Episode
Understanding & Controlling Aggression
1:30:58
Published: Mon May 09 2022
Description
This episode I describe the neural mechanisms that activate and control aggressive states and behaviors and the role of hormones—estrogen and testosterone—in mediating violent and and/or competive aggression. I also describe tools that can be used to modulate the factors that have been shown to ‘prime’ an individual for aggression, including sunlight, estrogen sensitivity, competition within social settings, and overall stress levels, and the hormone cortisol. I discuss how substances such as caffeine and alcohol can impact impulsive behaviors, and how nutrition and supplementation can be used to regulate mood and aggression. 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) Aggression, Types of Aggression (00:03:51) Sponsors: AG1, LMNT, Thesis, Momentous (00:08:29) Neural Circuits for Aggression, “Hydraulic Pressure Model” (00:15:50) Brain Regions Controlling Aggression, Ventromedial Hypothalamus (VMH) (00:22:14) Psychiatric Disorders & Aggression (00:23:36) Stimulation of the VMH, Estrogen Receptors & Aggression (00:31:57) Neural Circuits Mediating Physical Acts of Aggression, Biting (0:35:56) Testosterone & Competitiveness/Estrogen & Aggression (00:43:00) Sunlight, Melatonin & Aggression (00:45:46) Cortisol, Serotonin & Aggressive Behaviors (00:51:56) Tool: Omega-3 Supplementation & Mood (00:54:18) Tool: Sunlight, Sauna & Cortisol Reduction (00:55:54) Tool: Ashwagandha & Cortisol Reduction (00:57:06) Tool: Seasonality/Sunlight, Genetic Variation in Estrogen Sensitivity (01:00:37) Testosterone & Aggression, Competitive Work Environments (01:05:07) Testosterone, Amygdala, Challenge & Effort (01:09:27) Caffeine, Alcohol & Impulsivity (01:13:15) Tool: Caffeinated Alcohol Beverages, Impulsivity & Aggression (01:17:18) Tool: ADHD, Acetyl-L Carnitine & Aggressive Behavior (01:24:10) Factors Affecting the “Hydraulic Pressure Model” of Aggression (01:25:44) Book by Dr. David Anderson, Aggression & Social Relationships (01:27:35) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous Supplements, Neural Network Newsletter, Instagram, Twitter Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac Disclaimer
Chapters
This episode delves into the different types of aggression, including proactive and reactive aggression, as well as the role of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and neural circuits in reinforcing aggressive behavior.
00:00 - 03:06 (03:06)
Summary
This episode delves into the different types of aggression, including proactive and reactive aggression, as well as the role of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and neural circuits in reinforcing aggressive behavior.
EpisodeUnderstanding & Controlling Aggression
PodcastHuberman Lab
The host emphasizes the importance of data from quality blood and DNA tests in improving your health in a way that is systematic and scientific.
03:06 - 08:20 (05:14)
Summary
The host emphasizes the importance of data from quality blood and DNA tests in improving your health in a way that is systematic and scientific. He discusses the benefits of using InsideTracker for lifestyle and nutrition recommendations, as well as taking single ingredient supplements in dosages that are optimized for both cost and effectiveness.
EpisodeUnderstanding & Controlling Aggression
PodcastHuberman Lab
The neural circuits and collections of brain areas that work together to engage a pattern of behaviors that trigger aggression can be better understood through the biology and psychology of aggression, which can be useful knowledge in reducing or modulating acts of aggression.
08:20 - 17:15 (08:54)
Summary
The neural circuits and collections of brain areas that work together to engage a pattern of behaviors that trigger aggression can be better understood through the biology and psychology of aggression, which can be useful knowledge in reducing or modulating acts of aggression.
EpisodeUnderstanding & Controlling Aggression
PodcastHuberman Lab
The activity of up to 3,000 neurons in the ventromedial hypothalamus generates aggressive behavior, required for defending loved ones or country.
17:15 - 24:16 (07:01)
Summary
The activity of up to 3,000 neurons in the ventromedial hypothalamus generates aggressive behavior, required for defending loved ones or country.
EpisodeUnderstanding & Controlling Aggression
PodcastHuberman Lab
Stimulation of the ventromedial hypothalamus in male or female mice leads to immediate and dramatic aggressive behavior towards other mice, regardless of gender or mating status.
24:16 - 36:01 (11:44)
Summary
Stimulation of the ventromedial hypothalamus in male or female mice leads to immediate and dramatic aggressive behavior towards other mice, regardless of gender or mating status.
EpisodeUnderstanding & Controlling Aggression
PodcastHuberman Lab
Testosterone tends to increase competitiveness while estrogen causes aggression in the brain by binding to estrogen receptor-containing neurons in the ventromedial hypothalamus, and not testosterone as is commonly believed.
36:01 - 45:19 (09:18)
Summary
Testosterone tends to increase competitiveness while estrogen causes aggression in the brain by binding to estrogen receptor-containing neurons in the ventromedial hypothalamus, and not testosterone as is commonly believed.
EpisodeUnderstanding & Controlling Aggression
PodcastHuberman Lab
The propensity for aggression is highly dependent on an individual's internal state and situational context, modulated by cortisol and estrogen levels in the brain that create a hydraulic pressure towards aggression.
45:19 - 57:12 (11:52)
Summary
The propensity for aggression is highly dependent on an individual's internal state and situational context, modulated by cortisol and estrogen levels in the brain that create a hydraulic pressure towards aggression. Therefore, the idea that heightened levels of testosterone cause aggression oversimplifies the complex hormonal interplay that influences aggressive behavior in both males and females.
EpisodeUnderstanding & Controlling Aggression
PodcastHuberman Lab
Studies have analyzed salivary testosterone in prisoners and blood levels of testosterone post-application of testosterone gel to evaluate the correlation between testosterone and aggressiveness.
57:12 - 1:08:58 (11:46)
Summary
Studies have analyzed salivary testosterone in prisoners and blood levels of testosterone post-application of testosterone gel to evaluate the correlation between testosterone and aggressiveness. Results showed that higher levels of testosterone were related to those who have committed a violent crime and those who had aggressive prison rule violations.
EpisodeUnderstanding & Controlling Aggression
PodcastHuberman Lab
Consuming caffeinated alcohol can increase the likelihood of engaging in indirect aggressive behavior, even after considering one's typical alcohol use and dispositional aggression.
1:08:58 - 1:18:20 (09:21)
Summary
Consuming caffeinated alcohol can increase the likelihood of engaging in indirect aggressive behavior, even after considering one's typical alcohol use and dispositional aggression.
EpisodeUnderstanding & Controlling Aggression
PodcastHuberman Lab
Combining different behavioral regimens, diets and supplements such as L-carnitine, omega-3 fatty acids, and tryptophan, can help reduce aggressive tendencies in children with ADHD.
1:18:20 - 1:25:46 (07:26)
Summary
Combining different behavioral regimens, diets and supplements such as L-carnitine, omega-3 fatty acids, and tryptophan, can help reduce aggressive tendencies in children with ADHD. The effectiveness of L-carnitine in reducing delinquency, improving attention, and reducing aggression suggests a relationship between blood physiology and behavior outcomes.
EpisodeUnderstanding & Controlling Aggression
PodcastHuberman Lab
The Huberman Lab podcast announces a partnership with Momentous Supplements to direct them to create individual ingredient supplements that relate to the science and studies covered on the podcast.
1:25:46 - 1:31:02 (05:16)
Summary
The Huberman Lab podcast announces a partnership with Momentous Supplements to direct them to create individual ingredient supplements that relate to the science and studies covered on the podcast. The podcast covers topics related to psychology, biology, motivation, and pathology.