Huberman Scandal

03/28/24 • 8 min

Andrew Huberman, a renowned neuroscientist, popular podcaster, and influential health guru based at Stanford University, has recently been embroiled in a controversy surrounding his personal life. A scathing report by New York magazine has shed light on allegations of womanizing and sexually irresponsible behavior, including claims that he dated five women simultaneously and may have even transmitted a sexually transmitted infection (STI) to one of them.
Huberman, who boasts an impressive following of six million on Instagram and 5.2 million subscribers on his YouTube channel, Huberman Lab, is well-known for his macho attitude and self-improvement videos tailored to a male audience. He is considered one of the leading 'bro science' influencers, a category of science-themed social media content aimed at men. However, the recent revelations about his personal life have cast a shadow over his public persona.
The New York magazine investigation features testimonies from five women who paint a disturbing picture of Huberman as a promiscuous 'serial dater' who subjected his romantic partners to aggressive outbursts, betrayal, and infidelity. The victims eventually discovered each other's existence and formed an unlikely friendship, confronting Huberman about his actions.
One of the most damning accounts comes from Huberman's former partner of five years, referred to as "Sarah" (not her real name). Sarah claims that Huberman had affairs with multiple women, sometimes even arranging dates with different women on the same day. She also alleges that he made derogatory comments about her, including likening dating her to "bobbing for apples in feces," an accusation that Huberman has denied.
According to Sarah, she caught Huberman cheating on her with five other women and allegedly contracted human papillomavirus (HPV), a cancer-causing STI, as a result of his infidelity. "I experienced his rage," Sarah told New York magazine, describing Huberman's behavior as "two to three days of yelling in a row" and claiming that he would continue his verbal abuse late into the night and sometimes start again in the early hours of the morning.
Huberman, 48, an associate professor of neurology and ophthalmology at the Stanford University School of Medicine, rose to prominence due to his obsession with optimizing one's health. He became involved with Sarah after the pair began messaging on Instagram in February 2018, before his rise to fame. As their relationship progressed, Sarah claims that Huberman became "obsessed" with her past, particularly the two children she had from a previous relationship.
In 2021, Sarah tested positive for a high-risk form of HPV, which is most commonly contracted through sexual activity and is linked to 99 percent of cervical cancers. Despite getting tested regularly for ten years, Sarah says she had never tested positive for the STI before her relationship with Huberman.
The web of deception unraveled further when, in 2022, Sarah discovered romantic texts on Huberman's phone from a woman named Eve (not her real name), an actress. Like Sarah, Eve was also under the impression that Huberman was not seeing anyone else, and the pair had engaged in unprotected sex. However, Eve became suspicious after noticing Sarah liking and commenting on her Instagram posts. The two women spoke over the phone and realized they had both been deceived by Huberman.
The investigation revealed that there were other women involved, including Mary from Texas, whom Huberman had been seeing for years, and Alex from New York, who had also been having sex with him without realizing he had a girlfriend. The women formed a group chat and corroborated the extent of Huberman's deceitful behavior using time-stamped text messages.
The messages revealed a disturbing pattern of Huberman's infidelity and manipulation. On one occasion, while Sarah was in Berkeley, Huberman had flown Mary from Texas to LA to stay with him. While Mary was there, he left her to look after his dog, Costello, while he drove to a coffee shop to meet Eve and discuss their relationship. He later texted Mary, who was waiting for him, claiming that his phone had died. That same day, he sent Eve a message saying, "Thank you ... For being so next, next, level gorgeous and sexy," and later texted Sarah, "Sleep well beautiful."
The irony of Huberman's actions was highlighted during a November 2021 episode of his podcast entitled "How Humans Select & Keep Romantic Partners in Short & Long Term." In the episode, Huberman discussed similarities in mate preferences with evolutionary psychologist David Buss. Huberman asked Buss about how men and women leverage deception versus truth-telling in mate choice selection, to which Buss replied, "Effective t...

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Huberman and Sun

Let's dive into the importance of getting sunlight exposure, especially in the morning, as emphasized by Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist and tenured professor in the Department of Neurobiology at the Stanford University School of Medicine. Huberman stresses that consistency plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy biological clock.
The Power of Morning Sunlight Andrew Huberman has extensively researched the impact of light on human physiology and behavior. He explains that exposure to sunlight, particularly in the morning, has numerous positive effects on both physical and mental well-being. Even a brief 10-minute exposure to natural light can make a significant difference in regulating your body's internal clock, also known as the circadian rhythm.
The circadian rhythm is a 24-hour cycle that governs various physiological processes, such as sleep-wake patterns, hormone production, and body temperature regulation. Huberman emphasizes that when exposed to sunlight, specifically the blue light spectrum, the body suppresses the production of melatonin, a hormone that promotes sleep, and increases the production of cortisol, a hormone associated with wakefulness and alertness.
By getting sunlight exposure in the morning, Huberman explains, you are essentially sending a signal to your body that it's time to start the day. This helps to synchronize your internal clock with the external environment, leading to improved sleep quality, better mood, and increased energy levels throughout the day.
The Benefits of Consistent Sunlight Exposure While getting some sunlight exposure is better than none at all, Andrew Huberman stresses that the key to maximizing its benefits lies in consistency. He emphasizes that the biological clock thrives on regularity, and making sure to get sunlight at roughly the same time every day can help to reinforce the circadian rhythm.
When your body becomes accustomed to a regular schedule of sunlight exposure, Huberman explains, it can more effectively regulate the production of hormones and neurotransmitters that influence sleep, mood, and overall well-being. Consistent exposure to morning sunlight has been linked to:
1. Improved Sleep Quality By aligning your internal clock with the natural light-dark cycle, consistent morning sunlight exposure can help to regulate your sleep-wake patterns. Huberman notes that this can lead to more restful and restorative sleep at night, as well as reduced symptoms of insomnia and other sleep disorders.
2. Enhanced Mood and Reduced Stress Sunlight exposure has been shown to increase the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in regulating mood, anxiety, and happiness. Huberman highlights that consistent exposure to morning sunlight can help to elevate and stabilize mood, reducing the risk of depression and other mood disorders.
Additionally, Huberman discusses the stress-reducing effects of sunlight, which have been well-documented. Regular exposure to natural light has been linked to lower levels of cortisol, the body's primary stress hormone, which can help to promote feelings of calm and relaxation.
3. Increased Energy and Alertness By suppressing the production of melatonin and increasing cortisol levels, consistent morning sunlight exposure can help to boost energy and alertness throughout the day. Huberman explains that this can lead to improved cognitive function, enhanced productivity, and a greater overall sense of vitality.
4. Strengthened Immune Function Sunlight is also essential for the production of vitamin D, a crucial nutrient that plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy immune system. Huberman notes that vitamin D helps to regulate the immune response, reducing the risk of infections and autoimmune disorders.
Consistent exposure to sunlight can help to maintain optimal vitamin D levels, supporting the body's natural defenses and promoting overall health and well-being.
Tips for Incorporating Consistent Sunlight Exposure into Your Daily Routine Now that we've explored the benefits of consistent morning sunlight exposure, as emphasized by Andrew Huberman, let's discuss some practical ways to incorporate it into your daily life:
1. Wake Up with the Sun One of the most effective ways to ensure consistent sunlight exposure is to wake up with the sun. Huberman suggests trying to adjust your sleep schedule so that you wake up around sunrise, allowing you to take advantage of the natural light first thing in the morning.
If you have difficulty waking up early, Huberman recommends gradually shifting your sleep schedule by 15-30 minutes each day until you reach your desired wake-up time.
2. Take a Morning Walk or Exercise Outdoors Incorporating a morning walk or outdoor exercise into your daily routine is an excellent way to get consistent sunlight exposure while also reaping the physical and mental benefits of regular physical activity. Huberman a...

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Huberman Fans Remain Loyal

Huberman fans aren't leaving the show behind, despite the recent revelations about his personal life in the New York Magazine article. The piece, which spanned 8,000 words, delved into Huberman's complicated romantic relationships, alleging that he maintained multiple relationships simultaneously and deceived the women he was seeing. It also questioned his expertise on wellness topics.
However, the article seems to have had little impact on his overall listenership. Huberman's podcast continues to rank in the top 15 on both Apple Podcasts and Spotify, indicating that his audience remains loyal. Among the readers of this newsletter, who are likely more engaged with the podcasting industry, the responses have been more varied.
Some readers have come to Huberman's defense, particularly regarding his approach to scientific subjects. Ioakim Boutakidis, a professor of child and adolescent studies at California State University at Fullerton, emphasized that Huberman's training as a research scientist at the PhD level has equipped him with valuable skills that are transferable to other fields within his discipline. Boutakidis noted that Huberman's apparent narrow research focus doesn't negate his ability to digest scientific literature, evaluate its rigor, and explain it to others better than most people.
Other readers, pointed out that Huberman doesn't claim to know everything and often invites experts or knowledgeable individuals to discuss topics on his podcast. it is up to the listeners to decide what to take away from the information provided and Huberman's personal flaws should not be the focus of attention, given the many people who benefit from his podcast.
Others argued against the notion that Huberman attempts to influence his audience's behaviors, stating that he merely relays scientific information and its relation to the human experience. Huberman has explicitly stated multiple times that he does not intend to recommend protocols or tell people how to behave.
On the other hand, some readers found Huberman's personal conduct troubling. Some Think that all celebrities are fair game and that Huberman would definitely lose listeners, particularly women. One Reader pointed out the discrepancy between Huberman's pursuit of excellence in his personal journey, which he shares on the podcast and his treatment of women in his life. One couple even decided to stop following Huberman, stating that they had no time for liars and misogynists.
Despite the mixed reactions among newsletter readers, the overall impact on Huberman's podcast seems minimal. The majority of his audience appears to be sticking with the show, focusing on the value they derive from the content rather than Huberman's personal life. As the podcast continues to rank highly on major platforms, it is evident that Huberman's fans are not abandoning him en masse, even in the face of the New York Magazine article's revelations. Thanks for listening to Quiet Please. Remember to like and share wherever you get your podcasts.