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Rapamycin extends mouse lifespan 9–14%
NAD+ precursors reverse aging in humans
Blue-light glasses improve sleep quality
Walking 10 min after meals blunts glucose
Verdict change — caffeine half-life downgraded

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Using Play to Rewire & Improve Your Brain | Huberman Lab Essentials — Whalespan

Content›Video›Using Play to Rewire & Impro…

Using Play to Rewire & Improve Your Brain | Huberman Lab Essentials

Andrew Huberman32m · 2026-01-29

Claims Made

51

Claims Supported

40

Support Rate

78%

Support rate

40 of 51 claims supported

40 supported11 partial / not

Claims from this content

27

✓Well SupportedAdult play can reactivate neuroplasticity circuits, especially in individuals with a history of trauma.◐Partially SupportedActivities that allow for the adoption of different roles, rather than being rigidly linear, are recommended for leveraging play for neuroplasticity.◐Partially SupportedEndogenous opioid release during play enhances the prefrontal cortex's executive functions.◐Partially SupportedPlay requires low levels of adrenaline and the release of endogenous opioids to engage neuroplasticity.Partially Supported

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A. Volkovreader

4h

Bookmarking — the dossier-vs-overview split is the right call. Most of the time I want overview; sometimes I want receipts.

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N. Park

2d

Would love a "what would change this verdict" RSS feed. Sign me up if it exists.

◐

Engaging in novel environments, exploring contingencies, and maintaining low stakes facilitate neuroplasticity.

◐Partially SupportedGenuine play involves focus and seriousness, supported by epinephrine, dopamine, and endogenous opioids, facilitated by low-stakes environments.

◐Partially SupportedDynamic movements in sports like dance or soccer are conducive to neuroplasticity.

◐Partially SupportedPlay is the most powerful portal to neuroplasticity.

◐Partially SupportedEngaging in play with dynamic movement or movements of different speeds is conducive to play-related brain circuitry.

◐Partially SupportedThe periaqueductal gray releases endogenous opioids, which contribute to playfulness by promoting relaxation and enabling the prefrontal cortex to run more functions.

◐Partially SupportedEngaging in playful mindsets can benefit individuals by expanding acceptable outcomes and encouraging exploration.

◐Partially SupportedPlaying chess can expand neuroplasticity by requiring players to assume multiple identities with different rules within a single game.

◐Partially SupportedDynamic movements and movements of different speeds engage the vestibular system, linked to the cerebellum and visual processing, opening plasticity.

◐Partially SupportedHuman development is a lifelong process, not limited to childhood and adulthood, and is influenced by genetics, lifestyle, accidents, injury, and disease.

◐Partially SupportedEngaging in play deploys chemicals like BDNF and other growth factors that trigger the rewiring of brain circuits, inducing neuroplasticity.

◐Partially SupportedThe head tilt with open eyes, potentially with briefly raised eyebrows, is a universal human posture and facial expression signaling playfulness.

◐Partially SupportedRole-playing can improve brain function by running complex algorithms and making predictions from different standpoints.

◐Partially SupportedPlayfulness, characterized by low stakes and low adrenaline, allows for optimal performance by enabling engagement with novel behaviors and interactions.

◐Partially SupportedEngaging in play, especially with new individuals, is crucial for neuroplasticity to keep the brain young and improve in life domains.

◐Partially SupportedEarly adolescence (ages 10-14) is a peak time for social, play, motor, and psychosocial development, influencing how individuals fit into hierarchies and relate to others.

◐Partially SupportedPlay can increase the plasticity of the prefrontal cortex.

◐Partially SupportedPlay is the substrate through which the nervous system changes, leading to specialized neural circuits and improved proficiency.

◐Partially SupportedPlay involves dynamically exploring different kinds of movements, thoughts, and roles, which is how the brain learns new things.

◐Partially SupportedEffective play involves exploring contingencies in low-stakes environments to expand prefrontal cortex function, leading to increased flexibility, creativity, and effectiveness.

◐Partially SupportedLow-stakes gambling or playing games one is not proficient at can provide learning opportunities about oneself and others.

◐Partially SupportedEntering low-stakes situations where one is not fully proficient can engage and open up prefrontal cortex circuits, fostering neuroplasticity.

◐Partially SupportedPlay tests, experiments, and expands the brain's capacity throughout the lifespan.