Dr. David Berson on Huberman Lab: Why Eyes Do More Than See

Your retina has a third type of light sensor: melanopsin-using cells. These feed the suprachiasmatic nucleus, which sets melatonin and your daily rhythm.

Andrew HubermanhostDr. David Bersonguest

Oct 16, 202535mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: October 16, 2025
Duration: 35m
Channel: Huberman Lab
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, my guest is Dr. David Berson, PhD, a professor of neuroscience at Brown University and an expert on the visual system and circadian biology. We explore how the brain processes visual information, from photons entering the eye to conscious perception in the cortex. We discuss color vision, the discovery of melanopsin and intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells, and how light regulates our circadian clock and melatonin release. We also examine the vestibular system's role in balance and motion detection, the cerebellum's function in motor coordination, and the midbrain's integration of multiple sensory inputs. Finally, we discuss the basal ganglia's role in decision-making and an extraordinary case of neuroplasticity in visual cortex. Episode show notes: https://go.hubermanlab.com/kJOETdg Huberman Lab Essentials are short episodes focused on essential science and protocol takeaways from past full-length Huberman Lab episodes. Watch the full-length episode: https://youtu.be/oC3fhUjg30E Watch more Huberman Lab Essentials episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPNW_gerXa4OGNy1yE-W9IX-tPu-tJa7S *Follow Huberman Lab* 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 Website: https://www.hubermanlab.com Newsletter: https://www.hubermanlab.com/newsletter *Dr. David Berson* Dr. Berson’s academic profile: https://vivo.brown.edu/display/dberson Eyewire (contribute to neuroscience research from home/computer): https://eyewire.org/explore Best neuroscience textbook: https://amzn.to/4n87UoC We Know It When We See It: What the Neurobiology of Vision Tells Us About How We Think (book): https://amzn.to/47qC9lU *Timestamps* 00:00:00 Dr. David Berson 00:00:38 Visual Perception, Photons & Retinal Processing, Ganglion Cells 00:02:12 Color Vision, Wavelengths & Photoreceptors; Cones & Rods 00:06:32 Melanopsin, Intrinsically Photosensitive Retinal Ganglion Cells & Brightness Detection 00:08:45 Circadian Clock & Synchronization, Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN); Master Clock Function 00:11:30 Hypothalamus, Autonomic Nervous System & Hormonal Systems 00:12:12 Tool: Light Exposure & Melatonin Regulation, Pineal Function 00:13:06 Vestibular System, Balance & Motion Detection; Semicircular Canals 00:15:45 Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex, Image Stabilization & Head Rotation 00:17:22 Motion Sickness, Visual-Vestibular Conflict; Tool: Avoiding Nausea 00:19:06 Cerebellum, Motor Coordination & Learning 00:20:28 Cerebellar Function, Precision & Timing of Movement; Cerebellar Ataxia 00:21:56 Flocculus & Visual-Vestibular Integration 00:22:52 Midbrain, Brainstem & Reflexive Behavior; Superior Colliculus 00:25:33 Spatial Orientation & Multisensory Integration; Rattlesnake Heat Detection 00:27:20 Sensory Integration & Corroboration 00:28:12 Basal Ganglia, Go vs No-Go Behavior & Decision Making 00:29:15 Tool: Impulse Control & Delayed Gratification, Marshmallow Test 00:30:13 Individual Differences, Genetics & Experience 00:31:05 Visual Cortex, Neural Processing & Brain Plasticity 00:32:00 Cortical Reorganization, Braille Reading & Stroke Recovery 00:34:34 David Berson's Work; Acknowledgements Disclaimer & Disclosures: https://www.hubermanlab.com/disclaimer

SPEAKERS

Andrew Huberman
host
Dr. David Berson
guest

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Huberman Lab, featuring Andrew Huberman and Dr. David Berson, Dr. David Berson on Huberman Lab: Why Eyes Do More Than See explores how Your Brain Sees, Balances, Learns, and Tells Time Daily Andrew Huberman and neurobiologist Dr. David Berson unpack how the nervous system constructs our experience of the world—from vision and color perception to balance, circadian rhythms, and decision-making circuits.

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