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Accelerate Learning & Increase Cognitive Capacity | Dr. Tommy Wood

Dr. Tommy Wood, BM, BCh, PhD, is a professor of neuroscience at the University of Washington and an expert on brain health, neuroplasticity, and cognitive performance. Dr. Wood explains how to use specific forms of exercise, dietary strategies, and compounds to enhance the rate and stability of mental and/or physical skill development. We also discuss science-based tools to preserve cognitive function, reduce dementia risk, and offset loss of memory after a concussion or other brain injury. This episode provides practical, science-based tools for learning new information and skills and for improving your overall ability to learn. Show notes: https://www.hubermanlab.com/episode/accelerate-learning-and-increase-cognitive-capacity-tommy-wood Pre-order Protocols: https://protocolsbook.com Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman David: https://davidprotein.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Rorra: https://rorra.com/huberman Huberman Lab Website: https://www.hubermanlab.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab Threads: https://www.threads.net/@hubermanlab X: https://x.com/hubermanlab Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hubermanlab TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hubermanlab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-huberman Dr. Tommy Wood Website: https://www.drtommywood.com The Stimulated Mind (book): https://amzn.to/4b3H8dU Academic profile: https://www.peds.uw.edu/directory/thomas-ragnar_wood/1778 Publications: https://www.drtommywood.com/publications BetterBrain: https://www.betterbrain.com Better Brain Fitness podcast: https://www.brainjo.academy/the-better-brain-fitness-podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtommywood X: https://x.com/DrRagnar LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommy-wood-35b685a8 Timestamps 00:00:00 Tommy Wood 00:04:05 Neuroplasticity; Neurogenesis; Synaptic Pruning 00:11:11 Aging & Neuroplasticity; Familiar vs Novel Tasks 00:14:33 Protocols Book; Sponsor: David 00:16:49 Aging, Training & Processing Speed 00:21:56 Enhancing Neuroplasticity with Age, Tool: Motor & Cognitive Challenge 00:26:56 Learning New Skills, Dance, Sports, Arts; Psychological Benefits of Challenge 00:36:50 Flow, Clutch States; Virtuosity 00:46:59 Power of Practice 00:50:55 Sponsor: AG1 00:52:14 Tools for Focused Work & Learning; Distractions 01:00:17 Nutrition for Brain Health, Dementia; Critical Nutrients 01:06:56 Nutrient Timing, Supplementation; Omega-3s, Tool: Blood Tests 01:16:41 Sponsor: Function 01:18:19 Enhancing Brain Health, Nutrition & Supplements 01:23:10 GLP-1s, Peptides, Supplements & Evaluating Efficacy 01:32:56 Stimulants: Feeling vs Performance 01:37:18 Exercise & Enhancing Cognitive Function, Tool: Optimize Exercise Volume 01:43:18 Long-Term Cognitive Health & Exercise, HIIT 01:47:17 Sponsor: Rorra 01:48:31 Cortisol Benefits, Acute vs Chronic Stress 01:54:24 Resistance & Aerobic Exercise, Brain Gray & White Matter, Cognitive Health 02:03:37 Cognitive Decline, Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, Modifiable Risk Factors 02:09:47 Shingles Vaccine & Dementia Risk; Tool: Avoid Illness for Cognitive Health 02:18:28 Concussion, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Creatine 02:24:04 Treating TBI, Supplements, Physical Therapy 02:32:16 Strongman Competition 02:38:51 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter #hubermanlab #science #health Disclaimer & Disclosures: https://www.hubermanlab.com/disclaimer

Dr. Andrew Hubermanhost
Jul 20, 20262h 41mWatch on YouTube ↗

Episode Details

EPISODE INFO

Released
July 20, 2026
Duration
2h 41m
Channel
Huberman Lab
Watch on YouTube
▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Dr. Tommy Wood, BM, BCh, PhD, is a professor of neuroscience at the University of Washington and an expert on brain health, neuroplasticity, and cognitive performance. Dr. Wood explains how to use specific forms of exercise, dietary strategies, and compounds to enhance the rate and stability of mental and/or physical skill development. We also discuss science-based tools to preserve cognitive function, reduce dementia risk, and offset loss of memory after a concussion or other brain injury. This episode provides practical, science-based tools for learning new information and skills and for improving your overall ability to learn. Show notes: https://www.hubermanlab.com/episode/accelerate-learning-and-increase-cognitive-capacity-tommy-wood Pre-order Protocols: https://protocolsbook.com Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman David: https://davidprotein.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Rorra: https://rorra.com/huberman Huberman Lab Website: https://www.hubermanlab.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab Threads: https://www.threads.net/@hubermanlab X: https://x.com/hubermanlab Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hubermanlab TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hubermanlab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-huberman Dr. Tommy Wood Website: https://www.drtommywood.com The Stimulated Mind (book): https://amzn.to/4b3H8dU Academic profile: https://www.peds.uw.edu/directory/thomas-ragnar_wood/1778 Publications: https://www.drtommywood.com/publications BetterBrain: https://www.betterbrain.com Better Brain Fitness podcast: https://www.brainjo.academy/the-better-brain-fitness-podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtommywood X: https://x.com/DrRagnar LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommy-wood-35b685a8 Timestamps 00:00:00 Tommy Wood 00:04:05 Neuroplasticity; Neurogenesis; Synaptic Pruning 00:11:11 Aging & Neuroplasticity; Familiar vs Novel Tasks 00:14:33 Protocols Book; Sponsor: David 00:16:49 Aging, Training & Processing Speed 00:21:56 Enhancing Neuroplasticity with Age, Tool: Motor & Cognitive Challenge 00:26:56 Learning New Skills, Dance, Sports, Arts; Psychological Benefits of Challenge 00:36:50 Flow, Clutch States; Virtuosity 00:46:59 Power of Practice 00:50:55 Sponsor: AG1 00:52:14 Tools for Focused Work & Learning; Distractions 01:00:17 Nutrition for Brain Health, Dementia; Critical Nutrients 01:06:56 Nutrient Timing, Supplementation; Omega-3s, Tool: Blood Tests 01:16:41 Sponsor: Function 01:18:19 Enhancing Brain Health, Nutrition & Supplements 01:23:10 GLP-1s, Peptides, Supplements & Evaluating Efficacy 01:32:56 Stimulants: Feeling vs Performance 01:37:18 Exercise & Enhancing Cognitive Function, Tool: Optimize Exercise Volume 01:43:18 Long-Term Cognitive Health & Exercise, HIIT 01:47:17 Sponsor: Rorra 01:48:31 Cortisol Benefits, Acute vs Chronic Stress 01:54:24 Resistance & Aerobic Exercise, Brain Gray & White Matter, Cognitive Health 02:03:37 Cognitive Decline, Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, Modifiable Risk Factors 02:09:47 Shingles Vaccine & Dementia Risk; Tool: Avoid Illness for Cognitive Health 02:18:28 Concussion, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Creatine 02:24:04 Treating TBI, Supplements, Physical Therapy 02:32:16 Strongman Competition 02:38:51 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter #hubermanlab #science #health Disclaimer & Disclosures: https://www.hubermanlab.com/disclaimer

SPEAKERS

  • Dr. Andrew Huberman

    host

    Professor of neurobiology and ophthalmology at Stanford School of Medicine and host of the Huberman Lab Podcast.

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Huberman Lab, featuring Dr. Tommy Wood and Dr. Andrew Huberman, Accelerate Learning & Increase Cognitive Capacity | Dr. Tommy Wood explores train, challenge, and nourish the brain to learn faster longer Neuroplasticity is continual circuit rewiring—strengthening and pruning synapses—distinct from the limited neurogenesis that occurs in only a few adult brain regions.

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