The Science & Process of Healing From Grief

About this video

Huberman discusses the neuroscience and psychology of grief, explaining that people map those they are attached to in three dimensions: space, where they are; time, when they are; and closeness. He argues that grief requires remapping those representations while maintaining attachment, a process requiring neuroplasticity in brain and body connections. Huberman says recent research refutes the idea that everyone moves linearly through designated stages of grief; different stages exist, but not everyone experiences all of them in order. He also explains that one’s psychological and biological state when a loss occurs strongly influences whether grief becomes complicated and prolonged. Huberman compares lingering attachment sensations to phantom limb, describing Ramachandran’s mirror box work, and argues that healthy grieving involves uncoupling attachment from the person’s former space and time representation while forming a firm representation of where they are now.

Key takeaways

• Huberman explains attachment is mapped in dimensions of space, time and closeness.
• Huberman says grief stages are not experienced by everyone or in a fixed linear order.
• Huberman argues healthy grief maintains attachment while uncoupling it from former space and time.
• Huberman compares grief sensations to phantom limb phenomena studied by Ramachandran.
• Huberman says one’s state at the time of loss influences whether grief becomes complicated.

Episode details: published May 30, 2022 · 1.2M views · 2:06:48 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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