Essentials: The Science of Gratitude & How to Build a Gratitude Practice
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In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I explore the science of gratitude and how to develop an effective, research-supported gratitude practice.
I explain why common gratitude practices (like simply listing things you're grateful for) are far less impactful than engaging in story-based gratitude practices. I also explain how being grateful activates specific brain regions, which enhance calm, social connection and motivation, while reducing anxiety and inflammation. Finally, I share why we can't simply trick our brains into feeling grateful and describe a practical weekly gratitude practice that will improve both your mental and physical well-being.
Articles
- Prefrontal activation while listening to a letter of gratitude read aloud by a coworker face-to-face: A NIRS study (PLOS ONE)
- Neural correlates of gratitude (Frontiers in Psychology)
- Neural responses to intention and benefit appraisal are critical in distinguishing gratitude and joy (Scientific Reports)
- Effects of gratitude meditation on neural network functional connectivity and brain-heart coupling (Scientific Reports)
- Exploring neural mechanisms of the health benefits of gratitude in women: A randomized controlled trial (Brain, Behavior, and Immunity)
Huberman Lab Episodes Mentioned
This transcript is currently under human review and may contain errors. The fully reviewed version will be posted as soon as it is available.
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The Science of Gratitude & How to Build a Gratitude Practice
Huberman Lab Essentials are short episodes focused on essential science and protocol takeaways from past full-length Huberman Lab episodes.
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