We've got a bevy of questions here ranging from arresting cognitive decline, new dad lifehacks, and old English inquiries to Reddit randomness that we'll get to, but I have a direct ask for you: if you've gotten some transformative value from my work--this is your chance to shape it in the future--participate in the...
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Disclaimer
What you find here is NOT medical advice. I’m not a doctor. I’m just an experienced, unlicensed self-experimenter practicing free speech by talking about my own extensive experiences and my interpretations of published science. Please see my guide on How to Biohack Smart and Safe. You should consult a doctor about any biohacking you’re doing and, ideally, also get a second opinion.
#46 Questions
Q
A 38-year-old former tunneling worker based in Sydney with a 5-month-old son, with due to deep concerns over potential early cognitive decline, citing word-finding difficulties, memory lapses, executive dysfunction, a history of shift work and fine silica dust exposure, and a APOE3/4 genotype with his mother, who has early Alzheimer’s at 66. Additionally struggling with chronic mild irritation, elevated anxiety manifested in hair-twisting habits, and persistent mild neutropenia alongside recurring skin rashes, he has already stopped past heavy partying and alcohol use and is actively managing his health through an extensive supplement regimen, 40 Hz light/sound therapy, and vagus nerve stimulation.
A
Recommndations
For mind and memory
Piracetam - The best smart drug for memory
Mnemonics Practice - Because "even average memories are remarkably powerful when used properly"
Working memory rehab protocol - for restoring brain power and focus
Add neuroplasticity stimulators: Semax, Selank, and Lion’s Mane
Stress management
Are you an MTHFRer? Do 30 minutes of meditation a day; if not, reframe as “ustress”
Parenting hacks
New dad life will mess with your cognitive powers - peaceful parenting makes life easier. 1) no vaccines 2) no yelling in the house 3) no circumcision 4) no corporal punishment 5) no daycare
For much better sleep as a new parent: alternate nights sleeping with the baby
Supervised detox protocol is a good idea - THIS is out of my wheelhouse; hire a good functional medicine doctor
Empirical Zinc protocol - detailed in my Zinc meta-analysis: Targets his persistent mild neutropenia (1.6 × 10⁹/L) and recurring skin rashes. Regulates NMDA receptors, supporting synaptic plasticity and executive function without overstimulating anxiety.
Q
Responding to Defying dire destiny: born dead, breaking world records & thriving despite cerebral palsy 🎙️ with Mikael Avatar
I was initially going to skip this podcast because I didn’t think it had anything to do with biohacking, but this truly fits the definition. The intro is excellent and I literally had to pull over from driving and delve into this. I haven’t looked to see if there’s a transcript but if not, I’ll generate one and it will be something that I reflect back on and share often. Very meaningful and life-changing which is the essence of biohacking. Thank you.
A
Not sure if I’m going to start adding transcripts -- is that something that more of my audience would like?
Q
Jonathan, random question: I see you swaying side to side in your videos: do you have restless leg syndrome by chance? Or perhaps just have excessive energy during peak energy parts of the day?I sometimes do the bobbing knee when sitting, and sometimes when having insomnia, I find that if I shake my legs it helps my muscles to relax, so perhaps I have it somewhat myself.
A
Recommndations
Sitting is the new smoking, so I have long used an adjustable laptop stand - the poor man’s standing desk.
Q
I vaguely recall from the years when i was more nootropics obsessed that some biohackers had started to consider racetam nootropics as having some higher risks/more moderate side effects, and thought folks were more moving away from them? Am I mistaken in this?
A
Racetams are one of the safest classes of Nootropics. Consider the safety evidence for the Racetam-rich stack I created, Caballo.
Q
Picture two identical twins over the next decade: twin A takes the absolute gold-standard nootropic stack every morning but lives in total behavioral chaos, while twin B takes sugar placebo pills but maintains absolute stoic discipline and laser focus. Who wins in the long term ??????
A
The one taking the placebo, of course! Might this hypothetical question be referring to the fictional Biohacker twins in my novel series Hourglass?
Q
A subscriber forwarded an email from David Tomen (Nootropics Expert) warning about a 2021 Seoul National University Hospital study where +100,000 Alpha-GPC users aged 50+ showed a 46% higher relative stroke risk compared to over 11 million non-users—with the risk increasing in a dose-dependent manner among those taking it daily for up to 10 years—leading Tomen to label it one of the “most dangerous supplements.” Will Alpha GPC KILL biohackers?
A
Association of L-α Glycerylphosphorylcholine With Subsequent Stroke Risk After 10 Years - The study highlights that long-term, high-dose Alpha-GPC use in elderly populations with existing vascular vulnerabilities carries potential cardiovascular trade-offs. However, claiming it is “one of the most dangerous supplements on the market” for a healthy adult using moderate doses is classic headline alarmism.
Recommndations
CDP Choline (Citicoline) - Alpha GPC alternatives like Citicoline follow a different metabolic pathway and generally do not raise TMAO levels to the same degree.
Q
What manner of bodily rite or daily custom, seeming on the scroll as dry and unlovely as a plunge into icy waters or the blocking of the blue light, yet in the secret chambers of the home, brings forth the most wondrous and desirable fruit? As it is written, “The glory of young men is their strength, but the beauty of old men is the gray hair,” yet here the true glory lies in the unseen work.
A
Recommndations
Tantric practice is one of the awesomest ethical hedonism hacks--watch the first module of the course, 9 Steps to Becoming a Tantric Man
Q
What should I do with 40 cans of oysters?Guys and ladies, I made a small blunder (long story) and ended up with 40 cans of oysters — Crown Prince Natural, Whole Oysters, Packed In Water, 8 oz (226 g) ordered from iHerb.Ideally, I want to sell them to get my money back... but where? If that doesn’t work out, or if you have good suggestions, I could also donate them somewhere... but where??Give me ideas on what to do with them.
A
Recommndations
Start a career/hobby as an “oyster cook” vlogger or “oyster influencer”
Prepping supply of oysters (for the Zinc!)
Your questions inspired this catchy Limitless song...
INVEST at least $300 in your own mind with these recommended sources and get a Biohacking consultation
Lean Life Coaching biohacking consulting
As mentioned in the podcast, this is a very lean biohacking consulting/life coaching program. Here’s how this would work...
* The Biohacking Consultation is 1 hour and 45 minutes total - which is actually two consulting calls.
* First Call 1 hour - Discovery & Strategizing call, I need to ask you some questions, we’ll discuss your history, and outline a biohacking strategy and action plan to overcome your issues.
* Second Call 45 minutes - Follow-up call in 30 or 60 days to see how you’re doing with the plan we outlined; how you’ve improved, what you’re struggling with, etc
There are a few important reasons we split the time up into two calls
* It’s a significant motivation hack for you to follow through on the biohacking habits and plan we’ll outline because you’re accountable to me in 30 or 60 days.
* I’m incentivized to come up with a really effective biohacking strategy for you because I have to talk to you after you’ve been following it for a month or two.
* It timeboxes us with a deadline of 30 or 60 days for you to make improvements and accomplish your goals.
Your skin is in the game here, that you’re paying good money for this, and you’re accountable to me on another call in 30 or 60 days. You’ll have to explain your lack of action if you fail to follow through.
Take a few minutes to answer a few questions. If your issues are far outside my areas of expertise, I’ll decline the consultation. My time is finite and very valuable, so I only want to spend it consulting the people I can really help. Thanks in advance for your understanding!
Support me on Substack? For $7/monthly?
