January 16, 2021

Even though it's pretty rare I scroll through many feeds on Instagram or elsewhere (for reasons I describe in my work-life balance podcast here) I recently began following an interesting Instagram account. Titled “Ergogenic Health,” it intrigued me with some very interesting content I hadn't seen before, including:

• A commonly known special fruit that enhances the effects of psychedelics…
• A simple free activity you can do anytime to lower cortisol by over 21%…
• How the way you brush your teeth may actually reduce intelligence…
• A very unique form of vitamin B1 called thiamine tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide (TTFD) that increases exercise performance, motivation, mood, and overall energy…
• How capsicum from peppers may lead to anxiety in some people…
• The little known “younger sister” of curcumin…
• And much more!

So recently, I was able to connect with the guy who runs that Instagram channel, along with a host of other intriguing, well-informed, and outside-the-box websites, along with a podcast. His name is Lucas Aoun, and he graciously agreed to take a nerdy deep dive into advanced nootropics and smart drugs, biohacking, and much more with me on this podcast episode. I even had a chance to take his Cosmetic Neurology (use code BENG10 to save 10%) nootropics masterclass and it was quite excellent, containing info I hadn't seen before anywhere else.

Lucas is a biohacker, nootropics expert, host of Boost Your Biology, and founder of Ergogenic Health, and author of the recent guest article on my site “Boost Your Brain Power With These 4 Underground, Highly Effective Nootropic Compounds Most People Don't Know About.” Ergogenic Health researches and curates the best health products from around the globe. They integrate modern scientific evidence, anecdotal/personal reports, and traditional wisdom to create a lifestyle platform of supreme products, education, and consulting to promote biohacking for those who wish to explore their version of optimal performance.

During this discussion, you'll discover:

-How Lucas became interested in biohacking, plant medicine, and nootropics…7:35

• Cosmetic Neurology (use code BENG10 to save 10%) nootropics masterclass by Lucas
• Began with playing soccer professionally
• Father was a pharmacist, so he helped out with his practice
• Realized much of what he was learning was not widely discussed “above ground”
• Experimented with L-Theanine before a game and was impressed with the results

-How Lucas keeps track of all the supplements and compounds he may be experimenting with at any given time…

• Notes app on iPhone with keywords he's created for reference
• Constantly “auditing” himself
• Many people who experiment with nootropics don't know their own body and its tolerances or how they may affect their body
• The Nitty-Gritty Underground World of Supplement Ingredients, Sports Nutrition Frankenfuels, Illegally Laced Compounds & More, With Shawn Wells
• Lucas was the first Australian person to experiment with Theacrine

-A day in the life for Lucas…13:50

• Sunlight exposure and sun gazing (1~2 seconds) first thing in the morning
• Walking treadmill desk (10,000 steps before eating)
• Experiences appetite suppression on the days he engages in sunbathing/sun gazing
  • Study showing red light therapy modulating leptin and ghrelin concentrations
• First meal is high protein (around 11 am)
• Heavy weightlifting the latter part of the day
• High carb intake toward the end of the day
• Glucose disposal agent (GDA)
• Bitter melon after the evening meal
• Dihydroberberine (bioavailability is higher than normal berberine)
• Kion Lean
• Ceylon cinnamon
• Apple cider vinegar

-A new peptide that Lucas sees as up and coming…21:30

• 5-amino-1MQ
• Article: Are Peptides Legal? What The FDA’s New Bulk Drug Substance Crackdown Means For Peptides (Plus 9 Promising Little-Known Peptides To Watch Out For In The Future).
• Ramps up intracellular NAD levels
• Orally bioavailable
• Increases satellite cell production in muscle tissue

-The seaweed compound Lucas eats at night…23:30

• Ecklonia Cava (taken one hour before bed)
  • Increases GABA activity in a very sustainable way
  • Non-habit-forming
  • Mimics L-Theanine as it produces alpha waves in the brain
• Irish sea moss Ben mentions

-Whether or not Lucas drinks coffee or consumes caffeine…26:15

• “I use it only when I don't need it”
• Running on borrowed time: It amps up cortisol levels unnaturally and you pay for it the next day

-How caffeine interacts with the cannabinoid system…30:05

• Difference between chronic and acute caffeine consumption
• Chronic caffeine exposure increased sensitivity of cannabinoid receptors
• Synergistic effect on stress
• Mr. Moxy's Mints
• CBN is the best for sleep
• CBG effects on appetite

-A compound that mimics high-dose thiamine…35:15

• Thiamine tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide (TTFD)
• Synthetic counterpart of Allithiamine
• Positive effect on penetrating the blood-brain barrier
• Increase in mental clarity among users

-What Lucas views as the “next resveratrol”…39:30

• Amentoflavone
• Two apigenin molecules bound together (St. John's Wort, Ginkgo Biloba, and others)
• Chamomile
• Increases calcium release from muscle 30x faster than caffeine
• Rapamycin
• Spermidine

-Tips on enhancing dopamine release…43:40

• Dopamine agonist drugs bind to dopamine receptors – not sustainable
• 9-MBC “ayahuasca-inspired nootropic”
• Showed neuroprotective effects

-Advanced nootropics for functioning while sleep-deprived…47:30

• Irdabisants – mimics the effects of modafinil
• CEP 26401 (Irdabisant) – The Next Modafinil? (New Nootropic/Eugeroic)

-“Dealbreakers” when it comes to nootropics Lucas might experiment with…50:25

• 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor
• Consequences of inhibiting DHT in the brain

-Advanced nootropics Lucas believes more people should know about…53:00

• Homotaurine
  • GABA-B antagonist
  • Phenibut is great for social anxiety but can lead to GABA-B downregulation
  • May help with upregulating GABA-B receptor over time
• Compound 7-P
  • Neurogenerative compound
  • Regenerate optic nerves

-An overview of and how to access Lucas' advanced nootropics masterclass…55:40

• Cosmetic neurology to improve cognitive performance
• Cosmetic Neurology (use code BENG10 to save 10%) nootropics masterclass by Lucas

-The nootropic stack Lucas took prior to his interview with Ben…1:00:25

• Taurine
• Artichoke extract
• Thiamine HCL
• St. John's Wort

-And much more!

Click here for the full written transcript of this podcast

Resources from this episode:

– Lucas Aoun:

• Ergogenic Health
• Cosmetic Neurology (use code BENG10 to save 10%)
• Boost Your Biology podcast
• @ergogenic_health Instagram
• Boost Your Biology Youtube

– Podcasts and articles:

• Boost Your Brain Power With These 4 Underground, Highly Effective Nootropic Compounds Most People Don't Know About.
• The Nitty-Gritty Underground World of Supplement Ingredients, Sports Nutrition Frankenfuels, Illegally Laced Compounds & More, With Shawn Wells
• Are Peptides Legal? What The FDA’s New Bulk Drug Substance Crackdown Means For Peptides (Plus 9 Promising Little-Known Peptides To Watch Out For In The Future).

– Gear and supplements:

• Treadmill Desk
• L-Theanine
• Theacrine
• Glucose Disposal Agent
• Bitter Melon
• Dihydroberberine
• Kion Lean
• Ceylon cinnamon
• Apple cider vinegar
• Ecklonia Cava
• Irish Sea Moss
• Coffee
• Mr. Moxy's Mints
• CBG
• Thiamine TetrahydroFurfuryl Disulfide
• Allithiamine
• St. John's Wort
• Ginkgo Biloba
• Chamomile
• 9-MBC
• Compound 7-P
• Taurine
• Artichoke Extract
• Thiamine HCL

– Other resources, studies, and articles:

• Notes App
• Vitamin B1 Derivative Activates Dopamine Neurons, Without The Typical Side Effects Of Amphetamines In Rats.
• Caffeine drinking potentiates cannabinoid transmission in the striatum: interaction with stress effects.
• Decreased Serotonin In Healthy Adults After Consumption of Wholegrain Rye.
• Peptide derived from Spinach, has anxiolytic effect via activating sigma1 and dopamine D1 receptors.
• Omega-3 decreases D1 and D2 receptors expression in the prefrontal cortex and prevents amphetamine-induced conditioned place preference in rats.
• Dihydrotestosterone in Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis – The missing link?
• Ginseng and Bacopa Benchmarked Against Modafinil.
• Cordycepin Increases Nonrapid Eye Movement Sleep via Adenosine Receptors.
• I just discovered a NATURAL Dopamine (D2) Agonist + DRI LAURELIA NOVAE-ZELANDIE EXTRACT (-PUKATEA-).
• Laughter Lowered the Increase in Postprandial Blood Glucose.
• This is the next Resveratrol in my opinion.
• Homotaurine can be used to UN-DO the damaging effects of Phenibut.
• Alcohol After Glow Mimicking Compound.

Episode sponsors:

–Kion Aminos: Building blocks for muscle recovery, reduced cravings, better cognition, immunity, and more. BGF listeners save 10% off your first order at Kion with code BEN10.

–Joovv: After using the Joovv for close to 2 years, it's the only light therapy device I'd ever recommend. Give it a try: you won't be disappointed. For a limited time, Joovv wants to hook you up with an exclusive discount on your first order. Just apply code BEN to your qualifying order. 

–Lucy Nicotine Gum: If you are looking for a cleaner and tastier alternative to other nicotine products, then this product is for you. The gum comes in three flavors – Wintergreen, Cinnamon, and Pomegranate – and the lozenges in cherry ice. To save 20% on any order, just use discount code BEN 20.

–Organifi Gold Chocolate: This superfood hot chocolate is loaded with herbs, medicinal mushrooms & healing ingredients to help the body fight disease during sleep. Receive a 20% discount on your entire order when you use discount code BENG20.

Do you have questions, thoughts, or feedback for Lucas Aoun or me? Leave your comments below and one of us will reply!