This episode I interview Dr. Anna Lembke, MD, Chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic at Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Lembke is a psychiatrist expert in treating addictions of all kinds: drugs, alcohol, food, sex, video games, gambling, food, medication, etc. Dr. Lembke is also an expert in the opioid crisis, and the author of Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence (<a href= "https://amzn.to/3AHHGBp" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">https://amzn.to/3AHHGBp</a>). We discuss the biology and psychology of why people become addicted to certain substances and behaviors and the key role that our "dopamine balance" plays in creating addiction. We also discuss the science and practice of how to conquer addictions, why people relapse and how to avoid relapsing. Dr. Lembke also shares her expertise on topics closely related to addiction such as community, shame and lying and she explains why telling the truth—even about the most basic things in daily life, adjusts dopamine levels in our brain. This episode is an important one for anyone struggling with addictions of any kind, for their friends and families and for health care professionals. It is also for anyone who has defeated addiction and is determined to stay clean. Last but not least, it helps explain why all humans do what we do, and how we can all maintain a healthy sense of pleasure seeking in life.   Thank you to our sponsors: <ul> <li>ROKA - <a href= "https://www.roka.com">https://www.roka.com</a> -- code: huberman</li> <li>InsideTracker - <a href= "https://www.insidetracker.com/huberman">https://www.insidetracker.com/huberman</a></li> <li>Headspace - <a href= "https://www.headspace.com/specialoffer">https://www.headspace.com/specialoffer</a></li> </ul>   Our Patreon page: <ul> <li><a href= "https://www.patreon.com/andrewhuberman">https://www.patreon.com/andrewhuberman</a> </li> </ul>   Supplements from Thorne: <ul> <li><a href= "http://www.thorne.com/u/huberman">http://www.thorne.com/u/huberman</a> </li> </ul>   Social: <ul> <li>Instagram - <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab">https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab</a></li> <li>Twitter - <a href= "https://twitter.com/hubermanlab">https://twitter.com/hubermanlab</a></li> <li>Facebook - <a href= "https://www.facebook.com/hubermanlab">https://www.facebook.com/hubermanlab</a></li> <li>Website - <a href= "https://hubermanlab.com">https://hubermanlab.com</a></li> <li>Join the Neural Network - <a href= "https://hubermanlab.com/neural-network">https://hubermanlab.com/neural-network</a></li> </ul>   Dr. Anna Lembke Links: <ul> <li>Website: <a href= "https://bit.ly/3iPtGje">https://bit.ly/3iPtGje</a>  </li> <li>Stanford Profile: <a href= "https://stanford.io/3AI9SEu">https://stanford.io/3AI9SEu</a> </li> <li>Dopamine Nation (new book): <a href= "https://amzn.to/3AHHGBp">https://amzn.to/3AHHGBp</a> </li> </ul>   Timestamps: <ul> <li>00:00:00 Dr. Anna Lembke, Addiction Expert</li> <li>00:02:25 Disclaimer & Sponsors: Roka, InsideTracker, Headspace</li> <li>00:07:00 Dopamine, Happiness & Impulsivity </li> <li>00:15:56 What Is Pleasure? </li> <li>00:18:20 Addiction, Boredom & Passion for Life</li> <li>00:24:00 Pain-Pleasure Balance Controls Addiction</li> <li>00:29:10 Dopamine Deficits, Anhedonia</li> <li>00:30:47 Are All Addictions the Same?</li> <li>00:35:38 Boredom & Anxiety Lead to Creativity </li> <li>00:40:35 Finding Your Passion Starts with Boredom & Action Steps </li> <li>00:50:05 How to Break an Addiction</li> <li>00:55:25 Relapse, Craving & Triggers</li> <li>01:07:40 Can People Get Addicted To “Sobriety”? </li> <li>01:11:45 Are We All Wired for Addiction? </li> <li>01:15:57 Bizarre Addiction</li> <li>01:18:14 Recovered Addicts Are Heroes</li> <li>01:20:10 Lying, Truth Telling, Guilt & Shame</li> <li>01:30:40 Clinical Applications of: Ibogaine, Ayahuasca, Psilocybin & MDMA </li> <li>01:40:20 Social Media Addiction </li> <li>01:51:25 Narcissism </li> <li>01:53:30 Goal Seeking, Success & Surprise</li> <li>01:58:10 Reciprocity</li> <li>02:01:15 Closing Comments, Resources</li> </ul>   Please note that The Huberman Lab Podcast is distinct from Dr. Huberman's teaching and research roles at Stanford University School of Medicine. The information provided in this show is not medical advice, nor should it be taken or applied as a replacement for medical advice. The Huberman Lab Podcast, its employees, guests and affiliates assume no liability for the application of the information discussed.   Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac - <a href= "https://www.blabacphoto.com">https://www.blabacphoto.com</a>

Dr. Anna Lembke: Understanding & Treating Addiction | Episode 33

The Huberman Lab Podcast discusses neuroscience: how our brain and its connections with the organs of our body control our perceptions, our behaviors, and our health. We also discuss existing and emerging tools for measuring and changing how our nervous system works. Dr. Andrew Huberman is a tenured Professor of Neurobiology and Ophthalmology at Stanford School of Medicine. His laboratory studies neural regeneration, neuroplasticity, and brain states such as stress, focus, fear, and optimal performance. For more than 20 years, Dr. Huberman has consistently published original research findings and review articles in top-level peer-reviewed journals, including Nature, Science, Cell, Neuron, and Current Biology. He is a regular member of several National Institutes of Health review panels and a Fellow of the McKnight Foundation and the Pew Charitable Trusts. Dr. Huberman regularly consults for technology development companies, professional athletic organizations, and various units of U.S. and Canadian Special Operations.