Dr. Paul Conti: How to Understand & Assess Your Mental Health | Huberman Lab Guest Series

This is episode 1 of a 4-part special series on mental health with psychiatrist Dr. Paul Conti, M.D., who trained at Stanford School of Medicine and completed his residency at Harvard Medical School before founding his clinical practice, the Pacific Premiere Group. Dr. Conti defines mental health in actionable terms and describes the foundational elements of the self, including the structure and function of the unconscious and conscious mind, which give rise to all our thoughts, behaviors and emotions. He also explains how to explore and address the root causes of anxiety, low confidence, negative internal narratives, over-thinking and how our unconscious defense mechanisms operate. This episode provides a foundational roadmap to assess your sense of self and mental health. It offers tools to reshape negative emotions, thought patterns and behaviors — either through self-exploration or with a licensed professional. The subsequent three episodes in this special series explore additional tools to further understand and improve your mental health.

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Dr. Paul Conti

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Timestamps
00:00:00 Dr. Paul Conti
00:03:46 Sponsors: BetterHelp & Waking Up
00:06:55 What is a Healthy Self?
00:10:41 Agency & Gratitude; Empowerment & Humility
00:16:13 Physical Health & Mental Health Parallels
00:20:21 Structure of Self; Unconscious vs. Conscious Mind; “Iceberg”
00:26:15 Defense Mechanisms; Character Structure “Nest”, Sense of Self
00:31:27 Predispositions & Character Structure
00:36:01 Sponsor: AG1
00:37:27 Character Structure & Action States; Physical Health Parallels
00:46:20 Anxiety; Understanding Excessive Anxiety
00:53:12 Improving Confidence: State Dependence & Phenomenology; Narcissism
00:59:44 Changing Beliefs & Internal Narratives
01:06:04 Individuality & Addressing Mental Health Challenges
01:11:21 Mental Health Goals & Growth
01:17:32 Function of Self
01:23:00 Defense Mechanisms: Projection, Displacement
01:30:14 Projection, Displacement, Projective Identification
01:34:50 Humor, Sarcasm, Cynicism
01:40:41 Attention & Salience; Negative Internal Dialogue
01:45:02 Repetition Compulsion & Defense Mechanism, Trauma
01:58:55 Mirror Meditation & Self Awareness; Structure & Function of Self, “Cupboards”
02:04:57 Pillars of the Mind, Agency & Gratitude, Happiness
02:13:53 Generative Drive, Aggressive & Pleasure Drives
02:21:33 Peace, Contentment & Delight, Generative Drive; Amplification
02:24:18 Generative Drive, Amplification & Overcoming
02:33:00 Over-Thinking, Procrastination, Choices
02:42:20 Aggressive, Pleasure & Generative Drives, Envy
02:49:46 Envy, Destruction, Mass Shootings
02:55:38 Demoralization, Isolation, Low Aggressive Drive
03:02:50 Demoralization, Affiliate Defense
03:09:32 Strong Aggressive Drive, Competition, Generative Drive Reframing
03:20:02 Cultivating a Generative Drive, Spirited Inquiry of the “Cupboards”
03:26:06 Current Mental Health Care & Medications
03:35:33 Role of Medicine in Exploration
03:40:41 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Social Media, Momentous, Neural Network Newsletter

#HubermanLab #Science #MentalHealth

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[elizabethchartier]

I quit drinking. I first told myself I can drink on the weekends I then stopped going to drinking events I started forgetting to drink on the weekends and now I don't crave drinking. My whole life is better and more focused.

[victoriacaedo]

Been following Andrew since Covid and I still can't believe all his info/research is freely accessible. A true saint.

[sophiaalila]

I used to be a very insecure people pleaser. I fell severely ill in my early 40’s. I started an inner journey of innerstanding and releasing conditioned patterns. Now I’m much more healthy, calm and have sound boundaries.

[memastarful]

My 13 year old daughters private school provides group therapy to all 8th graders and each week is a different topic of discussion. This week's topic was about self talk being aware how you talk to yourself. My daughter truly enjoys her sessions and looks forward to them

[RobynLynn]

You’re a beautiful soul, Dr. Huberman. Thank you for all you do to better humanity.

[Playkeeks]

Wow, wow, and wow again. I literally had an emotional breakdown last week. I ended up in the hospital for 6 days. When I came home I couldn't handle it. I literally came to the conclusion that I don't know how to live. Just live. When we think about what we need there are very few things we have to do. Like sleeping, breathing, eating, and moving. I don't get enough sleep, I don't take deep breaths, I barely eat, and I don't exercise. If I don't do the basic things to just exist, how can I do anything else well? It seems simple but, it really helped me find focus and a starting point for better health.

[naiyalexic]

Self-assessment is a critical life skill that should be taught everywhere consistently. Valuing life and our mental health and wellbeing prevents disease, cruelty, lashing out, abuses perpetrated on children and animals, mental breakdowns, and a host of other avoidable conditions. America needs help. Thank you. <3

[gertrudewest]

Awoke to this- loving it. I am having a hard life since 2008 ( financial destruction) and when I was finally getting ahead….2020. However, EVERYWHERE I ago I am regenerative. I work hard building, planting the garden, saving the wild birds, rebuilding the health of abused horses and chickens. That’s my pleasure. I eat healthy and run, cycle or swim every day. And yes, I am surrounded by aggressive people who have given up and are killing themselves through alcohol, drugs and obesity. I am low income. I struggle financially. I think I make people angry because unlike them, I refuse to give up. I am grateful to listen to this podcast. It explains a lot about why I am the target of a lot of hostility . I am on the right path. I know no humans love me but the animals sure do!

[regmirvis]

It often feels as though this era is fraught with seemingly endless hopelessness and despair. Dr. Huberman and Dr. Conti, what you have done here is nothing short of prayers answered, existential loneliness lessened, hope planted and encouraged actionable steps illustrated for a greater humanity. A profound thank you for this and the future parts of this series!

[mmcmiddlechild]

I'm a big fan of Dr Huberman, and have been for ages, but how have I not heard of Dr Conti before? This man is a philosopher, a true scholar! Thank you for your awareness 🙏❤️A great meeting of minds! What a show!!! 🤩

[rohith.e]

People can't watch 3 hour long movies but they're gonna watch 10+ hour of Huberman lectures all day 😛

[jackierose]

I predict this series with Dr. Conti will be one of the most impactful you have done to date Dr. Huberman. Humanity desperately needs this information unveiled. Thank you both!

[Meomichelle]

I stopped smoking weed completely after experiecing schizophrenia from a family member. It made me reevaluate the path I was going and I researched a lot about how long term use can induce psychosis and schizophrenia. I decided that I did not want to increase my chances by another 40% given that if there's already a lineage of schizophrenia that makes me 10% likely to develop it. I was not willing to gamble with 50%. I quit. Cold turkey. So far I've been so much more focused and for the first time in my life so far, I've managed to save money and keep it that way. Sobriety is the first step to getting better.

[stevetrevino]

I see in his eyes the passion for what he is conveying, and I love this !!!
I will revisit this, by the Grace of God, just like it was his Good Grace, that despite in my own willingness to make selfish choices, he has still allowed me stumble upon this message and eloquent messenger.
Thanks be to God 🙏

[marigoldsale]

I am a Psychiatric Nurse and had shared your podcasts to my patients, I am really grateful that you did this, very informative and an excellent discussion with Dr. Conti!

[KOMODO_]

Andrew's work is exceptional. Throughout every video, he is helping people. This is a valuable social service. Respect

[othertwice]

Thank you for another wonderful session. As a psychologist, allow me to expand on your question regarding 'staying in a relationship longer than one should':

Our parents imprint on us what we come to recognize as love. If we had neglectful parents, we may be drawn to neglectful partners; an irresponsible parent may have left the impression that 'this is love, ' leading us to seek out similar traits, even if we can't tolerate such behavior.

And yes, we can change our patterns. 😊

[xanynax]

I first came across Andrew's podcasts when I was looking for information about low lumens at work. Our office had lighting at 70 lumens and I needed information on why that was affecting my work. Dr. Huberman's earlier work talks about ophthalmic neuroscience. I saw the well-organized sharing of information as a model that could help me learn to be a better communicator and learn about myself and others. I just want to say thank you.

[nyuramist]

Dr Conti, you are one of the most empathetic people I have been able to come across, the way you chose your words and speak with so much sensitivity but assertion it's truly moving... I haven't felt this much impacted with a series before thankyou Dr Huberman for bridging the education gap and making such important pieces of information open to everyone