Science & Tools of Learning & Memory | Dr. David Eagleman

About this video

Huberman interviews neuroscientist and author Dr. David Eagleman about the science and tools of learning and memory. Dr. Eagleman describes neuroplasticity as the brain being born half-baked and wired up by experience, culture and language — the other half of the ‘secret of life’ beyond DNA. He advises that activities like crossword puzzles help only until you get good at them; the key is constantly finding the next real challenge. The conversation covers memory formation, stress and time perception, and false memories, dreams and polarization. Dr. Eagleman recounts falling from a roof as a child and explains research on why frightening events feel slow-motion: people are actually poor at perceiving time, and much of time perception is illusory and memory-based.

Key takeaways

• Dr. Eagleman describes experience as wiring up a half-baked brain, complementing DNA as the other half of development.
• Dr. Eagleman advises moving on from puzzles once you are good at them and constantly seeking the next real challenge.
• Dr. Eagleman argues people are quite poor at perceiving time and that much of time perception is illusory.
• Dr. Eagleman explains slow-motion experiences during frightening events through denser memory encoding.
• Huberman frames the episode around rewiring the brain to become a more effective learner.

Episode details: published January 26, 2026 · 420.4K views · 2:24:12 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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