- THE HUMAN CONDITION
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- Cognition and Nootropics
Losing our mental acuity and our ability to recall recent or long-term memories is always a concern. After all, it is our cognitive and intellectual abilities that separate us from all but a few non-human mammals. Our shared memories are the things that that give special meaning to our friends and family. This connection is especially important between parent and child, since these connections have such a profound effect on who we are as individuals.
This is why Alzheimer’s disease and age-related dementia are so feared. It is a profound experience when someone you know begins to deteriorate gradually until the person you have known all your life no longer remembers who you are and loses the ability to care for themselves. They may still be physically alive, but the person you knew is gone. I know; I lost my sister this way. Beyond this personal loss, the current annual healthcare cost of neurodegenerative diseases is about $655 billion, encompassing both direct medical expenses and indirect costs like lost productivity due to caregiving responsibilities.
Recently, science has revealed many interesting facts about diseases like Alzheimer’s, which were once thought to be primarily the result of genetic vulnerabilities. However, the latest research points in a different direction. So much so that many scientists and clinicians are now referring to Alzheimer’s as “type 3 diabetes” because it is becoming clear that it results from long-term metabolic dysfunction related to insulin resistance. This does not apply to early-onset Alzheimer’s.
In the image above the blue clusters seen along the axons and dendrites are amyloid plaques that are associated with Alzheimer's. If you look carefully at the soma (the neuron cell body) you will see fine tendrils of tau protein, once thought to be the cause of Alzheimer’s, now recognized as preventive adaptations associated with inflammation leading to the progression of the disease. This is further described in the video below on the root causes of Alzheimer's.
Researchers have known for several years that being overweight and having Type 2 diabetes can increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. But they’re now beginning to talk about it as another form of diabetes: Type 3 diabetes.
Type 3 diabetes occurs when neurons in the brain become unable to respond to insulin, which is essential for basic tasks, including memory and learning. Some researchers believe that loss of insulin sensitivity is central to the cognitive decline of Alzheimer’s disease. Mayo Clinic’s Florida and Rochester campuses recently participated in a multi-institution clinical study, testing whether a new insulin nasal spray can improve Alzheimer’s symptoms. The results of that study are forthcoming.
While I’m at it, I may as well mention that there is yet another new designation referred to as “Type 4 Diabetes” which is a term used to describe a type of diabetes characterized by insulin resistance that primarily affects older adults, particularly those over 65 years of age. Unlike Type 2 Diabetes, which is typically associated with obesity, individuals with Type 4 Diabetes are usually neither obese nor overweight.
If you find these facts confusing, you’re not alone… I should point out that it is unlikely that your doctor will recognize these designations since at this point, they have not been formally adopted. This terminology is primarily used by scientists or academic clinicians involved in state-of-the art research.
To help you to better understand what appears to be a shift in focus, I want to introduce you to a new term that better describes this approach to medicine. Recently, there has been a substantial trend to what is called Functional Medicine. Instead of diagnosing “what” a particular illness is, Functional Medicine seeks to answer “why”, in other words, what is causing the observed symptoms. When you know this, correcting it becomes more successful.
Let me give you another way of understanding this. Take a Master Mechanic for example. I’m talking about an individual that understands internal combustion engines so well that they can tell you what is wrong, just by listening, without ever having to open the hood. Functional medicine practitioners are capable of this sort of wizardry by the careful examination of medical history, specific testing, and other diagnostic parameters.
As you might have guessed, these “gurus” are few and far between. Many have a PhD in addition to a MD and are associated with top tier academic institutions, such as Johns Hopkins, Stanford, or Harvard. Beyond this, these individuals are invariably focused on one narrow medical specialty. This is because the knowledge required for proficiency is TWICE of that required for typical board certification.
But there is still hope…that comes in the form of artificial intelligence and high-end compute. It will come, because it is the only path to that level of understanding in our world. It is only a matter of time...
While we are still discussing cognitive decline, as it relates to aging, I want to provide a video featuring one of my favorite functional practitioners. Dr. Dale Bredesen, who has had success with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. I must warn you it is highly technical in nature and about a half hour long. As such, I can only recommend it to people working in health-related fields, or those with friends or family members that may be affected by neurodegenerative conditions…or if you are the academic type, that likes to learn new and unfamiliar subjects.
Below is another video exploring functional medicine and its role in addressing seemingly unrelated common conditions that currently lack a known cure. As before, the integration of AI into medical practice is accelerating the evolution of treatments. These advancements are steering us away from the traditional symptom-focused approach—where a pill is often prescribed—toward a deeper understanding of the complex root causes of illness.
Summarizing, maintaining or improving cognitive performance related to aging requires consideration of multiple factors. First and foremost is the need to ensure that metabolic function is normal. In other words, that your body is working as it was meant to be. The most important indicator suggesting a problem in this regard is Metabolic Syndrome which is a cluster of risk factors. This is a chronic condition that occurs when a person has at least three of the following five medical conditions: Abdominal obesity, High blood pressure, High blood sugar, High serum triglycerides, and Low serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Invariably these conditions are related to diet and lifestyle.
Click to find a Functional Medicine practitioner near you: Show me Options
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With this in mind, this still leaves another viable and perhaps more easily achievable approach to maintaining optimal mental performance. This involves the use of “Nootropics”. Interestingly, virtually all of these are derivatives of naturally occurring substances. I recommend natural substances over lab-created pharmaceuticals because most of them have been used for hundred or thousands of years. As a result, we have had time to study their effects on humans, which I consider to be far more valid than any study on a new substance.
The term "nootropic" was coined in 1972 by Corneliu E. Giurgea, a Romanian psychologist and pharmacologist. Nootropics are substances that are purported to enhance cognitive function, such as memory, attention, learning, and motivation. They are also known as "smart drugs" or "cognitive enhancers."
You will discover that none of these have been “approved” by the FDA. Can you guess why this is the case? As I have explained ad nauseum…because nautually occuring substances cannot be patented! Therefore, there are not millions or billions of dollars to pay for the required studies… that would be made back by the sale of the approved drug. Is this a bad thing? If you pay close attention to statements made by the FDA, you will notice that they go out of their way to mention that these supplements have not been approved…and as such, by law, there suppliers cannot make “claims” as to their effectiveness…
I can certainly understand this as a way of protecting the general public from scams. But trust me, if someone wants to circumvent these situations there are hundreds of ways to do this. One of the most popular ways to accomplish this are by the use of “infomercials” which are deemed legal because they are inherently informational. Instead of making claims, they use testimonials and anecdotal evidence from users, which is completely legal. It is my experience that products marketed in this way are invariably overpriced, as compared to equivalent products, primarily for the purpose of return on investment which in certain cases can exceed $1 million in production costs.
What I want to make clear is that that anything I present to my readership are things that I genuinely believe are best of breed, and reasonably priced. If they meet these criteria, and I present these products as an “affiliate” for which I receive a small commission, I always offer an equivalent discount to my follower’s trough a link to the product. Other products such as supplements sold by Amazon are researched, vetted and are suggested with no benefit it me other than the knowledge that I am presenting a good, well supported product that has the satisfaction backing only offered by a few major retailers that can be purchased anywhere regardless of the buyer’s location.
Following are number of herbal nootropics that are well established as beneficial though their use for hundreds of years. Even if an individual has less than ideal metabolic function, their use can still produce noticeable results.
Bacopa Monnieri
Bacopa Monnieri
Brahmi/Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri) is an excellent rejuvenative for the mind and nervous system. It is one of two herbs commonly known as the legendary "Brahmi" of the ancient Ayurvedic texts (the other being Brahmi/Gotu Kola). In Vedic philosophy, Brahman is the name for the universal consciousness. Brahmi is a derivation of Brahman that literally means "energy of universal consciousness." A worthy name for an amazing herb that has been used for centuries to promote memory, intelligence, and concentration. Bacopa supports the proper function of the brain and nerves, bringing balance to the nervous system while promoting clarity and awareness. It is also commonly used externally in a base of sesame oil as a special massage oil that calms and soothes the mind and nerves.
Order Bacopa Monnieri: Bacopa Monnieri supplement
Huperzine A
Huperzine A is a extract that comes from Chinese club moss (Huperzia serrata) or fir club moss (Huperzia selago) plants.
Chinese club moss
Huperzine A was identified for medicinal use by scientists at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in the 1980s. It increases levels of a chemical called acetylcholine. This seems to help treat diseases that interfere with memory and thinking.
al function in people with Alzheimer disease or other types of dementia. It is also used for depression, schizophrenia, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Huperzine A is possibly safe when taken for less than 6 months. It can cause some side effects that occur with overuse include nausia, diarrhea, vomiting, dry mouth, constipation, sweating, and blurred vision.
Huperzine A can increase levels of acetylcholine in the brain, which may lead to heightened alertness and difficulty sleeping. Individuals who are sensitive to stimulants or who have preexisting sleep disorders should be cautious when taking this supplement, especially in the late afternoon or evening.
Order Huperzin A: Huperzine A Capsules
Phosphatidylserine
Phosphatidylserine is a fatty substance that protects nerve cells in your brain and enables them to communicate with each other. The nutritional supplement phosphatidylserine promotes cognitive function and memory, especially as you age to better support how your cells communicate and enhance your glucose metabolism.
The amount of natural phosphatidylserine in your body decreases as you get older. Some people choose to take this supplement to increase the amount of phosphatidylserine in their brain.
Learn more from the Clevelan Clinic: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/25129-phosphatidylserine
Order Phosphatidylserine: PhosphatidylSerine Supplement
All-in-One Nootropic
Contains BacoMind Bacopa monnieri—the only bacopa extract supported by a human safety clinical study* plus Phosphatidylserine, Huperzine A, and Choline.
Order from Amazon: Stonehenge Dynamic Brain
NOOTROPICS for Ischemia and Stroke
For those unfamiliar with the term "ischemia” this word describes a condition where there is an inadequate blood supply to a specific part of the body. This lack of blood flow reduces the amount of oxygen and nutrients that reach the tissues, potentially leading to cell damage or death.
Ginko Biloba is one of the oldest living tree species. Most ginkgo products are made with extract prepared from its fan-shaped leaves. The most helpful components of ginkgo are believed to be flavonoids, which have powerful antioxidant qualities, and terpenoids, which help improve circulation by dilating blood vessels and reducing the "stickiness" of platelets, thus reducing the likelyhood of a blood clot.
Ginkgo is commonly available as an oral tablet, extract, capsule or tea. Don't eat raw or roasted ginkgo seeds, which can be poisonous.
Ginkgo Biloba
Most research on ginkgo focuses on its effect on dementia, memory and pain caused by too little blood flow (claudication).
If you are epileptic or prone to seizures, avoid ginkgo. Large amounts of ginkgotoxin can cause seizures. Ginkgotoxin is found in ginkgo seeds and, to a lesser extent, ginkgo leaves. If you are older, have a bleeding disorder or are pregnant, don't take ginkgo.
The Ginkgo/ginseng combination was found significantly to improve an Index of Memory Quality, supporting a previous finding with the compound. This effect represented an average improvement of 7.5% and reflected improvements to several different aspects of memory, including working and long-term memory.
Order Ginkgo/Ginseng: Carlyle Panax Ginseng + Ginkgo Biloba
Semax
The history of Semax is as follows:
Development: Russian scientists developed Semax in the 1980s as a synthetic peptide derived from adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).
Clinical trials: Clinical trials in Russia from 1994–1996 involved thousands of patients and demonstrated that Semax was safe and met the requirements for public health use.
Prescription drug: Semax is used as a prescription drug in Russia and Eastern Europe.
Online sales: Semax is widely sold online and used as a nootropic (cognitive enhancer).
Nasal spray: Limitless Biotech announced the launch of a Semax nasal spray in November 2024. The spray is designed to deliver cognitive benefits faster than traditional administration methods.
100% legal without a prescription available from Amazon
All peptides and compounds are third-party lab tested, typical purity is around 99%. Purity COAs for current lot can be viewed on our site.
Peptide and solution ship in separate vials to ensure you receive fresh product at full potency. Add solution to peptide before use and refrigerate after reconstituting for longer shelf life. Not for subdermal use.
Ships with two reconstitution choices. Preservative solution contains a water-soluble version of the stabilizing preservative found in the original Russian pharmaceutical.
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Until next time, take care and stay POSITIVE…Dr. G |
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