Podbit · Huberman Lab
The common advice to 'practice gratitude' by giving it is neurochemically backward. Receiving gratitude — and especially watching others exchange it — is what most powerfully activates serotonergic brain circuits linked to well-being. Simply being an observer of a genuine gratitude exchange can elevate your serotonin.
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At 28:33 · chapter starts 28:05
The serotonin section opens with a warning: prescription serotonin-raising treatments (like SSRIs) are effective but can push levels too high, causing appetite loss, reduced libido, and lethargy. The behavioral tools are gentler — and one is genuinely counterintuitive. Physical contact — hugging, cuddling, even holding hands — increases serotonin transmission. Gratitude is even more fascinating neurochemically: the common cultural script of 'practice giving gratitude' turns out to be scientifically inverted [1] — Andrew Huberman "Receiving, not giving gratitude, is what has the most potent effects on increasing serotonin and activity of the brain circuits that involv…" 28:40 . It is receiving gratitude, not giving it, that most potently activates serotonergic pathways linked to well-being. Even more striking: merely observing others exchange gratitude produces nearly as strong an activation in the observer [2] — Andrew Huberman "Observing others giving and receiving gratitude is immensely powerful for evoking serotonin and the activity of serotonergic circuits in yo…" 29:20 . This means that watching a genuinely moving scene of gratitude — in person or even on screen — is a real serotonin intervention, not just a feel-good moment. On the nutritional side, tryptophan-rich foods (easily searchable) feed the serotonin synthesis pathway, just as tyrosine feeds dopamine. Together, these tools make up a meaningful serotonin toolkit that doesn't require a prescription.
Receiving gratitude — not giving it — has the most potent effect on serotonin and related brain circuits linked to well-being, according to Huberman.
Simply observing others give and receive gratitude is immensely powerful for activating serotonergic circuits in the observer, even without direct participation.
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