Essentials: How to Learn Skills Faster

In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I explore how to improve motor skill learning and proficiency—whether for athletic performance, learning an instrument or refining any physical skill.I explain practical tools to build skills, including how to structure learning sessions to focus on repetitions, use internal feedback systems and learn from errors—key elements for accelerating progress. I also discuss strategies such as visualization, metronoming, idle time and the impact of supplements like alpha-GPC and caffeine on performance. This episode provides valuable insights for anyone looking to accelerate and optimize their motor skill development.Huberman Lab Essentials are short episodes (approximately 30 minutes) focused on essential science and protocol takeaways from past Huberman Lab episodes. Essentials will be released every Thursday, and our full-length episodes will still be released every Monday.Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com.We want to hear from you. Take our quick survey to help improve Huberman Lab.Thank you to our sponsorsAG1: https://drinkag1.com/hubermanLMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/lmntMateina: https://drinkmateina.com/hubermanTimestamps00:00:00 Huberman Lab Essentials; Learning Motor Skills00:01:10 Building New Skills, Tools: Open vs Closed Loop; Focus00:03:58 Sponsor: LMNT00:05:15 Skills & Realistic Expectations, Super Mario Effect00:09:34 Tube Test & Brain, Tool: Increase Repetitions00:12:19 Importance of Errors, Framing Effect, Neuroplasticity00:14:39 Sponsor: AG100:15:43 Learning Session Protocol, Tool: Idle Time Post-Learning00:19:44 Movement Speed, Ultra-Slow Movements00:21:49 Skill Proficiency & Errors, Tool: Metronoming00:24:16 Sponsor: Mateina00:25:42 Mental Rehearsal & Limits, Tool: Visualization00:28:24 Skill Learning & Supplements, Alpha-GPC, Caffeine00:32:14 Recap & Key TakeawaysDisclaimer & DisclosuresLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Huberman Lab podcast is hosted by Andrew Huberman, Ph.D., a neuroscientist and tenured professor in the department of neurobiology, and by courtesy, psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford School of Medicine. The podcast discusses neuroscience and science-based tools, including how our brain and its connections with the organs of our body control our perceptions, our behaviors, and our health, as well as existing and emerging tools for measuring and changing how our nervous system works.
Huberman has made numerous significant contributions to the fields of brain development, brain function, and neural plasticity, which is the ability of our nervous system to rewire and learn new behaviors, skills, and cognitive functioning. He is a McKnight Foundation and Pew Foundation Fellow and was awarded the Cogan Award, given to the scientist making the most significant discoveries in the study of vision, in 2017.
Work from the Huberman Laboratory at Stanford School of Medicine has been published in top journals, including Nature, Science, and Cell, and has been featured in TIME, BBC, Scientific American, Discover, and other top media outlets.
In 2021, Dr. Huberman launched the Huberman Lab podcast. The podcast is frequently ranked in the top 10 of all podcasts globally and is often ranked #1 in the categories of Science, Education, and Health & Fitness.

• No. of episodes: 297
• Latest episode: 2025-05-01
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