: Science of Stress, Testosterone & Free Will
PodcastHuberman Lab
The speaker argues that there is no shred of free will and that we don't have complete control over our lives, especially with the influence of social media.
1:08:00 - 1:16:07 (08:07)
Summary
The speaker argues that there is no shred of free will and that we don't have complete control over our lives, especially with the influence of social media.
EpisodeDr. Robert Sapolsky: Science of Stress, Testosterone & Free Will
PodcastHuberman Lab
The idea of free will may be debated in neuroscience, but the concept of neural plasticity still holds true.
1:16:07 - 1:27:48 (11:40)
Summary
The idea of free will may be debated in neuroscience, but the concept of neural plasticity still holds true. Our brains can be changed by circumstance and experience, allowing for the pursuit of knowledge and the ability to shape our circuitry.
EpisodeDr. Robert Sapolsky: Science of Stress, Testosterone & Free Will
PodcastHuberman Lab
Dr. Andrew Huberman discusses the importance of sleep and how to combat stress.
1:27:48 - 1:30:36 (02:48)
Summary
Dr. Andrew Huberman discusses the importance of sleep and how to combat stress. He also mentions his upcoming book "Determined", and where to find supplements and related protocols.