The Science of Making & Breaking Habits | Huberman Lab Podcast #53

In this episode, I review the science of habit formation and habit elimination and how the process of neuroplasticity (brain rewiring) underlies these processes.

I describe two new systems for habit formation. The first system is grounded in the neuroscience of brain states and our ability to perform (and to avoid) certain tasks at different phases of the 24-hour day. The second system focuses on 21-day habit formation and consolidation.

I also discuss "task bracketing" as an approach to enhancing habit formation and eliminating unwanted habits and the neural circuits that underlie task bracketing in the basal ganglia (a brain region for generating and stopping behaviors). I also review the science of dopamine rewards and how to apply that knowledge to shaping habits.

The science and tools in this episode ought to be helpful for anyone looking to build better habits and eliminate unwanted habits for school, work, fitness, relationships, creative endeavors, and more—indeed for any person or situation where behavioral changes are needed.

#HubermanLab #Habits #Neuroscience

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Links:
Excellent review on science of habits - https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-psych-122414-033417
Meta-analysis on habits - https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1539449219876877

Timestamps:
00:00:00 Introducing Habits; New Programs
00:02:30 Athletic Greens, InsideTracker, Helix Sleep
00:06:52 Habits versus Reflexes, Learning, Neuroplasticity
00:08:51 Goal-Based Habits vs. Identity-Based Habits
00:11:40 How Long It (Really) Takes to Form a Habit; Limbic-Friction
00:16:07 Linchpin Habits
00:18:55 Mapping Your Habits; Habit Strength, Context-Dependence
00:22:55 Automaticity
00:24:03 Tool 1: Applying Procedural Memory Visualizations
00:27:48 Hebbian Learning, NMDA receptors
00:31:00 Tool 2: Task Bracketing; Dorsolateral Striatum
00:37:08 States of Mind, Not Scheduling Time Predicts Habit Strength
00:38:16 Tool 3: Phase-Based Habit Plan: Phase 1
00:46:29 Tool 3: Phase-Based Habit Plan: Phase 2
00:55:24 Tool 3: Phase-Based Habit Plan: Phase 3
01:01:34 Habit Flexibility
01:04:57 Should We Reward Ourselves? How? When? When NOT to.
01:10:30 Tool 4: “Dopamine Spotlighting” & Task Bracketing
01:18:22 Tool 5: The 21-Day Habit Installation & Testing System
01:28:26 Breaking Habits: Long-Term (Synaptic) Depression
01:35:49 Notifications Don’t Work
01:37:50 Tool 6: Break Bad Habits with Post-Bad-Habit “Positive Cargo”
01:44:26 Addictions as Habits: https://hubermanlab.com/dr-anna-lembke-understanding-and-treating-addiction/
01:45:28 Conclusion & Synthesis
01:48:27 Zero-Cost Support, Sponsors, Patreon, Supplements, Instagram, Twitter

Please note that The Huberman Lab Podcast is distinct from Dr. Huberman's teaching and research roles at Stanford University School of Medicine. The information provided in this show is not medical advice, nor should it be taken or applied as a replacement for medical advice. The Huberman Lab Podcast, its employees, guests and affiliates assume no liability for the application of the information discussed.

Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac - https://www.blabacphoto.com