Huberman Says Morning Sunlight Makes the Brain More Sensitive to Dopamine
Huberman attributes the effect to more dopamine receptors, so the same circulating dopamine has a stronger effect on drive and mood.
Andrew Huberman · Control Your Brain Chemistry for Focus, Motivation & Well-Being | Huberman Lab EssentialsStanford professor of neurobiology and ophthalmology Andrew Huberman says morning sunlight makes the brain more responsive to dopamine, the chemical signal tied to motivation and mood.
The claim is not that light creates more dopamine. Huberman says daylight entering the eyes during the morning hours increases the amount of dopamine receptor, so whatever dopamine is already circulating can have a greater effect.
He places that window in the first hour after waking, ideally, and certainly in the first three hours. In his account, the stronger signal shows up as more drive and more of the feeling of pursuit and craving for things in life, as well as effects on mood.
Questions people ask
What does dopamine actually do?
Dopamine is a brain chemical strongly tied to wanting, seeking, and staying with effort. It is often linked to pleasure, but researchers describe its core job as motivation and the sense of being in pursuit of something.
What is a dopamine receptor?
A receptor is a protein that detects a chemical signal and passes the message into a cell. In general, having more receptors, or more responsive ones, can make a given amount of dopamine produce a larger effect on brain circuits.
Does this mean sunlight creates more dopamine?
No, under Huberman's description. His claim is about sensitivity to dopamine, through the number or effectiveness of receptors, rather than about making more dopamine itself.