The brain is a complex organ that regulates various bodily functions, including thought, memory, emotion, touch, motor skills, vision, breathing, temperature, and hunger. It consists of billion neurons and is responsible for controlling various aspects of our lives, including sleep, growth, and motivation. The hypothalamus, a small but crucial part of the brain, acts as the body’s smart control coordinating center, keeping the body in a stable state.
The brain’s reward system controls motivation, influencing levels of dopamine, a hormone and neurotransmitter that drives motivation. High levels of dopamine in one area drive people to work hard for a reward, while high levels in another drive them to reject that work. The cerebellum plays a crucial role in driving by coordinating voluntary muscle movements and maintaining balance.
The motor cortex, located in the frontal lobe, is involved in planning, controlling, and executing voluntary movements. Nerves from the brain connect with multiple parts of the head and body, leading to various voluntary and involuntary functions. The ANS drives basic functions that control unconscious activities.
The limbic system of the human brain controls emotions, with key parts including the amygdala, hippocampus, limbic cortex, and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The anterior cingulate cortex (attention area) and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (cognitive control area) are the main neural circuits related to motivation regulation.
The brain’s reward system plays a significant role in motivating behavior, particularly when it comes to survival behaviors. The amygdala controls motivational behaviors, while the cerebrum initiates and coordinates movement and regulates temperature. The dorsal striatum, the habit formation center, has connections to the hippocampus. The prefrontal cortex, the front part of the frontal lobe, controls various functions essential for the functioning of the brain.
📹 AMA #11: Improve Task Switching & Productivity and Reduce Brain Fog
Welcome to a preview of the 11th Ask Me Anything (AMA) episode, part of Huberman Lab Premium. The Huberman Lab Premium …
What part of the brain governs motivation and drives?
Researchers have developed fMRI experiments to study the ventral striatum, a brain area linked to movement and motivation. The experiments involve participants remaining in a supine position while separating neural signals involving effort from those associated with the cost of effort. The first set of experiments involved creating a virtual maze, where participants were presented with navigation tasks requiring different levels of effort. The second experiment measured the neural activity of participants as they made choices between two options, with varying amounts of reward and effort required for each option.
The aim was to isolate the effort-activation signal during the anticipation of various effort demands. The findings could help researchers understand the role of the ventral striatum in regulating movement and motivation.
What part of the brain controls task performance?
The prefrontal cortex plays a crucial role in meta-cognitive control over task performance, which has been extensively studied in various fields, including educational psychology. Meta-cognition processes, first introduced by psychologists to improve memory and information recall, have since been extensively researched, with the accuracy of meta-cognitive reflections, predictions, and subsequent regulation of task performance still not well understood.
The development of self-regulatory strategies allows individuals to exercise control over their own learning, leading to successful outcomes. This is the essence of effective schooling, as much of the individual variation in task performance can be explained by their capacity of self-control and self-regulation. When learners are “being meta-cognitive”, they take charge of their own learning and consciously direct effort towards improving task performance.
Meta-cognition is different from cognition, which concerns performing a task and regulating that performance through concurrent processes of monitoring and evaluative reflection on the quality of the performance. This two-level framework has expanded beyond studies on information recall to encompass monitoring of perception, decision-making, sense of agency, and learning.
What part of the brain controls loss of motivation?
The limbic system, a subcortical structure within the cerebrum, is responsible for controlling emotions, motivation, memory, learning, and body functions. It connects the hypothalamus with other areas of the frontal and temporal lobes and is involved in the formation and retrieval of memories. The hippocampus plays a crucial role in emotional memory retrieval, making emotionally charged memories easier to recall. The limbic system also influences other brain areas, such as the basal ganglia, which control intentional limb movements.
The brain stem, connected to the cerebrum, contains the reticular activating system, which controls consciousness and alertness levels. It also controls movements of the eyes, face, jaw, and tongue, including chewing and swallowing. The brain stem also regulates critical body functions like breathing, blood pressure, and heartbeat, and helps adjust posture and balance. Overall, the limbic system plays a crucial role in regulating emotions, memory, and body functions.
What part of the brain is most active when driving?
A study aimed to identify the neural underpinnings of human driving behavior by visualizing the areas of the brain involved in driving under different levels of demand, such as driving while distracted or making left turns at busy intersections. The researchers used a driving simulator with a fully functional steering wheel and pedals in a 3. 0 Tesla functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) system to capture brain activity during driving.
Participants completed tasks ranging from simple (right turns) to more complex (left turns at busy intersections) to identify the brain areas involved while performing different real-world driving maneuvers. To assess the effects of driving while distracted, participants performed an auditory task while driving analogous to speaking on a hands-free device and driving.
What
part of the brain is involved in regulating emotions and drives?
The hypothalamus controls emotional responses, sexual responses, hormone release, and body temperature. It also aids in memory preservation and spatial understanding. The amygdala coordinates responses to triggers of emotion, playing a crucial role in fear and anger. The cingulate gyrus and parahippocampal gyrus in the limbic cortex impact mood, motivation, and judgement. Fear is a crucial emotion, enabling appropriate response to threatening situations. However, brain damage affecting the amygdala can lead to impaired responses to dangerous situations.
How do you make your brain work harder while driving?
To keep your mind active on the road, keep your eyes moving, take deep breaths, learn something new, plan on sleeping, and stop worrying about truck repairs. The American Trucking Association reports that moving America’s freight annually requires over 3. 6 million heavy-duty Class 8 trucks and over 3. 5 million truck drivers. To keep your mind focused and sharp while avoiding accident-causing distractions, focus on five things:
Shift your vision from looking ahead to your left mirror, then back to looking ahead, then back to looking ahead, and repeat this with your right mirror. This constant shifting will make you more aware of your surroundings and improve your defensive driving skills.
Deep breathe from your diaphragm, known as “Belly Breathing”, can deliver more oxygen to your brain through your bloodstream and improve cognitive functions. A calm, clear brain will react better to emergencies than a sluggish one. For even better oxygen levels, crack open your window for a few deep breaths of fresh air, especially if you are driving in an area without smog or air pollution.
What causes lack of motivation in the brain?
A deficiency in dopamine, a neurotransmitter that plays a role in motivation, can result in fatigue, mood swings, and the development of mental disorders. Dopamine is regarded as one of the neurotransmitters that elicit positive emotional states, along with serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins. Dopamine is referred to as the “motivation molecule,” and it provides the drive and focus necessary for productivity. Additionally, diminished dopamine levels may contribute to the development of mental disorders.
How does the hypothalamus affect driving?
The hypothalamus plays a pivotal role in driving, facilitating drivers’ awareness of speed limits, ability to adjust their speed accordingly, and capacity to anticipate potential hazards by maintaining vigilance of their surroundings.
What in the brain causes lack of motivation?
Dopamine deficiency is a condition where the body’s brain produces low levels of a neurotransmitter, a hormone that plays a crucial role in memory, motivation, learning, reward, and movement. This deficiency can lead to health conditions like Parkinson’s disease or depression, and may increase risk-taking or addiction. The cause of low dopamine levels can be injury to the brain areas that produce dopamine or a problem with nerve cell receptors that properly respond to dopamine.
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What part of the brain controls drives?
The frontal lobe plays a pivotal role in motor skills, driver functions, and emotional maturity. It monitors the brain’s most crucial areas, which are essential for these functions.
What part of the brain controls productivity?
The prefrontal cortex, also known as the brain’s command center, is central to understanding productivity. It plays a crucial role in decision-making, attention, and goal setting. When deeply engrossed in a task, this region activates, helping to stay focused and filter out distractions. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, is crucial for motivation. When we anticipate a reward or achieve a task, our brain releases dopamine, giving us a feeling of satisfaction.
This not only incentivizes task completion but also sustains our attention and interest. The neuroscience behind productivity reveals the fascinating interplay of brain functions that contribute to our most efficient selves.
📹 Brain Awareness as a Key to Productive Learning Process | Kristine Sargsyan | TEDxMoskovyanSt
Kristine Sargsyan shares her thoughts on the importance of teaching kids and youth about human brain and its functioning.
a summary for getting the grasp of the content, while you revisit this article (I recommend perusal the article full though): 1. expect some time delay in immediately concentrating from Task A to B, normalize this time delay and don’t feel frustrated as it is normal. 2. deliberately tag “transition period” in between the tasks: Note: Can be as small as “10 seconds” for immediate interruptions from colleagues to “5 to 10 minutes” if task A was considerably taking a lot of focus. 3. for the “transition period” do not look into your phone which turns out to be yet another task taking up your attention. Bonuses: 1. Keep your tasks per day as simple as possible, three for example 2. perceptual exercises (fairly hard to explain in this note but here it is: i) closed eyes, concentrate on breathing and skin contact 15 secs ii) opened eyes, look at your hand with breathing notice iii) opened eyes, 5 to 10 feet away also while breathing noticing iv) opened eyes, far horizon also while noticing breathing REPEAT total duration: 2 to 3 mins WATCH THE FULL article IF YOU HAVE TIME THOUGH! 🙂
🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 🎙️ Introduction to the AMA Episode – Andrew Huberman introduces the AMA episode and explains the purpose of the premium subscriber website. 01:55 🤔 Understanding Task Switching – Andrew discusses the concept of task switching, prefrontal cortex’s role, and cognitive flexibility. 05:16 ⏳ Transition Periods for Task Switching – The importance of introducing short transition periods between tasks to enhance task switching efficiency. – Transition duration depends on the depth of engagement in the previous task. 13:55 📵 Avoiding New Information During Transitions – The need to limit exposure to new information (e.g., smartphone use) during transition periods to prevent task interference. – Emphasizes not introducing additional tasks between task switches. 20:38 📝 Task Management Technique – Use a task management technique of limiting yourself to three critical tasks per day. – Focus on these tasks and don’t overload yourself with too many. – This approach helps in task switching and productivity. 22:04 👀 Perceptual Exercise for Task Switching – Engage in a perceptual exercise to improve task switching. – Shifting visual focus between close and distant objects influences time perception. – Practicing this exercise enhances the brain’s ability to switch between tasks. 26:44 ⏳ Time Domain and Task Switching – Understand the concept of the time domain in task switching. – Shifting attention between tasks involves shifting neural circuits related to time perception.
I find that it takes me up to an hour to get started on my coursework for school and up to 3 hours to actually get into a deep state of focus and I find that I am very easily distracted unless I am under a lot of pressure to; for example, meet a deadline. I think its due to the excess of information I am taking in weither that be through my phone or in my daily life, fogging up my brain. I will attempt these techniques specifically with school and see how it goes.
Professor, if you are able, I’d love for you to record an episode with Dr. Alok Kanojia. He runs Healthy Gamer GG, and has great insights on this as well, but his training is entirely clinical, not so academic. But his combining his background as a doctor and monk as well as yours would result in an absolutely delightful conversation. I’m particularly interested in your thoughts of yogic practices, like Ek Tattva Abhyasa, which calls for prioritizing over multitasking, and learning to differentiate focus and fixation. Thanks for all you do! 🙂
Hi and thanks for the content you guys put out. I’d like to request a conversation with the leading people on the field of cholesterol as well as statins. There seems to be a lot of conflicting information out there as well as personal experience against the stances on each side. Many for statins and others against. I think a proper discussion about this could potentially help a lot of people seeking clear information about this topic. As a side note, I’ve heard Petter Attia and others talk about this briefly with you but there still many questions unanswered.
This was so helpful. I know my brain acts like it’s a dog and I’m taking away its bone when I switch tasks. There is snarling, growling and everything in my head. For me the difficulty is in disengaging from task A. I never thought about it as suppressing circuitry, but that describes the feeling perfectly.
Interesting, I tried the divided attention task of body sensation and sight as I was driving at night while listening to the podcast. It was crazy. As I visually attended to an object in the distance while also attending to my body, it was like riding a roller coaster or something. As many mindfulness techniques, I became out of my mind and felt my body being closer to object. Interestingly at the end Huberman mentions to not try this while driving. I bet he tried this when skateboarding in the past😅
I took on a ranch with an underground home. Ranch all needs work, house was full of molding furniture and it was in the walls. Sorting cleaning buyers out build back fencing cleaning stock ponds cleaning and residing three roofs replanning and wiring and finding a place for it all. This is by myself except for a n elderly family member I care for. Two years no outside contact except for shopping and mechanic. All this on a very limited disability income and no insurance. My thinking became unreadable unsubstantiated to any one else. I was spinning out of control with 14 hr days and no days off. I pretty much just shut down mentally first then physically. Attempting to start again but the desire is gone, hoping that by realizing what I need from this talk nudges me into sane action. Peace folks I got to where I was spinning
A short transition period of even 15 seconds while switching from task A to task B where you are not trying to perform task B and that you’ve designated this as a transition period. I’m not trying to focus on the next thing that I need to do. I might focus on it, but I’m not deliberately trying to focus on it. Rather, I’m going to think about what I just did and the fact that I’m no longer doing that, kind of leaving it like a fog behind. You’re trying to move from this deep trench of attention. Tasks normally take 10 minutes for switching unless it is something we are genuinely curious about Do not get additional information to your brain while switching from Task A to Task B, avoid phones and social media 3 critical tasks for everyday where you focus your visual attention strongly, influences the way that your brain parses time. I’ll describe the tool first. Can be done every morning for 2-3 minutes in an open space first station, as I call them, where my eyes were closed and I was focusing on my bodily sensations,
BASEBALL CONNECTION? Thank you for all that you do! I made a connection to sports when you were explaining the perception exercise and I’d like to see if my connection is correct and whether the drill I thought of would apply. I coach baseball and always tell my high school and college players about the need to “slow the game down.” Great players do that but it is very tough to explain how it’s done let alone create a drill to practice it. Going back to your perception exercise and your analogy of slow-motion article and frames-per-second, I thought of a drill where I would put a baseball on a tee at home plate and then place other baseballs on tees at 10-15 foot intervals until they reach the pitcher’s mound (roughly 60 feet away). If a player focused his eyes on the ball at the mound for several seconds, then focused on the next closest ball, then the next one, etc. until lastly he focused on the one at the plate, would that help his brain/vision “slow down” the pitch by creating more snapshots/frames per pitch?
Huberman mentions circumstances where our brain quickly engages that I think are relatively rare. I think we’ve accumulated far more experience in life with quick engagement from highly engineered content, and that’s where the mismatch in expectations comes from. Last night I was going to throw on a show and The Dark Knight was on. I was instantly deeply hooked by the scene. I knew exactly what was going on. I knew I wasn’t going to watch the whole movie. But I kept perusal anyway. Highly engineered content is going to grab you, even in a relaxed environment, much more easily than harder tasks.
This is exactly why stoners like to smoke before doing stuff 😂 On a more serious note, this is very helpful to hear as someone on the spectrum who has difficulty transitioning between certain tasks without a buffer in between. I can multitask around the house most of the time but beyond that I usually need something to help me refocus and I could even be jamming out to some good tunes on the way home from work before going to evening plans. Sometimes around or two of breath work does the trick. But the more of that buffer I get the less experience burn out later.
Thank you so much! I thought I was broken because I could barely socialize. Now I understand I need time to switch, sometimes 30 minutes or more to turn on my social skills. Moreover it is vote for the idea that I can change/switch most anything (given enough time and determination). Mood, belief, state, tasks, emotions, salience, etc. Maybe we can’t switch states/emotions directly but I can switch tasks that favor a particular state.
Quran says: “Allah:there is not God except he”:The Neccessary life/consciousness,sustainer of life/consciousness.” Wire like neuronal structures that conduct electricity via ions/neurotransmitters in the CNS/PNS possess no attribute of thinking/life and yet that has “randomly” led to life. Consciousness/thinking is an innate idea(“Fitra”)that is distinct from carbon skeleton and yet the materialist scientist believes that chemistry turned into biology via “god of randomness”/”Emergent property”/”law of nature”. Consciousness can only stem from Necessary Consciousness (Allah-one/indivisible/loving/self-sufficient perfection).
I truly believe women do task switching better than men, I’m not saying this as I am a woman, but think our brains are wired differently. Maybe it’s to do with child rearing, might be a good experiment to get men who raise a child against those that do but secondary. Interesting thought. Great episode by the way. Chess boxing wow not heard of that.
Hello, This is good information. I’m wondering if you share any techniques for working this into business meetings or presentations to improve cognitive focus of participants? For example, if I’m running a meeting and want to be sure my client is really present, is there a simple way to facilitate this without them feeling manipulated? Maybe your address this in the premium version? Thank you.
Subject matter request: All things conspiracy theory? What is function of Conspiracy theories for the human psyche, sense of purpose in life? What is or why do conspiracy theories arise? In contrast to all things that which are not c t’s, what is the flip side of c t ? How is it humans (are privileged with) this free from c t position of mind set but see a spectrum of thoughts, and understanding that which is? Is there a gradation or spectrum of mindset between the two mindset positions which could be Communicated people see possible outcome of connection vs separation ? 😊
I harvest tree seeds. Adult diagnosed F ADHD so it suits me. I get so deep in the seek/dopamine of my outings, that I often worry about my safety. The task switching I worry about is deep seek/dopamine to what is called situational awareness. Can you dive deep into situational awareness, please? Thank you.