Dr. Paul Conti on Huberman Lab: Why shame locks in trauma

Conti explains how the brain treats old trauma as an ongoing threat; shame, avoidance, and repetition compulsion keep the pattern locked in.

Andrew HubermanhostDr. Paul Contiguest

Jan 22, 202633mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: January 22, 2026
Duration: 33m
Channel: Huberman Lab
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, my guest is Dr. Paul Conti, MD, a psychiatrist and expert in treating trauma and psychiatric illness. We explain what trauma is and how it affects the mind and body, as well as the best treatment approaches to support recovery. We also discuss why guilt and shame often follow traumatic experiences and why processing trauma is essential for healing. Dr. Conti shares practical tools for how to choose and work effectively with a therapist and discusses the therapeutic potential of psychedelics and MDMA in clinician-assisted settings. Episode show notes: https://go.hubermanlab.com/0zSjjGy Watch more Huberman Lab Essentials: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPNW_gerXa4OGNy1yE-W9IX-tPu-tJa7S&si=a1_sA7rUT-fE0OM5 *Huberman Lab* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab Threads: https://www.threads.net/@hubermanlab X: https://twitter.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 *Timestamps* 00:00:00 Paul Conti 00:00:21 What is Trauma?, Guilt & Shame 00:03:20 Evolutionary Context of Trauma, Shame & Guilt 00:07:18 Repetition Compulsion, Repeating Trauma 00:11:08 Processing Trauma in Therapy or On Your Own, Grieving 00:15:08 Introspection, Tool: Processing Trauma Through Words 00:16:23 Finding a Therapist, Rapport; Duration of Therapy 00:18:37 Prescriptions, Depression, Treating Core Issues 00:21:16 Psychedelics & Overcoming Trauma, Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy 00:25:05 MDMA, Overcoming Fear 00:27:01 Talking about Trauma, Language 00:28:54 Taking Care of Oneself, Tool: Self-Care Basics 00:32:14 Acknowledgements #HubermanLab #Therapy Disclaimer & Disclosures: https://www.hubermanlab.com/disclaimer

SPEAKERS

Andrew Huberman
host
Dr. Paul Conti
guest

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Huberman Lab, featuring Andrew Huberman and Dr. Paul Conti, Dr. Paul Conti on Huberman Lab: Why shame locks in trauma explores defining trauma, resolving shame, and practical tools for healing deeply Trauma is defined not as any negative event, but as an experience that overwhelms coping and leaves lasting changes in brain function and day-to-day life (mood, anxiety, sleep, health, behavior).

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