In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode my guest is Dr. Robert Sapolsky, PhD, a professor of biology, neurology and neurological sciences at Stanford University.  We discuss different types of stress and how our perception of stress as harmful or beneficial largely depends on context. He also explains how testosterone amplifies pre-existing behaviors and tendencies, and he highlights the crucial role of estrogen in supporting brain and body health. We also discuss daily cognitive practices for stress mitigation and how modern life, influenced by social media and complex social hierarchies, shapes our responses to stress.Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com.Thank you to our sponsorsAG1: https://drinkag1.com/hubermanFunction: https://functionhealth.com/hubermanLMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanDavid: https://davidprotein.com/hubermanTimestamps00:00:00 Robert Sapolsky00:00:23 Positive & Negative Stress; Excitement, Amygdala 00:02:47 Testosterone & Brain, Aggression, Hierarchy00:06:27 Sponsors: Function & LMNT00:09:18 Testosterone, Motivation, Challenge & Confidence00:13:52 Dopamine, Testosterone & Motivation00:16:20 Estrogen, Brain & Health, Replacement Therapies00:18:12 Stress Mitigation00:22:09 Sponsors: AG1 & David00:24:59 Cognitive Practices for Stress Mitigation, Individual Variability, Consistency00:27:18 Stress, Perception & Individual Differences 00:29:39 Context, Stress & Brain00:32:47 Social Media, Context, Multiple Hierarchies00:35:57 Acknowledgments Disclaimer & DisclosuresLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices