Dr. Paul Conti: Tools and Protocols for Mental Health | Huberman Lab Guest Series
This is episode 4 of a 4-part special series on mental health with Stanford and Harvard-trained psychiatrist Dr. Paul Conti, M.D. Dr. Conti explains what true self-care is and how our mental health benefits from specific self-care and introspection practices — much in the same way that our physical health benefits from certain exercise and nutrition habits. He describes how the foundation of mental health is an understanding of one’s own mind and the specific questions to ask in order to explore the conscious and unconscious parts of ourselves. He describes how this process can be done either on our own, through journaling, meditation and structured thought, or in therapy with the help of a licensed professional. He also explains how unprocessed trauma can short-circuit the process and how to prevent that, and the role of friendships and other relational support systems in the journey of self-exploration for mental health. People of all ages and those with and without self-introspection and therapy experience ought to benefit from the information in this episode.
#HubermanLab #Science #MentalHealth
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Dr. Paul Conti
Website: https://drpaulconti.com
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Resources
Guest Series | Dr. Paul Conti: How to Understand & Assess Your Mental Health (Episode 1): https://www.hubermanlab.com/episode/guest-series-dr-paul-conti-how-to-understand-and-assess-your-mental-health
Guest Series | Dr. Paul Conti: How to Improve Your Mental Health (Episode 2): https://www.hubermanlab.com/episode/guest-series-dr-paul-conti-how-to-improve-your-mental-health
Guest Series | Dr. Paul Conti: How to Build and Maintain Healthy Relationships (Episode 3): https://www.hubermanlab.com/episode/guest-series-dr-paul-conti-how-to-build-and-maintain-healthy-relationships
The Iceberg Model: https://bit.ly/3LDNCn1
Pillars of Mental Health: https://bit.ly/48y0cOo
Timestamps
00:00:00 Self Care
00:02:37 Sponsors: BetterHelp & Waking Up
00:05:34 What is Self-Care?, Foundation, Self-Understanding
00:13:18 Life Narratives
00:15:24 Journaling, Self-Inquiry & Therapy
00:24:41 Unconscious Mind, Salience & Journaling; Panic Attacks
00:28:20 Self-Inquiry; Grief & Death
00:33:23 Sponsor: AG1
00:34:39 Self-Harm, Hopelessness & Therapy
00:37:27 Apprehension of Unconscious Mind Exploration
00:42:34 Mental Health Map: Cupboards, Agency & Gratitude, Generative Drive
00:54:18 Structure of Self, Unconscious Mind, Abscess Analogy
01:01:57 Exploring the Unconscious Mind, Curiosity, “Question the Givens”
01:10:48 Conscious Mind Exploration; Self Curiosity, Busyness
01:19:20 Exploring Defense Mechanisms, Character Structure
01:24:54 Self & Character Structure, “Tending the Garden”
01:32:45 Function of Self Cupboards
01:35:50 Self-Awareness Exploration, Mirror Meditation
01:38:34 Defense Mechanisms in Action & Self-Inquiry, Patterns
01:47:15 Salience Exploration, Grounding Meditation
01:52:37 Behavior & Self-Reflection; Phantom Driver Analogy
02:00:14 Self & Strivings; Empowerment & Humility
02:09:07 Challenges in Certain Life Domains
02:17:49 Friendships & Support, Social Media
02:23:50 Anger & Self-Care
02:34:18 Self-Care & Challenges
02:38:43 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Social Media, Momentous, Neural Network Newsletter
Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac – https://www.blabacphoto.com
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.
29 Comments
I love the concept of making a file to segment my memories by the year they occurred. Thank you Dr Huberman. You are the best podcast out of them all. (Shhh don’t tell Lex Fridman I said that)
Thank you very-very much!
What would happen if we shot a Lazer aimed at the moon? Would there not be a crackling as the small Lazer explodes the gas and dust in the way. Before the tunnel of vacuum caused by the first a second Lazar of ten times the energy is fired into this vacuum tunnel and so it goes increasingly intense until a shinny pool of glass begins to boil on that service. Shall we let it cool and bounce our signals from there?
Concerning ego related mirror exercises, one particularly helpful one I found is recognizing that you aren't the person in the mirror, you are the person looking at the mirror.
I listened to this one and another one with James Hollis today, and now I can't remember who said this particular thing, but I wrote down the question "What does this action/thought serve in my life?" I just got back from Costco, and as usual, I was tempted to get some ice cream after shopping. I asked myself what that choice was in service to though, and didn't end up buying it. Dammit Huberman! Seriously though, that is a really effective way to give my brain just enough pause to rethink whatever situation I am in. I really appreciate you sharing life tools that are so easy to add into daily life. I look forward to more podcasts!
What did Dr Conti mean by we could be cursed? Is he saying that this self reflection can help overcome even if someone else has sent bad vibes our way?
The kindness here is so inspiring. Blessings to everyone!
Rating: 8.7/10
In Short: Self 'Critical' Care
Notes: 'Knowledge is power'-~20min, love this. Conti talks about his own experience with his brothers suicide and connects it to the general principle that someone is addressing and going through 'Self Care' Abscess analogy is great–similar to things in our brain. Agency and gratitude (again)–are 'ways of living' are 'being' and are' Loops back to these points multiple times. A good ending to this series, but not quite the best cus it’s a bit repetitive at times–feels like I've heard some of the points multiple times (especially listening to conti on Lex and Peterson).
He looks like younger dr. Jordan B peterson
I Listened to all 4 episodes and feel that I could benefit from exploring these concepts. I've been in therapy 20 plus years and have tried countless medications. I'm at the point were I'm suffering immensly with anxiety and depression. So much so I can barely eat. I'm fighting panic attacks daily and I am done with the approach of here is a new pill and therapy to help you practice radical acceptance and distress tolerance. I know CBT had is place and helps in some cases. But fuck radical acceptance I can't live this way anymore. Can you direct me to some books and resources so I can learn more ?
34:55
Simply being aware of coping mechanisms and paying attention is so helpful like he said. I suffered a violent SA event by strangers years ago and was happy that I had opted to join a program to get me into counselling (which also pays for test kits and ongoing medical treatment if needed) in my state because the counsellors could at least educate me on what I might find myself doing and how to pay attention to symptoms of PTSD. I ended up switching to a better fit therapist to work on processing but it was so helpful to just be aware while my mind started say fearing men who looked like those who attacked me, or fearing being in the part of town I was last conscious, or making generalizations, or having somatic responses. They're all normal human responses from evolution but I managed to never test very high for PTSD from it and to at least have good healthy internal dialogue about whether it was reasonable and being aware of my bodily responses.
Very good❤
Every narcissistic girl on Instagram finding any excuse to sexualize herself n call it “self care” needs this episode.
Lots and lots of talk, zero actionable items. Just incredible.
Thank you!
🧟♀️🦋🫶🏽
Dispassionate is a deep word. Is it really a lack of passion? It is a choice, choosing to not be controlled by this emotion. It’s power.
Thank you so very much Mr. Huberman and Dr.Conti for graciously sharing this incredible series of podcasts and model for mental health and self care. Understanding the resources within me are essential and I feel very grateful for this knowledge and clarity. Thank you again Andrew and Dr. Conti for stimulating helping me recapture my well-being.🙏❤️🩹🌱
❤
12 hours marathon of Andrew and Paul today.
I have actually learnt some really good actions to put into effect. I've been married twice, and have run away from both of them. I now realise it's due to unhealed childhood trauma. Ty both 🕊️🩷🤍💜💙🩵💚💛🧡❤️
Thank you for this series and these tools for a more aware self
Dear Dr. Andrew Huberman,
I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible impact your podcast has had on my life. Your insightful discussions, grounded in neuroscience and real-world experience, have been a source of inspiration, guidance, and growth for me.
Your ability to break down complex concepts into accessible and actionable advice has been truly transformative. Your podcast has become a cherished resource, offering life lessons that I reflect on and apply daily.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge, expertise, and passion with the world. Your dedication to educating and empowering others is a gift, and I feel fortunate to be a beneficiary of your work.
Please continue sharing your wisdom and inspiring others to live more fulfilling lives.❤
I would love to talk about my 2 books on. Mental Health and PTSD
I've lived it because I was in phycology unit in. WALTER REED ARMY MEDICAL CENTER FOR A YEAR
This series with Dr Conti is the best series you've ever done!
On anger — I rarely feel it (consciously, I suppose), but when I do, it is one of the few times I feel energized enough to get things done. In a strange way, I'd rather be angry than depressed.
Dr huberman I have to apologize I just noticed I have not like this vidoe. Thank you for your hard work.
Much to chew on and move on. Several listens. Great time stamps help. Thanks