What is cognitive behavioral therapy?
cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a psychological treatment approach that has been shown to reduce symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and is often compared with pharmacological interventions. In a July 2026 discussion, Andrew Huberman noted that CBT had a dramatic effect in reducing obsessions and compulsions, with scores dropping from 25 to about 11 within four weeks on a scale ranging from 8 to 28. He also stated that combining CBT with SSRIs did not lead to further decreases in OCD symptoms. In March 2026, Arthur Brooks remarked that CBT has about eight times the effect of chemistry alone. Huberman also mentioned in July 2026 that it is unlikely, based on his reading of the data, that meditation directly relieves OCD symptoms.
How it developed
- Mar 2026 - Arthur Brooks said cognitive behavioral therapy has “like eight times the effect of chemistry by itself.”
- Jul 2026 - Andrew Huberman reported that CBT reduced OCD symptoms from 25 to about 11 in four weeks, on a scale of 8 to 28.
- Jul 2026 - Andrew Huberman stated that combining CBT with SSRIs did not lead to further reduction in OCD symptoms.
- Jul 2026 - Andrew Huberman said it is unlikely that meditation directly relieves OCD symptoms, based on his read of the data.
In the evidence
Every line below is attributed to a named speaker.
CBT alone reduced Y-BOCS scores from 25 to roughly 11 within four weeks in OCD patients.
“Cognitive behavioral therapy had a dramatic effect in reducing the obsessions and compulsions such that by four weeks that score that in this case ranged from 8 to 28 dropped all the way from 25 down to about 11.”Andrew Huberman · 9 Jul 2026
Adding SSRIs to CBT produced no further reduction in OCD symptoms beyond CBT alone, contradicting the assumption that combination therapy is superior.
“The combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and the SSRIs together did not lead to any further decrease in OCD symptoms.”Andrew Huberman · 9 Jul 2026
Cognitive behavioral therapy has approximately eight times the effect of medication alone in treating clinical depression.
“Cognitive behavioral therapy has like eight times the effect of chemistry by itself.”Arthur Brooks · 24 Mar 2026
Mindfulness meditation does not directly relieve OCD symptoms. Its benefit is indirect, working by sharpening focus so patients can engage more effectively with CBT.
“It's very unlikely, at least by my read of the data, to be a direct effect of meditation on relieving the symptoms.”Andrew Huberman · 9 Jul 2026