Essentials: Understanding & Conquering Depression

Huberman Lab · 2025-07-03

In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I explore major depression, including its underlying biology and discuss science-based approaches to alleviate symptoms and improve mood.I describe the wide-ranging symptoms of depression and explain how key neurotransmitters, hormones, stress, genetics and inflammation contribute to its development and persistence. I also cover treatment options, from traditional classes of antidepressant medications to emerging therapies such as ketamine and psilocybin. Finally, I highlight lifestyle-based tools, including exercise, supplementation and dietary strategies that can help manage depressive symptoms and promote mental well-being.Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com.Thank you to our sponsorsAG1: https://drinkag1.com/hubermanBetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/hubermanOur Place: https://fromourplace.com/hubermanTimestamps00:00:00 Major Depression00:01:10 Depression Symptoms00:06:14 Sponsor: BetterHelp00:07:33 Pharmaceuticals for Depression, SSRIs; Norepinephrine, Dopamine & Serotonin00:14:33 Thyroid Hormone, Cortisol, Stress & Depression, Menstrual Cycle, Genetics00:17:43 Sponsor: AG100:19:20 Increase Norepinephrine, Tools: Deliberate Cold Exposure & Exercise00:21:40 Chronic Inflammation & Depression, Tools: Omega-3s (EPA) & Exercise00:26:49 Sponsor: Our Place00:28:41 Tool: Creatine Monohydrate Supplementation & Improving Depression00:30:20 Novel Depression Therapies, Ketamine, Psilocybin00:35:29 Ketogenic Diet & Refractory Depression, GABA00:37:57 Recap & Key TakeawaysDisclaimer & DisclosuresLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Huberman Lab

The Huberman Lab podcast is hosted by Andrew Huberman, Ph.D., a neuroscientist and tenured professor in the department of neurobiology, and by courtesy, psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford School of Medicine. The podcast discusses neuroscience and science-based tools, including how our brain and its connections with the organs of our body control our perceptions, our behaviors, and our health, as well as existing and emerging tools for measuring and changing how our nervous system works.
Huberman has made numerous significant contributions to the fields of brain development, brain function, and neural plasticity, which is the ability of our nervous system to rewire and learn new behaviors, skills, and cognitive functioning. He is a McKnight Foundation and Pew Foundation Fellow and was awarded the Cogan Award, given to the scientist making the most significant discoveries in the study of vision, in 2017.
Work from the Huberman Laboratory at Stanford School of Medicine has been published in top journals, including Nature, Science, and Cell, and has been featured in TIME, BBC, Scientific American, Discover, and other top media outlets.
In 2021, Dr. Huberman launched the Huberman Lab podcast. The podcast is frequently ranked in the top 10 of all podcasts globally and is often ranked #1 in the categories of Science, Education, and Health & Fitness.

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