The Science Of Building Extreme Discipline - Andrew Huberman

Chris Williamson17 minutes read

Engaging in challenging tasks can increase tenacity and willpower, impacting health and cognitive function by activating the anterior mid singulate cortex (AMCC). Athlete Nick Bear's catchphrase "go one more" emphasizes pushing beyond satisfaction, while Mudwater, a coffee alternative, promotes natural energy with functional mushrooms and is certified Whole 30 approved, USDA organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, vegan, and kosher.

Insights

  • The AMCC, a brain area related to reward and autonomic function, plays a crucial role in resisting tempting behaviors, with its size and activity increasing in successful cases and decreasing in failures.
  • Engaging in challenging tasks one does not want to do can activate the AMCC, potentially boosting tenacity and willpower, as seen in the case of superagers maintaining healthy cognitive function into later years.

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Recent questions

  • How does exercise affect health metrics in rats and rodents?

    The Summary reveals that rats and rodents benefit from running on treadmills, which lowers their blood pressure and improves various health metrics. Voluntary exercise leads to health improvements, while forced exercise causes decrements in health metrics in both animals and humans. This suggests that exercise plays a significant role in maintaining and improving overall health in these animals.

  • What impact does mindset have on health outcomes related to stress?

    The Summary highlights that mindset and belief can influence health outcomes related to stress, with positive beliefs enhancing performance. This indicates that one's mindset and beliefs can play a crucial role in how they respond to stress and ultimately affect their overall health. Cultivating a positive mindset may lead to better health outcomes in stressful situations.

  • How does watching news coverage of traumatic events affect stress levels?

    According to the Summary, people who watched news coverage of the Boston Marathon bombing experienced greater stress responses than those who were present during the event. This suggests that exposure to traumatic events through media coverage can have a significant impact on stress levels and emotional well-being. Limiting exposure to distressing news may help manage stress levels more effectively.

  • What is the relationship between willpower and motivation?

    The Summary explains that willpower and tenacity are related to motivation but are not the same, with motivation being the driving force from apathy to tenacity. This implies that willpower and motivation are interconnected but distinct concepts when it comes to achieving goals and overcoming challenges. Understanding the relationship between willpower and motivation can help individuals enhance their perseverance and achieve success.

  • How does the anterior mid singulate cortex (AMCC) influence behavior?

    The Summary reveals that the anterior mid singulate cortex (AMCC) is a crucial brain area related to reward, autonomic function, and prediction error. The size and activity of the AMCC increase in individuals who successfully resist tempting behaviors, while it decreases in those who fail. This suggests that the AMCC plays a significant role in regulating behavior, decision-making, and self-control. Understanding the influence of the AMCC on behavior can provide insights into improving willpower and tenacity.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

Exercise, mindset, and AMCC impact health metrics.

  • Rats and rodents love running on treadmills, which lowers their blood pressure and improves various health metrics.
  • Voluntary exercise leads to health improvements, while forced exercise causes decrements in health metrics in both animals and humans.
  • Mindset and belief can impact health outcomes related to stress, with positive beliefs enhancing performance.
  • People who watched news coverage of the Boston Marathon bombing experienced greater stress responses than those who were present during the event.
  • Willpower and tenacity are related to motivation but are not the same, with motivation being the driving force from apathy to tenacity.
  • The anterior mid singulate cortex (AMCC) is a crucial brain area related to reward, autonomic function, and prediction error.
  • The size and activity of the AMCC increase in individuals who successfully resist tempting behaviors, while it decreases in those who fail.
  • Superagers maintain healthy cognitive function into later years, with their AMCC maintaining or increasing in size.
  • Completing hard tasks that one does not want to do activates the AMCC, potentially increasing tenacity and willpower.
  • Engaging in "micro sucks" or "macro sucks," challenging tasks one does not want to do, may increase tenacity and willpower.

13:50

"Nick Bear's 'Go One More' Mentality"

  • Nick Bear, an athlete and supplement entrepreneur, is known for his catchphrase "go one more," emphasizing pushing oneself beyond the point of satisfaction to achieve an unnecessary challenge, even after completing a difficult task like a CrossFit workout.
  • Mudwater, a coffee alternative with functional mushrooms for energy and focus, offers a blend of cacao and chai flavors, promoting natural energy without caffeine jitters or crashes, and is Whole 30 approved, USDA organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, vegan, and kosher.
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