Huberman Lab · 2026-01-12 · Andrew Huberman (host), Keith Humphreys

How to Overcome Addiction to Substances or Behaviors | Dr. Keith Humphreys

88 research-tied claims examined: 2 contradicted 6 overstated 8 context 65 supported 7 unverified

2 Contradicted by research
1:40:18Keith Humphreyscontradictedmoderate

Contingency management for addiction treatment is covered by insurance in most places.

"it's covered by insurance now in most places" (said at 1:40:18)

Contingency management (CM) is not covered by health insurance in most places. Despite strong evidence for its efficacy in treating substance use disorders (especially stimulant use disorder), a lack of insurance reimbursement, billing mechanisms, and federal anti-kickback regulatory barriers have historically prevented standard commercial and public insurance coverage. While select states (such as California through Section 1115 Medicaid demonstration waivers) and the Veterans Health Administration have piloted or implemented funded programs, CM remains largely uncovered by standard insurance across most jurisdictions in the United States.

1:44:33Andrew Huberman (host)contradictedhigh

Throat spasms associated with nicotine use are caused by muscarinic acetylcholine stimulation.

"I can do like 2 milligrams of nicotine gum and I notice it gave me spasms in my throat when I wasn't taking it. Um, and I was told that's because of the muscarinic acetylcholine stimulation." (said at 1:44:33)

The claim misidentifies the pharmacological mechanism. Nicotine is a selective agonist for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), not muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs). Nicotine-induced sensory irritation, motor effects, and throat sensations from oral products (such as nicotine gum) are mediated by activation of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) on sensory nociceptors (often involving downstream transient receptor potential [TRP] channels) and neuromuscular/autonomic nicotinic pathways, rather than muscarinic receptor stimulation.

Unverified means no publication matching the claim was located; it does not prove the claim false. Spotted an error? See the corrections policy - disputes from the people quoted are prioritized.