Essentials: How Foods & Nutrients Control Our Moods

In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I explain how the different nutrients and foods we eat impact our emotions and overall mood. I discuss how the mind-body connection shapes our food choices and cravings, highlighting the roles of key neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin in driving eating behaviors. I explain the biological mechanisms behind cravings for specific foods, such as sugar, and how psychological factors like belief effects can influence our perception of hunger. I also describe how certain nutrients, like omega-3 fatty acids, and a healthy gut microbiome are crucial in mood regulation and immune function. Huberman Lab Essentials are short episodes (approximately 30 minutes) focused on essential science and protocol takeaways from past Huberman Lab episodes. Essentials will be released every Thursday, and our full-length episodes will still be released every Monday. Read the full episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinkag1.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Huberman Lab Essentials; Emotions, Food & Nutrition 00:02:30 Attraction & Aversion 00:03:38 Vagus Nerve, Sugar 00:06:31 Sponsor: Function 00:08:19 Gut “Feelings”, Hidden Sugars, Amino Acids 00:10:43 Dopamine, Craving, L-tyrosine 00:14:45 Serotonin, Carbohydrates 00:17:59 Sponsor: AG1 00:19:36 Tool: Omega-3s; Depression, SSRIs 00:22:36 Gut-Brain Axis, Gut Microbiome 00:26:00 Probiotics, Brain Fog, Tools: Fermented Foods, Saccharine Caution 00:29:03 Ketogenic Diet & Gut Microbiome, Tool: Individual Diet Variability 00:32:23 Sponsor: LMNT 00:33:40 Tool: Belief Effects; Key Takeaways Disclaimer & Disclosures