Mar 06 2024 6 mins 25
Andrew Huberman, Ph.D., the host of the immensely popular Huberman Lab podcast, has become a household name for his engaging and informative discussions on the latest scientific findings. With 172 episodes under his belt, Huberman has inspired countless listeners to adopt his protocols, from getting morning sunlight to optimize their daily energy to trying AG1 for their daily supplement fix and investing in an Oura ring to track their sleep. When I learned that Huberman would be sharing exclusive insights not available in his podcasts at one of his rare live events, I made sure to secure a spot at the sold-out Chicago Theatre, which seats an impressive 3,600 people. As he took the stage, Huberman exuded a natural charisma, pacing around in his signature all-black ensemble while sharing personal anecdotes and occasionally poking fun at himself. One particularly memorable moment was when Huberman shared a story about a back problem he had faced. He revealed that the single most effective exercise he did to alleviate the issue was to "hump the wall," which involves facing a wall while flexing and extending the lower back. The audience erupted in laughter, and Huberman nearly demonstrated the exercise right then and there. Throughout the evening, I discovered that Huberman, with his conversational style and straightforward, scientific approach, is remarkably relatable. Here are some of the key takeaways from his Chicago presentation: Firstly, Huberman practices what he preaches—well, most of the time. Despite his emphasis on optimizing his schedule for good sleep, he admitted to occasionally staying up past 11 to binge-watch Chimp Empire, potentially disrupting his sleep cycle. This serves as a reminder that even the most dedicated individuals are only human, and it's okay to cut ourselves some slack from time to time. Secondly, Huberman's passion for science is truly contagious. As he shared stories from his life and childhood, including his fascination with cuttlefish and their shapeshifting abilities, his love for biology shone through. His anecdote about discovering the cuttlefish's intelligence after initially doubting their camouflage skills hammered home the incredible nature of other species and his deep appreciation for the quirks of the natural world. Thirdly, Huberman is exploring the concept of stillness as a means to foster creativity. He recounted a conversation with record producer Rick Rubin, who shared that he felt most creative when his body was completely still. Huberman noted that this idea is supported by the example of Albert Einstein, who was known to abruptly stop mid-walk to think. According to Huberman, stillness allows the mind to expand and ideas to find us, much like the vivid dreams experienced during REM sleep. Fourthly, Huberman believes in the importance of delight, particularly the "early moments of delight" experienced during our pre-sexual stage. He suggests that these moments reveal something about our individual neurology and provide us with energy. While neuroplasticity declines after age 25, making it harder to "rewire" the brain, Huberman encourages us to think back to what delighted us as children and to pursue those activities. Lastly, Huberman demonstrated his openness to not knowing everything during the Q&A session. When asked about his spiritual take and whether prayer is manufactured in the brain, he responded, "I'm intrigued by the possibility that there are things not meant to be explored. Our species can allow room for things we can't explain with science. There's great value in allowing space for things greater than us." He emphasized that spirituality isn't about hedging bets but rather about knowing oneself. As the evening drew to a close, Huberman thanked the audience for their interest in science, just as he does at the end of his podcasts. His Chicago presentation not only provided exclusive insights but also showcased his relatability, passion, and openness to the mysteries of the world. It's no wonder that Andrew Huberman has become a trusted source of knowledge and inspiration for so many. Thanks for listening to Quiet Please. Remember to like and share wherever you get your podcasts
