Control Stress for Healthy Eating, Metabolism & Aging | Dr. Elissa Epel

About this video

Dr. Elissa Epel, a UCSF professor directing the center on aging, metabolism, and emotions, discusses how stress and one’s interpretation of stress change biology and psychology. Huberman notes her laboratory has shown particular forms of stress change telomeres, components of cells’ genetic machinery that impact how quickly cells and people age, and has explored how stress influences which foods people choose and how they experience them. The episode covers interventions including meditation and breathwork, dietary interventions such as omega-3 fatty acid intake, and how effectiveness varies by sex and social status. In the excerpted segment, Dr. Epel and Huberman discuss sugary drinks, with Dr. Epel calling liquid sugar among the worst things for health because it reaches the brain quickly, describing a hedonic cycle in which the high is followed by a low that drives compulsivity, akin to comfort food and food addiction under stress.

Key takeaways

• Dr. Epel’s laboratory has shown forms of stress change telomeres and cellular aging, Huberman notes.
• Dr. Epel explains stress influences food choices and how foods are experienced.
• Dr. Epel describes liquid sugar as reaching the brain quickly and driving a hedonic cycle.
• Huberman notes interventions studied include meditation, breathwork, and omega-3 intake.
• Huberman notes stress interventions vary in effectiveness by sex and social status in Dr. Epel’s work.

Episode details: published April 3, 2023 · 653.6K views · 2:05:51 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. The science and protocols described are Andrew Huberman’s, presented for education — not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional before changing your own health practices.

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