Dr. Michael Kilgard on Huberman Lab: How to Rewire Brains

Vagus nerve stimulation releases neuromodulators at precise moments; Kilgard shows this rewires the adult brain for stroke recovery, tinnitus, and PTSD.

Andrew HubermanhostDr. Michael Kilgardguest

Aug 11, 20253h 9mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: August 11, 2025
Duration: 3h 9m
Channel: Huberman Lab
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

In this episode, my guest is Dr. Michael Kilgard, PhD, a professor of neuroscience at the University of Texas at Dallas and a leading expert on neuroplasticity and learning across the lifespan. We discuss the need for alertness, effortful focus, post-learning reflection and sleep to induce neuroplasticity, and how dopamine, acetylcholine, serotonin and norepinephrine are each involved. He explains the behavioral steps for neuroplasticity, as well as vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) and other therapies for tinnitus, stroke, depression, PTSD and paralysis. This episode ought to be of use to anyone interested in understanding the modern science of brain rewiring and learning to improve cognitive or motor skills or treat sensory or motor disorders. Episode show notes: https://go.hubermanlab.com/0LbwBp4 *Thank you to our sponsors* AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman Wealthfront*: https://wealthfront.com/huberman Carbon: https://joincarbon.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman _*This experience may not be representative of the experience of other clients of Wealthfront, and there is no guarantee that all clients will have similar experiences. Cash Account is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. The Annual Percentage Yield (“APY”) on cash deposits as of December 27,‬ 2024, is representative, subject to change, and requires no minimum. Funds in the Cash Account are swept to partner banks where they earn the variable‭ APY. Promo terms and FDIC coverage conditions apply. Same-day withdrawal or instant payment transfers may be limited by destination institutions, daily transaction caps, and by participating entities such as Wells Fargo, the RTP® Network, and FedNow® Service. New Cash Account deposits are subject to a 2-4 day holding period before becoming available for transfer._ *Follow 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 Newsletter: https://www.hubermanlab.com/newsletter *Dr. Michael Kilgard* The University of Texas at Dallas academic profile: https://profiles.utdallas.edu/michael.kilgard Lab website: https://personal.utdallas.edu/~kilgard Texas Biomedical Device Center: https://txbdc.utdallas.edu/about/leadership Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=rXdJOKsAAAAJ&hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-kilgard-9070a26 *Timestamps* 00:00:00 Michael Kilgard 00:03:24 Neuroplasticity 00:05:13 Child vs Adult Plasticity, Childhood Development & Learning 00:09:37 Sponsors: Eight Sleep & Wealthfront 00:12:41 Kids, Real vs Artificial Experiences & Balance, Video Games, Natural World 00:21:13 Social Media & Videos, Kids, Overstimulation & Development 00:33:42 Early Language Development, Passive vs Real Experiences, Kids & Adults 00:39:23 Sponsors: AG1 & Carbon 00:42:44 Learning & Plasticity Requirements; Focus, Friction, Rest & Reflection 00:52:24 Brain Connections, Complexity, Life Experiences & Plasticity 01:02:51 Learning, Reflection, Visualization, Testing 01:09:45 Experience Diversity & Time, Happiness, Life Appreciation 01:18:05 Sponsor: Function 01:19:53 Learning & Life Meaning 01:23:25 Neuromodulators, Brain Complexity, Synaptic Eligibility Trace & Learning 01:34:28 Synapses, Therapy for PTSD, Rewiring the Brain 01:39:01 Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS), Stroke, Spinal Cord Injury, Tinnitus, PTSD 01:47:33 Psychedelics, Neurostimulation, Importance of Timing 01:57:47 Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) & Major Depression 02:01:51 Psychedelics/SSRIs as Plasticity Tools, SSRIs & Bone Strength, Failed Clinical Trials 02:13:18 Can VNS Accelerate Learning? 02:16:01 VNS Surgery, Patient Use & Specificity, Closed-Loop Vagus Nerve Stimulation 02:18:18 Tinnitus Cause, Incidence & Self-Amplification; PTSD & Control 02:28:12 VNS for Tinnitus; Disease Complexity & Treatments, Lazy Eye 02:41:05 Complexity of Disease Treatments & Combination Therapies 02:48:50 Brain-Machine Interfaces, Information & Experiences; Closed-Loop Feedback; Resilience 02:59:09 Evolving Clinical Trials, Combination Treatments & Disease Complexity 03:05:21 Acknowledgements 03:07:04 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures: https://www.hubermanlab.com/disclaimer

SPEAKERS

Andrew Huberman
host
Dr. Michael Kilgard
guest
Narrator
other

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Huberman Lab, featuring Andrew Huberman and Dr. Michael Kilgard, Dr. Michael Kilgard on Huberman Lab: How to Rewire Brains explores rewire Adult Brains: Vagus Stimulation, Plasticity, and Learning Explained Andrew Huberman and neuroplasticity expert Dr. Michael Kilgard discuss how the adult brain can be massively rewired when neuromodulators like acetylcholine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine are precisely engaged. They describe how childhood and adult plasticity differ, why real-world, multisensory experiences matter, and how modern technology and overstimulation may distort normal learning processes. Kilgard explains his groundbreaking work using vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) to time neuromodulator release and amplify the effects of physical therapy, cognitive therapy, and sensory training in conditions such as stroke, spinal cord injury, tinnitus, and PTSD. Throughout, they emphasize that effective, lasting change requires a combination of focused effort, friction (challenge), reflection, sleep, and—in some cases—carefully timed devices or drugs to open plasticity windows.

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