Dr. Paul Conti: Therapy, Treating Trauma & Other Life Challenges | Huberman Lab Podcast #75

My guest this episode is Dr. Paul Conti, M.D., a psychiatrist and expert in treating trauma, personality disorders and psychiatric illnesses and challenges of various kinds. Dr. Conti earned his MD at Stanford and did his residency at Harvard Medical School. He now runs the Pacific Premiere Group—a clinical practice helping people heal and grow from trauma and other life challenges. We discuss trauma: what it is and its far-reaching effects on the mind and body, as well as the best treatment approaches for trauma. We also explore how to choose a therapist and how to get the most out of therapy, as well as how to do self-directed therapy. We discuss the positive and negative effects of antidepressants, ADHD medications, alcohol, cannabis, and the therapeutic potential of psychedelics (e.g., psilocybin and LSD), ketamine and MDMA. This episode is must listen for anyone seeking or already doing therapy, processing trauma, and/or considering psychoactive medication. Both patients and practitioners ought to benefit from the information.

#HubermanLab #Trauma #Therapy

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Timestamps
00:00:00 Dr. Paul Conti, Trauma & Recovery
00:02:30 ROKA, InsideTracker, Blinkist
00:07:00 Defining Trauma
00:14:05 Guilt & Shame, Origins of Negative Emotions
00:21:38 Repeating Trauma, the Repetition Compulsion
00:28:23 How to Deal with Trauma & Negative Emotions/Arousal
00:37:17 Processing Trauma, Do You Always Need a Therapist?
00:45:30 Internal Self-talk, Punishing Narratives & Negative Fantasies
00:51:10 Short-Term Coping Mechanisms vs. Long-Term Change
00:53:22 Tools: Processing Trauma on Your Own, Journaling
00:57:00 Sublimination of Traumatic Experiences
01:02:34 Tool: Finding a Good Therapist
01:07:20 Optimizing the Therapy Process, Frequency, Intensity
01:14:51 Tool: Self-Awareness of Therapy Needs, Mismatch of Needs
01:16:35 Self-talk & Journaling, Talking to Trusted Individuals
01:19:00 Prescription Drugs & Treating Trauma, Antidepressants, Treating Core Issues
01:28:35 Short-term vs. Long-Term Use of Prescription Drugs, Antidepressants
01:32:18 Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) & Prescription Drugs
01:37:31 Negative Effects of ADHD Prescription Drugs
01:40:37 Alcohol, Cannabis – Positive & Negative Effects
01:44:53 Psychedelics: Psylocibin & LSD, Therapeutic Uses, Trauma Recovery
01:54:32 Sentience, Language, Animals
01:55:48 Psychedelic Hallucinations, Trauma Recovery
02:00:01 MDMA (Therapeutic Uses)
02:04:47 Clinical Aspects of MDMA
02:07:28 Language, Processing Trauma, Social Media, Societal Divisions
02:15:09 Defining “Taking Care of Oneself”
02:21:13 Dr. Conti, Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous Supplements, Instagram, Twitter, Neural Network Newsletter

The Huberman Lab Podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.

[lizcoaches]

I've listened to dozens (maybe hundreds) of Huberman podcasts - and I love them all - however I'd have to say this conversation has been the most impactful in my life. Andrew - if you're reading this, you are AMAZING. I am now more inspired to talk about my traumas and I DEEPLY appreciate Dr. Conti for sharing his expertise with us. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for helping millions of people.

[shaye]

I'm 78, knew I had blocked my childhood, and just discovered through Mom's journal that i was ritualistically abused when i was preverbal, 10 months to don't know when it ended - maybe 3. I can not believe how difficult therapy is. My mind seems to be ordered differently. Problems with sense of self, trust, attachment style, life long nightmares, terror- which is unrelenting-wanting to die, etc. I've been a mess all my life and blamed/hated myself. There is a part of me that I cant even look at for more than a millisecond because i hate her so much - she vile plus she hates herself even more. I just hope i live long enough to get it (me) sorted out. It is very hard to listen to this podcast but im making progress by taking days long breaks. It is very beneficial. Thank you Dr. H and Dr. Conti

[tet]

It is incredible what you are doing for society. Truly helping individuals with science based data, truly helping people one person at a time. You sir are the type of people who have a tremendous effect on the world by changing lives one at a time in a positive way, each life touched will touch others, butterfly effect. You're single-handedly shaping the world into a better place.

[oriond]

Dr Conti is so clear & thorough on every question raised to him. A true professional. And Andrew is doing God's work as usual.

[SabrinaAngel]

My teenage daughter and I are able to watch these together. Thank you for breaking things down so simply. 🙂

[istharp]

Thank you, Sir. I’m am a disabled veteran with ACES and CPTSD. I’m also a graduate level Education Psychologist, who always searching for new information and awesome research for veterans. This interview gives us hope! Say hello to the Stanford University Doctors and Fellows who work at the Palo Alto V.A. Medical center. They’ve been instrumental in my healing, quest for more learning and supportive mental health outcomes for our veterans as well as UCSF San Francisco does excellent work at the NICRE Center in the Bay Area. #SaluteDr.Huberman for all you do! Fan for life, Sir. 🗽 🇺🇸💪🏽😍 🧠

[rositsazlatanova]

When I'm upset and feel I'm losing control over my negative thoughts, the almost only thing that helps me is journaling - writing down my feelings and thoughts helps me see things more clearly. Sometimes I get small insights when I label my feelings or reactions. Thank you for the video! <3

[katharinap.]

I went through LIFT program of Tim Fletcher and it divided my life into before (existence) and after (total presence). I would recommend this program to everyone who really wants to heal and is tired of changing therapist who are just trauma informed. This is a crucial point missing in this interview that most therapist are not trauma TRAINED, but simply traumd INFORMED, thus they have no idea whatsoever how to help you. It would be really amazing to see Tim Fletcher in one of your interviews as he helped thousands of people to literally start their lives anew.

[karenscookingkorner]

I almost didn’t watch this episode because I thought it would be a trigger for the trauma I’ve been through. I’m so glad I watched…thank you so much!!!

[ethicsexistentialism]

Wow! As someone who has been dealing with severe childhood trauma and the mental health system for over 35 years, THIS GUY KNOWS HIS STUFF! One of my psychiatrists was more interested in assigning DSM labels and prescribing drugs to me than listening to my story. The pharmaceutical conglomerates take advantage of peoples suffering and make people addicted to their drugs. Feeling heard, validated and like you matter is what helps most. Also finding meaning in your life through a true passion to focus on. Thank you Paul 🙏

[HampsteadO]

I've been crying for the past couple of days. Finally I gathered my focus and strength to listen to this episode and while I was taking my cold shower this morning I felt so much bliss and peace. I know that I have had a lot of trauma, I know that my mom had them too but I just realized that by continuously telling my mom that it was not her fault and by trying to make sense of it anyway I could I was actually fighting my traumas . Thank you for what you're doing for us, the humans you've never seen and probably never will. Thank you for your curious and inquisitive mind that is lighting our ways.

[amyk.budzinski]

Dude, every episode is spot on with some aspect of my interest, personality, or stage of development. Your timing is impeccable 👌 THANK YOU!

[crowkangi]

once again, perfect timing. Ive been checking out Gabor Mat'e and he believes that trauma is at the root of most illnesses. especially autoimmune diseases. unresolved trauma kills and must be taken seriously. I can see many of my friends and family getting tossed around in life by the effects of childhood trauma, not knowing that its a real issue and may be able to be dealt with to some degree. there is no health without mental health.

[ryansargent]

Standing ovation! Practicing licensed counselor in Ohio. This is how I think of and approach my work and my clients. THANK YOU for the message you send and work you do.

[jasonthorsteinson]

I've lived with a mental health disorder for over 4 decades, I've endured every type of abuse since the age of 4 and a number of very traumatic events. I learned more from this episode than the myriad therapists, prescription drugs and psychiatrists I've seen and used over 40 years. Dr. Conti was and is a rarity in his field as is this podcast!! I thank you!!

[Corrans]

"Crying is one of the best coping mechanisms we have"...love that. Very true.

[sarahbethyoga]

Thank you. This was such a profound episode to listen to as I was resting after a clinical Ketamine treatment for CPTSD. I appreciated how Dr. Conti explained trauma and how to heal in such simplified and easy to understand terms. Great episode 🙏🏼

[huddwah]

thank you so much.

this episode (and the grief one) i imagine might have less viewers than other topics but are SO incredibly valued by us who need and want it!

All your content is fantastic .. but episodes of this sort help people who need it most.

youre a good man Andrew. thanks again sir !

[kaizen_]

Huberman's interviewing skills are phenomenal. The timing and types of questions raised drive the conversation to produce invaluable content. Goes without saying, this works in large part due to the wonderful experts Huberman has invited, like Dr. Paul Conti, to publicly discuss and share their knowledge.

[elsamatos]

On the topic of sharing trauma and deep-seated issues that weigh on us: it is true that sharing is part of the solution, but I feel that therapists don’t mention enough that we should use discernment when confiding our deepest wounds. A good therapist can hold space for us and help diffuse the shame and guild that bind us; however, sometimes good friends/family members can be triggered by our traumas or, due to ignorance, they can even devalue the experiences shared. Always choose someone that makes you feel safe and heard, that doesn’t shy away from complex topics and isn’t tempted to quickly find a solution. No shade on Dr. Paul Conti here, a brilliant empathetic psychiatrist! Thank you so much to him and to you Andrew - I am beyond grateful to you!