Gluten, leaky gut, blood brain barrier and leaky brain
Consumption of gluten triggers the release of zonulin which increases gut permeability leading to leaky gut. In the episode #86 you discussed the health risks of leaky gut caused by alcohol consumption. Given the cause of leaky gut by gluten/zonulin, isn't the consumption of gluten a much bigger issue for much bigger part of population than just celiaks? Also, is it true that gluten exorphins formed during gluten digestion can cross the blood brain barrier and cause the so-called leaky brain and other issues?
Creatine’s effect on fat burning from increased glycogen
In the fat-burning episode, one of the topics covered was that the body uses glycogen stores before switching to burning fat, the timeframe for which depends on the intensity of the exercise. My understanding of Creatine is that it increases water storage in muscles, therefore allowing those muscles to store more glycogen. Assuming all of that is accurate, would taking Creatine regularly (5 grams per day) then be detrimental to fat loss? Or more specifically, would the increase in glycogen stores mean that one would have to exercise for longer periods relative to intensity to switch over to burning fat stores during that activity?
How to lower brain activity to mimic depression state for short time period?
Hi Dr. Huberman. I have recently noticed that depression has a few qualities that I would want to experience like Astral Projection in sleep and visions. I was wondering if you have done any research or know how to go into that state of brain functioning without getting stuck there to "be depressed". Any breathing techniques or specific meditation for it?
States of Mind that Combine Interoception AND Exteroception, simultaneously (e.g. Music, Love)
Your recent episode about meditation was very illuminating in your discussion of interoception versus exteroception, and ways to move between the two sides of the spectrum. I am curious about activities or states of mind that would seem to exhibit a combination of both interoception and exteroception, simultaneously, in very powerful ways. For example, music, and in particular listening to live music with a crowd of other people, for many people has both an intensely interoceptive aspect, which may cause one to feel certain emotions, recall certain memories, and even quite physically feel the bass or rhythm and feel almost compelled to move one’s body together with the music; while at the same time being a very exteroceptive experience in which one feels connected to the artist, the crowd, the music. There is something about bridging our own personal experience with that of others through a common external stimulous that is for many people very profound and satisfying. I'm sure there are many other ways to access that type of state, whether it be love between romantic partners, other types of art or athletics, shared religious experiences or otherwise. I am curious if any work has been done studying cognitive states that combine interoception and exteroception in this way, and their impact on happiness and fulfillment, similar to the Wandering Mind study. On a related note, there was a fantastic book written in the mid-2000s called This is Your Brain on Music, but given how much we have learned about the brain in the last 15 years I wonder if there are any resources you can point to that might have more recent findings about how our nervous system responds to music. Thank you for considering my question and for all of the fantastic work you do.
Shift learning "deeper"?
Despite months of consciously correcting my posture it remains a conscious process for me to "sit correctly". Can I ever hope to "shift this learning deeper" to the point where it is unconscious? This question spreads across mental and physical activities. From writing and studying to working out, I find a growing percentage of my mental focus is spent thinking about how I am doing the activity rather than "in the zone" and in flow. You provide invaluable, actionable insight - is there a path to storing these great tips and lessons "deeper" so they do not take up conscious effort?