#27: Rob Healy on "brain hacking" with smart drugs (nootropics)

Jeff chats with the founder of Super Fun Productions, Rob Healy, about his passion to better understand the neuroscience behind various smart drugs (nootropics) that can improve memory, creativity, cognition, and can stave off age-related memory decline. We talk about the long term dangers of stimulants, the racetam class of drugs that are banned in the United States, and the "limitless" drug Modafinil. 

Jeff Grace (host)

• @jeffgrace (Twitter)
• @jeffgrace (Instagram)

Rob Healy (guest)

• @parttimerob (Instagram)
• @PartTimeRob (Twitter)

Mentioned in this Episode:

Note: Please consult with a doctor before taking any of the supplements listed below.

RACETAMS - Class of drugs that are legal in EU and Canada, but yet not in the United States. Discovered in the 1960s and have been clinically studied since the 1970s. Much safer class of drug than Amphetamines, that posses very low toxicity and lack serious side effects. Scientist believe Racetams help with ATP synthesis and Acetylcholine function. Other studies show it improves mitochondrial function in Alzheimers patients.

• Aniracetam - Rob's favorite for creative professionals. Enters blood stream quickly and slightly stimulatory. Fat soluble, so need to have some fat with it (fish oil or whole milk). Helps with memory formation, learning ability, increased creativity, and holistic big picture thinking.
• Piracetam - The first discovered and the safest because of its oldest use profile. Claims it can increase word recall, focus, attention, and memory.
• Phenylpiracetam - Same as Piracetam but 10x stronger. Banned by the Olympic Doping agency. Does cause sleep disturbances so want to take this in the morning. Only take this 1-2 times a week because you will acclimate quickly. Seems to be good for attention switching and task switching as well as hand eye motor movement.
• Oxiracetam- The computer programmer or "hacker" drug. Great for neuroprotection and recovering from head trauma. Recommended for recovery from concussions. Enhances long term memory formation. Few studies that show it's better at memory formation and recall than Piracetam. One study showed increased reaction times, as well.

AFANILS - Modafanil (aka Provigil or Modalert) and Adrafanil.
Rob does not strong endorse. "Wakefulness Drugs" originally designed to treat narcolepsy that may help people avoid dips in energy, but do not increase focus, reading comprehension, or word recall in ADHD brains in same way stimulants would. Popularized by Bulletproof Coffee founder Dave Asprey. Inspiration for the film and television series, "Limitless".

SUPPLEMENTS THAT ARE EFFECTIVE WHEN PAIRED WITH CAFFEINE...

L-THEANINE - Exists naturally in Match Tea. Best taken with caffeine. Has calming effect, or anti-anxiety... makes caffeine or stimulant highs feel much smoother- rounds them out and relaxes the "jump out of your skin feelings". This is a coffee must have. Improves memory and learning. Aids in immune system, increases t-cells, has some antibacterial properties. Lowers blood pressure. Big Fan.

TYROSINE - Dopamine precursor. Amino acid to refill your dopamine stores. Stress relieving properties as well. Great supplement for depressed people as well. Also have a super hectic or stressful work week... load up on tyrosine.

VASOPRESSIN - Take and wait 30-45 minutes to increase recall at lectures or in other events where elevated recall would be important.

CENTROPHENOXINE - Increase recall speed. This increases oxygen to the brain and helps with glucose uptake. Brain uses 20 percent of the body's oxygen levels so you gotta make sure oxygen flow to the brain is constant as we age.

LIONS MANE - Helps regulate blood glucose. Increases nerve growth factor that help neuron growth and maintenance. One of Rob's highly recommended adaptogens. Suggested as a supplement to coffee (but with some bitter taste.)

FOUR SIGMATIC COFFEE - Instant coffee that contains Lions's Mane and Chagga Mushrooms linked to cognative brain function improvements.

HUPERZINE A - Probably one of the oldest nootropics. Goes way back. So going back to Acetylcholine.... Huperzine prevents its breakdown in that synapse. So it prevents the reuptake and make you use more of your ACH.)

BACOPA MONNIERI - Helps with memory and retention but gotta take it consistently over a long period of time. Over the Counter.

KRILL OIL (Omega 6) - Krill seems to have the highest effectiveness of the fish oils to reduce gut inflammation that can result in slower oxygen flow to the brain.

CHOLINE (a neurotransmitter) - Suggested to "stack" with Racetams. Many benefits to Choline supplementation in facilitating of acetylcholine production in the brain. Acetylcholine is sort of like a specific stem cell for the brain in that it can promote neuroplasticity and brain regeneration.  Good supplements to take for to help stimulate Acetylcholine production: alpha-GPC, choline bitartrate, choline citrate or CDP choline. Additionally show to have positive affects: Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Ashwagandha, Ginkgo Biloba, and Vitamin B.

Music by Michael Sempert

WestChannel.com | Michael Sempert on Spotify

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