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Science of Attraction, Compatibility & Romance | Dr. Paul Eastwick

2026-06-22 Science & Technology
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Andrew Huberman
Andrew Huberman
7.6m subscribers

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Description

Dr. Paul Eastwick, PhD, is a professor of psychology at the University of California, Davis, and a leading expert on the modern science of mate selection in humans. We discuss what people actually look for in a partner, including surprising findings about age preferences, finances, and physical attractiveness. We also discuss why dating apps often lead people to select for traits that don't support lasting partnerships. We discuss how initial attractions form and evolve and which factors best predict romantic relationship stability and satisfaction. We also explain activities that can expand your dating pool, as well as practical tools for building and sustaining healthy romantic relationships. This episode is for anyone currently in or wanting to be in a relationship. Show notes: https://go.hubermanlab.com/P0ICoDV Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman David: https://davidprotein.com/huberman Lingo: https://lingo.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Follow Huberman Lab Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab Threads: https://www.threads.net/@hubermanlab X: https://x.com/hubermanlab Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hubermanlab TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hubermanlab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-huberman Website: https://www.hubermanlab.com Dr. Paul Eastwick Website: https://pauleastwick.com Bonded by Evolution (book): https://amzn.to/43P4ccq Love Factually podcast: https://www.lovefactuallypod.com Substack: https://substack.com/@pauleastwick BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/pauleastwick.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pauleastwick LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-eastwick-76a2471 Timestamps 00:00:00 Paul Eastwick 00:03:25 Evolutionary Models of Dating, Mate Value 00:08:57 Initial Attraction, Maturity 00:12:56 Sponsors: David & Lingo 00:15:21 Dating Apps; Shared Moments & Developing Attraction 00:24:17 First Impressions & Early Relationships; Partner Bias 00:31:41 Friends & Family Support; Relationship Research, Attachment Theory 00:42:15 Sponsor: AG1 00:43:34 Couple Friends, Advice from Others 00:47:35 Social Support, Women vs Men 00:55:05 Dating App Algorithms, Distrust of Men & Women 01:05:29 Activities & Dating, Observing Date Social Behavior 01:11:25 Texting, Verbal Skills 01:16:15 Sponsor: LMNT 01:17:36 Partner Actions, Dating vs Relationship 01:22:57 Dating & Asking Good Questions; Genuine Connection 01:29:36 Attraction, What Qualities Men & Women Want 01:36:18 Homosexual Dating & Relationships 01:40:08 Finances; Job Loss; Men vs Women, Ambition 01:46:28 Sponsor: Function 01:48:05 Age Difference, Men vs Women Preference; Wanting Children 01:54:58 Church, Activities, Small Groups & Dating; Work; Perceived Similarity 02:07:10 Social Media, Attraction to Alternative Partners, Infidelity 02:19:13 Stranger Attention, Mate Value 02:24:58 Past Relationship Value; Relationship Duration, Breakups 02:34:33 Physical Intimacy & Relationship Satisfaction 02:39:32 Young Adults & Changing Relationships, Technology 02:47:31 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Protocols Book, Sponsors, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter #hubermanlab Disclaimer & Disclosures: https://www.hubermanlab.com/disclaimer

Top Comments (10)

@theredpilllion5922 2026-06-22

“Marriage is the triumph of imagination over intelligence. Second marriage is triumph of hope over experience.” - Oscar Wilde

67 1 replies
@gailjacobson7088 2026-06-22

Regarding age difference/preferences: As a 67 year old woman, I see many men my age and older just don’t take care of themselves. I think taking care of yourself being into fitness but not obsessed with it is very attractive across the board and younger men are just doing it.

44 7 replies
@LongSmartHealth 2026-06-23

This is an absolute masterclass on the psychology of relationships! Dr. Paul Eastwick’s breakdown of attraction versus long-term compatibility is eye-opening. It really makes you rethink how much we rely on initial 'sparks' versus actual behavioral alignment. Seeing love analyzed through a rigorous scientific lens, rather than just romantic tropes, is incredibly refreshing. Videos like this are exactly why I love this side of YouTube—intellectual, practical, and highly relatable. Huge shoutout to the channel for bringing on such a phenomenal guest and delivering this kind of value!

34 6 replies
@melief469 2026-06-22

I love Paul Eastwick and the work he’s doing. What a lovely human being. Another great interview.

14
@unshallow.wisdom 2026-06-23

What’s counterintuitive is that dating apps optimize for the exact traits that predict short-term attraction, not long-term compatibility. We’re using a swipe interface to make a decision that research shows actually requires sustained, in-person interaction to assess accurately. The tool is mismatched to the job it’s being asked to do

6 2 replies
@ricardonjabulo7437 2026-06-22

This is an unprecedented time in human history and you Dr. Huberman are playing an important educational role in our development. God bless.

6
@dd1987x 2026-06-24

I love Andrew's smirk when he knows things are gonna get weird 😂

6
@صهيب-السمساري 2026-06-22

It seems like this will be one of the most-viewed podcasts in your channel's history😁

6
@FromLandofLions 2026-06-23

I haven’t finished this podcast yet, but I’m loving every minute and I’ve already rewatched some parts. Andrew Huberman is a blessing in all the noise, and Dr. Paul Eastwick is such a real scientist, he talks about his work with so much passion and actually makes the science understandable! 😌

5
@spencerdawson6536 2026-06-24

When I shop at Costco I can’t avoid hearing Huberman’s Voice pitching AG1 every time I pass the display. Sometimes I walk past the AG1 endcap multiple times just so Huberman will feel closer, like an actual friend shopping with me, offering outstanding advice. Thanks Andy for informing me about AG1. 😊

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