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
00:00:00 Dr. Ellen Langer
00:02:57 Mindfulness
00:06:53 Mindless, Focus; Being Mindful
00:11:03 Sponsors: BetterHelp & Helix Sleep
00:13:41 Meditation
00:14:47 Choices & Longer Life; Mind & Body Unity, Exercise, Nocebo & Placebo Effect
00:25:39 Self, Mind-Body Interconnectedness
00:32:16 Acupuncture; Cancer & Healing, Probabilities, Tool: Tragedy or Inconvenience?
00:42:18 Sponsors: AG1 & Joovv
00:44:46 Brain & Predictions, Control & Mindlessness; Resolutions
00:48:09 “Should” Thoughts, Multitasking, Making Moments Matter, Work-Life Balance
00:56:55 Sleep, Stress, Tool: Perceived Sleep & Performance
01:01:58 Counterclockwise Study
01:06:15 Pioneering a Field, Change, Decisions & Uncertainty
01:16:47 Sponsor: Function
01:18:35 Making Sense of Behavior, Forgiveness, Blame
01:25:35 Technology, Human Drive; Tool: Noticing & Appreciating New Things
01:32:50 Art, Mindfulness, Education, Awards
01:39:30 Labels, Borderline Effect; Identity, “I Am”, Learning & Age
01:49:44 Sponsor: Our Place
01:50:56 Memory Loss, Vision; Chronic Disease, Symptom Variability
02:01:22 Deadlines, Constraints; Scientific Method & Absolutes
02:06:47 Covid Crisis, Vaccines, Uncertainty, Multiple Answers
02:12:06 Age & Decline?, Experience Levels & “Disinhibited”
02:18:18 Justice, Drama; Life-Changing Events & Perspective
02:25:45 Death, Spontaneous Cancer Remission; Will to Live
02:31:59 Mindful Hospital, Stress, Burnout, Tool: Mindful Checklist
02:36:32 Noticing, Choices
02:41:16 Coddling, Fragility, Social Media, Money
02:48:26 Tool: Playfulness
02:52:08 Nostalgia, Mindfulness; Tool: Gamifying Life; Parenthood & Work
02:59:17 Healing & Time Perception, Awareness & Neuroplasticity, Imagine Possibilities
03:07:12 Reviews & Critical Feedback, Others’ Opinions
03:12:00 Enlightenment, Flexibility, Expansiveness; Everyone Song
03:19:47 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter
