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Huberman Lab · November 6, 2023 · 140m

Science of Mindsets for Health & Performance

Alia Crum on how beliefs physically alter biology. Her milkshake study: telling people a shake is 'indulgent' vs. 'sensible' changes their ghrelin response — same shake, different hormones. Mindset isn't just attitude; it's physiology.

This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.

Highlights

Mindset physically alters hormonal response — the milkshake study
Crum: participants who believed they drank a 620-calorie 'indulgent' shake showed a steep decline in ghrelin (hunger hormone). Those told it was a 140-calorie 'sensible' shake showed flat ghrelin. The shake was identical — 300 calories.
Stress mindset — viewing stress as enhancing improves cardiovascular response
Crum: people told 'stress is enhancing' before a social stress test showed improved cardiovascular response (increased cardiac output, decreased vascular resistance) compared to people told 'stress is debilitating.' Same stressor, different physiology.
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