Essentials: Science of Building Strong Social Bonds with Family, Friends & Romantic Partners
Andrew Huberman explains the biology and psychology of social bonding, covering neural circuits, neurochemicals, and hormones that govern how we form and maintain relationships. He describes social homeostasis circuits involving structures like the ACC, amygdala, hypothalamus, and dorsal raphe nucleus, and discusses how introversion and extroversion may relate to dopamine responses to social interaction. He also explores physiological synchrony, early caregiver-infant attachment, emotional versus cognitive empathy, the role of oxytocin, and what happens in the nervous system during breakups.
What Loneliness Does To Your Brain with Ben Rein
Neil deGrasse Tyson, Gary O'Reilly, and Chuck interview neuroscientist Ben Rein about what loneliness and social isolation do to the brain and body. They distinguish between objective isolation and the subjective feeling of loneliness, explain the stress and inflammatory pathways involved, and discuss how personality, aging, technology, and drugs like alcohol, painkillers, and MDMA affect social behavior and health. Rein also shares research on empathy, dogs and oxytocin, and practical ideas for rebuilding social connection in an increasingly automated world.
$50M Poker Pro Shares His Best Advice For Founders
Poker pro Daniel Negreanu joins the hosts to explore the parallels between high-stakes poker and entrepreneurship, including reading people, managing risk, and handling emotional swings. He describes how he developed his observational skills, his early ups and downs in Las Vegas, and his philosophy on bankroll management and when to take big risks. The conversation broadens into emotional intelligence, personal responsibility, learning from rock bottom moments, and the importance of continually updating one's mental "software" to stay world-class in any field.