Essentials: The Science of Gratitude & How to Build a Gratitude Practice

Huberman Lab

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.

Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com.

Thank you to our sponsors

AGZ by AG1: https://drinkagz.com/huberman

Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman

Our Place: https://fromourplace.com/huberman

Timestamps

(0:00) Gratitude

(0:30) Gratitude Practice Benefits

(3:22) Pro-Social vs Defensive Behaviors, Gratitude

(6:25) Sponsor: Eight Sleep

(8:07) Serotonin, Brain & Context, Gratitude Mindset

(14:02) Context, Can You Lie to Yourself?

(14:48) Effective Gratitude Practice, Tools: Receiving Gratitude, Story

(21:18) Sponsor: AGZ by AG1

(22:47) Tool: Find & Revisit Inspirational Stories

(27:30) Heartfelt Intention, Genuine Thanks

(29:42) Sponsor: Our Place

(31:03) Gratitude Practice Benefits for Anxiety, Fear & Motivation

(33:29) Gratitude Practice Benefits for Immune System

(36:02) Recap: Establishing an Effective Gratitude Practice

Disclaimer & Disclosures

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More description

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.

Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com.

Thank you to our sponsors

AGZ by AG1: https://drinkagz.com/huberman

Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman

Our Place: https://fromourplace.com/huberman

Timestamps

(0:00) Gratitude

(0:30) Gratitude Practice Benefits

(3:22) Pro-Social vs Defensive Behaviors, Gratitude

(6:25) Sponsor: Eight Sleep

(8:07) Serotonin, Brain & Context, Gratitude Mindset

(14:02) Context, Can You Lie to Yourself?

(14:48) Effective Gratitude Practice, Tools: Receiving Gratitude, Story

(21:18) Sponsor: AGZ by AG1

(22:47) Tool: Find & Revisit Inspirational Stories

(27:30) Heartfelt Intention, Genuine Thanks

(29:42) Sponsor: Our Place

(31:03) Gratitude Practice Benefits for Anxiety, Fear & Motivation

(33:29) Gratitude Practice Benefits for Immune System

(36:02) Recap: Establishing an Effective Gratitude Practice

Disclaimer & Disclosures

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2025-10-23 39 min Transcript
Listen elsewhere

Available Results

Generated results are saved to your library for reuse and search.

No generated results are available for this episode yet.

Transcript

Open the Transcript tab to load the transcript.

Chapters

No chapters available.