Understanding & Controlling Aggression | Huberman Lab Podcast #71

This episode I describe the neural mechanisms that activate and control aggressive states and behaviors and the role of hormones—estrogen and testosterone—in mediating violent and/or competitive aggression. I also describe tools that can be used to modulate the factors that have been shown to ‘prime’ an individual for aggression, including sunlight, estrogen sensitivity, competition within social settings, and overall stress levels, and the hormone cortisol. I discuss how substances such as caffeine and alcohol can impact impulsive behaviors and how nutrition and supplementation can be used to regulate mood and aggression.

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Timestamps
00:00:00 Aggression, Types of Aggression
00:03:33 AG1 (Athletic Greens), ROKA, Helix Sleep
00:08:29 Neural Circuits for Aggression, “Hydraulic Pressure Model”
00:15:50 Brain Regions Controlling Aggression, Ventromedial Hypothalamus (VMH)
00:22:14 Psychiatric Disorders & Aggression
00:23:36 Stimulation of the VMH, Estrogen Receptors & Aggression
00:31:57 Neural Circuits Mediating Physical Acts of Aggression, Biting
00:35:56 Testosterone & Competitiveness/Estrogen & Aggression
00:43:00 Sunlight, Melatonin & Aggression
00:45:46 Cortisol, Serotonin & Aggressive Behaviors
00:51:56 Tool: Omega-3 Supplementation & Mood
00:54:18 Tool: Sunlight, Sauna & Cortisol Reduction
00:55:54 Tool: Ashwagandha & Cortisol Reduction
00:57:06 Tool: Seasonality/Sunlight, Genetic Variation in Estrogen Sensitivity
01:00:37 Testosterone & Aggression, Competitive Work Environments
01:05:07 Testosterone, Amygdala, Challenge & Effort
01:09:27 Caffeine, Alcohol & Impulsivity
01:13:15 Tool: Caffeinated Alcohol Beverages, Impulsivity & Aggression
01:17:18 Tool: ADHD, Acetyl-L Carnitine & Aggressive Behavior
01:24:10 Factors Affecting the “Hydraulic Pressure Model” of Aggression
01:25:44 Book by Dr. David Anderson, Aggression & Social Relationships
01:27:35 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Patreon, Momentous Supplements, Neural Network Newsletter, Instagram, Twitter

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.

[Boosted_C]

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[AnabolicSaagAloo]

In my home growing up there was a lot of shouting. My father has a short fuse and I inherited it from him. Any argument between my siblings, myself or my parents always involved a lot of shouting. If I could change one thing about myself it would be my temper. It's caused me a lot of trouble over the years. It ruined relationships and landed me in legal trouble. Getting sober has helped but I'm still learning how to express anger in a healthy way. When I try to hold in my anger it feels horrible, like something swelling up inside me and my chest gets tight. I'm not perfect but I'm trying to get better day by day.

[Mwilke]

I'm at the point in listening to this podcast where I bought myself a model of the brain, and pulled out my old anatomy textbook to memorize the brain section, just so I can have a more integrated visualization of what he's talking about as we move forward 😂 the brain is a amazing.

[yohaizilber]

Expressing your angry feelings in an assertive—not aggressive—manner is the healthiest way to express anger. To do so, you must learn how to express your needs clearly and how to get them met without causing harm to others.

[zoeydeu]

@Prof Hubes if estrogen can increase aggression, what impact does xenoestrogens (from plastics, pesticides) and phytoestrogens (from plants) have on aggression & behavior?

[jakeslist]

This was a much needed podcast, Dr. Huberman. I recently went through a divorce and I’m also started a business nine months ago. Controlling my aggression will be vital going forward.

[theoestro]

Ill be honest I started watching for purely aesthetic reasons, watching your segments on hypertrophy and nutrition, metabolism etc... but since then I have watched pretty much every episode. You make learning so much fun and I'm not sure if you realize how entertaining you make these topics I would have never thought to delve into. I've learned more in last 6 months from you and your guest then I have in traditional schooling through my bachelors. Your podcast changed my life, it sparked my interest in learning again and I'm just a better person for it for people who don't pursue further degrees masters, PHDs its rare you get to have intelligent conversations and engage your mind like this. Not to get to personal but last year I was suicidal I had quit my cooperate job was facing homelessness and was ready to bail out. Your podcast made me excited about life again, I don't have anxiety, depression, or anger issues anymore. I understand the biology of my body and brain better now and now how to deal with and prevent these sort of feelings all thanks to your podcast. I'm not really a commenter so this feels a little weird posting but as someone who wants to inspire and educate others now I feel like I would want to know if I've made a difference similar to the one you've sparked in me! Thank you and keep up the great work the world needs you Andrew!

[CAV]

Excellent podcast!

I was also bitten by older male cousin when I was a child. He was 12 years old and I was 7 years old.
He bite me on my thigh so hard it caused a permanent scar. His justification for doing this was he was angry that I was eating a piece of cake . Gosh. I can still recall the pain and utter shock even today

I personally feel “fear” plays into aggression. When someone is aggressive with me verbally, emotionally mentally or physically I find it imperative to know why
Why ? Why!
I always need to know WHY

[jamesmitchell]

You’ve changed my life, I listen to your podcasts on the way to jobs and ive made changes and feel amazing. Thank you so much! Please don’t ever stop

[judyfalcone]

I love how you take the discussion if material and make it digestible for someone like me. Thank you

[aleh]

Professor Huberman, have you considered making an episode on joint and ligament health? it would be amazing for us with chronic pain. Love your postcast! Greetings from Argentina!

[senshai]

One man, one mic, just talk - 1 million subscribers! . Thank you doc !

[drewmoon]

As always thank you for your time and passion teaching me and the world. Congratulations on 1 million subscribers.

[Antonellasiciliana]

How awesome is it that in one hour 5 THOUSAND people listen to your words. So awesome. I am just tickled that so many more people find neurology as enthralling as I do!!

[vilovka]

Off tih topic: It would be interesting to learn about the way periods influence moods and behaviours. Is there a neurological explanation for depression or anxiety before menstruation? How could we help ourselves if experiencing such things? Thank you for you informative and above all, not just theoretical, but practical podcast. Great way to teach science!

[bigpicturegains]

The key is channeling it into something productive.
The gym, for example, is an excellent way to “release” excess aggression that is not socially acceptable to display.

[Recklooseranch]

I believe this video relevant.
In my experience, towards my menstruation cycle I become a lot more aggressive. I have done an experiment and have found that my aggression is heightened if a male is present. Over the years I spend that time alone and do projects that require brute force like splitting wood.
Once the period begins the aggression subsides and will not return until the hormones are settled back to the 21 days of "normal". This aggression has caused arguments and ended relationships and jobs.
Now second experience is working in the military and finding that women sync up their cycles, and are also not super good to be around all at the same time of cycle start up. Also being around mostly men while on your period causes increase in depression. But absence causes mood boosting effects.
I believe the extra estrogen in our water systems is effecting the world in an aggressive way, we have no clue the outcome of. But us girls had started developing around age 10.
And finally on a side note, the teeth biting mention is interesting. From being held down by family as a child, I had resorted to biting. While playing in the school yard, I randomly bit a friend of mine and instantly knew is was not right behavior. I have pondered that for 27 years. I was in a state of happiness, and adrenalin. We were playing in the school yard a chasing game.
I am super ticklish and my family would hold me down and tickle me till I peed my pants. Or to pull my loose teeth out....or I've had stitches...and I always resort to put under anesthesia I wake to an aggressive state needing to be sedated or held down.. as you state in the video this is disturbing it can occur in an intimate partner setting as well....
I would love to learn more about why my primal response to bite is considered disturbing....I always figured...if your threatening me and your close to my mouth and my hands aren't free....would seem to make sense...
But then in a moment of extasy having an oral fixation to heighten the experience...on the contrast.
Perhaps worth another video one day ;)

[ANKA.OUTLOOK]

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[kathykardashian]

i was put on a high estrogen birth control pill when I married in 1969. I am a passive person and I live in the far North with little sunshine. I immediately began to get more aggressive on the road and I felt hostility towards people around me, even visualizing violence, which is not normal for me. My sister had the same experience. We both had to go off of the pill immediately to save our sanity. I can concur that estrogen triggered aggressiveness in myself and my sister. When we went to a lower hormone pill, the impulses left.

[amandamccall]

Dr Huberman, I would love to hear about brain changes during and after pregnancy as well as hormones that lead to post-partum depression. Thank you for this incredible podcast!