Let’s talk about brain health.
Surprisingly, brain health remains one of the most overlooked aspects of well-being! However, did you know that once cognitive decline sets in, it’s among the few conditions that cannot be easily reversed? Hence, prioritizing brain health and taking proactive measures to prevent cognitive decline should be a universal concern.
Understanding Brain Health
Before delving into the world of nootropics, it’s crucial to understand what constitutes brain health.
I regularly hear people intertwining the terms “brain health” and “mental health”, yet they are two very distinct (and very different) factors of health.
Brain health refers to the overall well-being and functioning of the brain, including its structure, chemistry, and cognitive function. Intelligence and motor skills are related to brain health.
Mental health relates to a person’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Depression, schizophrenia, bipolar, and anxiety are all mental health conditions.
While brain health and mental health are closely interconnected – with the brain being the organ that governs mental processes – they represent very different aspects of our overall well-being. Good brain health provides a foundation for good mental health, but mental health encompasses broader aspects of emotional and psychological well-being, including the ability to function effectively in society and maintain fulfilling relationships. Both are important for overall health and quality of life, however, in this article, I focus on improving brain health.
How Modern Times Have Impacted Brain Health
Think our brains are the same as our ancestors? Wrong.
Do you use a smartphone? Surf the net? Watch TV? Use social media? Let’s take a look at how technology has negatively impacted brain function.
- Information Access and Memory: With the ability to quickly look up information online, research has shown individuals now rely less on their memory for storing information, leading to a potential decline in certain types of memory skills, such as recall.
- Cognitive Skills: The internet has altered the way people think and process information. The constant exposure to online content, particularly through social media and short-form communication platforms, has been associated with shortened attention spans and reduced ability to concentrate for extended periods.
- Social Interaction: The internet has revolutionized the way people connect and communicate with each other. Social media platforms, online forums, and messaging apps allow individuals to maintain social connections across vast distances. While this can enhance social support networks and provide opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing, excessive use of social media has been linked to negative impacts on mental health, such as feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression– all necessary for optimal cognitive function.
Our ancestors weren’t exposed to technology the way that we are, and therefore, science has responded with smart drugs to help our brains cope with these societal developments. These smart drugs are called NOOTROPICS.
The Science Behind Nootropics and Improved Brain Health
Nootropics include various compounds believed to boost brain function, memory, focus, and overall brain health and mental health.
Understanding nootropics involves multiple fields like neuroscience, pharmacology, and psychology. Many of these substances work by affecting brain chemicals such as dopamine, serotonin, and acetylcholine, which are crucial for learning, memory, and attention. Some also protect brain cells from damage caused by oxidative stress and inflammation, while others improve blood flow to the brain, ensuring it gets enough nutrients and oxygen to function well.
Furthermore, research shows that nootropics can impact synaptic plasticity, which is the brain’s ability to form and strengthen connections between neurons. This process is vital for learning and memory. Certain nootropics may even encourage the growth of new connections, leading to better cognitive performance and adaptability.
Advances in neuroscience have introduced new compounds with potential nootropic effects, sparking ongoing investigations into how they work and how they can be used for therapeutic purposes. As our understanding of nootropics grows, their ability to enhance brain function and support mental well-being remains significant in the fields of neuroscience and cognitive enhancement.
Conditions Associated with Poor Brain Health
As previously mentioned, depression and anxiety and common symptoms of mental health issues. Yes, they can be triggered by poor brain health, however, they are conditions specific to sub-optimal brain health.
Several conditions can be associated with poor brain health. These conditions may affect cognitive function, memory, mood, and overall well-being. Some common examples include:
- Neurodegenerative Diseases: Conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease are characterized by progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the brain. These diseases can lead to significant cognitive decline, memory loss, and impaired motor function.
- Stroke: A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is blocked or reduced, leading to brain damage. Depending on the severity and location of the stroke, it can cause various neurological deficits, including paralysis, speech impairment, and cognitive impairment.
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Traumatic brain injury results from a blow, jolt, or penetrating injury to the head that disrupts normal brain function. TBIs can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage and may lead to cognitive impairments, memory problems, mood disturbances, and changes in behavior.
- Chronic Stress: Prolonged exposure to stress can have detrimental effects on brain health. Chronic stress has been associated with structural changes in the brain, such as shrinkage of the hippocampus (which is involved in memory), as well as impairments in cognitive function, mood disorders, and increased risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases.
- Mental Health Disorders: As previously mentioned, brain health and mental health can be interconnected. What many people don’t realize is that conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia can actually impact brain function. These disorders are associated with alterations in brain chemistry, abnormal neural activity, and changes in brain structure, which can affect cognitive processes, emotional regulation, and behavior.
- Sleep Disorders: Sleep plays a crucial role in brain health, and disruptions in sleep patterns can negatively impact cognitive function, mood, and overall well-being. Conditions like insomnia, sleep apnea, and narcolepsy can impair memory consolidation, attention, and decision-making abilities.
The good news is that prevention is better than a cure, and early research suggests nootropics may be a simple yet smart preventative measure we can take to help prevent or support many of these brain conditions.
Causes of Poor Brain Health
Unfortunately, some brain conditions can’t be avoided. However, we have so much power over the quality of our brain health just by understanding and then addressing some of the primary causes. Some of the causes of poor brain health include:
- Substance Abuse: Chronic substance abuse, including drugs and alcohol, can have profound effects on brain health. Substance abuse can lead to neurochemical imbalances, structural changes in the brain, cognitive impairment, and increased risk of mental health disorders.
- Elevated Chronic Stress: The unprecedented levels of chronic stress in modern society stem from increased financial concerns, a lack of control over political situations, global apprehension, and other contributing factors, collectively leading to heightened stress levels.
- Excessive Sugar and Processed Food Consumption: A diet rich in processed foods and sugar has been linked to elevated blood sugar levels, causing mood instability, ADHD, and cognitive decline. Additionally, carb-heavy diets contribute to brain inflammation, potentially leading to conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.
- Degradation of our Food Supply: Processed foods, vegetable oils, glyphosate, fluoridated water, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are adversely affecting brain function. GMOs in non-organic food disrupt the gut, hindering the detoxification of sulfur-containing foods and foods with oxalates. This disruption can lead to a compromised immune system, leaky gut, brain fog, cognitive decline, and diminished physical and mental performance.
- Leaky Gut: Leaky Gut is where the strength and integrity of the intestinal walls is compromised with holes, allowing foreign particles to leak into the bloodstream and trigger a systemic inflammatory response. The gut is closely tied to the brain through the “Gut-Brain Axis.” As a result of Leaky Gut, the neurotransmitters that are usually produced in the gut, like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA, are not being manufactured, leading to brain issues.
- Oxalates: Oxalates are found in some “healthy” foods such as spinach, almonds, most nuts, berries, beans, beets, grains, turmeric, and kale. When consumed, they get deposited in your tissues, organs, and bones. They can affect your brain and lead to sleeplessness, neuropathic pain, poor concentration, mental and emotional fatigue, mood issues, memory issues, lack of focus, learning issues, depression, anxiety, dementia and Parkinson’s Disease.
- Sulfur: Due to glyphosate and the infiltration of spike protein, our detox pathways have been compromised. As a result, once healthy foods, medications, and supplements containing sulfur now may back up the detoxification pathways in the body, leading to increased histamine reactions, inflammation in the brain and the body, and anxiety, mood swings, dizziness and insomnia. These foods include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, onions, garlic, and egg yolks.
- Amyloid Proteins: Amyloid proteins that are found in conventionally raised meats like chicken, pork, and beef contribute to an increased amyloid burden in the body. This accumulation can disrupt the gut, leading to autoimmune diseases and brain fog. Amyloids, being misfolded proteins, deposit in the brain, potentially causing dementia and Alzheimer’s, while also promoting the overgrowth of gut pathogens and accelerating other chronic diseases.
- Histamines: Histamines are biogenic amines that are involved in the immune response, regulation of stomach acid, and neurotransmission in the brain. Although they are needed for human health, many people are experiencing exaggerated histamine responses and side effects like headaches, dizziness, concentration difficulties, anxiety, insomnia, mood swings, digestive issues, skin reactions, fatigue, nasal and respiratory symptoms, and irregular heartbeat. Foods that are high in histamines include alcohol, fermented foods, aged foods, bone broth, dairy, grains, avocado, tomato and soy.
- Spike Protein Impact: Spike Protein, a crucial element of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, not only plays a role in infection but is implicated in deteriorating health conditions, including mental health disorders. It is associated with not only increased depression, but also elevated insulin resistance, impacting insulin and hormonal regulation, causing oxidative stress, water retention, inflammation, and affecting the ACE2 receptor. Indirectly, it contributes to heightened histamine reactions, detoxification issues, increased oxalates in the body, increased amyloids in the body, cholesterol levels, gastrointestinal issues, and insulin resistance, exacerbating mental health conditions and impacting overall brain health.
Which Nootropic Supplements Should You Take
Many supplement companies promote different nootropics to address different conditions. Nootropics for sleep, nootropics for enhanced cognitive function, the list goes on.
As a certified supplement expert and founder of a supplement company, I wanted to develop a single supplement with all the benefits of the best nootropics. That’s why I love Accelerated® Cogniblast.
Accelerated® Cogniblast is the first nootropic supplement in the world to combine traditional Ayurvedic herbs known to improve brain health with “smart” nutraceuticals.
The combination of ingredients in Accelerated® Cogniblast may help to:
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- Improve mood
- Improve focus
- Increase production of ATP
- Lower anxiety
- Increase motivation
- Decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s and Dementia
- Neutralize damaging free radicals
- Lower inflammation
- Support liver, lungs, kidneys and other organs
- Improve circulation
- Lower stress
- Optimize energy
Accelerated® Cogniblast is then enhanced with proprietary scalar frequency, programmed to:
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- Clear emotional and physical shock from the body
- Enhance the health of the brain
- Improve memory
- Detox halogen toxins from the pineal and pituitary
- Decalcify the pineal, pituitary and hypothalamus
- Balance both hemispheres of the brain
Accelerated® Cogniblast Ingredients
The ingredients in Accelerated® Cogniblast have been selected for their ability to support optimal brain function. Some of the most potent ingredients include:
Theacrine
Theacrine, akin to caffeine, is an isolated purine alkaloid that offers many stimulant-like benefits without the potential negative side effects associated with traditional stimulants. Theacrine achieves its effects by influencing both the dopaminergic and adenosinergic pathways in the body, interacting with specific neurotransmitters to yield positive outcomes.
Theacrine primarily enhances dopamine activity, activating D1 and D2 dopamine receptors and amplifying dopaminergic signaling. This may result in increased energy and endurance, heightened motivation, reduced fatigue, improved focus, mood, and cognition. Importantly, Theacrine does not induce jitters, anxiety, or irritability commonly associated with other stimulants and is not habit-forming.
DMAE
DMAE is a compound believed by many to positively influence mood, enhance memory, and boost overall brain function. Additionally, it is thought to offer benefits for aging skin and may prove helpful in addressing conditions such as ADHD, Alzheimer’s, dementia, and depression.
Naturally occurring in the body, DMAE is also present in fatty fish like salmon, sardines, and anchovies. Its mechanism of action is believed to involve the augmentation of acetylcholine (Ach) production, a neurotransmitter crucial for facilitating communication among nerve cells. Acetylcholine plays a pivotal role in regulating various brain-controlled functions, including REM sleep, muscle contractions, and pain responses.
Furthermore, DMAE is thought to play a role in preventing the accumulation of beta-amyloid in the brain. Excessive beta-amyloid has been associated with age-related decline and memory loss, making DMAE a potentially valuable component in promoting cognitive health.
Lion’s Mane
Lion’s Mane is recognized as a contemporary brain tonic, with its mushroom fruiting body harboring nerve growth factors that are thought to foster brain plasticity and overall brain health. Extensive research indicates that Lion’s Mane can elevate Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) levels, protecting against degenerative brain diseases associated with memory loss. While Lion’s Mane is prominently acknowledged for enhancing memory and concentration, studies suggest it also has the potential to diminish irritability and anxiety, along with fortifying the immune system.
Frankincense
Frankincense enhances cognitive function by increasing the number of dendritic segments and branching in hippocampal neuron cells, leading to more synaptic connections in this region and consequently improving learning and memory.
Functioning as an anti-inflammatory herb, frankincense contains “sesquiterpenes” that elevate oxygen levels in the limbic system of the brain. The unique quality of sesquiterpenes lies in their ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Additionally, frankincense is believed to support cellular function through its cytophylactic properties, facilitating the regeneration and oxygenation of cells, including those in the brain and skin.
View Accelerated® Cogniblast for a full list of ingredients
Additional Supplements for Optimal Brain Health
Acceleradine® Iodine
Iodine deficiency is recognized as a primary predictor of depression and brain fog. Acceleradine® iodine stands out for its ability to detoxify the brain from toxins like fluoride, facilitating a deeper connection with one’s higher self. Additionally, it enhances metabolism and supports thyroid health, providing both the physical and mental energy needed to confront daily challenges. Research indicates that suboptimal thyroid function is correlated with elevated rates of depression and mental illness.
Moreover, Acceleradine® exhibits a broad spectrum of antimicrobial properties, acting against fungi, parasites, viruses, bacteria, and more. This aids in minimizing pathogens that may compromise brain function. The supplement significantly increases ATP levels, providing a remarkable 18-fold boost. This elevation in cellular energy contributes to enhanced metabolism, caloric burn, brain function, physical performance, wound healing, fat burning, and healthy apoptosis—the natural destruction of diseased cells.
Acceleradine® iodine is enhanced with scalar frequencies to help detox the brain and body of radiation, heavy metals, fluoride, bromide, and chlorine– all substances that degrade brain function.
Accelerated Keto®
Accelerated Keto® quickly triggers your body into fat-burning mode within 30 minutes, tapping into its own fat stores for immediate energy. This supplement offers the fastest route to stabilizing blood sugar, reducing brain inflammation, and boosting the production of mood-enhancing neurotransmitters such as GABA, dopamine, and serotonin.
When the body utilizes ketones generated by Accelerated Keto® in conjunction with intermittent fasting and a low-carb diet, there’s a substantial increase in ATP production. This surge in ATP production translates to heightened mental and physical energy levels.
The liver, a critical site for the conversion of thyroid hormones from T4 to T3, benefits from this process. Improved liver function contributes to enhanced thyroid performance, leading to increased metabolism, improved mitochondrial function, and heightened overall energy. Depression is closely linked to a low-functioning thyroid, and as the liver cleanses, stored negative emotions such as anger and frustration tend to subside.
Lifestyle Changes to Encourage Optimal Brain Health
Intermittent Fasting
Condensing your meals into a 6-8 hour window with intermittent fasting provides your gut with an opportunity to heal, reducing inflammation in both the brain and body. This approach facilitates the production of essential neurotransmitters—serotonin, dopamine, and GABA—crucial for robust brain health. Combining intermittent fasting with Accelerated Keto® enhances autophagy, the process of cleaning up diseased and weak cells, and boosts ATP production, increasing cellular energy in the brain and body.
Stop Eating Sugar, Carbs, and Processed Foods
Eliminating sugar, carbs, processed vegetable oils, and processed foods decreases gut inflammation, improves nutrient absorption, and stabilizes blood sugar. The chemicals, GMO ingredients, and vegetable seed oils in processed foods can compromise the intestinal lining, hindering the production of happiness-inducing hormones in the gut. Insulin resistance and Leaky Gut, often caused by these inflammatory foods, are major contributors to anxiety and depression and poor cognitive function.
Focus on Eating Wild Animal Protein
Consuming wild animal protein such as bison, lamb, deer, elk, wild fish, and organic eggs provides essential nutrients for building healthy neurotransmitters, hormones, and supporting metabolism for brain and body energy. In contrast, poultry and conventional beef, containing inflammatory fats and amyloid proteins, may disrupt the gut, deposit in the brain, and contribute to diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Sleep 7-8 Hours Every Night
Adequate sleep not only allows the body to recover but also supports brain recovery by reducing inflammation and facilitating essential maintenance processes.
Exercise
Exercise is consistently endorsed by physicians and experts as a powerful mood-enhancing tool. It naturally boosts endorphins, the “feel-good hormones,” and rapidly increases Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), known to alleviate depression and enhance creativity. I recommend two sessions of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) weekly, along with additional sessions of endurance and weight training for comprehensive health benefits.
In summary, everyone has the power to proactively support optimal brain health. Embark on a journey to unlock your cognitive potential and enhance brain health with the power of nootropics!
Sara Banta
Sara Banta is a Stanford University Graduate with a Degree in Economics and Psychology, and a certified Natural Supplement Expert & Graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Sara is the Founder of Accelerated Health Products and host of the health & wellness podcast, Accelerated Health Radio.
