Dr. Paul Conti: How to Improve Your Mental Health | Huberman Lab Guest Series
This is episode 2 of a 4-part special series on mental health with Dr. Paul Conti, M.D., a Stanford and Harvard-trained psychiatrist currently running a clinical practice, the Pacific Premiere Group. Dr. Conti explains specific tools for how to overcome life’s challenges using a framework of self-inquiry that explores all the key elements of self, including defense mechanisms, behaviors, self-awareness and attention. We also discuss our internal driving forces, how to align them and ultimately, how to cultivate a powerful “generative drive” of positive, aspirational pursuits. Dr. Conti also explains how to adjust your internal narratives, reduce self-limiting concepts, overcome intrusive thoughts, and how certain defense mechanisms, such as “acting out” or narcissism, show up in ourselves and others. The next episode in this special series explores how to build healthy relationships with others.
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Dr. Paul Conti
Website: https://drpaulconti.com
Pacific Premier Group: https://pacificpremiergroup.com
Trauma: The Invisible Epidemic: How Trauma Works and How We Can Heal From It: https://amzlink.to/az01KBLaUX3m6
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-paul-m-conti-845074216
Resources
GUEST SERIES | Dr. Paul Conti: How to Understand & Assess Your Mental Health: https://hubermanlab.com/guest-series-dr-paul-conti-how-to-understand-and-assess-your-mental-health
The Iceberg Model: https://hubermanlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/The-Iceberg-Model.pdf
Pillars of Mental Health: https://hubermanlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Pillars-of-Mental-Health.pdf
Timestamps
00:00:00 Improve Mental Health
00:02:19 Sponsors: BetterHelp & Waking Up App
00:05:26 Structure & Function of Healthy Self
00:16:25 Agency & Gratitude
00:21:14 Aggressive Drive, Pleasure Drive, Generative Drive
00:30:00 Physical & Mental Health Similarities, Verb States
00:37:05 Sponsor: AG1
00:38:32 Lack of Motivation, Drives
00:43:06 Video Games/Social Media & Distraction, Generative Drive
00:51:46 Asking Better Questions, Psychiatric Medicine, Physical Health Parallels
00:59:10 Sponsor: Eight Sleep
01:00:30 Self-Reflection & Structure of Self “Cupboards”, Trauma & Agency
01:08:53 Feeling Stuck, Defense Mechanisms & Sublimation, Character
01:13:58 Self-Reflection & Function of Self “Cupboards”, Self-Awareness
01:19:24 Defense Mechanisms & “Acting Out”
01:26:43 Salience, Intrusive Thoughts
01:31:24 Self-Reflection, Behaviors & Strivings; Roadmap Forward
01:38:25 Internal Narratives, Childhood
01:44:44 Internal Narratives: Self-Scrutiny & Overcoming; Trauma
01:55:18 Time Required for Change, Understanding Intrusive Thoughts
02:03:13 Self-Reflection on Internal Drives; Envy
02:09:56 Generative Drive; Strong Aggressive Drive & Envy
02:21:50 High Aggressive Drive & Social Relationships, Narcissism
02:28:43 Narcissism, Destruction, Envy
02:37:18 Narcissism & Childhood, Change
02:41:26 Engaging with Narcissists, Disengagement
02:44:47 Demoralization, Learned Helplessness
02:49:34 Self-Inventory of Drives, Optimization
02:56:09 Social Media & Salience, Generative Drive
03:03:21 Rational Aspiration
03:13:16 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Social Media, Momentous, Neural Network Newsletter
Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac – https://www.blabacphoto.com
Disclaimer: https://hubermanlab.com/disclaimer
21 Comments
Right?!
I’m so grateful for these 2 persons. In the middle of all the noise and confusion everywhere, here are these 2 men bringing knowledge and peace to my space.
Love this series! Thank you both! 🙏🏼
Sometimes I got those intrusive thoughts of nothing matters I can get rid of that ?!
Highly interesting Big-Talk!
The point, when is an Intrusion or a thought at all important or not, existencial or not – is very difficult. The orientation is the key. And for this there is the term: truth. Truth and its conditions.
Is Self-defense also part of aggressive Drive?
I'm really grateful for Dr. Huberman and Dr. Conti. The content of their conversations (I hesitate to call it an interview as it flows so well) is so eye-opening and helpful to those of us struggling in daily life. I think it is especially important for the men in our society to see two men speaking about mental health, how to identify stressors, how to help oneself or others and giving the encouragement to speak with a mental health professional. Men are often conditioned to be strong and dismiss their emotions and view seeking help as a weakness. A healthy mental state is important for all of us.
I'm currently in the process of changing careers after 12 years in my current situation and the realization that I am deeply unhappy to the point of hopelessness, depression, anxiety and even, at times, suicidal thoughts. It may result in a pay reduction of 30% or more, but my mental health is invaluable so I am grateful that some of the examples dealt specifically with this situation.
Thank you very much!
How come none of this stuff ever works
I’d like you work out my son just one pessimistic person .. no matter there’s no reasoning in talking to him and he’s smart but he doesn’t want budge 😢
Personally, going on a carnivore diet was the absolute best thing I did for my mental health. It really saved my life!
One and a half episodes of this mini series in and after taking many notes I’ve came to realize due to me being so introverted I am severely lacking a pleasure drive and If I increase my pleasure drive in healthy ways, I could better focus on more positive aspects of my life ie. my salience, therefore increasing my agency ie. my sense of control over my life and my gratitude for being alive. I think this series is going to save lives. Thank you Huberman and Conti!
THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE!!! 2:05:24
2:06:55; This gets to the root of conceptualizing psychological drives
Narcasists man… nobody is ever wrong, nobody is ever right. 2:24:22
2:43:33; Boundaries
2:51:28; more boundaries
Interesting content but the interviewer does not even let the doctor finish his sentence
A wealth of valuable material, I'm learning a lot here, but Andrew sounds a little gossipy today, repeatedly putting down "people he's not naming". Are all these people truly narcissists or might they have adhd, anxiety, insecurity, etc. Sometime people who talk a lot are not necessarily narcissistic.
Professor Huberman, it's a real pleasure to watch You navigate fields even outside Your specialisation. Lucky students there at Your university and meanwhile all over the net. Your verbalisations are truly meticulate; they mirror qualities of an exceptional scientist.
After having listened to Your struggles with negativity, which is but normal nowadays at US Universities, l dare to advise You to find an all understanding MAINLY positive woman, which will assist You in neutralising whatever You will have to deal with now and in future.
May all God/esse/s Almighty reward You for whatever You do 💚💜
Your doggy already does. 🎉🎉
Rodriguez Gary Martinez Jessica Williams Edward