Dr. David Linden: Life, Death & the Neuroscience of Your Unique Experience | Huberman Lab Podcast

Added: Aug 21, 2023

The conversation begins with Dr. Linden discussing the recent discovery of a set of neurons involved in sensual touch. These neurons, known as Krause corpuscles, have been known about for a long time but have only recently been characterized. Dr. Linden explains that these neurons are responsible for conveying sexual sensation and that their activation can lead to sexual arousal and behavior. He also discusses the potential implications of this discovery for understanding individual differences in sexual preferences and experiences. Dr. Linden then delves into the concept of human individuality and how it relates to our perception of the world. He explains that our senses, such as smell and taste, are highly variable between individuals, and that this variability can be influenced by genetic factors as well as early life experiences. He gives examples of how genetic variation can affect our perception of odors and tastes, and how cultural factors can also shape our sensory experiences. The discussion then shifts to the cognitive domain, with Dr. Linden explaining that individual differences extend beyond perception to cognitive abilities such as perfect pitch. He discusses the heritability of perfect pitch and how it can be influenced by early life experiences, such as musical training. He also emphasizes that many traits fall somewhere in between being entirely heritable or entirely influenced by experience, and that most traits are influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Dr. Linden also touches on the topic of the mind-body connection and how our thoughts and emotions can influence our physical health. He explains that our organs communicate with our brain through the release of chemicals and hormones, and that our thoughts and emotions can affect this communication. He discusses the role of stress in the development of diseases and the importance of managing stress for overall well-being. Dr. Linden opens up about his personal experience with a cancer diagnosis and how it has shaped his perspective on life. He shares his thoughts on living with the knowledge of impending death and offers advice on how to make the most of each day and find meaning in life. Dr. Linden then delves into the role of immune signaling molecules in mental health, particularly in relation to inflammation and depression. He discusses the hypothesis that relief from depression is related to neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to rewire neural circuits. He explores the potential role of psychedelics, SSRIs, and inflammation in modulating neuroplasticity and their implications for the treatment of depression. The conversation shifts to different domains of mind-body communication, including respiration, thought patterns, meditation, deep relaxation, hypnosis, and touch-based body-mind communication. Dr. Linden emphasizes the need for rigorous scientific research to understand and optimize these mind-body interactions. Dr. Linden concludes by discussing the universality of religion and its stories of afterlife or reincarnation, suggesting that the brain's constant prediction of the future may be connected to these beliefs.