July 23, 2020
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News Flashes – Follow Ben on Twitter for more…3:40
- 13 Body Hacks, Evaluated: What Science Says About Shortcuts To Health And Wellness
- Flies aren’t little people, I know… But it’s interesting that in sleep-deprived flies, melatonin, NAD, and alpha-lipoic acid protect against the oxidation-induced damage in the gut from sleep deprivation. Read about the study here.
- What would make your high cholesterol a BAD THING? Four articles I read recently give us some clues (not an exhaustive list by any means!):
- Oxidation resistance, oxidation rate, and extent of oxidation of human low-density lipoprotein depend on the ratio of oleic acid content to linoleic acid content studies in vitamin E deficient subjects
- Oleic acid (olive oil, avocado oil, cold-water fish)
- BGF podcast with Dr. Barrie Tan about Annatto-E (use code BEN15 to save 15%)
- Serum Oxidized LDL Levels in Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Retinopathy in Mthatha Region of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Low exercise volume
- Low omega 3 fatty acid status – e.g., olive oil and fish oil
- Oxidation resistance, oxidation rate, and extent of oxidation of human low-density lipoprotein depend on the ratio of oleic acid content to linoleic acid content studies in vitamin E deficient subjects
Resources mentioned:
- Ben's breakfast smoothie: Collagen with kefir and colostrum, ketone esters (use code BEN for free shipping), bone broth, and fish oil
- Book: Drunk Tank Pink: And Other Unexpected Forces That Shape How We Think, Feel, and Behave by Adam Alter
- BGF podcast with Ian Clark
- Book: Marma Points of Ayurveda by Vasant Lad
- BGF podcast with James Nestor
- Book: Breath by James Nestor
- BGF podcast with Dr. John Lieurance
- High dose melatonin in the Sandman suppositories (use code BEN to get save 5%)
- BGF podcast Q&A 412 (discussion on coffee roasting and prep and its relationship to cholesterol levels)
Special Announcements…31:35
Ben Greenfield's new book Boundless is now available! Click here to order your copy.
Check out Ben on Instagram for epic posts and photos about his morning, day, and evening routines, recipes, and much more!
Follow Ben on Twitter for daily news flashes and the latest health, fitness, and anti-aging research.
Join Ben's Facebook page for conversations with listeners and even more useful information, posts, and support!
Click here for the full written transcript of this podcast episode.
This podcast is brought to you by:
–Kion: Join in the Kion Cold Thermo Challenge of 2020 beginning August 2! Click here for more information.
–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. Order using my link and receive my brand new book, Boundless absolutely free!
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–Seed Daily Synbiotic: A formulation of 24 unique strains, each of which included at their clinically verified dose, to deliver systemic benefits in the body. Save 15% off your order when you use discount code BEN15.
Listener Q&A:
What To Do About Caffeine Sensitivities, Plus Alternatives To Coffee…38:25
Nate asks: I seem to have developed some caffeine sensitivity over the last few years. I used to love home-roasting my own coffees, exotic teas, nootropic supplements, but all of these seem way too powerful for me now. I had blood work done recently, and everything looks good. I've tried upping my magnesium, adding glycine, experimenting with adaptogens (even lowering the dose). Nothing seems to work. I just tried it again after a long break of over one year without caffeine, and the same symptoms come right back. I miss the productivity and focus it used to give me. I'm hoping you can help me understand the biochemistry of this and maybe some other things I can do to get it back.
In my response, I recommend:
- Rasa Adaptogenic Coffee
- MiCacao
- FourSigmatic Adaptogenic Coffee (use code BENGREENFIELD to save 15%)
- Omica Organic Stevia
- Thorne L-Theanine
- Colostrum
- Bone Broth
- L-Glutamine
- Restore (use code BENG1KC to save 15%)
- Magnesium Breakthrough (use code GREENFIELD10 to save 10%)
- MagSRT (use code GREENFIELD10 to save 10%)
- Cyrex Array 10 (Multiple Food Sensitivity Screen) for antibody reaction
- Age slowing down CYP enzymes
- Kaya Kalpa cleanse kit by Dr. John Douillard's LifeSpa
- Push Catch Liver Detox by Quicksilver Scientific
- Book: Toxic by Neal Nathan
- Surviving Mold
- Fasting-mimicking diet (use code BEN for a free gift)
What Is Ben Greenfield's Current Daily Routine?…57:05
Sana asks: Hi Ben, my favorite parts of your show are when you talk about the need for a daily routine for workouts, supplements, meditation, and things of that nature. I was wondering if you would mind sharing some of your own favorite workouts, routines, meditation practices in more detail? Thanks!
In my response, I recommend:
- BGF podcast with Jim Poole
- NuCalm (discount applied at checkout, 65% off your first month of any new monthly subscription)
- Play pink noise on Sleepstream app thru SleepPhones headphones
- Neck Nest – the neck pillow (use code GREENFIELD2019 for a free pillowcase)
- Apollo strap
- Christian Gratitude Journal
- Spiritual Disciplines Journal (coming soon)
- Oil pulling
- Tongue scraper
- Alitura cleansing oil & clay mask (use code GREENFIELD to save 20%)
- Kion skin serum
- Kion Coffee
- Foam rolling
- BioCharger
- Morning tonic mixed in a giant mason jar
- Joovv
- Morozko Forge (use code BENFORGE for $150 off the retail price for any Forge)
- Ben's anti-aging smoothie
- Book: The Sprout Book by Doug Evans
- Vasper
- Fight Camp (use code BEN10 to get a 10% discount)
- Kettlebells
- High-Intensity Interval Training
- Morning supplements:
- Ben's sleep stack:
- 200mg of Thorne Iso-Phos
- 500 mg of MagSRT
- 2 capsules of Thorne's Multi-Vitamin Elite
- 250mg of Thorne PharmaGABA
- 200mg of Thorne 5-Hydroxytryptophan
- 4g of Thorne Glycine
- 2 Thorne Hemp softgels
Giveaways & Goodies
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Thanks for answering my question! I wanted to elaborate a bit more as I couldn’t go any deeper on a short question submission.
I have tried most of the first half of your recommendations (magnesium, glycine, adaptogens, and theanine) as mentioned in my original question, without any effect. I don’t think the problem lies there and believe it to be more of a Phase I detox or caffeine allergy. I also don’t have gut issues so I don’t think it is leaky gut related.
This is also not restricted to coffee as it happens with teas and even supplements with caffeine such as Tian Chi. I have tested this many times with the same result. Caffeine itself seems to be the isolated trigger.
I kind of felt a slight sensitivity building for a while without any major side effects until one day I received a cold brew concentrate as a gift. I read the instructions wrong and accidentally consumed way too much at once (the equivalent of 4 cups of coffee after my water dilution). This caused a major reaction where I basically had to sit down quietly outside in the shade and keep my eyes closed for almost 4 hours as even the smallest external stimuli was unbearable. My heart was racing like crazy, I was sweating profusely, and I even broke into tears at one point remembering some emotional issues that were lying dormant. I’ve done psychelics before and this was the closest to being on a trip but not actually so that I’ve experienced. This was not fun and don’t ever make the same mistake I did! LOL
Ever since this day I have similar reactions to even a small amount of caffeine. It is 100x worse than simple caffeine jitters, etc. and another reason I don’t think it is mold related although I’ve had other issues with that in the past. I’m not exactly sure what happened to me that day as maybe I megadosed and this created an allergy? Or perhaps I overloaded a detox pathway and it has since become dysregulated? Either way, I can’t find a simple answer to diagnose and/or resolve the issue.
Thanks again for including my question in the episode and I hope the recommendations help others who have similar issues. I would also appreciate if you respond to this comment with a more targeted follow up!
Great podcast! Loved the detailed daily routine. My wife and I have started reading more at night prior to sleeping. What have you found to be the best source of light/lamp when you are reading in bed prior to sleep?
Thank you! Candlelight or red incandescent bulbs: https://amzn.to/2DUUWv1
Hi Ben, do you do contrast showers as part of your routine?
Also I remember you mentioning the jello you have in the nighttime in the podcast with Zach Bush? What brand do you you use please?
Thanks
Bisher
I have a sauna/cold plunge so that's typically what I do at home. If I'm on the road, contrast showers are a great alternative. I use this: https://amzn.to/3180c7a
Hi Ben,
Thanks for the podcast!
Sleepstream app is not available for Android. Any alternative?
Also, how about Brain.fm? Are you not using it anymore?
It looks superior to Pink Noise:
https://www.brain.fm/assets/img/neural-phase-lock…
Ah, I don't have an android so not really familiar with the apps they have. I would just do a search for Sleepstream and comparable apps should show up, then just try out some of the top-rated. Let me know if you find anything good. Brain.fm is great, but I use it more for concentration while working during the day.
Does adding baking soda not affect the hydrogen content of your hydrogen water?
Good question! I would like to know that as well.
I thought Hydrogen tablets should be dissolved in pure water(?)
Could zinc deficiency play a role in caffeine sensitivity? Zinc is crucial for endoplasmic reticulum function, which participates in detoxification.
Hi Ben! I really enjoy your shows!
Any thoughts on negative ion generators? I’m looking for a lower cost one to take to my office. Also, I know that it don’t want one that generates ozone.
Also, are there are sub $200 hydrogen water generators that you recommend?
Where is the pink noise found on the Sleepstream app?
Hey Ben. Quick q on the Hydrogen tabs. When combined with Vit C. Does it blunt the Vit C ? I thought taking supplements with Hydrogen was pointless ?
I think you might be missing something on the caffeine sensitivity. I realized it effected me strongly and for 24 hours back in 92. My research says likely indicates sluggish phase 1 liver detox. Rutaecarpine (from Evodia Rutaecarpa) is one option, but I have also found that if I consume raw liver powder that I’m able to have a small amount of caffeine without problems. I assume providing lacking enzymes, so don’t think cooked will work, only raw.
sorry I made my comment after reading the show notes but before getting to the caffeine part of the podcast, so I see you get to it, but still no mention of Rutaecarpine nor raw liver
Which hydrogen tables do you take? That page had 2 types Active H2 + CHROMAX and Active H2 Hydrogen. Great stuff as always!
Oops. Tablets.
Both good options, but I use the Chromax one.
Hi Ben, you mentioned you put colostrum in your morning smoothie. However, isn’t colostrum better absorbed on an empty stomach?
Better absorbed, yes, but that doesn't mean putting some in your smoothie isn't going to have benefits. The absolute best way to absorb it is sublingually by breaking open the capsule and letting the contents sit in your mouth for a few minutes.
Please don’t record your podcast while walking on a treadmill. You can hear that you’re a little short of breath and it’s distracting.
Thanks, Jim
Thanks for leaving this note. I totally agree with you. Listen to a lot of Ben podcasts and this was super hard to listen to. When you’re talking Ben it’s ok as the words come out, but then your inhale is quick and sharp from the walking and once you notice it you can’t unhear it the rest of the podcast. Good experiment but please for the love of your listeners don’t do it. Thanks!
Sheesh, Ben. For someone who owns a coffee company, “coffee beans” are not beans. In fact, though beans are always seeds, seeds are not always beans. A bean is just one kind of a seed. Specifically, it is a name for seeds of the family Fabaceae (also known as Leguminosae) of which the coffee plant is not a member; thus, coffee “beans” are not actually beans. The coffee “bean” is actually the seed of the coffee plant, the pit inside of the coffee fruit.
First want to say I’m a long-time listener and enjoy your podcast – thank you for all you do.
I was disappointed to hear both of your attitudes toward COVID this morning on the podcast, when referring to your wife’s birthday party. Starting first with your partner asking about “lockdown?!” incredulously like if you’re not on the beaches of Florida, you have “LOSER” stamped to your forehead. Then you met his remark with some arrogance toward the safety guidelines put in place (which are to protect you and the public).
Much of the world is watching America, concerned that leadership is allowing its citizens to fall into a death trap, while hoping those capable and educated can rise above and lead by example. Example being, using voices for a greater good, staying home, keeping the bubble small, wearing a mask, respecting boundaries put in place, and especially not putting others at risk. Many of us are living in areas outside of America with very low cases, yet are still practicing safe guidelines mentioned above, because it’s smart and the right thing to do.
Please remember that a lot of people are listening and when you have even the slightest bit of contempt towards something, it can be magnified hugely across the platform with negative consequences. If you’re trying to come across as having authority or power, the opposite happens, I hear weakness and people-pleasing. Frankly, I am mind boggled how a guy who appreciates science so much can act carelessly, walking into a restaurant with 14 people and putting servers at risk. It’s a disappointing message to send, I hope you can be mindful of your tone because it does have an effect on people, and we are concerned about your people :)
I completely agree. Ben’s disdain for public health initiatives and apparent anti-mask views really damage his credibility.
All that said, people need to realize Ben is a fairly shady marketer above all else – the more you pull back the curtain on Ben, the more disappointed you’ll be.
Below the surface of cool biohacks is shameless shilling for overpriced products, often pitched to people new to this arena, frequently desperate for overhyped cures who are left disappointed.
Take these anti-mask, anti-public health insinuations as a bit more of a peek into who Ben really is. It’s not pretty.
Ben you are one of the best proponents, if not the best, of religion and science being interrelated, hence the surprising far right views. Keep digging at the core ideologies and how they affect our human community and economies.
Totally agree …. I don’t agree with Ben’s libertarian views, but if they don’t negatively impact those around him – So be it. However, your disregard for other people’s health is totally out of line. You were worried about getting arrested …. what about your community. Spokane is not immune to this virus.
Depends on your perspective. It might be smart, and it might not. Impossible to say at this point. There are plenty of scientists (including virologists) that wholeheartedly disagree with you that it’s safe or “the right thing to do”. Plenty of people are outside American, living normally, with little impact on their community.
Have you gone through ALL of the research, good and bad, and talked to people that understand the science?
Thanks Ben, love your enthusiasm for being better (what is better of course is a big rabbit hole).
How do you find Pink Noise on the sleep stream app?
I looked at the Apollo Strap and although it sounds intriguing, I can’t justify another device let alone one that costs as much as it does and looks like, as one pundit quipped, “A Star Trek wrist communicator”.
Anyway, why not just have an app that uses the haptic features of the Apple Watch to achieve the same result?
You can use Dawson Church’s EFT “eco-meditations” for the same result. The inventor of the device admitted this himself.
Ah, forgot to ask.. can creatine be mixed into coffee? Does the heat alter the absorption or effectiveness? Thank you!
Yes, it does alter the effectiveness. Creatin is quite heat sensitive and it is easily turned into creatinin. So it is not a good idea to mix creatin into your cup of coffee in my opinion.
I am also very sensitive to caffeine. I currently french press Purity Decaf and Rasa Cacao with a tsp or 2 of ceylon cinnamon. After 20 min, pour into mug and add 2g organic Lions Mane powder (trying OM brand). Will use whole milk if having with my meal, or black when fasted. Took me only a few days after cold Turkey (of 4 months of regular Purity) to feel somewhat normal.. then we had our 2nd baby boy! I will use the caffeine, as the drug that it is, sparingly when desperately needed once back to work. Pre-covid I was using caffeinated coffee only 1-2 days a week without crashes or withdrawals, decaf/Rasa on the other days. Best of luck! As always, thanks for the great info, Ben and Jay!
There are other alternatives to coffee which can be bought from health food stores like chicory and barley drink which comes in powder form. Magnesium can be applied onto skin with a spray which absorbs efficiently than capsules and tablets. Melatonin can be found in foods such as almonds, turkey, kiwi, milk, rice, fatty fish, bananas, oatmeal and cottage cheese (you can search the list for further information).
I heard that supplementing melatonin can suppress your natural production, is this true, or does it only happen at night time? This is related to the supplement stack mentioned for the sleep deprived study. Also when would you recommend taking the aforementioned stack?
How to do you feel about kids taking 1-3mg of melatonin nightly?
Is sunflower oil bad for you? I noticed it’s in everything.
A great reference to answer this question is the work of Dr Joel Fuhrman. He’s written a number of books and his followers don’t eat any vegetable oils. Most alternative health authorities recommend avoiding all vegetable/seed oils also. That leaves olive oil, coconut and avocado, which covers all bases. The problem is, it cuts out almost all processed foods.