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February 17, 2024
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Find yourself yearning to amplify your brainpower but facing hurdles like mental fog, lack of focus, or suboptimal cognitive performance?
You’re in the right place — today’s episode explores the art and science of enhancing cognitive prowess, tapping into the boundless potential of the human mind, and biohacking brain function.
Dr. Gregory Kelly is a naturopathic physician (ND), the Director of Product Development at Neurohacker Collective, and the author of Shape Shift — a practical, yet fascinating guide on how to unravel the mysteries of your body shape and weight. Additionally, he previously appeared on my show “How To Clear Out Damaging, Life-Shortening Zombie Cells In Just 2 Days A Month, A ‘Shotgun Formula’ For Senescent Cells & More With Dr. Gregory Kelly.”
Dr. Greg was the editor of the Alternative Medicine Review and has been an instructor at the University of Bridgeport in the College of Naturopathic Medicine, where he taught classes in advanced clinical nutrition, counseling skills, and doctor-patient relationships. He has also published numerous articles on various aspects of natural medicine and nutrition, contributed three chapters to the Textbook of Natural Medicine, and has more than 30 journal articles indexed on PubMed. His areas of special interest and expertise include nootropics, anti-aging and regenerative medicine, weight management, and the chronobiology of performance and health.
Recently, I had the pleasure of joining Dr. Greg on his enlightening show, Collective Insights Podcast, where he and I delved deep into strategies for optimizing brain function and enhancing overall health and longevity.
Get ready to unlock practical strategies to enhance focus, relaxation, and cognitive performance, and embark on a journey to uncover the full potential of your cognitive abilities!
During this discussion, you’ll discover:
-Ben on Dr. Greg Kelly’s podcast…05:01
Collective Insights Podcast
Discussed brain nootropics and longevity
Boundless: Upgrade Your Brain, Optimize Your Body & Defy Aging by Ben Greenfield
-Dietary impact on brain performance and cognition…06:03
Depends on your genetic makeup
Some other things to consider when it comes to diets, particularly:
Myelin sheaths are a combination of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) — an omega-3 fatty acid that is a crucial component of the human brain and plays a vital role in brain development and function — and oleic acid — a type of monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid commonly found in various plant and animal fats
You need good absorbable bioavailable sources of DHA
Plant-based omega-3 fatty acids have poor conversion into DHA
Good sources of DHA are fish oil, eating a wide variety of clean, fatty fish (use code GREENFIELD20 to save $20)
Good sources of oleic acid are olive oil and avocado oil
Limiting the intake of meals that would cause a surge in lipopolysaccharides
They pass into the bloodstream from high-fat, high-carbohydrate foods or alcohol
Ben recommends activated charcoal intake, glycine, or spirulina
Paying attention to the gut-brain axis
Supportive aspects of polyphenol consumption on gut-brain function
The blacks, the purples, the reds, and the dark colors of the plant kingdom
-Akkermansia in Dr. Greg’s product Qualia Synbiotic…12:00
For Akkermansia support:
Green tea extract
Quality cocoa
Podcast with Colleen Cutcliffe:
Pendulum Akkermansia (use code GREENFIELD to save 20%)
Qualia Synbiotic boosts Akkermansia
Has a 10-berry blend and a resistant starch that significantly raises Akkermansia
Wouldn’t work in a powder because it’s very susceptible to oxygen
Neurohacker is working on a live Akkermansia product
Polyphenols are prebiotics with a twist
They’re among the best things for promoting Akkermansia’s abundance
-Uncovering what synbiotics are…15:16
Two definitions:
A live organism and food for the live organism
A live organism and something that boosts other organisms
Your gut cells secrete mucin into the environment around them to protect themselves
The goal is to cause the system to make more mucin or to fortify the mucin
Polyphenols fortify it and change the structure of the mucins, so the same amount of mucins can cause Akkermansia to thrive more
-Beneficial things for leaky gut…17:24
Neurohacker had gut issues in mind when they created the gut product Qualia Synbiotic
Magnesium is one of the better ways to improve permeable gut
Other ways to improve permeable gut:
Colostrum — there’s good data on colostrum for gut health (activated by the salivary enzymes in your mouth)
One scoop in the morning and also in the evening
L-glutamine
5g powder with breakfast, lunch, and dinner for a series of weeks
Gelatin-rich bone broth
1–2 cups a day
Peptides — BPC-157
Dr. Greg mentions studies on colostrum for leaky gut in athletes
Studies on the use of colostrum for leaky gut in athletes:
A Systematic Review of the Influence of Bovine Colostrum Supplementation on Leaky Gut Syndrome in Athletes: Diagnostic Biomarkers and Future Directions
The Use of Bovine Colostrum in Sport and Exercise
Ben discovered colostrum while trying to figure out a way to consume 400 calories an hour while racing
BGL article on colostrum for gut health:
Ben’s go-to fuel while racing in Ironman:
Ben says it would be a good idea for Qualia to have a product like:
1 serving of ketones
15g of aminos
100g carbohydrates
A serving of electrolyte powder
The secret sauce for endurance exercise
Generally, for exercise in the heat, about 30 to 40 oz. of water per hour to avoid dehydration over several hours
-Ben’s experience with nootropics…28:42
Qualia Mind is a kind of brain food
Enhances blood flow to the brain
Quells a little bit of inflammation
Provides choline and other nutrients to the brain
Different minerals and vitamins to support mental function
Nootropics vs. smart drugs
For the sleep-deprived:
Creatine (5g for adequate sleep, 10–20g for people with minimal sleep)
Qualia NAD
NAD patches by Ion Layer for a higher dose (use code BEN to save $100 off your first order)
Coffee
Nicotine patch
L-theanine
Another example:
To help with exhaustion after a day of microdosing:
Choline
SAMe
NAC or glutathione
-The benefits of ashwagandha…33:16
Two types of people who use nootropics to focus:
Those who lack motivation and struggle to get going
Those who need to be calmer and focus
Qualia Mind helps with both types
Qualia Resilience — an adaptogen blend
Has NooGandha — liposomal ashwagandha
Has Extramel — cantaloupe extract — a good source of superoxide dismutase (SOD), which is an important antioxidant enzyme found in nearly all living cells exposed to oxygen
Ashwagandha, one of the best adaptogens, is sometimes described as a “kryptonite for motivation” — too calming
NooGandha was created without the “too calming” effect
-Peptides, reishi, and rhodiola…38:30
Ben’s peptides (nasal sprays) for cognitive effects:
Ben’s peptides for brain repair:
Limitless Life Nootropics
CanLab
Peptide Sciences
Qualia Mind has rhodiola
Alternative Medicine Review Journal
Dr. Kelly’s 2001 article on rhodiola
Dr. Kelly has been a fan of rhodiola for a long time
Qualia Night has reishi
Ben takes reishi and Rhodiola to calm down without feeling groggy
-Biohacking technologies for brain function…41:51
Photobiomodulation
Vielight for internasal and transcranial light therapy
Red light therapy can be enhanced with methylene blue
BrainTap
VIZR
Noise-canceling headphones
Dr. Greg uses Binaural Beats Eye Mask
Ben’s daily routine
Ben’s afternoon is a time for experimentation
Hyperbaric with a black mask and Vielight on
Sensate — uses haptic sensations to relax you
Apollo — for sleep, relaxation, energy, and focus
Snipd
Readwise
-And much more…
Upcoming Events:
Unlock Longevity: February 24, 2024
On February 24th, I’ll be live in Austin, Texas, for Unlock Longevity, a unique gathering with leading regenerative medicine experts from North America. This exclusive event is your chance to gain insider knowledge in the realm of anti-aging and vitality. Our distinguished speakers will unveil groundbreaking treatments and secrets in rejuvenation and longevity, previously unshared with the public. Don’t miss the opportunity to engage in deep, personal discussions on health and anti-aging, and interact directly with our experts. Learn more about Unlock Longevity here.
Keep up on Ben’s LIVE appearances by following bengreenfieldfitness.com/calendar!
Click here for the full written transcript of this podcast episode
Resources from this episode:
– Podcasts and Articles:
– Other Resources:
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Do you have questions, thoughts, or feedback for Dr. Greg Kelly or me? Leave your comments below and one of us will reply!
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