Books Recommended by Andrew Huberman

Anna Lembke, MD, is the New York Times bestselling author of Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence and a Stanford University professor of psychiatry specializing in addiction medicine.

A clinician-scholar with over 50 peer-reviewed publications, her work bridges neuroscience and behavioral health, exploring compulsive overconsumption in a world of abundant dopamine triggers. Her 2016 book, Drug Dealer, MD, was hailed by the New York Times as essential reading on the opioid crisis.

Lembke’s expertise extends to media, including her appearance in Netflix’s The Social Dilemma and interviews on NPR’s Fresh Air and the Huberman Lab podcast. As chief of Stanford’s Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic, she combines clinical practice with systemic solutions to behavioral addiction.

Dopamine Nation has been translated into 30 languages and cemented Lembke’s status as a leading voice in understanding modernity’s impact on mental health.

1. Dopamine drives compulsive seeking, not just pleasure—modern tech exploits this neurochemical loop.
2. Addiction includes behaviors like scrolling and shopping, defined by harming consequences despite awareness.
3. Pleasure-pain balance tips toward pain with overindulgence, requiring higher dopamine doses for satisfaction.
4. Dopamine fasting resets reward systems by abstaining from instant-gratification triggers like social media.
5. Self-binding strategies—deleting apps or avoiding triggers—prevent relapse into high-dopamine habits.
6. Consumer culture mimics drug addiction, lowering pain tolerance and elevating boredom sensitivity.
7. Mindfulness without judgment helps observe cravings and recalibrate neural set points.
8. Abstinence restores joy in simple pleasures like nature or face-to-face connection.
9. The brain’s “hedonic treadmill” escalates cravings in affluent societies, worsening mental health.
10. Embracing discomfort rebuilds dopamine resilience, countering modern avoidance of minor pain.

Rich Roll is the bestselling author of Finding Ultra: Rejecting Middle Age, Becoming One of the World’s Fittest Men, and Discovering Myself, a memoir that chronicles his transformation from sedentary attorney to elite ultra-endurance athlete and plant-based nutrition advocate.

A Stanford University and Cornell Law School graduate, Roll’s journey of overcoming addiction and reinventing his life at age 40 anchors the book’s themes of resilience, wellness, and holistic self-discovery. He co-authored The Plantpower Way and The Plantpower Way: Italia with his wife Julie Piatt, further cementing his authority in plant-based living.

Host of the Rich Roll Podcast, with over 200 million downloads and recognition as a top health podcast on iTunes, Roll has been featured by CNN, Men’s Fitness, and Outside magazine, which dubbed him the “Guru of Reinvention.” His work is cited in academic discussions on plant-based diets and endurance training. Finding Ultra remained on The New York Times bestseller list for over two years and inspired a global community to embrace sustainable, health-conscious living.

1. Plant-based nutrition fuels peak endurance performance and rapid physical recovery
2. Midlife reinvention requires radical lifestyle changes and disciplined daily habits
3. Ultra-endurance athletics reveals untapped potential beyond perceived limitations
4. SMARTS goal-setting framework adds service-oriented purpose to personal ambitions
5. Addiction recovery builds mental resilience transferable to athletic breakthroughs
6. EPIC5 challenge redefines human capability through plant-powered endurance feats
7. Spiritual growth emerges when embracing discomfort and physical depletion
8. Whole-food vegan diets combat inflammation for enhanced athletic regeneration
9. Authentic living demands rejecting societal norms and self-imposed boundaries
10. Service-oriented objectives create meaning that transcends individual achievement
11. Consistent incremental progress outperforms perfection in sustainable transformation
12. Endurance sports expose interconnected mental-physical-spiritual human capacity

Peter Attia, MD, is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity and a globally recognized physician specializing in metabolic health and lifespan extension.

A Stanford-trained surgeon and Johns Hopkins/NIH researcher, Attia blends rigorous scientific analysis with practical strategies in this health and wellness guide, rooted in his clinical work at Early Medical, his longevity-focused practice.

He hosts The Drive, one of the world’s top health podcasts with over 100 million downloads, where he interviews experts on nutrition, exercise, and cognitive health. Attia’s research on cancer immunotherapy and metabolic disorders informs the book’s evidence-based framework for delaying age-related diseases.

His work has been featured in Time’s 2024 Most Influential People in Health list and the National Geographic documentary Limitless. Outlive has been translated into 35 languages and spent 48 weeks on bestseller lists.

1. Combat the Four Horsemen via early metabolic monitoring and ApoB management
2. Shift from lifespan to healthspan focus with Medicine 3.0 strategies
3. Lift weights three times weekly to maintain critical muscle mass integrity
4. Train grip strength and eye tracking as early neurodegeneration indicators
5. Replace processed fructose with whole foods to prevent metabolic dysfunction
6. Prioritize Zone 2 cardio for mitochondrial health and longevity optimization
7. Proactive prevention trumps reactive treatment in longevity medicine paradigms
8. Target 80% VO2 max intensity once weekly for cardiovascular resilience
9. Emotional health eclipses biomarkers as the foundation of sustained vitality
10. Integrate mobility training to preserve independence beyond age-related decline thresholds
11. Diagnose insulin resistance decades before type 2 diabetes manifests clinically
12. Align nutrition with personalized biochemistry over rigid diet dogma adherence

Cal Newport, bestselling author of Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World, is a computer science professor at Georgetown University and a leading voice on productivity, technology, and career development.

A MIT-trained academic specializing in distributed systems, Newport merges scientific rigor with practical insights, challenging modern work norms like hyperconnectivity and hustle culture. Deep Work—a cornerstone of his Technology and Society trilogy alongside Digital Minimalism and A World Without Email—explores strategies to cultivate intense focus in an era of constant distraction.

His contrarian perspectives, featured in The New Yorker and The New York Times, stem from over a decade of research and eight bestselling books translated into 40+ languages. Newport also hosts the Deep Questions podcast and writes a widely followed blog, offering actionable advice for professionals and students.

Deep Work has sold over 1 million copies globally and remains a staple in corporate training programs and academic curricula.

1. Deep work is the superpower of thriving in a distracted 21st-century economy.
2. Master hard skills faster through distraction-free deliberate practice sessions.
3. Schedule deep work using monastic bimodal rhythmic or journalistic philosophies.
4. Shallow work fragments focus and permanently reduces cognitive capacity over time.
5. Cultivate daily rituals to minimize willpower depletion during deep work blocks.
6. Quit social media to eliminate shallow distractions and protect mental clarity.
7. Apply the 4DX framework to prioritize lead measures like deep work hours.
8. Deep work creates meaning by transforming professional craft into sacred effort.
9. Newport’s Deep Work Hypothesis predicts economic rewards for concentration.
10. Drain shallow obligations to safeguard 3-4 daily hours of peak productivity.
11. Train your brain using intense focus to rewire neural circuits permanently.
12. High-value knowledge workers thrive by systematizing deep work as non-negotiable.

Dava Sobel, bestselling author of Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time, is a celebrated science writer renowned for making complex historical and scientific narratives accessible to general audiences. A former New York Times science reporter, Sobel combines meticulous research with storytelling flair, particularly in exploring the intersection of science, history, and human perseverance. Her debut work, Longitude—a landmark in popular science and historical non-fiction—delves into 18th-century navigational challenges and clockmaker John Harrison’s quest to solve them, reflecting Sobel’s knack for uncovering overlooked scientific pioneers.

Sobel’s authority in science communication is bolstered by accolades like the National Science Board’s Public Service Award and the Los Angeles Times Book Award.

Her other acclaimed works, including Galileo’s Daughter and The Glass Universe, further cement her reputation for illuminating women’s contributions to science. Longitude has sold over 300,000 copies, inspired a PBS documentary, and was adapted into a television series starring Jeremy Irons, underscoring its enduring cultural impact.

1. John Harrison’s four-decade obsession revolutionized naval navigation through precise timekeeping
2. The £20,000 Longitude Prize prioritized practical solutions over theoretical academic approaches
3. Harrison’s marine chronometer solved longitude by tracking time differences between home and sea
4. Latitude’s simplicity contrasted sharply with longitude’s life-threatening calculation challenges
5. Clockmakers beat astronomers in solving history’s greatest navigational problem
6. Harrison’s H4 chronometer achieved accuracy within 33 seconds over 47 days
7. British Parliament’s Board of Longitude initially doubted mechanical solutions to celestial problems
8. Self-taught geniuses can out-innovate institutional scientific establishments through perseverance
9. Longitude’s solution transformed global trade routes and naval warfare strategies
10. Dava Sobel frames longitude’s solution as a triumph of craftsmanship over academia
11. Harrison’s grasshopper escapement mechanism became horology’s foundational marine innovation
12. The longitude crisis caused catastrophic shipwrecks until chronometers enabled precise positioning

Daniel Goleman, renowned psychologist and bestselling author of Emotional Intelligence, and Richard J. Davidson, pioneering neuroscientist and founder of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Center for Healthy Minds, co-wrote Altered Traits: Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain, and Body. This groundbreaking neuroscience work synthesizes decades of research on meditation’s transformative effects, leveraging Goleman’s expertise in psychology and Davidson’s fMRI studies on expert meditators. Both authors have shaped modern understanding of mental well-being—Goleman through his iconic works on emotional intelligence and Davidson through his neuroplasticity research featured in Time’s 2006 “100 Most Influential People” list.

Their collaboration blends Davidson’s academic rigor (1000+ peer-reviewed articles) with Goleman’s accessible science communication, showcased in media appearances from TED Talks to the LinkedIn Speaker Series.

The book builds on their shared 40-year exploration of contemplative practices, debunking mindfulness myths while validating lasting neural changes from sustained meditation. Translated into 30 languages, their joint works have sold over six million copies globally, establishing them as trusted authorities in mind-body science.

1. Altered traits are permanent brain changes from sustained meditation practice
2. Neuroplasticity allows meditation to rewire stress responses into calmness
3. Deep path transforms traits while wide path offers accessible benefits
4. Consistent short sessions beat occasional long retreats for lasting impact
5. Meditation strengthens the prefrontal cortex and shrinks the amygdala
6. Rigorous research separates proven benefits from meditation hype
7. "The after becomes the before" shapes cumulative meditation gains
8. Mindfulness dismantles pain into neutral sensory components
9. Compassion training boosts empathy more than relaxation techniques
10. Secure childhoods create neural advantages amplified by meditation
11. Goleman and Davidson prioritize rigorous research over spiritual claims
12. Lasting change requires treating meditation as mental fitness training

Dr. Satchidananda (Satchin) Panda, author of The Circadian Code: Lose Weight, Supercharge Your Energy, and Transform Your Health from Morning to Midnight, is a leading circadian rhythm researcher and professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. A Pew Biomedical Scholar and Julie Martin Mid-Career Award recipient, his groundbreaking work on blue-light sensing retinal cells and time-restricted feeding (TRF) revolutionized understanding of metabolic health and sleep science. Born in Odisha, India, Dr. Panda combines his PhD in biological sciences with decades of research to address modern health challenges through circadian biology.

His insights are featured in TED Talks, NPR, and global conferences for the American Diabetes Association and Diabetes UK. Dr. Panda developed the MyCircadianClock app, used by millions to optimize eating schedules, and expands on his research in The Circadian Diabetes Code.

Translated into 15+ languages, The Circadian Code has been cited in over 1,000 clinical studies and endorsed by health institutions worldwide as a foundational resource for combating metabolic disorders.

1. Time-restricted eating within 8-10 hours aligns with circadian rhythms for weight loss.
2. Late-night screen exposure disrupts melatonin production and impairs sleep quality.
3. Aligning meals with daylight hours optimizes digestion and energy levels.
4. The suprachiasmatic nucleus regulates daily cycles as the body’s master clock.
5. Circadian disruption from irregular sleep increases chronic disease risk.
6. Morning light exposure resets circadian rhythm to boost mood and alertness.
7. Avoiding food 3 hours before bedtime enhances cellular repair during sleep.
8. Shift workers face higher obesity risk due to misaligned eating schedules.
9. Blue-light blocking glasses after sunset mitigate artificial light’s metabolic harm.
10. Consistent sleep-wake times strengthen circadian code and prevent insulin resistance.
11. Satchin Panda’s research proves meal timing outperforms calorie counting for metabolic health.
12. Circadian-synced workouts maximize fat burning and muscle recovery efficiency.

Sandra Kahn, an orthodontist in private practice, and Paul R. Ehrlich, Stanford University’s Bing Professor of Population Studies Emeritus, co-authored Jaws: The Story of a Hidden Epidemic, a groundbreaking exploration of modern jaw maldevelopment and its public health implications.

Kahn brings decades of clinical expertise in orthodontics and craniofacial development, while Ehrlich, renowned for his seminal work The Population Bomb and ecological research, lends his interdisciplinary perspective on human-environment interactions.

The book merges anthropology, evolutionary biology, and public health to argue that processed diets, poor oral posture, and environmental factors drive a global epidemic of undersized jaws linked to sleep apnea, ADHD, and cardiovascular risks. Ehrlich, a frequent guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and author of over 50 books including The Dominant Animal and Humanity on a Tightrope, partners with Kahn to challenge conventional orthodontic approaches.

Their collaboration has been endorsed by leading researchers and clinicians, with the book becoming a critical resource for parents and health professionals. Translated into multiple languages, Jaws continues to spark international dialogue on preventative healthcare and evolutionary mismatch.

1. Soft diets and mouth breathing cause modern jaw shrinkage and crooked teeth.
2. Hunter-gatherer skulls show naturally straight teeth without orthodontic intervention.
3. Underdeveloped jaws increase sleep apnea and heart disease risks significantly.
4. Sandra Kahn links jaw deformities to ADHD and cognitive decline.
5. Orthodontics masks symptoms without addressing root causes of jaw issues.
6. Prevent jaw deformities by introducing hard foods in early childhood.
7. Proper tongue posture prevents airway obstruction and promotes jaw growth.
8. Modern lifestyles create smaller jaws through reduced chewing and allergens.
9. Early intervention beats braces for long-term oral and systemic health.
10. Jaw development impacts breathing quality and overall sleep patterns profoundly.
11. Cultural shifts toward processed foods drive hidden epidemic of malocclusion.
12. "Jaws" advocates evolutionary biology approach to solve modern health crises.

Lisa Feldman Barrett, author of How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain, is a pioneering psychologist and neuroscientist whose work reshapes our understanding of the human mind. A University Distinguished Professor at Northeastern University with appointments at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Barrett combines decades of clinical, social, and neuroscience research to challenge long-held assumptions about emotion.

Her groundbreaking theory of constructed emotion—which posits that emotions are not universal but created by the brain in context—has influenced fields from mental health to legal reform.

Barrett’s expertise extends to her bestselling follow-up, Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain, and her widely viewed TED Talk, ranked among the top 25 most popular globally. A former president of the Association for Psychological Science and recipient of the NIH Director’s Pioneer Award, she frequently appears on platforms like The Andrew Huberman Lab Podcast and PBS’s Tell Me More with Kelly Corrigan. Her work, translated into over 20 languages, has cemented her status as one of the top 1% most-cited scientists worldwide.

1. Emotions emerge from brain predictions, not reactions to external events
2. No universal fear or anger—emotional experiences vary by culture
3. Your brain constructs emotions using concepts from past experiences
4. Facial expressions don’t reveal emotions—they’re learned social signals
5. “Affective realism” makes feelings feel like facts about the world
6. Emotions aren’t triggered events but predictive brain simulations
7. The amygdala isn’t a fear center—emotions use whole-brain states
8. Body budgeting shapes emotional responses through metabolic forecasting
9. Emotional granularity helps brains create precise, adaptive experiences
10. Social reality turns abstract concepts into shared emotional truths
11. Emotional construction rewrites “fight-or-flight” as predictive storytelling
12. Lisa Feldman Barrett’s theory overturns 2,000 years of emotion science

Oliver Wolf Sacks (1933–2015) was a bestselling author and renowned neurologist whose memoir On the Move explores identity, scientific curiosity, and his transformative journey from 1960s counterculture to pioneering neuroscience.

Born in London to a medical family, Sacks trained at Oxford before reshaping neurology through lyrical case studies like The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Awakenings—the latter adapted into an Oscar-nominated film. His 13 books, including Musicophilia and An Anthropologist on Mars, blend clinical insight with profound humanity, earning him the New York Times’ designation as “the poet laureate of medicine.”

A professor at NYU and Columbia, Sacks contributed over 40 years to neuroscience while publishing in The New Yorker and New York Times. His final works—On the Move, Gratitude, and posthumous essays—reveal lifelong passions for chemistry, motorcycles, and patient advocacy.

Translated into 36 languages, his books have inspired operas, documentaries, and global academic curricula, with Awakenings remaining a cornerstone of neuropsychiatric literature.

1. Motorcycle journeys symbolize Sacks' quest for autonomy and self-discovery
2. Documenting patient stories bridges clinical observation with human empathy
3. Sexual identity struggles shaped Sacks' authenticity in medical practice
4. Postencephalitic patients' awakenings mirror personal neurologic curiosity evolution
5. Writing journals clarified Sacks' thoughts during chaotic life transitions
6. Jewish heritage and family trauma influenced his patient relationships
7. BMW R60 motorcycle represents freedom from professional constraints
8. Neurological case studies prioritize personhood over pathology diagnosis
9. Friendship with W.H. Auden validated blending science and artistry
10. Addiction battles informed compassionate approaches to patient care
11. Early exposure to abuse fueled resilience in medical challenges
12. Awakenings manuscript rejection led to iconic clinical storytelling style