Chronic alcohol consumption leads to significant brain atrophy and thinning of gray matter, with a near-linear relationship between the amount consumed and brain damage, making it a common and avoidable source of harm.
Proper hydration and adequate electrolytes (sodium, magnesium, potassium) are critical for optimal brain and body function, as even slight dehydration can diminish cognitive and physical performance.
Engage in Yoga Nidra or Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR) sessions, even short 10-minute ones, to greatly restore levels of cognitive and physical energy.
Sleep deprivation broadly affects the entire brain, diminishing cognitive and motor functions and potentially impairing impulse control.
Probiotics are vital for gut microbiota health, which in turn communicate with the brain, immune system, and other biological systems to strongly impact immediate and long-term health.
While sunlight exposure is beneficial, protect your skin accordingly from the sun’s UV radiation to prevent damage and skin cancer, as different individuals require varying levels of protection.
The frontal lobes act as a filter, calming the rest of the brain down from acting on every possible impulse, allowing for controlled behavior.
Be cautious with chronic use of amphetamines like Adderall or Ritalin, as their long-term effects on brain structure and function are not fully understood, beyond increasing addiction risk.
Playing video games can improve skills like learning and motor execution, and some work suggests it can make surgeons better, so consider it a professional development activity.
Use meditation apps like Waking Up to explore different types of meditation and durations, which can place the brain and body into various states and deepen understanding of consciousness.
Dissolve one packet of Element in 16-32 ounces of water first thing in the morning and during physical exercise to ensure adequate hydration and electrolytes.
Pharmacologic agents, such as psychedelics, are considered by Dr. McDougall to hold the most promise for broadly impacting neuroplasticity across the entire brain.
Prevent head injuries and, if one occurs, ensure it is properly treated and avoid subsequent injuries to protect brain health.
Dr. McDougall and his family have small, passive RFID tags implanted in their hands to overcome daily challenges like unlocking doors and storing data, demonstrating the utility of combining devices with the nervous system.
Consider using a writable RFID implant for secure, convenient storage of small amounts of data, such as cryptocurrency private keys or access credentials.
The energy levels from Bluetooth headphones are considered too tiny to cause concern about EMF fields or significant heat damage to the brain, as the body’s cooling system effectively regulates temperature.
Individuals with quadriplegia or those who know someone with the condition are encouraged to visit the Neuralink patient registry to be considered for future clinical trials aimed at enabling control of electronic devices.
Acknowledge and support research organizations that prioritize humane treatment of animals, ensuring they are never compelled to participate in experiments beyond necessary procedures and are not deprived of basic needs.
If you are a mechanical, software, or robotics engineer excited about brain-machine interfaces and solving hard problems, consider applying for jobs at Neuralink to contribute to human augmentation and well-being.