Personal Struggles & Practical Thoughts on Suicide | Tim Ferriss & Dr. Andrew Huberman

Tim Ferriss discusses with Dr. Andrew Huberman about the power of sharing personal struggles, as Ferriss recounts his near suicide in college and childhood sexual abuse, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability in helping others facing similar challenges.

Tim Ferriss — a five-time #1 New York Times bestselling author, technology investor and host of the iconic podcast, The Tim Ferriss Show. Dr. Andrew Huberman is a tenured professor of neurobiology and ophthalmology at Stanford University School of Medicine and host of the Huberman Lab podcast.

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[valueinyou]

Having severe depression/anxiety is like being terrified and exhausted at the same time. It’s the fear of failure, coupled with no urge to be productive. It’s wanting friends but hating socializing. It’s wanting to be alone but not wanting to be lonely. It’s feeling everything bad at once, yet being paralyzingly numb to anything good. Wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Thank you for so clearly articulating that this is not nearly a 'funk' or a 'mood'. It is a full-blown disorder and can be lethal very quickly if not treated properly.

[alesamaa]

“take the pain and make it part of your medicine” 🙏🏼

[djoy]

Thank you for talking about this. I lived like this for two years - no one tells you that menopause can make you suicidal. The only thing that kept me alive was knowing what it would do to my daughter. One year with HRT and life has turned around. There are so many us who were betrayed as children and adolescents and we spend the rest of our lives trying to prove we have worth - if you’re reading this, know you have worth and you can find a way through this - stay with us.

[memastarful]

So glad you're opening up on this subject especially during the holidays. I hope this helps others.

[BRSTBaseball]

The suicide vest analogy was profound to hear. As someone who’s struggled with depression/anxiety for years, AND contemplated suicide, I remember reading your blog post and it changed my life. Didn’t fix it 😅, but put me on a different path where I’ve reached out for help. TY for being brave enough to share and help others!

[brianaterente]

One of the most articulated discussions about depression/suicidal thoughts I’ve ever heard. I didn’t know about Tim Ferriss until this video but I’ve been amazed of how well spoken he is talking about such sensitive, deeply personal matters. Absolutely brilliant conversation.

[graceintheplace]

This was perhaps the most beautiful conversation I’ve ever seen between two men. Thank you for showing others (particularly men) that being vulnerable and sharing emotions are important and okay. Andrew, you’re a very good listener. You created a space for Tim to share freely and openly. I learned a lot through your silence. Thank you. ❤

[edwinleskin]

Had 5 friends all in their 30s and 40s kill themselves this year. All artists, vagabonds, and full of love and much light. 2 of them had been open about what they were going through. 3 hadn't. Been tough

[kimberlysmithcarlson]

I lived in a family where incest was normalized and kept a secret. This caused me to choose people that abused me because I actually believed abuse was love. I can't even tell you how long I have had suicidal ideation because it seems as if it has always been one of my ways of coping in a family that scapegoated me for their mental illness. Denial is such a powerful drug. Im 52. And it still haunts me even with 5 solid years of trauma therapy, DBT group and support. If more people were able to talk about SA openly, I think it would be tremendously helpful...vulnerability and honesty is incredibly healing.

[RM-mikh]

Hubermans ability to sit and listen fully is testament to a regulated nervous system and capacity for empathy

[rebeccatrono]

I, too, had picked a death date, had written letters, researched crematoriums for pricing, organized who would find my body so my husband wouldn't have to, the method for doing it, and had given away my belongings. I felt wonderful for the first time in years because the decision had been made, and i had the details worked out. For whatever reason, as time went on (my death date had been set a year away) the urgency, the desire began to wane. I have no idea why. And i can say honestly, the knowledge that i can do it is always with me, some days stronger than others and iften i have to deal with the impulse to go ahead and do it immediately. The few times i have shared that i feel this way, got the "ih, everyone feels that way at one time or another". Dismissive, shaming response, so I've learned not to share with anyone. I'm even careful about talking about it with my therapist. This needs to be talked about! Educate people to NOT dismiss! It can very well cost the sufferer their life.

[rijd]

If anyone out there needs it, there's a small mindfulnesss book called 30 Days to Overcome Suicidal Thoughts by Harper Daniels. It can help destigmatize the thoughts. Way more people experience them than we realize.

[PATrailRiders]

So grateful to have found Tim a long time ago and Andrew more recently. These dudes are luminaries for dark times.

[JesFos]

Your analogy is interesting… i want to “go away” because no one genuinely cares. I never get depressed bc “i dont think im good enough” its more because no one sees my great, or they just dont care. Peoples selfishness makes me suicidal. I dont have a “pick me” complex, I actually dont like attention generally. I just want someone to care about me. Stems from mother issues tho. I have done my healing, i understand it, i feel great & love me, but when i get depressed & want to “quit” it stems from not being cared about

[chriswesallen]

For me it’s not necessarily suicidal, but more the pain of living with a desire to die suddenly and painlessly, so I wouldn’t have to deal with burdening my family

[stacytotten]

I’ve been learning from you Tim for decades now.. wow. And we seek control over things . 4 hour work week? I feel you are a kind and caring person. Sensitive to the pain and suffering of others. Your contribution to the world is beautiful. And you dr huberman. You have enlightened me in so many ways . God bless you both. ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[sylviaowega]

Depression is another terrible decease. I recall having the narrow minded attitude that suicide was predicated on selfishness, but that changed oldest nephew (my older brother’s first-born son) died by suicide. It was then that I realized that someone had to be in so much pain as to go out of their way to kill themselves and to devastate those who loved him the most. My poor brother and his wife’s life has changed forever. They stopped hosting Christmas and decide they wouldn’t attend any more family socials. That tragic moment happened in Match 2018, and still act as if it happened today.

[MoreThanRuan]

I have utmost respect for people who take their own lives. I’ve many times thought about it and also know exact how and where it will take place. I will never judge anyone or pretend to know why they would not want to live anymore, or worse, try and convince then otherwise . It’s a very lonely and difficult path to travel. Life simply is not made for everyone, regardless of what you believe in. And not everyone is made for life.

[piekaboo]

Thank you for talking about this! For years I thought I was the only one who lived with these thoughts and feelings, but as I've gotten more open about what it's like to live life on the edge of a slippery cliff, I've found more and more people in the same place. Hearing stories like this that I can relate to so much, from people that have come out the other side, helps so much. It's hard to imagine getting there, but it provides hope that it can be done.

[TheOriginalMrBadaBing]

Tim nailed it, the thoughts about "yes, I have all this, but I can't change my state." I've never heard anyone speak to that before, and only talked about it in my head - never to anyone else.