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
- 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
-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.
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This was interesting https://usapeptides.info/buy-p21-p021-nootropic-for-research/ to help the global problem of dementia and brain problems. They are a concern for younger people nowadays. These diseases are scary.
Ben, you specifically tell us to beware of supplements that say “proprietary blend’ in the list of ingredients. However, Kion Aminos says exactly that on the back and doesn’t list the specific amount of the amino acids. Could you please tell us the amount of each ingredient or at least a rough estimate?
The preamble of the podcast mentions ~ A simple free activity you can do anytime to lower cortisol by over 21%…. I never heard this during the show & do not see it in the notes. Did I miss something or how can I find more info?
Yes, I didn’t hear anything either!!!
I was looking for the same thing. I thought it may be a breathing technique or something similar.
I know that lucas stated he’s working on finding a viable reseller for 5-Amino 1MQ, have you heard or bought anything from
https://www.limitlesslifenootropics.com/shop/5-amino-1mq/
They carry it, but I have no past experience with them. I’m tempted to give it a try.
Where can a practitioner purchase 5-Amino-1MQ?
Can you take taurine at night? Will it keep you up?
I have been adding regular taurine to my night time shake for a few months and not had any issues.
Lucas – I recently tried allulose a sugar substitute. I like it because it tastes more authentic than stevia or monk fruit. However I was surprised to discover that allulose lowered my post-prandial blood sugar by 5-10 points. Do you have any data on allulose as a GDA in terms of effectiveness and method of action? Thanks.
I am looking forward to trying out Organifi hot chocolate .My question is which one should I try reds or green or can I try both to keep my body to getting minerals and vitamins in my body while I’m working they out the day .I am big fan I first I discovered you was in mid valley your amazing person and thank you love for this podcast it’s amazing info
Is thiamine tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide any way related to sulbutamine? Sulbutiamine is a fat soluble for of B1 more efficient than thiamine at crossing the blood brain barrier and therefore much stronger in terms of effects. Sometimes called the wake up pill.
I’m having trouble ordering the Thiamax. It keeps telling me to enter all my info, but every line is filled out. Can anyone help?
The podcast guest briefly addressed this issue during the podcast, but I think he kind of minimized what could potentially be a major health concern regarding 9-me-bc. There is good reason to be concerned that 9-me-bc is converted to the potent neurotoxin 2,9-dimethyl-bc once in the body.
Here is a reddit post with discussion: https://www.reddit.com/r/Nootropics/comments/g2mk…
Here is a link to the referenced study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1617407/
Great podcast otherwise. I really enjoyed hearing about a number of nootropics that I’ve never heard of before. It’s really interesting that he’s been investigating usage of compounds that cause the opposite of the desired effect to later achieve the desired effect. It seems like everything else that we use does the opposite of that.
Thanks for mentioning that Nathan, I had tried 9-ME-BC and after 5 – 6 days I got a really bad brain fog that really freaked me out. It cleared after 2 – 3 days but it was a weird few days, I’ve been sketched out to go near. It didn’t make sense to me why that might have happened from the research I did on it, I thought maybe I had a bad batch but that wasn’t the case – now that makes more sense. Thanks for sharing!
Hey Nathan,
I have seen this paper, and think the risks are overblown personally.
I think dosage range, frequency and what it’s combined (Ie. avoiding methyl donors) with is really what matters.
Thanks for the response, and it’s great to hear your opinion on this. I’m interested in the compound and you comment gives me more confidence.