December 5, 2024
Welcome to Ben Greenfield's Weekly Roundup!
In this weekly post, I share with you my most interesting discoveries of the week, including the latest news on the fronts of fitness, nutrition, health, wellness, biohacking, and anti-aging research. I also recap my upcoming events and special announcements so you can keep up with opportunities to learn, giveaways, discounts, and more!
New Discoveries
Wake Up Feeling Like 💩 Most Mornings & Need Caffeine to Function? *These* New Insights Might Be the Key to Better Sleep ☕️💤🚫
If you’re like most caffeine aficionados, you know the electrifying kick of a strong cup of coffee or an energy drink can feel like rocket fuel for your mood, focus, and productivity.
But you likely also know the groggy, sluggish feeling that hits the next morning—leaving you stuck in a never-ending loop, chasing caffeine just to keep going.
So, what’s causing this vicious cycle?
It all comes down to how caffeine disrupts your sleep. Even if you don’t feel wired, caffeine lingers in your system for hours, interfering with your ability to enter deep, restorative sleep—the kind your body needs to repair and recharge.
- Big doses of caffeine mean big disruptions: A high dose of caffeine (400 mg—equivalent to 4+ cups of coffee) consumed within 12 hours of bedtime can interrupt your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. Specifically, it can increase the time it takes to fall asleep (sleep onset latency) by over 10 minutes, disrupt deep sleep (N3 sleep), and cause frequent awakenings during the night.
- Timing is everything: Even if you don’t feel wired, caffeine consumed up to 8 hours before bed can significantly reduce sleep quality and total sleep time. The closer you have it to bedtime, the worse the impact, especially with larger doses.
- Deep sleep suffers the most: Caffeine reduces the time spent in restorative deep sleep while increasing time in lighter sleep stages (N1 and N2). This means your body misses out on crucial repair and recovery that only happens during deep sleep stages.
- Individual differences matter: Your genes play a role in how caffeine affects you. Slow metabolizers or those genetically sensitive to caffeine may experience even more severe sleep disruptions, even from moderate doses.
- Tolerance isn’t the answer: Habitual caffeine drinkers don’t necessarily build a tolerance to its sleep-disrupting effects, especially with higher doses. Even regular users can fall into a vicious cycle of poor sleep and caffeine dependence.
Based on these findings, here are some key takeaways for better sleep:
- Moderate your dose: Keep caffeine intake below 100 mg (roughly one cup of coffee) if you’re consuming it within 4 hours of bedtime.
- Mind the clock: Avoid 400 mg+ of caffeine within 12 hours of sleep to prevent disruptions in deep sleep and sleep efficiency.
- Know your body: Pay attention to your personal response to caffeine, as your genetics and metabolism make a big difference.
- Track your intake: Many people don’t realize how much caffeine they consume or how it affects their sleep, so err on the side of caution with timing and dosage.
Interested in discovering more about smart caffeine and stimulant consumption? You can check out these resources:
- Get To Know Your Joe: The Latest, Groundbreaking (Pun Intended) News & Research On The Health Effects Of Coffee.
- 23 Years Of Suckin’ Down Coffee: Tips, Tricks & Hacks I’ve Discovered For Getting The Most Out Of One Of The Safest Superfoods That Exists.
- Q&A 449: The Best Caffeine Alternatives (& Things That Make Coffee Work Even Better), Why You Need A “Skin Callus”, Flawed Red Meat Study, 4 Keys To Happiness & Much More!
- How To Get All The Health Benefits Of Coffee Without The Caffeine (& My Go-To Source For Decaf Coffee).
Hormonal Birth Control Hinders Muscle Gains?! Here’s Why It Could Be Holding You Back in the Gym… 💪🏋️♀️
The hard data showed:
- Non-OC women gained 3.5% lean mass
- OC women gained only 2.1% lean mass
- Significant hormonal differences were detected between the two groups
Key hormonal impacts from birth control pills that were observed in the study included:
- Lower levels of anabolic hormones in the birth control group, including DHEA, DHEAS, and IGF-1. These are muscle-building hormones, so lower levels mean reduced potential for muscle growth. For example, DHEA is a precursor to testosterone, DHEAS is a form of DHEA that supports muscle development, and IGF-1 is crucial for muscle protein synthesis and growth.
- Higher cortisol levels in the OC group. Cortisol, mostly known as a stress hormone, is also a catabolic hormone. High levels can break down muscle tissue and interfere with muscle recovery and growth. Elevated cortisol = more muscle breakdown and less muscle building.
- Progestin was also affected by OC. More androgenic progestins result in even worse muscle gains. Some birth control pills use more “androgenic” (testosterone-like) progestins, and more androgenic progestins further suppress muscle-building potential. They can potentially block androgen receptors, reducing muscle growth signaling.
For female athletes and fitness enthusiasts, it's beneficial to understand how birth control might impact your training goals. Knowledge is power, so talk to your healthcare provider about potential hormonal strategies that support your health and performance goals.
If this topic interests you, you might also find these resources to be helpful:
- The Pill—Everything You Need To Know About The Dangers Of The Pill, How To Get Off It Safely & Safer, More Natural Birth Control Alternatives.
- Dangers Of “The Pill” (Plus 7 Tips For Leveraging Your Hormones For Athletic Performance).
- Best Of Hormone Health: How To Stop Hormonal Weight Gain, The Truth About Birth Control, How To Optimize Your Testosterone Levels & More.
My 2024 Gift Guide Is Here! Receive Exclusive Discounts on My Favorite *Must-Have* Wellness Gifts 🎄🎁🎅
The holidays are all about showing how much you care—and what better way to do this than by giving the gift of vitality, longevity, and optimized living?
But let’s be real: finding safe, vetted, and effective health and wellness gifts for your loved ones can feel overwhelming. With endless online options, how do you even start sorting through what’s legit and what’s just noise?
After decades of studying the latest developments in modern science—testing and experimenting with everything from cutting-edge wellness tech to transformative supplements—I’ve handpicked my top 27 gifts, which you can now find in my 2024 Holiday Gift Guide! 🎄
Here’s a sneak peek at some of my favorite wellness gifts:
- BON CHARGE Blue-Free Lighting & EMF Protection 🌙: This solution is perfect for anyone looking to reduce exposure to artificial blue light and harmful EMFs, especially during the darker winter months. It’s one of my go-to secrets for unwinding at night, and it is a thoughtful upgrade for your loved ones' wellness routines.
- SiPhox Health’s At-Home Blood Tests 🩸: Get a deeper look into health without stepping into a clinic. SiPhox covers 50 essential biomarkers, from heart health to metabolism, and syncs seamlessly with wearables. This is an incredible gift for anyone passionate about their wellness journey!
- BIOptimizers Magnesium Breakthrough 💪: Over 80% of people don’t get enough magnesium, impacting sleep, stress, and muscle function. This all-in-one magnesium supplement includes 7 types of magnesium for ultimate absorption—a thoughtful, powerful gift for loved ones looking to feel their best.
- Kineon MOVE+ Pro Red Light Therapy 🌞: This portable LED and laser therapy device is ideal for speeding up muscle recovery, easing joint pain, and boosting circulation. It’s great for athletes and active family members who want next-level relief and performance support.
- Pique Tea’s Sun Goddess Matcha 🍵: Gift the ultimate matcha experience! Pique’s ceremonial-grade matcha is toxin-screened and pairs beautifully with their holiday-exclusive Pearl Beauty Creamer for a radiant skin boost.
From exclusive savings on longevity-boosting skincare and at-home bloodwork tests to remarkable discounts on advanced recovery tools and top-of-the-line oral peptides, you'll get to discover 27 of the best stocking stuffers and life-optimizing solutions crafted for anyone looking to live better, longer, and stronger.
So this year, skip the socks and scarves and give the gift of transformation with Ben Greenfield’s 2024 Holiday Gift Guide! 🎁 🎅
Drumroll Please… 🥁 You Can Now PRE-ORDER Your Fully Updated Copy of Boundless to *Optimize* Your Body, Mind, and Spirit! 📚💪
Over the last year, I've been working tirelessly on something that I’m thrilled to finally share: the brand-new, updated version of my best-seller, Boundless.
Like a cookbook for the human blueprint, the revised and updated edition of Boundless gives you a zero-guesswork guide to becoming a complete expert in what makes your brain tick, your body work, your spirit happy, and your life fulfilled.
You can flip to *any* chapter and discover the most up-to-date, research-proven, trench-tested techniques to build muscle, burn fat, balance hormones, live longer, sleep better, have mind-blowing sex, and much, much more!
A few of the key topics that the latest version of Boundless explores are:
- Strategies to optimize mitochondrial density and biogenesis for peak energy and metabolic health.
- New methods to stimulate the vagus nerve for stress reduction, sleep quality, and higher heart rate variability using light, sound, and electrical interventions.
- Updated techniques for restoring circadian balance, combating jet lag, and maximizing sleep, naps, and meditation.
- Insights on the effects of electromagnetic frequencies on the brain and body, with tips on modifying devices for better shielding.
- The latest on addressing chronic infections, detoxifying from mold, and enhancing gut function with cutting-edge testing and treatments.
- New supplements, biohacks, and protocols based on recent longevity science, including age-reversal insights.
- Fresh routines and injury recovery tools, plus minimalist moves to burn fat throughout the day without gym reliance.
If you're ready to uncover a treasure trove of the latest science-backed strategies for improving every aspect of your mind, body, and spirit, you can click this link to pre-order your new updated copy of Boundless.
Unlock Personalized, Data-Driven Insights and Health Coaching Tailored to YOUR Unique Biology 📊
Struggling to make sense of your health and wellness journey?
You’re not alone. The frustration of feeling fatigued, battling brain fog, or hitting a wall with your fitness goals—despite all the trendy diets, supplements, and exercise programs out there—can leave you feeling lost and overwhelmed.
The root problem is often that most one-size-fits-all wellness strategies fail to address your unique biology.
Enter LIFEprints, a comprehensive health optimization system with two tailored options to meet your unique wellness needs.
LIFEprints Discover offers a foundational approach, featuring HTMA (hair tissue mineral analysis) testing, which analyzes the mineral content of your hair to provide a 3–4 month snapshot of your mineral and metabolic status. With a personalized report, you’ll receive a custom health blueprint with targeted supplementation suggestions, along with a one-on-one coaching call to guide you through these insights. You’ll also gain access to a vibrant community of wellness enthusiasts for added support and inspiration.
For a more immersive experience, LIFEprints Transform includes all the benefits of Discover, plus additional resources to help you put your insights into action. It starts with a customized pathway, built through an in-depth questionnaire, that shapes your wellness plan. This includes a nourishing, goal-specific meal plan, expert guidance to integrate new habits smoothly, and a 12-week dynamic movement program. To keep you motivated, Transform offers regular accountability reminders and monthly coaching calls with world-class experts. With Transform, you’ll turn your data into sustainable lifestyle changes by receiving personalized insights and actionable steps to address issues like fatigue, stress, sleep problems, and weight management, helping you optimize energy, focus, and overall wellness for long-term health.
Ready to finally see results that make a difference in how you feel and perform?
You can join the waitlist for LIFEprints here and discover how truly customized health guidance can transform your life.
Podcasts I Recorded This Week:
I have some HUGE news to share with you…
The Ben Greenfield Life podcast is getting a fresh, new upgrade—it's time to say hello to Boundless Life! 🎉
You can listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
This episode was brought to you by LVLUP Health, Beam Minerals (code BEN), Young Goose (code BEN10), Joovv (code BEN), Ketone-IQ, and iHerb.
A Portable, Innovative Tool That *Instantly* Changes The Chemical Composition of Water To A Super-Charged Health Elixir, With Analemma’s Mario Brainović
This episode was brought to you by Young Goose (code BEN10), Organifi Shilajit Gummies, BioStack, Fatty15 (code BEN), and BiOptimizers Black Friday Offer.
The Latest Content I Was Featured On This Week:
Ben Greenfield's VIP Text Club: To receive exclusive texts from Ben Greenfield, text the word “FITNESS” to 411247 (within the U.S. only).
My Article Feed:
My full article feed and all archives of my articles are here.
Product Of The Week
::: Save $60 on One of My *Favorite* Wearables for Sleep & Recovery 🎯✨ :::
That’s where one of my favorite new devices of 2024 comes to the rescue: the Apollo wearable.
This isn’t just another trendy gadget. It’s backed by over 60 years of research and created by neuroscientists and physicians who know their stuff.
Here’s how Apollo works:
The Apollo wearable uses gentle, targeted vibrations to activate touch receptors in your skin, sending a calming signal to your vagus nerve. This flips the switch from “fight-or-flight” (your sympathetic nervous system) to “rest-and-digest” (your parasympathetic nervous system).
In short? It helps you relax, recover, and thrive. When your vagus nerve is activated, you experience:
✅ Deeper sleep: Apollo improves sleep more effectively than many pharmaceutical options.
✅ Better focus: Stay in the zone without stimulants.
✅ Less anxiety: Feel calm and grounded, even on your busiest days.
✅ Improved recovery: Accelerate healing and reduce inflammation with consistent use.
I first heard about the Apollo wearable from Dr. Mark Hyman and Dr. Michael Breus (yes, the sleep doctor). But, as you know, I don’t take anyone’s word at face value. I dug into the research, and let me tell you, the science behind this device is solid.
Apollo has won 15+ prestigious awards, like Fast Company's “World Changing Ideas” and Robb Report’s “Best of the Best.”
What's also compelling is that clinical studies have shown Apollo’s effectiveness in improving sleep, reducing stress, and enhancing focus, all through the power of touch and vibration. Within 21 days of consistent use, Apollo delivers more significant sleep improvements than leading pharmaceutical aids naturally and without side effects.
The best part? It’s convenient, wearable, and comes with a no-risk guarantee—so you can try it for yourself!
Right now, you can save $60 and get free shipping with code BENGREENFIELD at checkout here.
Upcoming Events:
Health Optimisation Summit — Austin. TX: April 12–13, 2025
The Health Optimisation Summit, Europe’s top wellness conference, is making its U.S. debut in Austin, Texas—and I will be there! Join me for a powerful talk and Q&A, plus experience insights from 35 world-class speakers covering everything from nutrition and fitness to longevity and mental health. Explore over 100 exhibitors, test the latest biohacking tech for free, and connect with 2,000 like-minded attendees. Grab your tickets here.
Keep up on Ben's LIVE appearances by following bengreenfieldlife.com/calendar!
Kion Product of the Week: Kion Immune
Maintaining year-round health requires more than just handwashing and a balanced diet. Sometimes, your immune system needs an extra boost from within.
Kion Immune is a potent blend of vitamin C and zinc designed to support your immune system and keep you feeling your best.
Vitamin C is essential for combating harmful free radicals and supporting overall immune function, while zinc plays a crucial role in activating immune cells that regulate your body's defense mechanisms. Together, these nutrients help fortify your immune response and promote optimal immune cell function.
Kion Immune is your daily essential for immune support, crafted with vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free ingredients to suit a variety of dietary preferences and needs. You can incorporate Kion Immune into your routine (alongside good sleep and solid nutrition) to maintain vibrant health throughout the year!
Click here to bolster your immune defenses with Kion Immune.
Cheers,
Ben
Does the Apollo wearable give off EMFs?