How to Overcome Social Anxiety | Dr. Nick Epley

How to Overcome Social Anxiety | Dr. Nick Epley

From Huberman Lab by Scicomm Media

May 18, 2026 · 2h 31m · Episode 281

About this episode

Dr. Nick Epley discusses overcoming social anxiety and the importance of social connections.

Dr. Nick Epley, PhD, is a professor of behavioral science at the University of Chicago and a leading expert on the science of social connection. We discuss how seemingly small daily interactions with strangers (as well as with people we know) can meaningfully improve our mental and physical health. Dr. Epley also explains how to reduce social anxiety using simple and easily accessible science-supported tools. We also discuss the data on assumptions — both the ones we and others make — and why so often those are wrong when it comes to social dynamics. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman Wealthfront*: https://wealthfront.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Nick Epley (00:02:29) Assumptions about Other Thoughts; Inferring Behavior (00:09:03) Eye Gaze, Social Cues (00:14:27) Sponsors: Wealthfront & Eight Sleep (00:17:18) Tone, Voice vs Writing; AI; Public Figures & Ambiguity (00:29:59) Importance of Social Connection, Communication Types (00:37:18) Social Isolation, Self-Worth (00:42:33)…

People in this episode

Host: Andrew Huberman

Guest: Dr. Nick Epley

Topics covered

  • social anxiety
  • social connection
  • mental health
  • behavioral science
  • communication
  • daily interactions

Keywords

  • social anxiety
  • mental health
  • behavioral science
  • social connection
  • communication
  • daily interactions
  • assumptions
  • self-worth

Sponsors

AG1, Wealthfront, Eight Sleep, Function, LMNT

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Chicago

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