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Smart Drugs: Unlocking Your Brain's Potential - One Pill at a Time | ENDEVR Documentary

ENDEVR・36 minutes read

Smart drugs and biohacking aim to optimize the body like a computer system, using nootropics and fasting for cognitive enhancement and longevity, with concerns about long-term health consequences and the importance of professional advice for balance and well-being.

Insights

  • Smart drugs, including nootropics, are a key component of the biohacking movement focused on enhancing cognitive function and longevity, particularly popular among white-collar workers and individuals in tech hubs like Silicon Valley.
  • Dr. Molly Maloof emphasizes the necessity of a balanced approach to biohacking, cautioning against common mistakes like overloading on supplements, fasting during stressful periods, and neglecting basic health aspects like sleep and nutrition, advocating for personalized, tested regimens for optimal well-being.

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Recent questions

  • What are smart drugs?

    Smart drugs aim to enhance intelligence and longevity.

  • What is biohacking?

    Biohacking involves optimizing the body like a computer system.

  • What is the purpose of fasting in biohacking?

    Fasting aims to improve health and cognitive function.

  • What are the common mistakes in biohacking?

    Overloading on multiple supplements without testing efficacy.

  • What is the Wim Hof method?

    The Wim Hof method enhances mental and physical well-being.

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Summary

00:00

Biohacking: Enhancing Intelligence and Longevity

  • Smart drugs are part of the biohacking trend, promising to enhance intelligence and longevity.
  • Biohacking involves a combination of supplements, treatments, and smart drugs to optimize the body like a computer system.
  • Nootropics, or smart drugs, aim to improve cognitive function and are popular among white-collar workers.
  • The global cognitive supplement market was worth $2.3 billion in 2015 and is projected to reach $11 billion by 2025.
  • Biohacking is prominent in San Francisco and Silicon Valley, where innovative technologies are developed.
  • Human, a well-known company in the nootropic market, offers products like go cubes and nootropic stacks.
  • Biohackers like Eric Matson focus on creating their own supplements to enhance cognitive performance.
  • Biohackers measure and track their improvements over time, aiming for continuous control of their biological systems.
  • Some biohackers, like Eric Matson, take a variety of supplements daily to enhance their performance.
  • Fasting is a common practice among biohackers to improve health and cognitive function.

19:53

"Biohacking Trends in Silicon Valley"

  • Fasting has gained popularity, with tens of thousands participating in online fasting communities weekly, abstaining from food for specified periods like 24 or 36 hours.
  • Fasting involves consuming only water, with the initial experience being challenging due to our bodies' addiction to constant eating driven by carbohydrates and insulin.
  • The purpose of fasting is not solely weight management but to enhance longevity and productivity, especially in Silicon Valley, where cognitive enhancement is crucial.
  • Nootropics and fasting are seen as effective ways to activate cognitive pathways, with a focus on productivity and cognitive edge in Silicon Valley.
  • Microdosing LSD and other optimizing techniques are popular in biohacking culture, particularly in Silicon Valley, known for its willingness to experiment with self-improvement methods.
  • The Wim Hof method, involving breathwork and cold water immersion, is another biohacking technique aimed at enhancing mental and physical well-being.
  • Modafinil, a prescription drug known for its focus-enhancing properties, is popular among individuals seeking productivity boosts, especially in high-pressure environments like tech hubs.
  • Modafinil's effects include intense focus and increased productivity, making it a sought-after smart drug for enhancing performance in demanding situations.
  • The use of smart drugs like modafinil raises concerns about short-term gains versus long-term health consequences, leading to reflections on personal well-being and potential burnout.
  • The narrative highlights the pressure and self-imposed expectations faced by individuals, particularly in their 40s, emphasizing the importance of seeking professional advice for overall well-being and balance.

39:58

Balancing Health: Avoiding Biohacking Mistakes

  • Dr. Molly Maloof, a medical doctor knowledgeable in nootropics and biohacking, focuses on balancing normal body functions and supplement/nootropic regimens.
  • Fasting during stress may disrupt cortisol balance, a common biohacking mistake according to Dr. Maloof.
  • Overloading on multiple supplements simultaneously without testing their efficacy is another common error in biohacking.
  • Dr. Maloof emphasizes the importance of understanding the body's needs through testing and tailored approaches rather than haphazardly taking supplements.
  • She conducts extensive questionnaires and tests to assess individual health needs and recommends specific lifestyle changes based on results.
  • Dr. Maloof advises against excessive reliance on nootropics without addressing basic health aspects like sleep, nutrition, exercise, and stress management.
  • The narrative concludes with a reflection on the importance of reconnecting with oneself, moving away from excessive biohacking towards a more balanced approach to health and well-being.
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