# Essentials: The Biology of Aggression, Mating & Arousal | Dr. David Anderson

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/huberman-lab-7814519/essentials-the-biology-of-aggression-mating-arousal-dr-david-anderson
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/huberman-lab-7814519/essentials-the-biology-of-aggression-mating-arousal-dr-david-anderson.md
Podcast: [Huberman Lab](https://stenobird.com/podcast/huberman-lab-7814519)
Published: 2026-04-09T08:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/essentials-the-biology-of-aggression-mating-arousal-dr-david-anderson--71324731
Audio file: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/71324731/scim8499505944.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/huberman-lab-7814519/episodes/essentials-the-biology-of-aggression-mating-arousal-dr-david-anderson
Duration seconds: 2267

## Resource

In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, my guest is Dr. David Anderson, PhD, a professor of biology at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI). We discuss the brain circuits that underlie how emotions emerge and shape behaviors, including the neural control of fear, aggression and pain. We also explore how hormones and neuromodulators influence these emotional states, and why understanding these hidden internal processes is essential for improving future mental health treatments. Read the show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) David Anderson (00:00:20) Emotions vs States (00:01:53) Emotion Qualities: Persistence & Generalization (00:04:04) Aggression (00:06:39) Sponsor: BetterHelp (00:07:41) Evolution of Fear & Aggression, Offensive vs Defensive Aggression (00:09:57) Homeostatic Behaviors & Hydraulic Pressure (00:12:58) Testosterone, Estrogen & Aggression (00:14:51) Female vs Male Aggression (00:16:48) Sponsor: AG1 (00:18:13) Mating Behavior & Aggression; Sexual Violence (00:21:48) Periaqueductal Gray, Pain Control & Fighting (00:26:03) Sponsor: Function (00:27:15) Tachykinin, Pain, Social Isolation & Aggression (00:31:47) Emotions & Somatic Feeling; Vagus Nerve (00:36:27) Acknowledgements & Future Direction Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices 🧬 DOWNLOAD THE PDF SUMMARY: Don't miss the specific dosages and timing protocols discussed today. Get the full visual guide and supplement breakdown here: 👇 https://goo.su/VOTEb Verified Science Resourc…

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