Dr. Paul Conti: How to Improve Your Mental Health | Huberman Lab Guest Series

This is episode 2 of a 4-part special series on mental health with Dr. Paul Conti, M.D., a Stanford and Harvard-trained psychiatrist currently running a clinical practice, the Pacific Premiere Group. Dr. Conti explains specific tools for how to overcome life’s challenges using a framework of self-inquiry that explores all the key elements of self, including defense mechanisms, behaviors, self-awareness and attention. We also discuss our internal driving forces, how to align them and ultimately, how to cultivate a powerful “generative drive” of positive, aspirational pursuits. Dr. Conti also explains how to adjust your internal narratives, reduce self-limiting concepts, overcome intrusive thoughts, and how certain defense mechanisms, such as “acting out” or narcissism, show up in ourselves and others. The next episode in this special series explores how to build healthy relationships with others.

#HubermanLab #Science #MentalHealth

Thank you to our sponsors

Huberman Lab Social & Website

Dr. Paul Conti

Resources

Timestamps
00:00:00 Improve Mental Health
00:02:19 Sponsors: BetterHelp & Waking Up App
00:05:26 Structure & Function of Healthy Self
00:16:25 Agency & Gratitude
00:21:14 Aggressive Drive, Pleasure Drive, Generative Drive
00:30:00 Physical & Mental Health Similarities, Verb States
00:37:05 Sponsor: AG1
00:38:32 Lack of Motivation, Drives
00:43:06 Video Games/Social Media & Distraction, Generative Drive
00:51:46 Asking Better Questions, Psychiatric Medicine, Physical Health Parallels
00:59:10 Sponsor: Eight Sleep
01:00:30 Self-Reflection & Structure of Self “Cupboards”, Trauma & Agency
01:08:53 Feeling Stuck, Defense Mechanisms & Sublimation, Character
01:13:58 Self-Reflection & Function of Self “Cupboards”, Self-Awareness
01:19:24 Defense Mechanisms & “Acting Out”
01:26:43 Salience, Intrusive Thoughts
01:31:24 Self-Reflection, Behaviors & Strivings; Roadmap Forward
01:38:25 Internal Narratives, Childhood
01:44:44 Internal Narratives: Self-Scrutiny & Overcoming; Trauma
01:55:18 Time Required for Change, Understanding Intrusive Thoughts
02:03:13 Self-Reflection on Internal Drives; Envy
02:09:56 Generative Drive; Strong Aggressive Drive & Envy
02:21:50 High Aggressive Drive & Social Relationships, Narcissism
02:28:43 Narcissism, Destruction, Envy
02:37:18 Narcissism & Childhood, Change
02:41:26 Engaging with Narcissists, Disengagement
02:44:47 Demoralization, Learned Helplessness
02:49:34 Self-Inventory of Drives, Optimization
02:56:09 Social Media & Salience, Generative Drive
03:03:21 Rational Aspiration
03:13:16 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Social Media, Momentous, Neural Network Newsletter

[alibashi]

Huberman is a miracle that happened to the Internet.

[EphesiansArmor]

Talks about what matters ✅
Easy to understand ✅
Zero cost to the public ✅
Grateful 🙏👍 Thank you Dr. H & C

[JenniferMyers]

This series is incredible so far. The section on intrusive thoughts was especially helpful. Acknowledging that I am experiencing a particular thought but not attaching myself to it to the degree of a painful thought escalating to suffering; that really is the “way out.”

[jdk]

The podcast released on Sunday seriously saved me from a relapse and completely redirected my internal motivations toward what i wanted to do with Uni next year. I just want to say thank you for your incredible content.

[alessandrakostolias]

“They fail because we set them up for failure.The story we tell them is convenient to the system. “ This is so on point and brave 👏👏👏

[tmerk]

Wow, just wow. You have no idea how much you've done for me over the last year and a half Andrew. And it's not just the wealth of information or helping me to understand more of myself, it's your character and passion that shines through your work on this podcast that has been an inspiration for me to get through some very tough times. I feel like we've become close friends even though we've never met. Thank you for all that you do. 🤓

[BrandonBrown-ti]

This is brilliant, I love the way Dr. Paul illustrates the structure of the mind and Dr. Andrew you really do a wonderful job of making sure the viewers are understanding the definitions and meanings of these terms. Thanks

[Dejaneharris]

One and a half episodes of this mini series in and after taking many notes I’ve came to realize due to me being so introverted I am severely lacking a pleasure drive and If I increase my pleasure drive in healthy ways, I could better focus on more positive aspects of my life ie. my salience, therefore increasing my agency ie. my sense of control over my life and my gratitude for being alive. I think this series is going to save lives. Thank you Huberman and Conti!

[hendy]

Omg I love Paul Conti, greatly enjoyed the last episode and can't wait to delve into this one and listen to it like 20 times

[ross]

Cheers to having subtitles on the second episode. Makes things clearer for non-native speakers like me! 🤓

[shrimayi.r]

Dear Dr. Huberman, I'm extremely grateful for your podcast. It's introduced me to the world of neuroscience, and shown me how powerfully it can impact one's daily life. I cannot express how much I enjoy your podcast episodes and how greatly the simple protocols (viewing sunlight, delaying caffeine, etc.) have impacted my life! As an athlete, your information on supplementation and the series with Dr. Galpin have helped me make some changes to my training plans, which have reflected very positively on my performance. Thank you for this true gift to society!

[zohaln]

Another 3 hours of Dr. Conti, too good! We're halfway through the series :'( thank you both!

[Trendsetic]

It's so great to hear two men talking about real issues without all the....cheese of other podcasts. Staying on topic and talking it through. Thank you.

[ovshm]

Here's highlights with timestamps!

[00:10:08] Understand the structure and function of the self for mental health
[00:13:33] Humility and empowerment create agency and gratitude for mental health
[00:18:11] Three drives within us: generative, aggressive, and pleasure
[00:23:17] Imbalances in aggression and pleasure can cause mental health problems
[00:28:11] Understanding drives helps assess mental health and bring balance
[00:35:48] Mental health can be understood and improved by acting on its components
[00:39:41] Explore all 10 cupboards to find causes of mental health imbalances
[00:48:59] Take action to improve pillars of the self for better mental health
[01:13:00] Negative childhood narratives shape self-perception
[01:14:05] Self-awareness enables positive agency and understanding of values
[01:19:22] Address root causes of negative energy for positive change
[01:24:18] Intrusive thoughts can signal unresolved issues and negative beliefs
[01:32:01] Childhood narratives greatly influence our beliefs about ourselves
[01:38:16] Reflective self-scrutiny uncovers embedded beliefs for growth
[01:41:28] Understanding early narratives fosters self-acceptance and growth

Made with TLDRclip(com)

[dylanvooght]

So much love and appreciation for these two amazing human beings! May your wisdom and knowledge continue to better the world ❤

[Carrotcake-.-]

Thank you Professor Huberman for being an absolute baller and organizing this discussion. Thank you Dr Conti for turning over the stones in our minds, allowing us to understand ourselves. Also thank you for sharing your passion so graciously. I’m very grateful for you both.

[LenaBieto]

Thank you for sharing the low cost or no cost tools and for these sessions with Dr Paul Conti in particular. Many people do not have the money to buy expensive books or attend expensive clinics. Your work is truly life changing - I know colleagues and friends whose lives have improved through access to your information. My life is greatly improved also. Morning sunlight, breath work and moving heavy things around a couple of times a week are game changers. You da best! 🙌

[rbrtbn]

This series made me realize how much of a narcissist I am. After the first episode, I could spot other narcissists in the world, and I would have wanted them to listen to it to stop behaving destructively. However, during the second episode, I realized I am one of them, and that's why I'm clashing so much with others who are the same. I'm looking forward to the next two episodes as I think this could be a life-altering moment for me as I learn more about Dr. Conti's thinking. My therapist(s) never got to this deep level of understanding with me before, and I'm really, really glad that this series exists as it resonates with me unbelievably well. Thank you, Andrew, for doing this work, and I wish I had learned about your podcast even earlier!

[gabrielatorres]

Dr. Conti is a genius! This is brilliant! I’m so grateful for having access to such an amazing content. Dr Huberman you have no idea how awesome you are and how many people out there feel so grateful for having you in internet. A thousand times THANK YOU 🙏

[strangetimez]

Already improves my health when I see your video pop-up notification! Especially as someone who suffers from severe anxiety and bipolar disorder..having all this knowledge for free just feels incredible. On my lowest days it helps immensely not to be guilt ridden but rather being fed with scientific facts. Thank you, sincerely!