Biohacking Your Brain With Precision Medicine, Genomics, Psychedelics, Advanced Nutritional Strategies & Much More!

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Biohacking, Body, Brain, Health & Wellness, Performance, Podcast, Podcast-new

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Drs. Matt Dawson and Mike Mallin are the head honcho docs at Wild Health, with locations in Versailles, KY, and Bend, OR. I first interviewed these guys in the episode “How To Use Precision Medicine To Enhance Athletic Performance, Defy Aging, Balance Hormones, Fix The Heart & Much More.” then again in “Why Your DNA Is Worthless (& What You Need To Focus On Instead)“.

In this episode, they're back to talk all things brain optimization, brain biohacking, and a medical-based precision genomics approach to upgrading the brain.

Dr. Matt Dawson is a precision medicine physician in Lexington, KY, co-host of the Wild Health Podcast, and has been obsessed with performance optimization as long as he can remember. He received scholarships to play two sports in college even with “minimal talent” because of his voracious reading and implementation of any fitness or nutritional techniques that would give him an edge. Dr. Dawson continued that obsession in medical school, and as a physician, he has won national awards for education, innovation, and leadership. He has lectured in over 20 countries and trained thousands of other physicians through live lectures, online education, two textbooks, and an educational app. Dr. Dawson combines his training in genomics and functional medicine to give personalized, precise medical guidance. His obsession with performance optimization has morphed from, initially athletic, to now mental performance and longevity.

Whether you're a professional athlete or a grandparent optimizing your mental clarity and mobility to keep up with your grandkids, Dr. Dawson is passionate about helping you perform at your absolute peak.

Dr. Mike Mallin is a physician in Bend, OR who is obsessed with health performance and precision medicine and is co-founder of the Wild Health Podcast. He completed medical school in South Carolina and trained in emergency medicine in Salt Lake City, UT, where he competed in several ultramarathons and found his love for the mountains and performance. Mike currently practices in Bend, OR, and Lexington, KY in his precision medicine clinics. He is also co-founder of the Ultrasound Podcast, an educational podcast that has taught thousands of physicians all over the world how to use ultrasound.

In this podcast, we discuss the September brain biohacking event coming up in Lexington, KY, September 26-28 (use code BEN to save 20%).

During this discussion, you'll discover:

-Matt and Mike's work on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic…10:30

-Tests that determine cognitive function…19:10

  • “No biohacking before the basics”
  • DNA, genomics, etc. to get a full picture of the health
  • Scoring system takes into account cardiovascular health, insulin resistance, inflammation, cancer risks, and other metrics
  • You get to a certain point when you're considered “optimized” and ready for more advanced brain tests
  • Examine both genotype and phenotype
  • APOe4 most associated with Alzheimer's; many more SNPs associated with Alzheimer's
  • Don't examine specific SNPs individually
  • Tissue necrosis factor (TNF) + APOe4 gene elevates risk of Alzheimer's by 6x
  • TNF levels are determined by genetics
  • Neurotransmitter balances are determined from a genetics standpoint
  • KetoFlex 12/3 (The Bredesen Protocol) – thinking of Alzheimer's as a metabolic disease
  • Efficacy of ketones on the brain
    • Insulin degrading enzyme and interleukin 1B correlate with insulin levels in response to ketones
    • The wrong genes lead to a worsening of conditions when ingesting ketones
    • Genomics as a predictive model
  • CNS Vital Sign Test: attention, memory, processing speed, etc. to determine appropriate further tests
  • Brainscape
  • Lumosity
  • CNS Tap test
  • Brain HQ app
  • N-Back training app
  • DUTCH test
  • Organic acids test (Organix® Dysbiosis Profile (Organic Acids)-Genova Kit)

-The link between immune function and the brain…39:00

-Recommended brain optimization modalities and strategies…43:30

-How to and how not to use plant medicines for cognitive function and brain health…57:15

-Peptides, ketamine, synthetic substitutes for plant medicines…1:04:20

  • Dihexa if BDNF SNPs are low
  • Semax
  • Downsides to any compound, monitor properly

-About the event being held at the Kentucky Castle this September…1:06:00

-And much more!

Click here for the full written transcript of this podcast episode.

Resources from this episode:

Wild Health:

– Podcasts and articles on peptides:

Podcast with Drs. Joel Dudley and Chris Mason of Onegevity Health

– “Better Living Through Science: Two Advanced Biohacking Strategies & “Stacks” For Enhancing Sleep & Meditation.”

– Gear:

– Tests:

– Other resources:

Episode sponsors:

Kion Cold Thermogenesis Challenge: If you've never tried cold showers or cold plunges, this is a great way to “dip your toes” into the practice of cold thermo with the support of thousands of others. The deadline to register is August 2nd, so act fast!

Organifi Glow: A plant-based beverage that helps support the body’s natural ability to produce collagen, smooth fine lines and wrinkles, and protect the skin from sun exposure and toxins. Receive a 20% discount on your entire order when you use discount code: “BENG20”

Perfect Keto: Perfect Keto helps make a low-carb lifestyle easier with snacks and supplements formulated by Dr. Anthony Gustin, plus the best low-carb recipes and information. For 20% off your order + free shipping, use discount code: BGF

Water and Wellness: The best solution for clean and safe drinking water. Water and Wellness also offers an amazing line of essential water additives such as Quinton Marine plasma which contain over 78 trace minerals and elements from the ocean to help restore your biological-terrain. Get 15% off your order when you use discount code: GREENFIELD

Do you have questions, thoughts or feedback for Matt Dawson, Mike Mallin or me? Leave your comments below and one of us will reply!

Since the original release of this content, Ben has changed many of his thoughts and practices regarding plant medicine. To learn more, please read Part 1 here and Part 2 here.

Ask Ben a Podcast Question

12 thoughts on “Biohacking Your Brain With Precision Medicine, Genomics, Psychedelics, Advanced Nutritional Strategies & Much More!

  1. John Bishop says:

    I’m a long time podcast listener and appreciate the depth of research and expertise on most topics. However, I feel that one of the most effective tools for improving brain health was skirted over way too quickly.

    BrainHQ is a very different proposition to luminosity and other cognitive focussed apps because its exercises go way deeper to deliver real world outcomes that have been repeatedly evidenced outside the online programme. The 10 year longitudinal ACTIVE study is worth reviewing for Alzeimers and Tom Brady’s endorsement in elite sport show the breadth of application.

    Lots of the tools and strategies mentioned will show positive effects but BrainHQ will show a much greater impact that can last up to 10 years. It may be worth getting Dr Mahncke CEO Posit Science or even Dr Merzenich on himself to discuss all of this in the same level of detail as other episodes.

    Keep up the great work.

  2. Daniel says:

    I’m literally on the page that completely describes the Podcast… But I can’t find a link to the actual podcast? Is there really no reference or link for it here on the page? It’s def not on Youtube, sooooo anybody have any ideas where I can actually find this thing.

    Gracias.

  3. Matt says:

    At ~28min in, when they are talking about the SNP’s.
    They reference both rs16944 and rs1143627.
    He mentions the T genotype. However, according to my results, for those 2 SNP’s, “T” isnt an option. Only A and G are.
    What am I missing/misunderstaning?
    Matt

  4. Radek says:

    Hello

    in your podcast Biohacking Your Brain …. was mentioned by Ben Greenfield that the Tremella mushrooms has Incredible benefits for skin and that the Tremella mushroom has five times the hydrating power of Hyaluronic Acid.

    There was also recomended the Organifi Glow product in your podcast.

    Would you be so kind and send to me a reference of these claims mentioned by Ben Greenfield?

    I can see the story on the internet but can’t find any actual evidence.

    There are only evidence by using Tremela in cosmetic products

  5. Chris says:

    Dr. Pinsky at Stanford has been doing pool testing for a while … this has been a mathematical model utilized for a while now.

    https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2764364

  6. Chris says:

    Why have Matt and Mike been on far-right cable/website America’s Voice …. headliner being Steven Bannon? When Matt talks about …’ hysteria around the cable news,’, why would you associate with a non-news organization? Please explain?

    1. STEVE says:

      Americas voice is cable news?

      1. Chris says:

        The leftover from the now defunct National Empowerment Television … but yes now just online.

  7. Alex says:

    Hi there Ben, I totally fell in love with your blog. All your contents are priceless. If you don’t mind, I would like sharing some tips regarding custom keto diet to every visitors here. Here’s is a link for free e-book that I found very good and useful to be practiced. Yes, it is free! Hope it is beneficiary for everyone. Much love. https://bit.ly/30y8zsB

  8. Sell sell sell says:

    Time to re-read “ego is the enemy”? This was close to a monologue.

  9. very much interested

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