In this episode, I explain the biology and psychology of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)—a prevalent and debilitating condition. I also discuss the efficacy and mechanisms behind OCD treatments—both behavioral and pharmacologic as well as holistic and combination treatments and new emerging treatments, including directed brain stimulation. I explain the neural circuitry underlying repetitive “thought-action loops” and why in OCD, the compulsive actions merely make the obsessions even stronger. I review cognitive-behavioral therapies like exposure therapy and SSRIs, holistic approaches, and nutraceuticals, detailing the efficacy of each approach and what science says about how to combine and sequence treatments. I describe an often effective approach for treating OCD where clinicians use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to deliberately bring patients into states of high anxiety while encouraging them to suppress compulsive actions in order to help them learn to overcome repetitious thought/action cycles. This episode should interest anyone with OCD, anyone who knows someone with OCD or OCPD, and more generally, those interested in how the brain works to control thoughts and actions, whether those thoughts are intrusive or not.For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com.Thank you to our sponsorsAG1: https://athleticgreens.com/hubermanLMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlabWaking Up: https://wakingup.com/hubermanMomentous: https://livemomentous.com/hubermanTimestamps

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Sponsors: AG1, LMNT

What is OCD and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder?

OCD: Major Incidence & Severity

Categories of OCD

Anxiety: Linking Obsessions & Compulsions

OCD & Familial Heredity

Biological Mechanisms of OCD, Cortico-Striatal-Thalamic Loops

Cortico-Striatal-Thalamic Loop & OCD

Clinical OCD Diagnosis, Y-BOCS Index

OCD & Fear, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & Exposure Therapy

Unique Characteristics of CBT/Exposure Therapy in OCD Treatment

CBT/Exposure Therapy & Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Considerations with SSRIs & Prescription Drug Treatments

Serotonin & Cognitive Flexibility, Psilocybin Studies

Neuroleptics & Neuromodulators

OCD & Cannabis, THC & CBD

Ketamine Treatment

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Cannabis CBD & Focus

Thoughts Are Not Actions

Hormones, Cortisol, DHEA, Testosterone & GABA

Holistic Treatments: Mindfulness Meditation & OCD

Nutraceuticals & Supplements: Myo-Inositol, Glycine

OCD vs. Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

Superstitions, Compulsions & Obsessions