Essentials: Compulsive Behaviors & Deep Brain Stimulation | Dr. Casey Halpern

With Andrew Huberman, Casey Halpern · Sunday, May 10, 2026

Andrew Huberman speaks with neurosurgeon Dr. Casey Halpern about advanced treatments for neurological and psychiatric disorders. They delve into Deep Brain Stimulation and Focused Ultrasound, discuss the brain circuits underlying compulsive behaviors like OCD and binge eating, and explore the future of non-invasive brain interventions and AI in mental health.

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Key takeaways

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) implants thin wires to deliver electrical stimulation to specific brain regions, primarily treating movement disorders like Parkinson's disease. Read more →
Neurosurgeon Dr. Casey Halpern identified a common neurological root for diverse compulsive behaviors like OCD, binge eating, and drug addiction: a perturbed nucleus accumbens. Read more →

2 articles from this episode

DBS Reveals Hidden Therapies: Your Startup's Best 'Side Effect'

Neurosurgeon Casey Halpern discusses Deep Brain Stimulation and Focused Ultrasound, revealing how unexpected benefits and precise interventions can reshape treatment.

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Halpern: How 'Craving Cells' Hijack Your Brain's Reward System

Neurosurgeon Casey Halpern reveals how the nucleus accumbens gets 'hijacked' by strong rewards, driving compulsive actions from addiction to binging—even despite risk.