Using Play to Rewire & Improve Your Brain
Huberman Lab
In this episode, I discuss the transformative nature of play—how it changes our feelings, thoughts and actions and indeed, how it can rewire our brain to function better in all contexts. I explain the role of play in childhood, as well as adulthood in skill and social development and describe key characteristics of the mind and body during play. Additionally, I explore how play allows the brain to test contingencies in different roles/environments. Throughout, I discuss the underlying neurobiology of play. I also describe how low-stakes play, and tinkering can broaden and shape your future capabilities. Finally, I discuss how our childhood ‘personal play identity’ informs our adult personality. Throughout the episode, I use the science of play to outline recommendations for using play as a means to enhance neuroplasticity and explore novel situations, regardless of age.
For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com.
Thank you to our sponsors
AG1: athleticgreens.com/huberman
LMNT: drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab
Waking Up: wakingup.com/huberman
Momentous: livemomentous.com/huberman
- (00:00:00) The Power of Play
- (00:02:23) Tool: Reading on Smart Phones, Sighing & Learning
- (00:09:33) Sponsors: AG1, LMNT
- (00:13:57) Homeostatic Regulation of Play
- (00:23:53) Childhood Play & Mindsets
- (00:29:21) Contingency Testing
- (00:32:17) The (Power of) Playful Mindset
- (00:36:13) Body Postures
- (00:44:03) Rule Testing & Breaking
- (00:48:24) Role Play
- (00:50:39) Neurobiology of Low-stakes Play
- (00:54:22) Expanding Capabilities through Tinkering
- (01:00:03) Play Is THE Portal to Neuroplasticity
- (01:04:44) Adulthood Play
- (01:10:14) Fire Together, Wire Together
- (01:18:03) Trauma & Play Deficits & Recovery
- (01:23:25) Competition & Dynamic Movement
- (01:27:36) Chess, Mental Roles, Novelty
- (01:32:52) Personal Play Identity
- (01:37:24) Play Transforms Your Future Self
- (01:40:55) Recommendations for Play
- (01:44:25) Zero-Cost Support, Spotify/Apple Reviews, YouTube, Sponsors, Instagram, Twitter, Supplements
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Raw Description
<p>In this episode, I discuss the transformative nature of play—how it changes our feelings, thoughts and actions and indeed, how it can rewire our brain to function better in all contexts. I explain the role of play in childhood, as well as adulthood in skill and social development and describe key characteristics of the mind and body during play. Additionally, I explore how play allows the brain to test contingencies in different roles/environments. Throughout, I discuss the underlying neurobiology of play. I also describe how low-stakes play, and tinkering can broaden and shape your future capabilities. Finally, I discuss how our childhood ‘personal play identity’ informs our adult personality. Throughout the episode, I use the science of play to outline recommendations for using play as a means to enhance neuroplasticity and explore novel situations, regardless of age.</p><p>For the full show notes, visit <a href="https://hubermanlab.com/using-play-to-rewire-and-improve-your-brain/">hubermanlab.com</a>.</p><h2>Thank you to our sponsors</h2><p>AG1: <a href="https://athleticgreens.com/huberman">https://athleticgreens.com/huberman</a></p><p>LMNT: <a href="https://go.hubermanlab.com/lmnt-back-catalog">https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab</a></p><p>Waking Up: <a href="https://wakingup.com/huberman">https://wakingup.com/huberman</a></p><p>Momentous: <a href="https://livemomentous.com/huberman">https://livemomentous.com/huberman</a></p><h2>Timestamps</h2><p>(00:00:00) The Power of Play</p><p>(00:02:23) Tool: Reading on Smart Phones, Sighing & Learning</p><p>(00:09:33) Sponsors: AG1, LMNT</p><p>(00:13:57) Homeostatic Regulation of Play</p><p>(00:23:53) Childhood Play & Mindsets</p><p>(00:29:21) Contingency Testing</p><p>(00:32:17) The (Power of) Playful Mindset</p><p>(00:36:13) Body Postures</p><p>(00:44:03) Rule Testing & Breaking</p><p>(00:48:24) Role Play</p><p>(00:50:39) Neurobiology of Low-stakes Play</p><p>(00:54:22) Expanding Capabilities through Tinkering</p><p>(01:00:03) Play Is THE Portal to Neuroplasticity</p><p>(01:04:44) Adulthood Play</p><p>(01:10:14) Fire Together, Wire Together</p><p>(01:18:03) Trauma & Play Deficits & Recovery</p><p>(01:23:25) Competition & Dynamic Movement</p><p>(01:27:36) Chess, Mental Roles, Novelty</p><p>(01:32:52) Personal Play Identity</p><p>(01:37:24) Play Transforms Your Future Self</p><p>(01:40:55) Recommendations for Play</p><p>(01:44:25) Zero-Cost Support, Spotify/Apple Reviews, YouTube, Sponsors, Instagram, Twitter, Supplements</p><p><a href="https://hubermanlab.com/disclaimer/">Disclaimer</a></p><p> </p><p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a></p>
Chapters (1/22)
Show Notes
In this episode, I discuss the transformative nature of play—how it changes our feelings, thoughts and actions and indeed, how it can rewire our brain to function better in all contexts. I explain the role of play in childhood, as well as adulthood in skill and social development and describe key characteristics of the mind and body during play. Additionally, I explore how play allows the brain to test contingencies in different roles/environments. Throughout, I discuss the underlying neurobiology of play. I also describe how low-stakes play, and tinkering can broaden and shape your future capabilities. Finally, I discuss how our childhood ‘personal play identity’ informs our adult personality. Throughout the episode, I use the science of play to outline recommendations for using play as a means to enhance neuroplasticity and explore novel situations, regardless of age.
For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com.
Thank you to our sponsors
AG1: athleticgreens.com/huberman
LMNT: drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab
Waking Up: wakingup.com/huberman
Momentous: livemomentous.com/huberman
- (00:00:00) The Power of Play
- (00:02:23) Tool: Reading on Smart Phones, Sighing & Learning
- (00:09:33) Sponsors: AG1, LMNT
- (00:13:57) Homeostatic Regulation of Play
- (00:23:53) Childhood Play & Mindsets
- (00:29:21) Contingency Testing
- (00:32:17) The (Power of) Playful Mindset
- (00:36:13) Body Postures
- (00:44:03) Rule Testing & Breaking
- (00:48:24) Role Play
- (00:50:39) Neurobiology of Low-stakes Play
- (00:54:22) Expanding Capabilities through Tinkering
- (01:00:03) Play Is THE Portal to Neuroplasticity
- (01:04:44) Adulthood Play
- (01:10:14) Fire Together, Wire Together
- (01:18:03) Trauma & Play Deficits & Recovery
- (01:23:25) Competition & Dynamic Movement
- (01:27:36) Chess, Mental Roles, Novelty
- (01:32:52) Personal Play Identity
- (01:37:24) Play Transforms Your Future Self
- (01:40:55) Recommendations for Play
- (01:44:25) Zero-Cost Support, Spotify/Apple Reviews, YouTube, Sponsors, Instagram, Twitter, Supplements
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Raw Description
<p>In this episode, I discuss the transformative nature of play—how it changes our feelings, thoughts and actions and indeed, how it can rewire our brain to function better in all contexts. I explain the role of play in childhood, as well as adulthood in skill and social development and describe key characteristics of the mind and body during play. Additionally, I explore how play allows the brain to test contingencies in different roles/environments. Throughout, I discuss the underlying neurobiology of play. I also describe how low-stakes play, and tinkering can broaden and shape your future capabilities. Finally, I discuss how our childhood ‘personal play identity’ informs our adult personality. Throughout the episode, I use the science of play to outline recommendations for using play as a means to enhance neuroplasticity and explore novel situations, regardless of age.</p><p>For the full show notes, visit <a href="https://hubermanlab.com/using-play-to-rewire-and-improve-your-brain/">hubermanlab.com</a>.</p><h2>Thank you to our sponsors</h2><p>AG1: <a href="https://athleticgreens.com/huberman">https://athleticgreens.com/huberman</a></p><p>LMNT: <a href="https://go.hubermanlab.com/lmnt-back-catalog">https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab</a></p><p>Waking Up: <a href="https://wakingup.com/huberman">https://wakingup.com/huberman</a></p><p>Momentous: <a href="https://livemomentous.com/huberman">https://livemomentous.com/huberman</a></p><h2>Timestamps</h2><p>(00:00:00) The Power of Play</p><p>(00:02:23) Tool: Reading on Smart Phones, Sighing & Learning</p><p>(00:09:33) Sponsors: AG1, LMNT</p><p>(00:13:57) Homeostatic Regulation of Play</p><p>(00:23:53) Childhood Play & Mindsets</p><p>(00:29:21) Contingency Testing</p><p>(00:32:17) The (Power of) Playful Mindset</p><p>(00:36:13) Body Postures</p><p>(00:44:03) Rule Testing & Breaking</p><p>(00:48:24) Role Play</p><p>(00:50:39) Neurobiology of Low-stakes Play</p><p>(00:54:22) Expanding Capabilities through Tinkering</p><p>(01:00:03) Play Is THE Portal to Neuroplasticity</p><p>(01:04:44) Adulthood Play</p><p>(01:10:14) Fire Together, Wire Together</p><p>(01:18:03) Trauma & Play Deficits & Recovery</p><p>(01:23:25) Competition & Dynamic Movement</p><p>(01:27:36) Chess, Mental Roles, Novelty</p><p>(01:32:52) Personal Play Identity</p><p>(01:37:24) Play Transforms Your Future Self</p><p>(01:40:55) Recommendations for Play</p><p>(01:44:25) Zero-Cost Support, Spotify/Apple Reviews, YouTube, Sponsors, Instagram, Twitter, Supplements</p><p><a href="https://hubermanlab.com/disclaimer/">Disclaimer</a></p><p> </p><p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a></p>