What is the medical phenomenon described by “agonist” in regard to creating more in the body when it’s stressed?

It looks like I couldn't find specific information on the medical phenomenon related to "agonist" and its role in stress response from the available data on Huberman Lab. However, generally speaking, in pharmacology and physiology, an "agonist" is a substance that binds to a receptor in the body and activates it to produce a biological response. During stress, certain agonists might increase in the body to help modulate processes like hormone release or neurotransmitter activity, which are crucial for the stress response.

For a more comprehensive or detailed explanation specifically from Huberman Lab, you might consider exploring episodes that discuss stress biology or the role of neurotransmitters and hormones in stress responses. If you have more details or a different question, feel free to ask!

I wasn't able to find specific episodes from Huberman Lab that directly discuss both stress and agonists. However, many episodes likely cover related topics such as stress response, hormones, and neurotransmitters. If you're interested in these broader topics, I recommend checking out episodes that deal with stress management and neurobiology, which might indirectly cover agonists in that context.

If you have any other questions or need further assistance, feel free to let me know!

Here are a few episodes from the Huberman Lab that mention agonists:

1. Dr. Mark D'Esposito: How to Optimize Cognitive Function & Brain Health discusses bromocriptine as a dopamine agonist and its potential implications for cognitive enhancements such as working memory and executive function 1.

2. Dr. Peter Attia: Exercise, Nutrition, Hormones for Vitality & Longevity covers GLP-1 agonists, discussing their efficacy in obesity treatment and their profile as safer alternatives to past weight loss drugs 2.

3. Dr. Matthew Johnson: Psychedelics for Treating Mental Disorders explores various compounds that act as agonists, including classic psychedelics as serotonin receptor agonists, and the properties of different psychedelic substances 3.

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     1

     Dopamine and Cognition

     01:00:03
   • 

     2

     GLP-1 Insights

     02:40:38
   • 

     3

     Psychedelic Chemistry Explained

     00:09:11

These episodes delve into the topic of agonists through various lenses, including cognitive function, obesity treatment, and psychedelic studies.

While specific clips discussing exactly how agonists affect cognitive functions weren't retrieved, we know from relevant episodes that dopamine agonists like bromocriptine have been discussed in relation to enhancing cognitive functions such as working memory and executive function 1. Additionally, GLP-1 agonists have been noted for their impact on cognitive function in the context of addressing obesity-related cognitive decline 2.

For more detailed insights, reviewing these episodes or similar discussions would provide a broader understanding of the cognitive effects mediated by different agonists.

Psychedelics often act as agonists or partial agonists at certain serotonin receptors, specifically the serotonin 2A receptor. Common psychedelics like psilocybin and DMT, which are tryptamine-based, as well as mescaline, a phenethylamine, function this way 1. Additionally, there are psychedelics that act on different mechanisms, such as Salvia divinorum, which is a kappa opioid receptor agonist 1.

These interactions are important because they relate to the unique effects these substances have on perception and cognition. The serotonin 2A receptor agonism, in particular, is linked to the altered states of consciousness typically associated with psychedelic experiences 2.