Dr. Noam Sobel: How Smells Influence Our Hormones, Health & Behavior | Huberman Lab Podcast
In this episode, my guest is Noam Sobel, PhD, professor of neurobiology in the department of brain sciences at the Weizmann Institute of Science. Dr. Sobel explains his lab’s research on the biological mechanisms of smell (“olfaction”) and how sensing odorants and chemicals in our environment impacts human behavior, cognition, social connections, and hormones. He explains how smell is a crucial component of “social sensing” and how we use olfaction when meeting new people to determine things about their physiology and psychology, and he explains how this impacts friendships and romantic partners. He explains how smell influences emotions, hormone levels, memories and the relationship between breathing and autonomic homeostasis. He describes how smell-based screening tests can aid disease diagnosis and explains his lab’s work on digitization of smell - which may soon allow online communication to include “sending of odors” via the internet. Dr. Sobel’s work illustrates how sensitive human olfaction is and how it drives much of our biology and behavior.
#HubermanLab #Science #Smell
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Dr. Noam Sobel
Lab website: www.weizmann.ac.il/brain-scie...
Lab Facebook: / odorspaceworg
Publications: www.weizmann.ac.il/brain-scie...
Twitter: / labworg
Articles
The Age of Olfactory Bulb Neurons in Humans: bit.ly/41NMjb6
The Privileged Brain Representation of First Olfactory Associations: bit.ly/3LGEePP
Mechanisms of scent-tracking in humans: go.nature.com/41Sm03w
Measuring and Characterizing the Human Nasal Cycle: bit.ly/44dqGmi
Human non-olfactory cognition phase-locked with inhalation: go.nature.com/44iPIQQ
A social chemosignaling function for human handshaking: bit.ly/3Lo5kK6
There is chemistry in social chemistry: bit.ly/41TVIhq
MHC-dependent mate preferences in humans: bit.ly/41SbgCc
An Exteroceptive Block to Pregnancy in the Mouse: go.nature.com/3VnxRnN
Fear-Related Chemosignals Modulate Recognition of Fear in Ambiguous Facial Expressions: bit.ly/3NqAPpD
Sniffing the human body volatile hexadecanal blocks aggression in men but triggers aggression in women: bit.ly/3oQ6NBv
Menstrual Synchrony and Suppression: go.nature.com/3LRF9xf
Regulation of ovulation by human pheromones: go.nature.com/44jODbt
Human Tears Contain a Chemosignal: bit.ly/41Qmkjr
Why Only Humans Shed Emotional Tears: bit.ly/41W71pl
Revisiting the revisit: added evidence for a social chemosignal in human emotional tears: bit.ly/44dygNJ
Increase of tear volume in dogs after reunion with owners is mediated by oxytocin: bit.ly/41W73gX
An olfactory self-test effectively screens for COVID-19: go.nature.com/3Vj6z1S
Other Resources
Joachim Löw video: • Germany’s Coach Smells...
Osmo: osmo.ai
Odor Space: odorspace.weizmann.ac.il
Timestamps
00:00:00 Dr. Noam Sobel
00:03:46 Sponsors: ROKA, Thesis, Helix Sleep
00:06:46 Olfaction Circuits (Smell)
00:14:49 Loss & Regeneration of Smell, Illness
00:21:39 Brain Processing of Smell
00:24:40 Smell & Memories
00:27:52 Sponsor: AG1 (Athletic Greens)
00:29:07 Humans & Odor Tracking
00:39:25 The Alternating Nasal Cycle & Autonomic Nervous System
00:48:18 Cognitive Processing & Breathing
00:54:47 Neurodegenerative Diseases & Olfaction
01:00:12 Congenital Anosmia
01:05:01 Sponsor: InsideTracker
01:06:19 Handshaking, Sharing Chemicals & Social Sensing
01:15:07 Smelling Ourselves & Smelling Others
01:22:02 Odors & Romantic Attraction
01:24:58 Vomeronasal Organ, “Bruce Effect” & Miscarriage
01:40:20 Social Chemo-Signals, Fear
01:50:26 Chemo-Signaling, Aggression & Offspring
02:03:57 Menstrual Cycle Synchronization
02:12:11 Sweat, Tears, Emotions & Testosterone
02:27:46 Science Politics
02:37:54 Food Odors & Nutritional Value
02:45:34 Human Perception & Odorant Similarity
02:52:12 Digitizing Smell, COVID-19 & Smell
03:05:50 Medical Diagnostic Future & Olfaction Digitization
03:10:55 Zero-Cost Support, KZhead Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter
Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac - www.blabacphoto.com
Disclaimer: hubermanlab.com/disclaimer
As a blind guy I thoroughly enjoyed this discussion and sincerely hope you have this doctor back for another 3 hours or more sometime in the future!! Thank you for bringing this great content to the masses who otherwise wouldn’t get to enjoy learning such great information!!
Blind guys watching KZhead is so 2023
@@Mr.DerekReese I'm average sighted and still watch the majority of YT as a podcast while doing various stuff.
@@dwsel Samesies 🤣🤣🤣
@@Mr.DerekReese you need ears to understand
@Prsimo ibn you need ears to hear. It's what's between the ears that lends itself to understanding.
Andrew, can you please have a podcast dedicated solely to those who are struggling with their smell after having covid? it has been almost two years and my smell is still distorted. I've tried everything from carnivore diet, extended fasting, psilocybin, supplements, smell training, but no cure. Any improvement i've had has been microscopic. My identical twin sister had covid the exact same time as me but her smell came back within a few months. I dont know why more people arent talking about this.
This is me too. I’ve felt dull and flat emotionally now that I’ve lost so much of my sense of smell after having Covid twice. I miss my sense of smell more than I ever would have imagined.
During the portion discussing unexplained spontaneous miscarriages: I wondered if increased miscarriages during the vax/covid era had a connection with smell issues….,
Intro less than 10 seconds, cuts right to the chase, mellow voice, neutral background and outfit, no crazy background music = an oasis to my overstimulated senses in today's content deluge. Thank you!
Agreed
Is this a joke? So far I've spent 6 minutes and 47 seconds with him droning on including the three commercials that he delivered for very questionable items except for his brilliance stamped approval. What a self aggrandizing bore!
Is this a joke? So far I've spent 6 minutes and 47 seconds with him droning on including the three commercials that he delivered for very questionable items except for his brilliance stamped approval. What a self aggrandizing bore!
Unfortunately, you are right. I was willing to ignore it the first time I noticed it, thinking I needed the 'break' anyway, but it happens in his other videos too.
The relationship between nasal airflow and ADHD was astonishing. It makes a strong case for meditation and breath work. I personally love the Win Hof Method.
Hoffer here!
I have a horrible reaction to perfumes. It's a full neurological assault. I've always suspected I had ADHD and recently confirmed the diagnosis. It's fascinating that the 2 are connected. I've only met a handful of people with hypersensitivity to perfumes. It really is disabling. I get called crazy by my coworkers and they've told me to stay home and get disability.
Yeahhh, cold showers and plungers for all us squirrel brains! 😅
which time they are talking about this issue
I cannot do perfumes, deodorants, only basic soap and shampoos etc. No smells on or around me.
I have always had an acute sense of smell. Some of my first memorys are sitting in church very young and being overwhelmed by people's perfume. To point I would feel sick. My smell at nearly 50 is still exceptional. I can often smell things others can't. I often feel I can taste some smells.
Dr. Huberman. You are a godsend. I’ve sent your video on grieving to a few people this month and they both thanked me for your wisdom. You are an incredible human being, a Dale Carnegie of our generation
:3 The fastest Formula 1 racer is a fellow vegan.
:3 True, mouth breathing is very bad for you. A lot of people breath bad, and it's linked to poor teeth structure, bad jaw alignment, throat infections, more sickness, etc. Mouth breathers are the inferior ones in humanity. 💀 I only breathe through the mouth a little when I'm feeling out of breath after doing stairs (isn't that common at all to be out of breath from stairs), or something like that.
I've sent that same video to others. It's sooo good.
he is a funnel for radical far right propaganda, he is using good data to imbue legitimacy on russian agents like jordan peterson, he is putting ALL of our lives in danger, for money, it is sickening
I agree, thanks Andrew for helping us acquire knowledge!
There's never a bad Huberman Lab podcast... But this one an absolute beauty.
yesss!
I stumbled upon this & have hope now that my sense of smell will continue to improve, after losing it during my last bout with COVID.
I had contacted covid back in 2020 and I have lost my sense of smell and it really sucks. I had no idea how much smell really does affect us. Definitely helps us with smelling danger. One time I was cooking I stepped away for a moment and I didn't realize that I was burning our food until I saw smoke. I had no sense of smell. It really sucks. I'm going on 3 years. My sense of smell is there but very very faintly it's not as prominent as it used to be. When I smell new things I get so excited. So now I know how my dog feels LOL when she's out on her walks
I believe vitamin A and alpha lipoic acid can help with the sense of smell. Other than that, pray
Look up smell retraining therapy (SRT), it might help. You focus on sniffing strong natural (pleasant) smells which helps retrain the nerves as they regrow/heal from viral infections. Sniffing cloves and lemons helped my sense of smell come back quicker
Teresa, if you water-fast for 4 days or more there is a possibility that your DNA can re-set itself. I've been reading about this. Remember what is man-made can be un-made.
You need to do smell training. I lost my sense of smell and taste for 3 days and almost legitimately went suicidal. Like actually. How can you know anything is clean or safe to eat or if there’s a gas leak or anything?
I'm almost 3 years in for loss of smell and taste. People have no idea how depressing it is to lose these 2 senses. I've tried all the protocols even tried a 6 day dry fast..no success.
The quality of your guests and your content is unmatched. Thank you for the amazing gift of wisdom and knowledge that you pass to us every episode. Always motivating and inspiring.
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@@charlenewhite6899A
H9r. Lt
@@samt3885lo se o lo 7:22 ihh😅ikoikook
@@samt3885lo se o lo 7:22 ihh😅ikoikook
I've always thought it's unfortunate that besides foods and fragrances we don't really have a set-based form of entertainment the way we have music for the ear and visual arts for the eyes. I've noticed that my nose has a very strong connection with my brain and my memory because certain smells can immediately trigger a strong sense of nostalgia or recollection of a long forgotten memory much more efficiently than a visual or audible trigger might. We need more scentertainment!
i carry around small perfumes/lotions/oils with me, and will visit the lotion or essential oil section of a specialty store for fun. its possible!
@@ahem8013 some scents seem better than medicines, instant effects, and we learn here, driving primal behavior..lol
that's such an interesting concept!
I’ve been exploring my scentutainment through cannabis
@@ahem8013watch out cos most perfumes have phenols which are endocrine disrupting chemicals so they f with your hormones (which is not a good thing).
I have always had a very very strong sense of smell. I can recognize people or sense(smell) them before I see them etc. etc. This podcast was the first time the sense of smell has been discussed in mainstream or popular culture. Thank you!!
As a former hospice aide , I noticed that diseases have distinct odors, my olfactory sense was honed and since that experience began I know notice people by the smells. This the my primary sense. I can smell disease. This discussion was enlightening and I have a much clearer understanding of my sense of smell 🌺 You both were a pleasure to listen to
Yes. As a former RN, I could smell c diff, GI bleed, yeast, and colon cancer, and so on. Of course, I couldn't identify everything, but a lot!
Amazing, both of y’all. That’s so interesting
So then did you worry you were breathing in the various diseases as you were giving care? I would be fearful...
@@kathyjenkins1222 nope, not more than any other thing. You can't catch cancer, a GI bleed, c diff, through smelling it. We came across far more virulent things, and we used basic precautions. If someone is suspected to have a contagious respiratory disease, they are put in isolation and appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment) placed outside their door. There are risks in life, and risks in certain jobs, and as long as one is educated and prepared, that's what we can control :)
@@Alphacentauri819 I suppose so, but a medical doctor told me all odors consist of microscopic particles that which you are smelling….hence if you can smell lung cancer then there must be something in the air you are inhaling into your nose/lungs, for example. I understand medicine is an inherently dangerous occupation for many reasons. My career was as well, and you learn to live with the risk.
Hi! I´m from Argentina and I´m currently doing my bachelor's degree in Neuroscience at American University in Washington dc. As a student and a big fan of neuroscience and neurobiology, I´m amazed by the way you address each topic. I would really like to watch an episode about hormones and the brain of women, and the effects that being in a different stage of their monthly cycle could have.
Look for the episode with Dr Sara Gottfried a lot of this is covered in that
@@paulmckeown8799 thanks!
Hi I have a selective sense of smell. Fortunately, I don’t smell bad smells but I smell everything else! Is that serious?
I would think you would smell what is bad..usually people smell what is rotten/bad before they notice flowers or fresh air because good smells are normal..smelling what is clean and peasant is normal to most people. Having to smell awful smells for long periods of time can be traumatic for some people..
I would love him to have Dr. Mindy Pelz on! She talks about eating for your hormones/with your menstrual cycle often on her podcast/in her book.
Huge gratitude to Dr. Sobel. Amazed me most his statement in the future we'll have a tool for smelling disease.
They're using animals for that already
Or danger.
@@Acoustic-Rabbit-Hole.
@@Acoustic-Rabbit-Hole😊
This guest is a nerd in the very best sense of the word. Appreciate his knowledge.
OMG Yessss!!! LOL... I know some really hot very smart men but he is not one of them. lol
The content on this channel is unmatched on YT. Thanks for another phenomenal video. The only channel I will watch for more than 30 mins on YT.
Human hair is an amazing medium for odour recording and transfer. This topic just hasn't been in focus enough. I have long hair and when wearing it loose and smell it at the end of the day feels like rewind and replay of all the places I visited, people I've met and foods I ate. It's so much fun.
WOWWWW! I’ve never heard of anything like that! Seems like a lucky thing
You are right hair picks up a lot1 Maybe the woman from the relationships that have miscarriages with long hair often pick up scents from other people or places and this triggers it? Could be
Exactly!!!
No, it is no fun at all. Just last week I took an elevator where someone just smoked, and I had to carry a stench of cigarettes for the rest of the day and had to bound my long hair away of my face to make the experience more bearable until I could wash it.
avoid public toilets
Dr. Sobel is a delightful guest. I hope he returns sooner rather than later with more terrific things to teach and share.
And smell.
This topic is insane ! These guys know so much about something we would not think twice about on a normal basis but is so tied to our life, behavior and health.
I just want to appreciate that in the first 3 minutes of the introduction, you summarize what people will learn in the episode. The way it is done with real-life examples that everyone can relate to is great. It invites viewers to ask a lot of questions and generates curiosity, which is great for retention. Also, time stamps are helpful for scoping the topic and understanding the big picture. Pairing all of this with Dr. Huberman's amazing ability to synthesize and process complicated information into something digestible for anyone, coupled with his ability to ask great questions during guest episodes, and the fact that the studio and visual aspects of the recording are also helping me focus, makes for a very optimized and well-thought-out learning environment. There are probably many more subtle aspects to this, but these ones stood out the most to me and I was able to catch them with my current understanding of learning efficiency.
Il no io nn mi poi i o monte link i
Nono impongono non oninon non nominiamo no lo okok o Kin in no non
Niniiiikk in lo in i il i non
No i no no in in iNini no il i no i
I in i io non o no la ii il i non lo immobili in io in iooon
When my son was three months old I strapped him into a front carrier and walked through Hampstead Heath's high street. A man stepped toward me, probably just to get ahead of someone slower, but in that very moment I knew with cold certainty that I would kill him if he touched my baby. The clarity and violence of that moment have stayed with me for years - and now I understand why I had that very unusual thought (for me)!! It may have been a more heightened response than usual because my nose was always close to that little baby head constantly emitting hexadeconol. Thanks for a fascinating episode!
I am chemical sensitive entire life having been poisoned throughout childhood on a farm and in lake Erie in 1950s/60s. My sense of smell is ridiculous...I not only smell people and chemicals on them them I also scent weather. I know when rain or snow is coming...different smells. 99% of people use chemical soaps shampoos deodorants perfumes etc...I cannot bear it. Had a difficult time living in the city or using public transit. I avoid crowds. The smell of chemicals changes my personality and not in a good way. It makes me irritable... angry...makes me wonder how many others are like thus and they don't know why. Some people I must get away from ASAP as their body scent is torture to me. We have chemical free home but there is a golf course a block away. When they fertilize the grass i go insane. Wish I was normal. 😓
I know two people with no sense of smell since childhood- they are extremely challenging and complex people. That’s as diplomatic as I can be.
Would love to see an episode about tanning, sun exposure, sun beds, sunscreen, etc. get down to the details of uvs ray and skin cancer risks and prevention. This would be very helpful for the summer and us pale beach goers
"The Olfaction process" ... As described by a true master of the field. This episode absolutely shocked me at times, made me laugh and most importantly I'll never see olfaction the same way again. The most interesting science I've heard in a while. Thank you Dr. Huberman and Dr. Sobel, so very much. You're continued curiosity and contribution with the human systems has inspired me to continue my pursuit of science. Much respect and love.
At around the 40min mark, Noem briefly mentions that nostril air flow can tell if someone has adhd, and if they are medicated or not. This brief mention has me fascinated, I’d love to learn more about it. I have adhd, I was diagnosed in Jan after 52yrs of struggling thru life with no idea why. The road to diagnosis was long and expensive ( yet so worth it, life has improved immensely ) Imagine if a nostril/breath test was developed as a diagnostic tool. That could help cut costs for diagnosis. Many people simply can’t afford to see a psychiatrist, so they spend their life suffering when a solution is possible, I find that so sad. Psychiatrists would lose $$ and clients, yet their loss wouldn’t come close to the adhd ‘tax’ neurodivergent people pay.
I’m hoping this gets into why moms can smell the stress levels of their children. It’s something that I noticed as a new mom and still think is probably critical to their health and wellbeing.
Also, mom's can definitely smell when their child is sick, particularly with fever. Cytokines? I should add 'caretakers' of children and not just mom's. Although I find a greater 'sick scent' recognition in biological mothers.
The last couple of minutes were so adorable. I love how your faces light up when you're nerding each other out. The beginning was challenging for me but I'm happy I stuck it out, I learned a lot. And we better get a heads up before you come to Tel Aviv I will not be missing out on that!
Loved the ending so much! Got a bit teary, and I'm not an overly easy cryer 😂
I started losing my sense of smell and sense of taste since beginning of 2019. I am a registered nurse in my late 50s . I live a pretty healthy life. I work out six days a week. I eat healthy . I sleep 7-8 hours. I have done MRIs I have seen numerous neurologist, neurosurgeons & the best rheumatologist in Los Angeles and done Acupuncture. I have also gone as far as spending tremendous amounts of money on Stem Cell Therapy. Nothing and nobody has been able to help me. This is the most depressing thing I ever have to deal with in my life. I love nature, I am a foodie and I cook amazing food for my family and my friends yet I can’t taste any food . Dr. Huberman I remember in one of your podcast you said when you got Covid you lost your sense of taste and you couldn’t taste the blueberries imagine I am like that with everything. I lost so much weight due to not being able to taste or smell anything .At times it’s even a little scary because I can’t even smell if the gas is on. I listen to all of your podcasts. I have tried to contact you, but I haven’t been able to reach you. Dr. Huberman if you or your guest today know of someone who can help me please let me know. I can’t tell you how depressing it is when I think about I am never going to smell any roses in my backyard or smell the nature when I go for a hike or smell the rain . I’m open to any suggestion even from your or even listeners. Thank you for reading this.
I feel your pain. I am similar to you in my inability to smell and our age. Drs haven't helped, although I haven't done as many tests. I sympathize greatly. Sometimes, I get fleeting smells and feel hopeful, only to be disappointed continuously 😢 . I wish you luck. From this podcast, it doesn't sound like it can be changed. It's so hard to accept, I know. Most have no idea the sadness we feel.
Try adding a low zinc supplement to your diet, it helped me regain taste and smell after covid...good luck.
I was suffering from the same thing. Some suggestions, do some allergy tests. I was allergic to dust mites. I lost my smell during COVID. I was not allergic to any food . Still I quit coffee, gluten n dairy. No alcohol. My doctor gave me Fluticasone furoate nasal spray. Don't use it for more than a month without asking your doctor. Luckily I recovered my smell after two years. Still I take care of my allergy from dust mites. Doc said if I'll come into contact with dust mites. I may lose my smell again.
Look into meditation and it's ability to heal damaged dna. Also look into bromelain (pineapple enzyme) which clears fibrin from covid and does much more. Good luck to you and remember we are in control of our bodies, every cell is listening to our minds for direction. I bet it may help to learn about how we are just energy and we actually have more control then we know. Check out Dr Joe Dispenza and Bruce Lipton their work has done wonders for many. 🍀
56:12 “The nose is a path to our brain” The implications of that are remarkable on different areas of the human experience.
Dr Andrew Huberman Has a magnificent personality ; humble , gentle and aware ,listening deeply and dliverin inteligent questions and insights.
Never thought I would be SO intrigued by this subject, both Andrew abd Noam are brilliant, humble and approachable. This conversation is one of my favorites of Huberman's podcasting journey.
My assumption that I as an individual perceive odours and smells different to other people was refuted. Being humbled by science is the best way to learn and grow. Thank you both for this highly interesting episode, I didn't want it to stop.
I just love how they explain everything to us so we can understand them , and they make it fun so we don't get bored or distracted ( which happens to me very often) plus they are having fun to which is amazing. So thank you! You're amazing guys!
I know I love you guys they are so freaking awesome this is yeah I love how you know how you said hey the symphony part has nothing to do with even sympathy it was like a fight or flight response and it's so intense and amazing and I just love to watch just how they cover everything and every aspect cuz I have friends of so many walks of life where you know hey I was just about to turn to somebody and say wait a minute and he just says hey for those of you I love how you just throw that. I agree just from the beginning I mean I just I always love to hit this new to me but you know just like hey that do not disturb but it's such a beautiful thing when you press it. And I came across this I'm hooked and I'm subscribed. And definitely going to share. On my other social platforms I. The best tasty morsel put this in your ear I love it. ❤ 💕
More, PLEASE!!! I think the huge amount ‘we’ do not yet fully understand about smell is a great example to the allopathic medical science to humble them to be open to change and advancement of creating human wellness.
2:41:00 "it's a good a idea, to the extent that someone probably did it, and i should know and don't " Is perhaps one of the best lines in the podcast. The guy went into a huge science trip in his head, no ego whatsoever, he was geniunly baffled and curious that he never even thought of that.
As a neuroscientist, thank you for this radically enlightening discussion. The amount of follow up and connections with my own research that I've gleaned from this is exciting.
Thank you for this episode!! I have an extremely acute sense of smell and the world of scent drives me insane. Great to learn more about this.
Me too.
Same. Walking down the laundry soap aisle of a grocery store is awful. Grab and go. Why do people want their laundry detergent and dryer sheets to smell like fake lavender anyway?
@@12thDecemberBecause we cant smell very well 😢
I just love the enthusiasm you both show over the discussion of these experiments!! Fabulous content.. thank you!
Hi Andrew, I cannot tell you how intrigued I am about the type of high quality content you put up on KZhead. I watched a video of yours on female hormone optimization and it was mind-blowing. I cannot imagine myself listening for 2.5 hours but I was hooked on and took notes. I'm not sure if it's too much to ask. I am a doctor, a night shift worker and definitely not living the best lifestyle due to chaotic routine. There should be so many other night shift workers like me nurses, firefighters, pilots, police who would benefit if you could please make a video on what we could do with the resources available to us. For whoever would make that shift to daytime working would make that shift. In the meantime as there isn't much data available on the internet. I did read only one book, the circadian code. I would really appreciate anytime in the future you could please consider this topic. Didn't find another way of reaching out to you but I saw at the end of your last video that you read all your comments. Thank you for your inspiring work. You're a blessing to humanity.
1:04:37 “Olfaction and reproduction are tightly linked” Just wow. Bro I did not know I was so interested about this subject. You are revolutionizing the way we learn. I feel so privileged I am able to hear professors from Ivy League universities doing their own thing with no training wheels. Just guided by science, curiosity and technology.
I totally love smell sense studies. People should learn more about it and start to use this ability more consciously.
"Just guided by science, curiosity and technology." Love that! Amazing time to be alive as a human with a love of learning, and a constantly curious mind.
This was such a lively and interesting conversation. Dr. Sobel opened a whole new world during this 3 hr podcast that felt like a discussion to have more and more of. Thank you, Dr. Huberman, for making it happen. And when visiting Tel Aviv, Israel, please plan to stop by in Dubai, UAE ;)
I'm still watching. I had to pause and reply as Dr Sobel is a joy to listen to. His joy for what he does exudes! That's beautiful to observe.
This has been one of my favorite podcast interviews ever. Thank you both so much for taking the time to educate us.
I am quite sensitive to some smells as they can trigger a migraine so stay away from many high street perfumes and scented lotions. I am currently wearing Oud, which even though strong, doesn't cause headaches. And an interesting fact when I was dating was that I had to like the smell of the person, some people even when doused in aftershave didn't "smell" right. 😅
I would LOVE to hear more about aversion to perfume and other synthetic chemical- type smells. And how to rewire the brain to respond to them less intensely. Those smells have kept me from socializing to a great degree for many years. Related to that, something interesting happened recently. I nearly completely lost my sense of smell a couple of months ago for almost two weeks. It was glorious!! During that time I took the opportunity to test whether I really was allergic or highly sensitive to particular smells, or if, with the cue missing, it was more along the lines of expecting to be sensitive (I had loved smells in the past but shortly following a traumatic experience being closed up in an area with off-gassing paint, I slowly became more hypersensitive). Those two weeks were illuminating. I frequented areas where I would be, in the past, in a great deal of distress (anger, anxiety, headaches, fatigue) and noticed, with the cue gone, I was FINE!!! I couldn’t believe it. I got to thinking that the particles were still being inhaled to the same areas in my sinuses and mouth where they had triggered something akin to metaphorical shards of glass-type sensations. Followed by mood shifts, headache, and fatigue. I DID run into a couple of areas where I began to sneeze for ‘no known reason’ until my sense of smell returned and I was exposed to those same smells with the trigger cue. And once again, I sneezed. When my smell returned, after lightly testing the progressive return of my smell cues, I noticed that I was now able to tolerate the smell of most flowers and diffused essential oils! I still struggle with petroleum based perfume and cologne, and a few laundry detergents, but have also noticed a SIGNIFICANT reduction in the frequency of when I would get a headache following exposure. The mood reactions have diminished somewhat as well. I would absolutely love to be able to be around smells with a ‘normal physiological reaction’ (even if I don’t personally enjoy the smell). Needles to say, I found my little experiment very fascinating. And I am enjoying this podcast topic and interview immensely!
I get what you're saying. My problem is nowhere near as serious as yours, but when people in my neighborhood run their dryer and I happen to be outside, the scent of perfumed dryer sheets makes me want to gag. I'm also thankful my neighbor who smoked outside has moved away.
I have the same issue. I get brain fog, a sharp pain in my head, I can taste it, my sinuses and teeth throb, and I get dizzy. Its debilitating.
Aversion to synthetic smells is a defense mechanism and indicates toxicity. I would advise seeing a functional medicine physician to see what toxicity exists.
I used to have a very strong reaction like this whenever I was exposed to synthetic fragrances. I believe part of it was due to mycotoxin exposure from toxic mold. Another part of it, was just too much exposure growing up. My folks always had those Glade plug-in air fresheners running and they both smoked indoors constantly. You can develop a fragrance allergy over time, but toxic exposures can def make it much worse.
What an amazing experiment and experience. Thanks for sharing!
What a sweet man, I can't help but smile whilst I watch him talk.
My man Dr. Noam Sobel not only does he contribute fascinating knowledge and understanding to our brains, but he is also a boxing fan. Lesss gooo
So good. Thank you. Please have him back. More on ADHD and breathing?
Thank you for making science so much fun and interesting for regular people. I would have never asked myself this questions. I love your podcast.
Dr. Andrew your podcast motivates and inspires us in so many ways. I admire your dedication and commitment ❤
I plan to have my Aromatherapy Certification before my sixtieth birthday next month. This is just so fascinating and inspiring. Thank you!
May God give you the smell to achieve your goals.
What a surprisingly fascinating episode!! Bless you both! 🙏
Very impressed with your dedication to neurology! Mad respect for what you do. Thanks for your important use of your influence to educate!❤ hope u enjoy your time on earth, Andrew🎉
Fascinating. The medical applications make perfect sense to me with dogs already being used to sense changes in odors to predict medical events in their owners. Thank you for this wonderful discussion.
As a result of a bicycle v automobile accident over a decade ago, i lost my sense of smell... Many, many doctors told me that was not possible. I knew from my body that it was related. Thank you for explaining how it really is possible.
I'm sorry doctors didn't believe you. A friend's aunt lost her sense of smell in a skating accident and it was devastating.
I have been 3 months post COVID without smell and taste, it’s absolutely awful especially as my sense of smell was highly acute prior.
I know how you feel. It’s really depressing when we can’t smell or taste our food. I’ve been dealing with it since 2019.
i understand! 2 years later mine is mostly back but still not as acute as before
I’ve been dealing with this since 2010… allergies and sinuses. It is indeed miserable!
We follow our nose not our heart, I love that Dr. Noam Sobel 😊Thank you Doctors for this podcast.
I found this episode very helpful as I myself suffered a brain injury when I was 6 years old. I suffered a impact to my left hemisphere of my head. However after the injury I became right handed after being born left handed. I also was blessed with better than good eye sight. 20/10 after the injury. My brain had to rewire itself and I've lived a very unique life because of this injury that was a blessing in disguise.. The brain is still much a mystery to us, as there are more neurons in the brain then there are stars in the observable universe. Thank you for the research you have done and will continue to do.
What an fascinating, novel, and informative episode! I could have listened to another 3 hours! I listen during my commute and hearing the smile and love of his work in Dr. Sobel's voice as he talked was also great for starting/ending the day. And cudo's to him for offering to replicate and publish results with the researchers who pushed back on his findings. It takes character to but as open with research validating or invalidating one's hypothesis. 🐶 And as a shiba dog person, can totally relate to the dog discussion!
I loved this episode! Dr. Sobel is a very humble and nice guy, and the information he shared is so delightful that I can't wait another HL with him. BTW, was it only me, but the vertical panels behind Andrew created a weird effect? More than one time I found myself thinking I was sick or something like it 🔥🤘🏼
Andrew's podcast always passes the sniff test.
Now that’s a GOOD ONE!!!
Why do we seek? Is there any reason to seek a better future if we're fully comfortable and content with the way our body feels now? When thoughts slow down, you may notice that there is discomfort in the body, which may show up in a myriad of ways: pain, anxiety, anger, or any other sensation or emotion. This is part of the reason that we get addicted to thought- because it’s an immediately available way to avoid or try to fix the way our bodies feel. We won't be able to rest in presence for very long if we keep ignoring or avoiding discomfort. Rather, we'll continue to follow thoughts about past and future. We'll keep trying to escape. So, how do we bring direct attention to the energies of our body? The first step is to acknowledge that you are feeling something. We tend to acknowledge emotions and sensations first through the mind... We might think, "I’m angry," or "I’m afraid," or we may simply notice that something is bothering us... But we can't feel emotions or sensations through thinking. These thoughts are narratives are labels for how we feel. They are not the actual energies themselves. For example, if you have the thought "I have a stomachache," that thought is a label for something that is actually happening in your body... In order to actually feel or experience the stomachache directly, you would have to bring attention down into the stomach area and feel it (without thoughts on it). The same is true for all emotions and sensations. Once you acknowledge that you feel something or have been triggered by someone or some event, bring attention very gently to the body where you feel the actual emotion or sensation. With your attention there, feel into the sensation or emotion, and see if you can notice the peripheral space around it at the same time. Let the emotion or sensation just hang there in that open space, without trying to change, neutralize, or get rid of it. It is common to want to change, neutralize, or get rid of bodily energies. Just notice any tendency to want to do these things. This is resistance at work, and trying to stop that resistance from happening is simply adding more resistance. Bear in mind that we give power to words, pictures, and bodily energies by turning awareness away from them... And we diminish their power by turning toward them and remaining aware of them until they fade naturally. That one simple understanding, if turned into a daily practice, is highly transformative.
I only understood half of what was said but I enjoyed every second of it.
One of the more interesting and illuminating podcasts on here so far! I had trouble pausing it because I had other things to do. But I dripfed myself this one over a few days and feel very enriched.
I found this the most interesting episode in a while! Thank you both!
I love these podcasts. I'm retired and in my 70's and have leaned so much about our biological systems watching them rather than TV. Thank You!
I really enjoyed Dr Sobel time, sharing the science he was making on his Labs and the comments about this fiel, super interesting, but also enjoyed the meta information he shared about the way studies are done, and published, and communicate. I found him super clear. Thanks for inviting him and share with us.
I started taking supplements back in the early 1990's, after having Thyroid surgery in 1986. One of the first supplements that I became obsessed with was Zinc,because I heard that it was involved with the male hormone Testosterone, which I felt had been disrupted by my missing thyroid. Later on I'd come across information about how zinc was associated with our sense of taste and smell. On quite a few occasions after tsking a zinc lozenge, by the time it was almost completely dissolved, I'd notice that the air around me "CAME TO LIFE"! That might sound a bit dramatic, but it was that kind of eye opening experience. My full senses seemed to shift from dull, mondane, and just, LACKING, to ALIVE and VIVID. I perception of life was, at that time, profoundly impacted. Just because the air around my "Came To Life". It doesn't always work, because my hormones are still off, and I think thus is impacting all parts of my physiology. I have learned to pay closee attention to the intrigant balance between zinc, copper and iron, which may also have something to do with the dramatic effect that I found when supplementing with zinc. 💪🏼😆👍🏼🤔 🌬️💨👃🏻🧠👅Zinc+
I was told it would help my sense of smell to return I lost during covid. Nope :(
Some people say it makes you lose sense of smell and taste ( zinc ) . I’m so glad science is advancing on nutrition and supplementation. Using supplements has changed my life. When I go without them I feel a dramatic shift in my body energy and gut health and overall health. They’re just so expensive. 😔
Dr. Huberman, I can't thank you enough for sharing all this knowledge with all of us. Also I really like how enthusiastically & sincerely Dr. Sobel is answering questions. Since we're on smell, I would like to know how strong odour cause migraines only to some people while rest are almost unaffected ? what are triggers for activating migraines as I've seen people were fine before (including me) & now I can't stand strong smell ,long exposure will cause me aura. Also, What can be done trick our brain or system to reduce symptoms other than completely avoiding triggers ?
1:08:18 1:08:18 Dogs do it first when they meet!
@@aldorodriguez7310 Its not related to my question or am I missing something ?
🎉 Thank you 🎉 Have a wonderful mood 🎉
Geeze, what an interesting episode - again! As a highly sensitive person to smells I have learned so much! Thank you and Dr. Sobel for this great lesson and the generous time and effort you both dedicated to this topic!
Thank you for this very complex but now making sense video. Primal behavior!!! Smell of fear and sweat was always my issue, coming from traumatic childhood, now i have a better understanding why i mate with those i mate, thank you.
ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE! Thank you for sharing Dr. Sobel's life's work and his lab's ongoing, pioneering work and for your always insightful and eye opening questions. This episode made me positively giddy! I wonder first, if there is research on how smell (odours/ perfumes etc..) may help patients with Alzheimer's remember? Is that possible to manipulate in the brain somehow? Could that be an application of Dr. Sobel's work in the future? Second, is there a lot of research on how scent changes throughout women's cycles and lives- ie: in perimenopause and menopause, and/ with treatments that affect hormones, like chemotherapy etc?? Third, if we love someone's smell whom we later divorce for example, does their smell become unattractive to us? Can our emotional perception affect our scent perception or is it a one way street? Thank you and your lab for ALL that you do. It is simply a breathtaking amount of work and wisdom that you are sharing. So grateful for the Huberman Lab + podcast!
I just discovered your podcast when it came up in my feed today. What a wonderful gift of information you are giving to people. I'm so happy to have found your podcast and am thoroughly enjoying this episode. Thank you!!!
This station is a GIFT. Though I'm closer to an idi*t than a genius, I'm to able to follow their conversation with ease & enjoyment & I feel incredibly grateful for that.
I find this intriguing as I have work with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's students for the last 24 years. We actually grow rosemary, basil and parsley in our garden, at the senior center. it is a wandering garden for the Alzheimer students. I can tell a lot about the progress of their disease by their abilities to smell or not ! it's a great teaching tool for me to understand where there are in their progress or lack of progress do to Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. Great information here thank you. PS I can also see them going downhill through it's fascinating what I have learned by working with them directly.
Amazing ❤
This is in my top 10 favorite episode of your podcast. Dr. Noam Sobel is passionate and thorough. The episode is absolutely fascinating!!!
This was way more fascinating then I expected! Especially about people with cognitive decline losing sense of smell years before any other marked symptoms.
The mind-blowing "Boom" events to minutes ratio in this interview is incredible! Andrew: you MUST have this guy back for another installment. "Every medical disease will have an odor" with diagnostics potential. Yes. 'Though that's not new: in England cancer can be diagnosed by dogs trained to do this. Dementia too. And there's already at least one lab working on making an AI-based machine to replicate what dogs can be trained to do. It wouldn't surprise me if there are people who can do this too. Andrew Huberman's podcast is a necessary subscription. I'm grateful.
The information on the impact of the immune system and scent on attraction and mating was fascinating. This got me thinking: after a couple has been together for many years eating the same foods, living in the same environment, etc., their immune systems likely become more similar than different. Could that be a driver for some couples losing attraction? What if "the seven-year itch" is influenced by our sense of smell?
I like the way you think!
If I were to lose one sensation organ, I had always answered "smell" very quickly. Now thanks to Dr Noam Sobel I answer "hearing." Thank you for the brilliant work you've done there. Simply amazing, I took a lot of notes during the podcast, especially during the part where it relates to evolutionary biology. Very interesting.
taste
Always enjoyable to hear people who have passion for what they do for the love of discovery. Thank you!
Professor Noam Sobel, your work is fascinating and was worth my listening time. Thank you for freely sharing with the public both your findings and your passion. If you were to start a newsletter or a blog for ongoing sharing of your work and perspectives, I'd sign up.
Am human but was born anosmatic which means that I cannot smell anything at all. Don't know what to do about it and would like some advice. Dr. Huberman, what can be done with this condition?
Andrew, thank you for another incredible episode. You are so skilled a delivering incredible value to your audience, and you are greatly appreciated! Always very interesting. Thank you to Noam Sobel, too. I learned so much!
I was not looking forward to this week’s episode as much as usual because I thought it sounded boring. Wrong! There was so much fascinating information that is pertinent to many of us every day!! Thank you, Drs. Huberman and Sobel.
“They come at you with Yoga mats which are not very dangerous “ 😂 the jokes are always funny. Great episode, thank you so much, you are pushing humanity forward. This channel is my #1 and i’m learning a lot! 🙏🏼⚡️
I don't usually comment youtube videos, I consider it a waste of time, most of the time. However here I just had to, to express my appreciation for your diligent work and contribution to our knowledge on so many useful and interesting topics. Everybody can find something in your weekly podcasts, that would be of interest to them. Keep up the good work, dr. Huberman. We appreciate it.
I too dislike every perfume I've ever smelled and am quite fond of natural body odour! The only body odors I dislike are ones that indicate specific uncleanliness or I'll health of the other person. I also can usually detect people close to me by their Smells, often i can tell who is present before entering a room only by smell
Hi! Long time listener of the podcast, and a huge fan! I love the depth with which you explain the how and why of what's going on. I've looked at my entire neurological system in a different light since I started listening to you, and would like to thank you for bringing this level of awesome to everyone! I wish there were more scientists out there who shared your goal in doing so!
Huberman 🧠 Forever grateful to be able to consume your expert content. 🙌🏻🔥🚀👏🏻
I hope you have another episode with Dr. Sobel! I tend to pay attention to smells more than many and I’ve wondered if humans were “bad mammals” in our olfactory ability. I can smell when people are coming down with an upper respiratory infection (often before they are aware of it), when someone is menstruating, and if someone had an alcoholic drink the day before. I wonder how highly sensitive personality is related to sense of smell. Perhaps highly sensitive people pay more attention to their senses or perhaps the sense of smell is more acute to begin with. Also, kids pick their noses before they are discouraged from doing so in public-I had assumed it was reinforced by finding a booger but after listening to this episode I wonder if it more about getting scent delivered directly to the nose. What are some good resources for training your sense of smell? It seems like such a powerful sense that is largely ignored by society.
Gives new meaning to the phrase, "wake up and smell the coffee"...lol. I was a preemie, many invasive procedures in the first hours of life. The smell of a hospital gives me a panic attack. People have doubted me when I told them that but this podcast explains that it is certainly possible that traumatic events I was too young to "remember" were stored by my olfactory system. Thank you.
Dr. Huberman, i hope you can spend an episode on hypersensitivity and misophonia as neurological phenomena.
Fascinating discussion. I'm so glad Fred Armisen was able to enlighten us on such an interesting and underappreciated topic!
Congenital anosmia; so that is what it is called. I always wondered why I could never smell a skunk or anything else. Now I know why. Thanks, Noam and Andrew.
Still watching this, but wanted to comment - I had a brain surgery, CSF leak and massive cranial reconstruction. I had my olfactory bulb/tract removed. So I can't smell at all, and after 13 years it's been a huge impact. I feel I can't sense my environment much, fit has caused me to be extra sensitive of my surroundings in other ways. But wow - I'm excited to watch all of this!
I'm so appreciative of you smart humans that are working to make a difference to humanity, i can't understand , something from nothing or nothing from something, how does that work?
It would be interesting to talk about those people with a hyper-sensitive ability to sense smells. It has its upsides to enhancing taste (as long as it’s a good one!) but also it’s downsides as I can become overwhelmed easily by chemical scents - scents that other people hardly notice. I can even tell when my diabetic husband’s sugar level is low due to his breath. I wonder if it’s more brain or more olfactory based?
I'm not a scientist. I believe that what you are experiencing is olfactory. This is what service dogs for diabetics are trained to smell and alert their owner to.
Going into stores is horrible for me!
I also can smell when a person’s blood sugar is off. I don’t know anyone else who can smell this. It’s a little disconcerting.
that would be me too ! But I also absolutely react with allergies to chemicals and the smells . I have Chemical Sensitivities and its a real challenge to be inside many places , like new carpets new paint , and mobile homes are the worst toxic soup ever . I tried to live in a brand new tiny mobile home . It was 3 days of horrific reactions . And the smell was overpowering , i believe it is Formaldehyde in glues and many other chemical smells . It gave me dizziness, and Migraine headaches , among mainly feeling like I needed to get out or I would be sick .