scripod.com
Essentials: How Your Brain Functions & Interprets the World | Dr. David Berson

Overview

Shownote

Highlights

Transcript

Chapters

Pins

Essentials: How Your Brain Functions & Interprets the World | Dr. David Berson

Huberman Lab

Oct 16
Huberman Lab

Huberman Lab

Oct 16
OverviewShownoteHighlightsTranscriptChaptersPins

Shownote

In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, my guest is Dr. David Berson, PhD, a professor of neuroscience at Brown University and an expert on the visual system and circadian biology. We explore how the brain processes visual information, from photons entering the eye to conscious perception in the cortex. We discuss color vision, the discovery of melanopsin and intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells, and how light regulates our circadian clock and melatonin release. We also examine the vestibular system's role in balance and motion detection, the cerebellum's function in motor coordination, and the midbrain's integration of multiple sensory inputs. Finally, we discuss the basal ganglia's role in decision-making and an extraordinary case of neuroplasticity in visual cortex. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. More Huberman Lab Essentials: https://hubermanlab.com/essentials Thank you to our sponsors AGZ: https://drinkagz.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Dr. David Berson (00:00:30) Visual Perception, Photons & Retinal Processing, Ganglion Cells (00:02:12) Color Vision, Wavelengths & Photoreceptors; Cones & Rods (00:05:56) Sponsor: AGZ by AG1 (00:07:24) Melanopsin, Intrinsically Photosensitive Retinal Ganglion Cells & Brightness Detection (00:08:31) Circadian Clock & Synchronization, Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN); Master Clock Function (00:11:16) Hypothalamus, Autonomic Nervous System & Hormonal Systems (00:13:01) Tool: Light Exposure & Melatonin Regulation, Pineal Function (00:14:35) Vestibular System, Balance & Motion Detection; Semicircular Canals (00:16:44) Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex, Image Stabilization & Head Rotation (00:18:51) Sponsor: Function (00:20:45) Motion Sickness, Visual-Vestibular Conflict; Tool: Avoiding Nausea (00:22:24) Cerebellum, Motor Coordination & Learning (00:23:17) Cerebellar Function, Precision & Timing of Movement; Cerebellar Ataxia (00:24:54) Flocculus & Visual-Vestibular Integration (00:25:56) Midbrain, Brainstem & Reflexive Behavior; Superior Colliculus (00:28:26) Spatial Orientation & Multisensory Integration; Rattlesnake Heat Detection (00:30:13) Sensory Integration & Corroboration (00:31:13) Sponsor: LMNT (00:32:45) Basal Ganglia, Go vs No-Go Behavior & Decision Making (00:33:56) Tool: Impulse Control & Delayed Gratification, Marshmallow Test (00:34:51) Individual Differences, Genetics & Experience (00:35:37) Visual Cortex, Neural Processing & Brain Plasticity (00:36:26) Cortical Reorganization, Braille Reading & Stroke Recovery (00:39:15) David Berson's Work; Acknowledgements Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Highlights

In this episode, Andrew Huberman sits down with neuroscientist Dr. David Berson to explore the intricate mechanisms by which the brain interprets sensory information and orchestrates behavior. The conversation spans multiple systems that underlie vision, balance, movement, and decision-making, revealing how distinct brain regions work in concert to shape our experience of the world.
02:12
Three proteins in the retina absorb light at preferred frequencies, enabling color interpretation.
07:24
There are three cone types in human color vision, not five.
08:31
Some blind patients have insomnia due to disrupted circadian signaling from ipRGCs
13:01
Light can rapidly lower melatonin levels through the SCN-pineal pathway.
14:42
The vestibular system detects motion through fluid movement in three semicircular canals, analogous to three-dimensional axis encoding.
16:44
The vestibular system compensates for head movement by rotating the eyes in the opposite direction to stabilize the image on the retina.
20:46
Visual-vestibular conflict is the root cause of motion sickness.
22:25
The cerebellum integrates sensory input to fine-tune motor commands in real time
23:20
Damage to the cerebellum causes unsteady movements and tremors.
24:56
The cerebellum compensates for vestibular damage by increasing output through visual feedback
25:56
The superior colliculus in the midbrain organizes visual reflexes and directs attention automatically.
28:28
Rattlesnakes integrate infrared and visual input in the tectal region to locate prey
30:14
Conflicting sensory inputs can lead to motion sickness
32:45
The basal ganglia are central to choosing actions and inhibiting impulses.
33:56
The prefrontal cortex plays a key role in regulating impulses during decision-making.
34:51
We don't choose our brains but can develop new skills and change behavior.
36:26
The visual cortex in early-blind people processes tactile information like Braille

Chapters

Dr. David Berson
00:00
Visual Perception, Photons & Retinal Processing, Ganglion Cells
00:30
Color Vision, Wavelengths & Photoreceptors; Cones & Rods
02:12
Sponsor: AGZ by AG1
05:56
Melanopsin, Intrinsically Photosensitive Retinal Ganglion Cells & Brightness Detection
07:24
Circadian Clock & Synchronization, Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN); Master Clock Function
08:31
Hypothalamus, Autonomic Nervous System & Hormonal Systems
11:16
Tool: Light Exposure & Melatonin Regulation, Pineal Function
13:01
Vestibular System, Balance & Motion Detection; Semicircular Canals
14:35
Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex, Image Stabilization & Head Rotation
16:44
Sponsor: Function
18:51
Motion Sickness, Visual-Vestibular Conflict; Tool: Avoiding Nausea
20:45
Cerebellum, Motor Coordination & Learning
22:24
Cerebellar Function, Precision & Timing of Movement; Cerebellar Ataxia
23:17
Flocculus & Visual-Vestibular Integration
24:54
Midbrain, Brainstem & Reflexive Behavior; Superior Colliculus
25:56
Spatial Orientation & Multisensory Integration; Rattlesnake Heat Detection
28:26
Sensory Integration & Corroboration
30:13
Sponsor: LMNT
31:13
Basal Ganglia, Go vs No-Go Behavior & Decision Making
32:45
Tool: Impulse Control & Delayed Gratification, Marshmallow Test
33:56
Individual Differences, Genetics & Experience
34:51
Visual Cortex, Neural Processing & Brain Plasticity
35:37
Cortical Reorganization, Braille Reading & Stroke Recovery
36:26
David Berson's Work; Acknowledgements
39:15

Transcript

Speaker 3: Welcome to Huberman Lab Essentials, where we revisit past episodes for the most potent and actionable science-based tools for mental health, physical health, and performance. Andrew Huberman: I'm Andrew Huberman, and I'm a professor of neurobio...