Science of Attraction, Compatibility & Romance | Dr. Paul Eastwick

Dr. Paul Eastwick, PhD, is a professor of psychology at the University of California, Davis, and a leading expert on the modern science of mate selection in humans. We discuss what people actually look for in a partner, including surprising findings about age preferences, finances, and physical attractiveness. We also discuss why dating apps often lead people to select for traits that don't support lasting partnerships. We discuss how initial attractions form and evolve and which factors best predict romantic relationship stability and satisfaction. We also explain activities that can expand your dating pool, as well as practical tools for building and sustaining healthy romantic relationships. This episode is for anyone currently in or wanting to be in a relationship. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman David: https://davidprotein.com/huberman Lingo: https://hellolingo.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Paul Eastwick (00:03:25) Evolutionary Models of Dating, Mate Value (00:08:57) Initial Attraction, Maturity (00:12:56) Sponsors: David & Lingo (00:15:21) Dating Apps; Shared Moments & Developing Attraction (00:24:17) First Impressions & Early Relationships; Partner Bias (00:31:41) Friends & Family Support; Relationship Research, Attachment Theory (00:42:15) Sponsor: AG1 (00:43:34) Couple Friends, Advice from Others (00:47:35) Social Support, Women vs Men (00:55:05) Dating App Algorithms, Distrust of Men & Women (01:05:29) Activities & Dating, Observing Date Social Behavior (01:11:25) Texting, Verbal Skills (01:16:15) Sponsor: LMNT (01:17:36) Partner Actions, Dating vs Relationship (01:22:57) Dating & Asking Good Questions; Genuine Connection (01:29:36) Attraction, What Qualities Men & Women Want (01:36:18) Homosexual Dating & Relationships (01:40:08) Finances; Job Loss; Men vs Women, Ambition (01:46:28) Sponsor: Function (01:48:05) Age Difference, Men vs Women Preference; Wanting Children (01:54:58) Church, Activities, Small Groups & Dating; Work; Perceived Similarity (02:07:10) Social Media, Attraction to Alternative Partners, Infidelity (02:19:13) Stranger Attention, Mate Value (02:24:58) Past Relationship Value; Relationship Duration, Breakups (02:34:33) Physical Intimacy & Relationship Satisfaction (02:39:32) Young Adults & Changing Relationships, Technology (02:47:31) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Protocols Book, Sponsors, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I explain the biology of flexibility and discuss the organ systems that shape range of motion and limb flexibility. I also discuss different types of stretching, which methods are most effective, and practical tools for timing stretching relative to exercise. Finally, I provide specific protocols for how intensely and how often to stretch to maximize flexibility, support exercise performance, and offset age-related losses of flexibility. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Flexibility (00:00:22) Muscle, Nerves & Connective Tissue; Range of Motion (00:03:16) Golgi Tendon Organs, Load Sensing (00:04:41) von Economo Neurons, Body Discomfort, Stretch Relaxation (00:11:11) Sponsor: LMNT (00:12:43) Types of Stretching: Dynamic, Ballistic, Static & Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) (00:15:43) Tool: Static Stretching Protocol, Frequency (00:18:33) Warming Up for Stretching, Exercise (00:20:37) Sponsor: Eight Sleep (00:21:55) Static Stretching & Aging (00:22:18) Tool: Anderson Method, Feeling the Stretch (00:23:44) Low Intensity Stretching, Tool: "Micro-Stretching" (00:27:22) Should You Stretch Before Exercise? (00:29:01) Sponsor: AG1 (00:30:20) Insula, Pain Tolerance & Yoga (00:35:10) Recap of Stretching Protocols Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andy Stumpf is a retired Navy SEAL, world-record-holding wingsuit BASE jumper, martial artist, and author. We discuss the mental framework and moment-to-moment decision-making process that can allow anyone to build discipline and resilience and better navigate both everyday life and life's most challenging moments. Andy explains several simple-yet-powerful tools gleaned from his time in — and after — his SEAL career that can help you determine where to focus your actions and how to clear your mind of things you can't control or that hold you back mentally. Andy also shares and reflects on lessons learned from some of the deeply personal challenges he faced outside of combat and freefall. Finally, we explore the all-too-frequent tragedy of people — including high performers — taking their own lives, and consider what might be done to prevent more such losses. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman Our Place: https://fromourplace.com/huberman Wealthfront*: https://wealthfront.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Joovv: https://joovv.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Andy Stumpf (00:03:09) Protocols Book (00:04:06) Nagging Thoughts, Tool: Determine Influence vs Concern (00:10:14) Social Media, Screen Time Discipline (00:17:01) Sponsors: Our Place & Wealthfront (00:20:11) Social Media Addiction, Young Adults, Rebellion, Alcohol (00:27:38) Alcohol & Social Experiences; Cannabis; Ice Bath (00:36:07) Skydiving, Wingsuit Flying (00:41:47) Sponsor: AG1 (00:43:06) Skydiving, BASE Jumping, Wingsuit Flying; Navy (00:55:25) Danger & Fear, Wingsuit Flying Risk, Death (01:03:04) Divorce, Imperfection; Parenting Kids in Divorce (01:12:16) Sponsor: Function (01:13:55) Parents' Divorce (01:19:38) Long-Term Flow State, Focus, Adrenaline; Time Perception (01:30:58) Toilet Paper, Shortcuts, Tool: Do the Slightly Harder Choice (01:37:11) Micro-Discipline, Doing the Harder Thing, Tenacity & Super-Agers (01:48:00) Sponsor: Joovv (01:49:12) Physical & Mental Pain, Discussing Pain; Dogs (02:00:45) Self-Talk, Isolation, Alcohol (02:11:52) Top Performers, Suicide; Ibogaine; Military, Trauma (02:21:36) Trauma & Healing, Exploring Other Possibilities, Control (02:28:57) Disciplined Acts, Choosing the Slightly Harder Option (02:35:20) Current Projects, Project Choice (02:41:48) Price of Success, Happiness, Money (02:53:09) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter *This experience may not be representative of other Wealthfront clients, and there is no guarantee of future performance or success. Experiences will vary. Andrew Huberman receives cash compensation from Wealthfront Brokerage for paid testimonials in his podcast, creating a conflict of interest. The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The base APY is 3.30% on cash deposits as of January 30, 2026, is representative, subject to change, and requires no minimum. If eligible for the overall boosted rate of 4.05% offered in connection with this promo, your boosted rate is also subject to change if the base rate decreases during the 3 month promo period. Additional terms and conditions apply, which can be found on Wealthfront.com/Huberman. Funds in the Cash Account are swept to program banks, where it earns the variable APY. Same-day withdrawal or instant payment transfers may be limited by destination institutions, daily transaction caps, and by participating entities such as Wells Fargo, the RTP® Network, and FedNow® Service. New Cash Account deposits are subject to a 2-4 day holding period before becoming available for transfer. Investment advisory services are provided by Wealthfront Advisers LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Securities investments: not bank deposits, bank-guaranteed or FDIC-insured, and may lose value. Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I discuss science-supported tools to improve sleep by supporting a healthy circadian rhythm using key behaviors and environmental cues. I explain specific morning, afternoon and evening behaviors that will increase daytime alertness and support deeper, more consistent sleep at night. I also cover sleep supplements, the effects of caffeine, alcohol and THC on sleep, as well as practical strategies for managing jet lag and shift work. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Sleep Toolkit (00:00:21) Optimal Cortisol Rhythms, Tool: View Morning Sunlight (00:03:44) Morning Sunlight Guide, Artificial Light, Cloudy Days (00:08:04) Sponsor: Eight Sleep (00:09:22) Morning & Body Temperature, Tools: Deliberate Cold Exposure, Exercise (00:11:38) Morning: Caffeine Timing (00:13:22) Morning: Meal Timing & Alertness (00:15:36) Circadian Clock; 3 Daily Critical Periods (00:17:10) Afternoon: Caffeine, Naps, Exercise (00:19:34) Tool: Late Afternoon/Evening Sunlight (00:21:41) Sponsor: AG1 (00:23:00) Evening Tools: Artificial Lights; Hot Tub/Sauna, Bedroom Temperature (00:26:40) Alcohol, THC & Effects on Sleep (00:27:39) Sleep Supplements: Magnesium Threonate, Apigenin & Theanine (00:31:03) Caution for Melatonin Supplementation (00:31:41) Sponsor: LMNT (00:33:13) Weekends, Tool: Consistent Sleep Schedule (00:34:00) Jet Lag, Tool: Temperature Minimum (00:37:41) Shift Work, Tool: Red Light (00:38:30) Recap Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Marie-Pierre St-Onge, PhD, is a professor of nutritional medicine at Columbia University School of Medicine and an expert on the bidirectional relationship between nutrition and sleep. We discuss how even moderate sleep loss increases appetite, changes hunger-related hormones, and causes weight gain, even when calories are not increased. We also explain how meal timing and specific foods, like fiber, ginger, saturated fat, and various oils, affect sleep onset, sleep quality, and metabolism. Throughout the conversation, we discuss specific foods and diets that directly support weight loss, better sleep, and long-term cardiometabolic health. Read the show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman David: https://davidprotein.com/huberman BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman Helix Sleep: https://helixsleep.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Marie-Pierre St-Onge (00:02:29) Sleep Loss & Appetite, Men vs Women (00:10:20) Sponsors: David & BetterHelp (00:12:39) Sleep Loss, Overeating & Cardiometabolic Health (00:21:56) Weight Gain & Sleep Loss, Tool: Informed Food Choices (00:27:59) Diet & Sleep, Insomnia; Tool: Mediterranean Diet, DASH Diet (00:33:25) Food Choices & Sleep Quality, Food Timing (00:39:33) Sponsor: AG1 (00:40:52) Personal Circadian Clock, Shift Work; Naps; Running & Yoga (00:53:00) Snoring, Sleep Apnea & Testing (00:56:46) Kefir; Coffee Mannooligosaccharides & Weight Loss; Ginger; Fiber (01:09:49) Sponsor: Helix Sleep (01:11:23) Food Timing & Burning Fat, Tool: Early Meals (01:17:20) Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCTs), Body Composition & Weight Loss (01:22:54) Tools: Eating for Sleep & Metabolism; Portion Size; Portfolio Diet (01:34:38) Corn Oil, Seed Oils & Processed Foods, Smoke Points (01:41:20) Industry-Sponsored Studies (01:50:41) Supplements, Whole Foods, Fiber (01:54:25) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In loving memory of Nolan Williams (1982-2025): ⁠https://stan.md/3Qle2zp⁠ In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, my guest is Dr. Nolan Williams, MD, a triple board-certified psychiatrist and neurologist. We discuss cutting-edge treatments for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including transcranial magnetic stimulation, neuromodulation, and psychedelic-assisted therapies. We also discuss the neurobiology and therapeutic potential of specific psychedelic compounds, including psilocybin, MDMA, ibogaine, and ayahuasca. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Nolan Williams (00:00:21) Depression (00:02:45) Heart & Mind Connection, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) (00:05:15) TMS for Depression (00:07:47) Sponsor: Function (00:09:24) SSRIs & Chemical imbalance, TMS, Psychedelics (00:15:24) Psilocybin, MDMA, Trauma (00:18:21) MDMA Clinical Trials & PTSD; Psilocybin & Depression (00:20:18) Sponsor: BetterHelp (00:21:38) Psilocybin, Brain Connectivity & Depression (00:23:59) Ibogaine, Empathy; Psychedelic Breakthrough & Risk (00:30:36) Ayahuasca, Behavior Change, Prisoners (00:34:46) Sponsor: AG1 (00:36:05) Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy (SAINT) (00:40:07) Acknowledgements Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Abud Bakri, MD, is a board-certified internal medicine physician and expert in the science and clinical use of peptides. We discuss the history, uses, sourcing and safety of BPC-157, GHK-Cu, pinealon, epithalon, GLP-1s, retatrutide, melanotan and growth hormone-promoting peptides. We discuss the gap that exists between animal and human data and meaningful differences in the sources for different peptides. For those interested in peptides, Dr. Bakri provides a grounded look at the science, risks and uncertainties shaping the field today. Read the show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman Lingo: https://hellolingo.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Abud Bakri (00:03:33) What are Peptides?, Receptors (00:06:26) BPC-157, Discovery, Animal Proteins (00:11:19) BPC-157, Animal Data, Regeneration (00:12:27) Sponsors: Eight Sleep & Lingo (00:14:51) BPC-157, Regeneration & Healing, Neurological Effects (00:19:27) Adverse Events, Clinical Trials & Legality of BPC-157 (00:29:41) GLPs & Compounding Pharmacy; Peptides & Gray Market (00:35:25) Manufacturing, Compounding Pharmacies, Gray Market, Black Market (00:41:32) Peptides & Tumor Growth?; Angiogenesis (00:45:17) Sponsor: AG1 (00:47:01) Pharmaceutical Patents, Clinical Trials for BPC-157, Potential Outcomes (00:54:19) BPC-157 Healing, Patient Experiences (01:01:22) Physician Counsel, FDA Legality, Malpractice (01:07:25) Pinealon, Epithalon, Discovery; Sleep & Cognitive Performance, Risks (01:18:17) Sponsor: Function (01:19:55) Pineal Age Deterioration, Epithalon, Eye Health (01:29:38) Thymus, Age Shrinkage; Thymosin Alpha-1, Immune Function (01:38:13) TB-500; Pet Health; Thymic Peptide Doses, Thymulin, Zinc (01:49:13) Sponsor: LMNT (01:50:33) GHK-Cu (Copper GHK), Collagen (01:55:32) Illness Recovery, Thymic Score, Tool: Blood Test & Immune Cell Counts (02:04:01) Growth Hormone Secretagogues, Age Decline, Cancer Risk, Insulin (02:15:36) GHK-Cu, Topical Cream, Red Light Therapy (02:20:25) GLPs, Discovery, Physical & Cognitive Long-Term Effects, Fertility (02:33:53) Retatrutide; Drug Patents & Nomenclature (02:39:03) Peptides: Women Reproductive Disorders; TBI, Neurologic Effect; Safe Sources (02:45:34) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I explain the neuroscience of grief, including how the brain maps relationships across three dimensions — space, time, and closeness — and why losing someone requires a remapping of those neural circuits. I describe how grief differs from depression, the role of oxytocin in driving yearning after a loss, and why people move through grief at different rates. I also discuss science-based tools for grieving adaptively, including how to access feelings of attachment while decoupling them from episodic memory. Finally, I explain how foundational biology — particularly sleep and cortisol rhythms — shapes our capacity to navigate the grieving process. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Grief (00:01:47) Myths of Grief, Kubler-Ross & fMRI (00:03:56) Brain Mapping Experiment, Proximity (00:07:05) Inferior Parietal Lobule; Space, Time & Closeness (00:09:20) Episodic Memory & Remapping After Loss (00:11:28) Sponsor: Eight Sleep (00:14:21) Tool: Dedicated Time, Counterfactual Thinking & Guilt (00:15:52) Oxytocin & Individual Differences in Grief (00:18:21) Prairie Voles, Monogamy & Nucleus Accumbens (00:22:30) Sponsor: LMNT (00:24:48) Vagal Tone, Emotional Disclosure & Bereavement Writing Study (00:29:40) Cortisol Rhythms, Complicated Grief & Sunlight (00:33:03) Sponsor: AG1 (00:34:59) Rational Grieving, Neuroplasticity & NSDR Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff Cavaliere, MSPT, CSCS, is a physical therapist and certified strength and conditioning specialist and one of the world's leading public educators on resistance training to build muscle size and strength, avoiding and overcoming injuries, and improving your posture and movement patterns (biomechanics). We discuss often-overlooked muscles and exercises that support decades of pain-free training and long-term progress. Jeff explains the best and most efficient ways to strengthen glutes, rotator cuff, neck, and foot muscles and connective tissues, and how to resolve back, hip, and other pain. We also cover the essentials of cardio, fat loss, and nutrition and how to make excellent and ongoing progress despite real-life training constraints. This episode is crucial for men and women as young as their teens, 20s, and 30s, all the way up to their 70s, 80s (and beyond) to be strong, mobile, and pain-free. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Pre-order Protocols: https://protocolsbook.com Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman David: https://davidprotein.com/huberman Our Place: https://fromourplace.com/huberman Joovv: https://joovv.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Jeff Cavaliere (00:02:43) Lower Back, Back Pain (00:10:06) Tool: Exercises for Lower Back Pain & Strengthen Glutes (00:15:29) Sponsors: David & Our Place (00:18:05) Walking Exercises to Strengthen Glutes (00:23:23) Small Focused Exercises & Timing; Workout Soreness & Pain (00:27:08) Tools: "Old Man" Test, Functional Strength Tests (00:35:08) Sports, Movement Imbalance (00:40:57) Tool: Training Like An Athlete (00:46:44) Sponsor: AG1 (00:48:28) Inner Elbow Pain, Tool: Grip Modification (00:54:21) Shoulder, Rotator Cuff Training, Tool: External Rotation Exercise (01:06:50) Tool: Neck Training; Women, Posture (01:15:20) Longevity, Strength & Agility; Pain & Construction Zone Analogy (01:19:50) Sponsor: Joovv (01:21:12) Cardio, Bike, Jumping Rope; Fat Loss: Zone 2 or HIIT? (01:29:27) Nutrition, Tools: Calorie Counting; Plate Method (01:40:18) Foot Stability, Tool: Foot Strength Test; Longevity (01:48:15) Sponsor: Function (01:49:53) Warm-Up Sets; Reps in Reserve or Train to Failure?; Work Sets (02:00:30) Training Frequency; Tool: Real-Life Constraints, Split the Splits (02:13:58) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, my guest is Dr. Eddie Chang, MD, a neurosurgeon and Chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). We discuss the neural circuits underlying speech and language, including how the brain controls the larynx, vocal folds and articulators to shape breath into words. We also explore his pioneering work on speech neural prosthetics — brain-machine interfaces that allow paralyzed patients to communicate by decoding neural activity into speech and avatar-driven facial expressions. Additionally, we examine the neurobiology of stuttering, the role of auditory feedback in fluent speech, and the broader ethical questions surrounding brain augmentation technologies. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Speech & Language (00:00:23) Speech vs Language, Pragmatics, Semantics & Syntax (00:03:11) Larynx, Vocal Folds & Shaping the Breath (00:05:35) Crying & Laughter, Vocalizations vs Speech (00:06:37) Sponsor: Function (00:08:52) Paralysis, Brainstem Stroke, ALS & Locked-In Syndrome (00:10:52) BRAVO Trial, Pancho & First Patient (00:12:31) Brain Surgery, Electrode Array & Decoding Speech (00:14:34) AI, 50-Word Vocabulary & Autocorrect (00:16:06) Sponsor: BetterHelp (00:17:30) Neuralink, Brain-Machine Interfaces & Augmentation Ethics (00:22:21) Avatars, Facial Expressions & Non-Verbal Communication (00:25:48) Sponsor: AG1 (00:27:12) Stuttering, Anxiety & Speech vs Language (00:30:18) Tool: Stuttering Therapy & Auditory Feedback (00:31:50) Recap & Acknowledgments Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices