
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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