Dr. Ellen Langer: Using Your Mind to Control Your Physical Health & Longevity
from Huberman Lab
by Scicomm Media
Published: Mon Feb 03 2025
Show Notes
In this episode, my guest is Dr. Ellen Langer, Ph.D., professor of psychology at Harvard University and the world’s leading researcher on the mind-body connection and the power our thinking has on our physical health. She explains how specific ways of framing and asking questions about the world shape our physical health and rate of aging. Dr. Langer also explains how our perception of time and control significantly impact our rate of physical healing, hormones, immune system, and longevity. She describes mindfulness as a way of framing life, not simply a meditation or other practice, and discusses data showing how to use one’s mind to overcome health challenges and achieve remarkable outcomes. Dr. Langer is a luminary and pioneer in researching the relationship between the mind and body with scientific rigor. Her work and our discussion are applicable to women and men of all ages and walks of life.
Read the full episode show notes at hubermanlab.com.
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Timestamps
Dr. Ellen Langer
Mindfulness
Mindless, Focus; Being Mindful
Sponsors: BetterHelp & Helix Sleep
Meditation
Choices & Longer Life; Mind & Body Unity, Exercise, Nocebo & Placebo Effect
Self, Mind-Body Interconnectedness
Acupuncture; Cancer & Healing, Probabilities, Tool: Tragedy or Inconvenience?
Sponsors: AG1 & Joovv
Brain & Predictions, Control & Mindlessness; Resolutions
“Should” Thoughts, Multitasking, Making Moments Matter, Work-Life Balance
Sleep, Stress, Tool: Perceived Sleep & Performance
Counterclockwise Study
Pioneering a Field, Change, Decisions & Uncertainty
Sponsor: Function
Making Sense of Behavior, Forgiveness, Blame
Technology, Human Drive; Tool: Noticing & Appreciating New Things
Art, Mindfulness, Education, Awards
Labels, Borderline Effect; Identity, “I Am”, Learning & Age
Sponsor: Our Place
Memory Loss, Vision; Chronic Disease, Symptom Variability
Deadlines, Constraints; Scientific Method & Absolutes
Covid Crisis, Vaccines, Uncertainty, Multiple Answers
Age & Decline?, Experience Levels & “Disinhibited”
Justice, Drama; Life-Changing Events & Perspective
Death, Spontaneous Cancer Remission; Will to Live
Mindful Hospital, Stress, Burnout, Tool: Mindful Checklist
Noticing, Choices
Coddling, Fragility, Social Media, Money
Tool: Playfulness
Nostalgia, Mindfulness; Tool: Gamifying Life; Parenthood & Work
Healing & Time Perception, Awareness & Neuroplasticity, Imagine Possibilities
Reviews & Critical Feedback, Others’ Opinions
Enlightenment, Flexibility, Expansiveness; Everyone Song
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