Category Archives: Nootropics

With reference to Kelly Clarke's story What are trans fats and why are there calls to ban them in the UAE? (February 24): it would help if we stopped advertising these fast food chains. The adverts are sometimes posted over each lamp post around town.

Ashwin Amin, Dubai

Nutrition is the single greatest environmental influence on children. It is essential during the initial years of life. The effect of food and memory is especially important during the time of school exams. Healthy eating can stabilise childrens energy, sharpen their minds and even out their moods.

Children who dont get proper nutrition during their first three years may lose ground in intelligence to their better-nourished peers and hence children should be encouraged to eat healthy foods from an early age and not be fed foods high in fat and sugar, as far as possible.

During exams they need foods that all the more boost brain function such as nootropics. Some foods rich in them are eggs, dark greens leafy vegetables like spinach and kale the best source of brain-boosting nutrients lutein and zeaxanthin, these nutrients helps in quicker mental recall.

Turmeric helps stimulate neurogenic cellular creation, blueberries contain anthocyanin, an antioxidant which prevents the brain from ageing. Anthocyanin helps improve memory and cognitive function, and even helps intra-cellular communication within our brains. Dark chocolate actually increases blood flow to the brain and can even trigger the production of new brain cells.

These besides other nutrient rich oily fish and nuts, coffee, green tea and water should be consumed.

Pavithra N Raj, chief dietician, Columbia Asia Referral Hospital, Benguluru, India

Justice served: Harvey Weinstein has had it coming for years

About the report Harvey Weinstein found guilty of rape and sexual assault (February 24): the former Hollywood producer is getting what he deserves. The guilty finally have to accept what they have had coming to them for years. The judgement will give his victims and the #MeToo movement some form of solace and will set an example to predators world over. Let's hope this verdict teaches people to not abuse their positions of power.

K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India

Let's hope countries can control the spread of coronavirus

In reference to your report Coronavirus: Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Afghanistan confirm first cases (February 24): As per your paper's reported cases in Iran, it's evident that the virus has started to spread to some countries in the Middle East also. Let us hope that local governments are able to control the situation and they all co-operate generously to manage this dreaded virus. Apart from combining our medical resources and knowledge across the world, we also need to pray that we can control the virus.

Rajendra Aneja, Dubai

Updated: February 26, 2020 05:38 PM

Originally posted here:

Fast food and nutrition: for the sake of our brain health we need to watch what we eat - The National

The appearance of ones doppelgnger usually presages disaster. Today, a shadow version of oneself exists constantly alongside our flesh-and-bone selves, for the most part concealed under the surface of our smartphones, in the ebb and flow of data behind our screens. These statistical alter egos, as de Young contemporary art curator Claudia Schmuckli calls them, are part of the modern conditionat least for anyone who engages with the networked world.

Instead of shying away from this uncomfortable truth, the artists of Uncanny Valley, Schmucklis first group exhibition at the de Young, meet these doppelgngers head on, mining and manipulating that data to confront audiences with their digital lives, and the real-world implications of all that information.

Uncanny Valley is billed as the first major exhibition in the U.S. to explore the relationship between humans and intelligent machines through an artistic lens, which sounds like it could be a show of unwieldy and intangible technology. It does, however, hew fairly close to the standard exhibition format, just with slightly more interactive features. Dealing in such nebulous, digital stuff, Uncanny Valleys strongest moments turn those themes into room-sized installations, as happens in Zach Blas The Doors, Lynn Hershman Leesons Shadow Stalker and Christopher Kulendran Thomas Being Human.

The exhibition opens with Blas green-tinged mystical corporate garden, organized around the sacred geometry of Metatrons cube in a nod to the Bay Areas past and present relationship to psychedelia. At the rooms center, a glass case displays readily available nootropics (so-called smart drugs), popular with a Silicon Valley set interested in optimizing everything, including their own minds. On hanging screens, video projections trained on various neural networks (Fillmore-esque posters, Jim Morrisons poetry, lizard skin) create a frenetic ambiance, the textbook cacophony of a bad trip.

While Blas LSD-inspired garden asks questions like Who gets to have a vision of the future today? other projects supply an onslaught of unsettling information we didnt necessarily know to ask after. Soliciting visitors email addresses, Hershman Leesons Shadow Stalker broadcasts what personal data can be gleaned from an internet search of that email, yielding current and former addresses, dates of birth, phone numbers and even, sometimes, credit scores. (Schmuckli assured me the museum isnt keeping peoples email addresses on file, so at least theres that.)

Hershman Leeson further implicates her audience (their physical and digital shadows become part of a projected map) by linking this invasive search to the reality of predictive policing, which uses data about past arrests to identify high-risk areas and determine heightened surveillance of those spaces. The feedback loop is dizzying.

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Artists Mine Data and the Mostly Chilling Implications of AI in 'Uncanny Valley' - KQED

In the predawn darkness, you can see an eerie red glow shining from the windows of the Hudson, Wis., home of Thaddeus Owen and his fiance, Heidi Sime.

The couple are awake, having slept in their Faraday cage a canopy over their bed that blocks electromagnetic fields like the Wi-Fi signals or radiation from cellphone towers, which they believe are harmful.

Their primal sleeping environment also has special pads under the bed that are supposed to mimic the effect of sleeping on the ground under the influence of the Earths magnetic field, thus combating Magnetic Field Deficiency Syndrome.

Their house is bathed in red light because they think white incandescent, LED and fluorescent lighting robs them of sleep-regulating melatonin hormones. They wear special sunglasses indoors for the same reason, blocking the blue light from computers, cellphones or televisions when its dark outside.

Their morning routine includes yoga in a shielded, infrared sauna designed to create an EMF-free ancestral space, and putting tiny spoonfuls of bitter white powders under their tongues. These are nootropics, so-called smart drugs, which are supposed to improve focus, mood or memory.

When day breaks, they go out in their yard and face the rising sun Thaddeus in shorts and no shirt, Heidi in a sports bra and yoga pants doing Qigong in the snow and 25-degree air.

Getting early-morning sunlight, they believe, will correctly set the circadian rhythm of their bodies. Exposing their skin to the freezing temperatures, they hope, will help release human growth hormone, stimulate their immune system and trigger the body to burn fat to heat itself.

Forget Blue Zones. This is what your morning looks like if youre biohacking your way to an optimal you.

Biohacking is a DIY biology movement that started in Silicon Valley by people who want to boost productivity and human performance and engineer away aging and ordinary life spans. Think of it as high-tech tinkering, but instead of trying to create a better phone, biohackers are trying to upgrade to a faster, smarter, longer lasting, enhanced version of themselves.

Owen, 44, describes it as a journey of self-experimentation, using practices that are not talked about by mainstream media and your family doctor. His aim is to combine the latest technology and science with ancient knowledge to modify his environment, inside and out.

My entire goal is to basically age in reverse, he said.

Aiming for supernormal

Owen, who is from New York, studied chemical engineering in college. He worked for Procter & Gamble, helping to create beauty care products, and for pharmaceutical firms, developing manufacturing processes.

Now he works from home, managing worldwide product regulations in the sustainability department for office furniture company Herman Miller. But he moonlights as a biohacking guru.

He started a Twin Cities biohacking Meetup group that organizes weekly cold-water immersions at Cedar Lake in Minneapolis. Hes given a TEDx talk urging audience members to wear blue-light-blocking glasses indoors at night.

Hes helping to organize a Cold Thermogenesis and Heat Shock retreat at the end of next month in Pequot Lakes, Minn., where 50 people will pay up to $2,300 to spend four days going on shiver walks, drinking Bulletproof coffee and plunging into ice water.

He founded the website primalhacker.com and he and the 45-year-old Sime (who also goes by the name Tomorrow) run a website called thaddeustomorrow.com, where they market biohacking products like red light panels, a baby blanket that blocks EMF radiation and a $5,499 Faraday cage sauna thats the same type used by Twitter founder Jack Dorsey.

Owen said he relies on tons of research to support avoiding blue light at night and the healing properties of the early morning sun.

The Harvard Health Letter, for example, said that blue light from devices, LED and compact fluorescent bulbs can throw off the bodys circadian rhythm, affect sleep and might contribute to cancer, diabetes, heart disease and obesity. Some studies have shown that exposing people to cold temperatures burns calories and repeated cold-water immersions might stimulate the immune system.

And those infrared saunas? They dont appear to be harmful and maybe they do some good, according to Dr. Brent Bauer, an internal medicine expert at the Mayo Clinic.

But being healthy really doesnt need to be that complicated, according to Dr. Michael Joyner, a human performance specialist at the Mayo Clinic.

All these things sound great, Joyner said of the biohacks. Theres a ring of what I call bioplausibility to them.

But Joyner said its often hard to find evidence that biohacking practices actually work and that most Americans would be healthier if they just followed basic advice.

You need to go for a walk, not smoke, not drink too much, dont eat too much, he said.

But Owens goal is not to be merely healthy.

I want my biology to be shifted to that supernormal range, where Im optimally healthy, he said.

Moving into the mainstream?

When he started biohacking about 12 years ago, Owens goal was to improve his sleep. As a competitive athlete, he was fit, but he had problems with anxiety and insomnia.

So he started wearing special glasses to block blue light. His co-workers used to think he was odd. Now Owens company is asking him for advice on what kind of lighting should be used in work settings to keep employees healthy. And his sleep and anxiety problems have gone away.

I went from being the weird guy to being consulted, he said.

We all sort of watch what he does, said Gabe Wing, director of sustainability at Herman Miller and Owens boss. Wing said Owen has influenced some co-workers to try blue-light-blocking tools. But no one at the Michigan-based company is going outside shirtless in the winter.

Still, more people are biohacking. When Owen first got into it, he didnt know of any other biohackers in the Twin Cities. Now there are more than 500 people in the Biohackers Twin Cities Meetup group.

Susan Eiden regularly gets advice from Owen. The Minneapolis resident said using red lights at home has drawn comments from neighbors, but the lights combined with blue-blocking glasses and turning off the Wi-Fi at night have improved her sleep.

While many biohacks seem odd now, Owen is convinced that some of them will become common practices.

This whole blue light thing, its not going away, he said. More research comes out every day and its becoming more mainstream. And using nootropics is growing bigger and bigger every day, he said.

Owen takes supplements, some of which are considered prescription drugs in Europe and Russia, like phenylpiracetam, which is said to have boosted stamina among Soviet cosmonauts. Other preclinical compounds he and Sime use are in a regulatory gray area in the United States. Nootropic developers give them supplements that arent on the market yet because theyre biohacking influencers.

Were like lab rats. They send us stuff. We try it out, Sime said.

All for longevity

Owen and Sime have five of their children, ages 8 to 17, living with them. The kids wear blue-light-blocking glasses when they watch TV, but theyre OK with it, the couple said. Some of the kids have made videos or given talks to peers about the benefits of the glasses.

I think cellphone radiation is going to be the new lead, asbestos and smoking, said Owen, who turns his Wi-Fi off at night, keeps his cellphone in a special Faraday pouch when he sleeps and sometimes wears radiation-proof underwear.

(The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences says scientific evidence has not conclusively linked cellphone use with any adverse human health problems, although scientists admit that more research is needed.)

Owens diet isnt typical, either.

Hes been a vegan and a vegetarian. Now he eats what he describes as a local, seasonal diet: local vegetables, fruits, nuts and honey during the growing season. Thats followed by a high-fat, low-carb ketogenic diet in late fall and early winter. Then an all-carnivore diet in late winter, including animals hes raised at a friends farm.

One of the few white light bulbs he has in his house is pointed at the stove because in red light, its hard to tell if meat is cooked.

He also consumes ceremonial grade cacao, coffee with collagen peptides and chocolate ghee and homemade sauerkraut thats fermented and subjected to special music that has the frequency of love.

Those are living microbes, so I infused them with a love frequency to make them happy and healthy, said Owen, who has a masters degree in holistic nutrition.

While he used to do marathons and triathlons, he now exercises for longevity rather than competition, with high-intensity training, weights, racquetball and cross-country skiing.

If its too cold to be barefoot when he goes out in the morning, hell put special straps on his boots to create a conductive connection between his body and the Earth.

Its a practice called grounding or Earthing thats supposed to allow electrons to pass between the Earth and his body to reduce inflammation and neutralize free radicals. Gwyneth Paltrow swears by it, according to an article on goop.com.

Owen doesnt have a particular longevity goal, unlike biohacker and Bulletproof Coffee founder Dave Asprey, who has said he wants to live to at least 180.

Owen just wants to be healthy and independent for as long as he lives.

I want to maximize the health of my biology to what its capable of, he said. I want to live the best life that I can. I want to be happy. And I want to have a body and a mind that does the things I want them to do.

Read the rest here:

Sleep cages and ice baths: The extreme lifestyle of local biohackers - Minneapolis Star Tribune

Emerging markets are typically met with outright skepticism before transitioning into mainstream acceptance, and in many instances, the initial skepticism is healthy. Overcoming that skepticism, however, requires a convincing dose of proof and hard work to convert misconceptions into knowledge on a subject.

Today, several high-profile and rising markets are excellent examples of such a quandary, from CBD products to cryptocurrencies public perception needs molding with valid information and arguments.

In the case of nootropics, a class of substances known as cognitive enhancers, combatting public misconceptions takes clinical research, trials, and exploration by medical institutions. Anecdotal evidence has largely been the primary avenue of nootropic discussions, limited to circles of athletes, former drug addicts, curious parties facing mental challenges, and more all touting the cognitive advantages of the class of substances.

In accordance with these science-backed initiatives, we want individuals from all spectrums of society to use nootropic supplements, says Sammy Tran, Chief Marketing Officer of Nuoptimal. To achieve this, were focusing heavily on education to ensure our customers know exactly what theyre taking and the benefits behind each ingredient.

Interestingly, many of the most well-known nootropics are commonly found in everything from green tea to plants like Ginkgo Biloba. The traditional obstacle in exploring the benefits of nootropics was the lack of formal clinical pathways, but that is all changing.

Neuroscientists, dieticians, and mental health professionals are pushing further research into the cognitive enhancement capabilities of nootropics, which have undergone a slew of trials and academic studies in recent years.

For example, the nootropic Acetyl L-Carnitine has been vigorously examined as a neuroprotective agent against inborn metabolic imbalances that are relevant in Alzheimers, traumatic brain injuries, and peripheral nervous system injuries. Such research is vital to producing the type of evidence that the medical community, regulators, and the broader public needs to overcome initial skepticism on a new product or market like a class of cognitive enhancers.

However, the journey to unmasking the benefits of nootropics is sometimes more personal, derived from traumatic experiences and years of ambition to improve oneself.

For Mau Pan, the CEO of Nuoptimal, his life journey is what led him down the nootropics rabbit hole as part of a confluence of initiatives to improve his life following a series of tragedies and eventual realizations. Through Nuoptimal, Pan and his team are driving the broader conversation around nootropics, starting with their flagship product metaBRAIN, a comprehensively formulated box of three nootropic supplements.

Were working on a quantitative study with Cambridge Brain Sciences to bolster the understanding and efficacy of nootropics use in high-impact areas, says Timothy Peou, Nuoptimals Chief Strategy Officer. Weve seen individuals of all lifestyles benefit from nootropics from their work performance to their everyday lives.

Nuoptimal is among a subset of entities spearheading research and production of scientifically-backed nootropic supplements for the public. Following their extensive research on these compounds, Nuoptimal is rectifying many of the misconceptions individuals might have about nootropics.

Often, misconceptions about products are born from a hesitancy towards change and whether or not a product comes from sound investigation and composition. In the case of supplements, the optimal method for validating their authenticity is through medical pathways, a situation similarly ongoing with CBD and something not lost on Nuoptimal.

Each market has a unique avenue for proving the sustainability and viability of a product, says Pan. The clinical acceptance of nootropics have come a long way and with our science-backed approach, we aim to quantify the cognitive improvements nootropic supplements may provide.

Nuoptimals study with Cambridge Brain Sciences on their flagship brain supplement reflects the importance of measuring the efficacy of nootropics the type of spark that is necessary to overcome public misconceptions about this emerging market.

Clinical evidence is obviously not the broad stroke solution for products in tech or construction but instead reflects the independent trajectory that a firm must take to prove the staying power of their product a path the firm must discover itself.

Published January 15, 2020

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Cognitive Advantages and Common Misconceptions of Nootropics - Influencive

Picture this: Youre going on a first date. But instead of grabbing a drink, your date takes you to get a nutrient-rich IV drip. It costs over $200, but hey as long as your date is paying.

Depending on the kind of person you are, that might sound either very hip and modern or a little over the top. But can we agree its at least intriguing? Because for anyone who wants to socialize in a curated place with muted colors, minimalist design, and smooth surfaces everywhere, well, welcome to Remedy Place, a new LA spot.

Needle phobia be calmed, though. Most of the treatments offered at Remedy Place dont involve breaking the skin. Some even come with a guided meditation, loaded onto an iPad, to soothe you as your mind works to understand whats happening during the session.

Think of Remedy Place like a spa, but instead of working on your hair, skin, and nails, youre focusing on holistic physical wellness.

Their treatments include hyperbaric oxygen chambers, cryotherapy, lymphatic massage, saunas, and breath work. Theres a bar, too, but instead of alcohol, it serves wellness shots, CBD-infused kombucha, and nonalcoholic cocktails featuring nootropics and adaptogens.

In many ways, what Remedy Place offers is a form of sexified health that leans into New Age-y roots. Hyperbaric chambers may be a celebrity obsession as of late, but theyre used clinically to treat people recovering from burns or other serious injuries by making more oxygen available to the body to help optimize its natural self-healing processes.

And while cryotherapy, breath work, and saunas all have a spa-like connotation, some of the services offered are straight-up medical.

For instance, the movement therapy offered is essentially physical therapy. Visitors can also undergo testing for food sensitivities, among other things, to better learn about their bodies. That, of course, should be information meant for your personal use only.

If youre not ready to share the intimate details of your microbiome just yet, Remedy Place offers many other options that let you chat and get your wellness on, like taking a friend to an ice bath. What a bonding experience that would be!

When Dr. Jonathan Leary founded Remedy Place, his hope was to make certain kinds of wellness treatments less clinical and more luxurious, as well as social. Its easy to see how a place like this, located in West Hollywood, would resonate with health-conscious types who are trend-aware and Instagram-friendly. And theres a lovely fragrance permeating the whole place.

While the membership, at $495/month, isnt exactly widely accessible, its not required to use the services.

Believe it or not, Remedy Place is on the average-to-affordable end of the spectrum for LA facilities offering these treatments. The nutrient drips run about $220 each, and hyperbaric therapy and lymphatic drainage massage are $160 and $150 per hour, respectively (and also available by the half-hour).

Of course, thats not the kind of money anyone can drop regularly. Leary and his team recognize that this is a luxury for most people, outside the bounds of what insurance will cover. But they believe knowledge of how to care for ones body should be accessible, which is why they also offer weekly socials and group classes at their bar.

Group classes, like meditation and breath work, start at $30. When it comes to finding the answer to the age-old question Can you sit in silence together?, this might be a steal.

And Remedy Place is probably onto something here. As a skeptic who generally prefers to avoid discomfort such as needles and being cold, I was surprised to find myself thinking, You know, maybe an IV drip would be a fun way to catch up with friends every now and then. A little intense for a first date, maybe, but I know at least one of my friends is a self-care fanatic and would be extremely down.

What can I say? It looks like a trendy hotel and smells like a Malin + Goetz shop. I might not only agree to get poked by a needle there, but actually enjoy it.

While anyone who exercises or breathes LA air could benefit from hyperbaric therapy or movement therapy, Learys team also regularly reserves a few spots for those recovering from serious injuries or major surgeries. These people may reach out or be referred to Remedy Place but cant afford the treatments out of pocket.

In fact, Remedy Place is declining comped spots to influencers so as to make more of these subsidized treatments available to the people who need them most. That awareness of our need for connection is ultimately what makes Remedy Place so appealing.

IV drips, physical therapy, and even hyperbaric therapy on the surface dont have the indulgent draw that, say, mud baths and pedicures do, nor do they have the relaxed and inherently social atmosphere of bars or coffee shops. But Remedy Place makes these semi-medical treatments actually seem fun, like something you might want to do as your next big activity for a self-care night out.

Ariana DiValentino is a writer, filmmaker, and actor based in Los Angeles. Follow her on Twitter.

Originally posted here:

What If You Went to a Wellness Club Instead of a Bar? - Greatist

The wellness industry is booming, and there are no signs of it slowing down in 2020.

Consumers are turning to the industry to feel their best, both physically and mentally. While in 2019 we saw a surge of functional mushrooms, chickpea and cauliflower everything, gut health, and at-home workouts, in this new decade we have new trends to look forward to. Heres what you can count on for wellness in 2020.

Weve only seen the tip of the iceberg in 2019 as far as functional beverages go the industry is bordering on a $100 billion dollar market and growing at a rapid rate, alongside the sober curious movement, brought to fame in 2019 byRuby Warringtons namesake book.

In 2020 we will continue to see a proliferation of alcohol-alternatives as well as functional beverages. Brooklyn Brewery is releasing its first line of alcohol-free beer, Special Effects, in early 2020. Several brands are going beyond just alcohol-free alternatives, infusing beneficial herbs and bitters into their mixes for health-boosting properties. Booze-free spirit lines such as Kin Euphorics, which features brain-boosting nootropics, Seedlip, which includes natural botanical extracts, Curious Elixirs, andThree Spirit all have health-boosting benefits, so consumers are not only avoiding alcohol but drinking something health-supportive as an alternative.

Our day to day beverages are getting more health-supportive as well. While Kombucha has been popular for the past several years, we are starting to see brands like OLIPOP , Goldthread, Dram Apothecary, and others offering drinks that are supportive of our gut health, our stress levels, and beyond. CBD-infused soda and sparkling water are on the rise as well, with brands like Weller and Recess at the helm. Wellness-seekers are also favoring functional beverages over coffee, with coffee alternatives such as Rasa adaptogenic coffee and matcha growing in popularity. 2020 will show consumers the many ways to drink your way tohealth benefits.

While influencers may be the ones to thank for helping the wellness industry break into the mainstream over the past decade, consumers are now craving in person, offline experiences. In 2020 we will see an increase in digital detoxes and a focus on spending more time connecting to the community. Programs like The Broad Places High Vibrational Challenge support mindful consumers in evaluating their lives holistically, cutting down on digital time in favor of high vibrational activities such as spending time with loved ones and connecting to the food they are eating. The online program actively encourages you to get offline to connect deeper to yourself and others.

Aligned with this is the growing wellness retreat industry, with programs spanning from yoga to spiritual alignments, such as Mama Medicines Element Retreat. Wellness-inclined individuals are connecting locally through the emergence of several wellness-based community spaces, such as The Well in New York City, and Archipelago in Denver, and wellness driven cafes such as Supernatural Cafe in Brooklyn, NY.

While wellness is becoming more and more commoditized, in 2020 we will see the rise of using nature as a form of self-care. Doctors in Scotland are now allowed to prescribe nature as medicine to patients for conditions such as diabetes, stress, heart disease, mental illness, and more. Were also seeing the rise of forest bathing, a Japanese-created exercise that encourages people to get out into nature (even if its a park in an urban setting) and use their senses to connect to the trees around them. The activity has shown documented benefits in its stress reduction as well as even the ability to increase natural killer (NK) cells that fight off diseases such as cancer.

While individuals are still entrusting practitioners to guide them in their healing journeys, they are also taking healing into their own hands. In 2020 we will continue to see the rise of self- healing, with individuals turning to courses such as Inner Alchemy by healing coach Hilary Pearlson which teaches you how to be your own healer through a variety of healing modalities, and activities such as kundalini yoga, qi gong, and more. Breathwork is also on the rise, a free, do-from-anywhere tool, though some prefer to be guided through the modality through the use of an online course, guided workshop, or one-on-one session.

This trend goes hand-in-hand with a growing focus on stress-reduction and mindfulness to support both physical and emotional wellness. Instead of a focus on treating symptoms, we are seeing a movement to address the root causes of stress using tools such as meditation, journaling, breathwork, inner child and shadow work, and more. In 2019 we saw the boom of holistic mental health support for example, psychologist Dr. Nicole LaPera, who goes by @the.holistic.psychologist on Instagram, grew from 50,000 followers to 1.5 million followers on Instagram in 2019 by spreading her advice for self-healing. In 2020, we will see this market expand, offering a variety of tools, courses, and content regarding self-healing and self-improvement.

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We are so pleased to announce that our next Member Coffee Conversation on Regeneration is happening LIVE this Tuesday, January 14th @ 9am PT/12pm ET with @leahpenniman, Author of @FarmingWhileBlack and Co-Director and Farm Manager of @SoulFireFarm. We didnt have access to good food, which is part of what catalyzed us to create Soul Fire. We thought, if its this hard for us to get vegetables, with a masters degree and years of farming experience, how much more difficult is it for our neighbors, and what can we do about that? Leah Penniman Members, please check your inbox for your link to join this live conversation! Check your inbox! Not a member, but would like to join the conversation? Become a member by 8:30 am PT on January 14th and you'll receive an email with access to the live conversation. Link in Bio #kisstheground #kissthegroundmember #membership #community #farmingwhileblack #foodjustice #farming #farmer #socialjustice #coffeeconversation #webinar #live

A post shared by Kiss the Ground (@kisstheground) on Jan 12, 2020 at 5:51pm PST

Were seeing a developing awareness about how our health and the health of the planet are inextricably tied, and 2020 will be the year that the wellness industry starts taking sustainability to a new level. From the health of our soil to low waste packaging, sustainability will play a leading role in the wellness industry in 2020, with a rising awareness that the health of our planet is fundamental to our individual health.

We saw the rise of the wellness industrys focus on gut health in 2019, and in 2020 consumers and brands alike will be exploring how our soil impacts our health as well as the planet. Organizations like Kiss The Ground are emphasizing the importance of regenerative agriculture for our soil and healthier soil means more nutritious, healthier food as well as a healthier planet. They provide leadership training to help individuals become soil advocates, as well astraining for farmers and ranchers to help to reverse the effects of climate change. Brands areintegrating soil health into their priorities as well.

Supplement company MegaFood recently launched its Healthy Farm Standard Initiative, which is aimed at improving our agricultural system by building carbon-rich soil and increasing the nutrient density of food. Malk, a natural and organic nut milk brand, was recently certified glyphosate free by The Detox Project joining MegaFood, Wedderspoon, Chosen Foods, and a handful of other health food productscommitted to safe products and protecting the environment.

As far as waste-reduction goes, we are seeing movement in the wellness space as well. Rebbl , a B Corp certified super herb elixir drink, is transitioning 100% post-consumer waste recycled bottles in 2020. Veles, launching in 2020, offers a cleaning product made of vegetable scraps, dubbing themselves the first closed-loop cleaning product. Pete and Gerrys Organic Eggs is piloting a program in New Hampshire and Vermont to sell their eggs in a reusable egg carton. 2020 will see an insurgence of these types of initiatives in the wellness industry, with consumers demanding that what we put in our bodies and on our bodies is as important as the impact of the product themselves.

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5 wellness trends that will dominate in 2020 - Ladders

Chris Miller's struggles served as the motivation behind building his growing functional canned beverage business.

For most of his life, Miller told Food Dive he struggled with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. After college, he was prescribed Adderall to help him focus, but he said he experienced trouble sleeping.He didn't want to eat,and even saw his cortisol levels shoot up as a result of the medication.

"It's pretty dangerous stuff, especially taken in high quantities over long periods of time," Miller said."...As my health started to deteriorate, I sort of hit rock bottom in terms of the way that I felt I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. And so I started working on my own to develop a formula from Earth-grown nutrients and herbs and various things that would basically mimic the effect that I was feeling or getting on Adderall."

Miller set out to find an alternative to help himself and others. He started doing research and got a basic framework together for a supplement that he wanted to launch using nootropics, which are supplements that can improve cognitive abilities. Then he worked with doctors, chemists and nutritionists to refine his formula since he didn't have that background himself. In 2014, his company, called Koios, launched a supplement. A year later, Koios put out its first beverage.

Chris Miller

Looking back, he said that beverage was a "terrible first attempt" because it didn't taste good and the packaging didn't fit with the brand.In 2017, the company decided to reformulate the beverage, which he said was the right step for the company's growth.

"We decided to very painfully take a huge step back and rebrand, reformulate and basically start from scratch," Miller said. "We wanted to push the boundaries of 'How do you make one of the most functional, organic, natural beverages that can drive human performance, but also make it taste amazing.' "

The company spent a year developing flavor profiles and delivering a better tasting product including flavors such as apricot vanilla and pear guava, while keeping more than 2,000 milligrams of active ingredients.

Prioritizing the taste and benefits of the drink helped the company find more success in the last year.Koios beverages are now sold in more than 4,300 stores nationwide, including Walmart and GNC, as well as online through Amazon. In addition to its Koios drink, this year the company addeda new functional beverage to its portfolio. Fit Soda has electrolytes, no sugar and is infused with branched-chain amino acids.

Miller expects the products' reach to grow along with brand awareness.He estimated Koios will be in 10,000 to 15,000 stores next year, making $8 million to $10 million in revenue.Since it reformulated, the company has grown substantially, jumping from $43 in product revenue at the end of fiscal year 2018 to $242,440 in 2019, according to its financial statements.

Miller predicts substantial growth for the brand because he says Koios is at the forefront of a new trend in food and beverage: brain health.

"I always tell investors it's sort of like being a part of kombucha before it was kombucha. Everybody kind of understands gut health now,"Miller said. "To me, the brain is the next frontier and it's the next driver in terms of growth in nutrition."

Functional foods and beverages have become more popular in recent years. A report from Tastewise, an Israel-based food trends prediction and intelligence startup, found 37% of consumers are using food as a functional tool to reach their health goals. And a white paper from ingredients company Kerry reported that 65% of consumers seek functional benefits from their food and drink.

"I always tell investors, it's sort of like being a part of kombucha before it was kombucha. Everybody kind of understands gut health now. To me, the brain is the next frontier and it's the next driver in terms of growth in nutrition."

Although many people are just learning about nootropics now,the market size is estimated to be worth $4.94 billion by 2025, according to Grandview Research. Koios contains a variety of nutrients and minerals including MCT oil, electrolytes, lions mane mushrooms and amino acids like L-tyrosine and L-theanine. These ingredients combined classify the beverage as a nootropic drink.

Nootropics have gained popularity in the supplement industry in recent years, withdozens of over-the-counter products claiming to help with various high-level brain functions, like memory and decision-making. There aren't as many food products with these ingredients now,and many researchers and companies are still determining their effectiveness.

Guillaume Fond, a psychiatrist with Frances Aix-Marseille University Medical School who has studiedcognitive enhancement told Time Magazineearlier this year that some of these ingredients do provide attention benefits, but data is "still lacking to definitely confirm their efficacy." Beverage brand LGNDand nootropics companyNeurohacker Collective both make energy drinks with the ingredient.

To show consumers the impact of the products,Koiospartnered with one of the top neurofeedbackcompanies in Colorado, which does cognitive training for the Denver Broncos and the Colorado Rockies. The firm started doing brain scans on people before and after Koiosconsumption and saw enhanced brain function after,according to a report. The company showcases the brain scanson its website.

The companys functional and unique ingredients make it stand out, Miller said. But they are just getting started with innovation.

Koios is working on developing a nootropic coffee drink and already developed an intial CBD-enhanced beverage line under its Fit Soda brand.

Miller said there is still a lot of gray area with CBD, so the company is holding off untilfederal regulations about CBD in food and drink are established and one of the big box retailers that they work with wants to put it on shelves. When that happens, Koios will be ready.

Koios

In August, Koios addedTravis Tharp,president and chief operating officer of Keef Brands one of the first companies to put cannabis in soda to its advisory board.Keef Brands will supplycrystallized, water-soluble CBD for Koios beverage products.

"It'll be much easier for us to scale our CBD product than most of our competitors," Miller said. "We already have the relationships once it's greenlit, we'll have a huge head start."

Follow this link:

Why Koios says nootropics are the 'next frontier' of functional beverages - Food Dive

Source: Photo by Mike Kenneally on Unsplash

Do you experience a crash or withdrawal from caffeine?

Thats a side-effect from a drug. Framing it like something else because of arbitrary (non-scientific) myths that office culture has cultivated can prevent you from reaping the benefits of this stimulating nootropic. (A nootropic is a substance that, if used properly, safely enhances the cognitive functions of the user.)

Caffeine addiction is a real phenomenon. If you dont have a plan for your use of caffeine, there is a risk youll become dependent on it. Drug dependency is a serious problem that indicates you cannot control your use of a drug: It commands you.

[A] recent random-digit telephone survey found that about 17% of current caffeine users met the DSM-III-Rpsychiatric criteria for being moderately or severely drug dependent on caffeine [1]

Eighty-five percent of the U.S. population consumes at least one caffeinated beverage per day. [5] So:

.85 (daily caffeine users) *.17 (caffeine users with moderate or severe drug dependency) * 100 =14.45%.

At least 14.45% of the U.S. population is moderately or severely drug dependent on caffeine.

If you use caffeine the right way, it can be a great nootropic, but if you dont: its among the worst nootropics that exist.

The right way to use caffeineis infrequent dosing, without ever building tolerance. Listen to your body and mind. When you notice that the effects of caffeine have less potency, stop using it until your tolerance is reset. How long will it take to reset your tolerance to caffeine? Theres a great deal of individual variance, but usually around two weeks.

Almost all studies that have been done on caffeine for performance-enhancement are done on people who had no or low tolerance going into the trials. [2][3] Caffeine in the dose range of 300-700 mg can give incredible results for mood and performance-enhancement if you use it when you do not already have tolerance to it. However, if you continually consume caffeine casually, you may not get these performance-enhancing benefits.

Chronic ingestion of a low dose of caffeine develops tolerance in low-caffeine consumers. Therefore, individuals with low-habitual intakes should refrain from chronic caffeine supplementation to maximise performance benefits from acute caffeine ingestion. [4]

I use caffeine in the dose range of 200600mg once per 14 days. From this, I experience a boost in energy, working memory, mood, and motivation which ensures a great day. The only side effect I get is some nervousness and a feeling of stress. I consume all the caffeine before noon and when the evening comes around use Schisandra to remove nervousness and stress. By using caffeine conservatively, I get a therapeutic and productivity-boosting benefit and dont experience any significant side-effects. I havent experienced a single Caffeine-crash using this protocol.

You might argue, "But I need caffeine for energy and motivation!" If that's true, then youve just identified a problem in your life: a lack of baseline energy and motivation.

Caffeine has been helpful for you to solve this in the past, you believe. Right? Well, maybe not. It has probably masked your problems and helped only temporarily, with subsequent tolerance leading to even bigger problems with energy, motivation, stress, and anxiety. If you use caffeine every day, it probably worked as a band-aid for a period of time, but didnt actually help you raise your baseline motivation and energy. Caffeine just doesnt do that.

If you have a problem with energy and motivation, I suggest you get your sleep, exercise, nutrition, and mindfulness right before experimenting with nootropics.

Nootropics can help raise your baseline motivation, or give you an energy boost during a day when you need that little extra. But for nootropics to amplify your life, you need to use them the right way. There are other nootropics that can boost energy and motivation that you do not build tolerance to.

Lets start looking at the evidence of how our actions influence cognitive performance and happiness. In the case of caffeine, that entails infrequent dosing (with no tolerance, i.e. after around 14 days), which will ensure a day of strong cognitive proficiency, physical performance, and well-being.

It should be made clear that this advice is based on the authors understanding of the science of caffeine, as well as his personal experiences with the nootropic. This post is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

This post was originally published at nootralize.com.

Excerpt from:

You're Using Caffeine the Wrong Way - Psychology Today

We all have at least one in our family or circle of friends. The tech lover. For these forward-thinking individuals, a scarf or gift card to [insert restaurant] just won't do. They may smile when you present your holiday gift offering, but you know they really would rather have something cutting-edge, futuristic, and tech-y for Christmas. Need a few ideas?

Well, speaking of the future,Futurism.comis here to help. Here are a few recommended ideas for your consideration:

Miracle Sheets. Um, WHAT? What on earth are miracle sheets? Well, to be as synoptic as possible, "Miracle Sheets are made with pure silver fibers that kill 99.9% of bacteriathrough a natural process called ionization. That means Miracle Sheets stays fresh three times longer than regular sheets, which means you do three times less laundryandyour bed doesnt stink."

Um, wow. So in addition to helping your friend take steps to lessen their carbon footprint, they also won't have to wash their sheets as often. They also come in various sizes and colors and come with a 30-day trial period.

Qualia Nootropic Energy Drink.Well, I've personally noticed that tech lovers and energy drinks are often somewhat acquainted with one another. Hey, it takes lots of alertness to keep up with all of these new technological advances.Qualia Nootropic Energy Drinkclaims to make your brain work more efficiently.

How? Well, it's not just via the extra caffeine and sugar that is usually a key component of these energizing beverages. According to the makers, it is "designed to enhance mental and athletic performance, boost memory and productivity, and promote alertness and focus. The main ingredients in Qualia Nootropic Energy are compounds called nootropics, which the brain uses as fuel for cognition." Learn morehere.

You may have also noticed there seems to be a connection between lovers of tech and lovers of sci-fi--which makes sense if you think about it. Thus, check out thisClassic Dune Board Game,which is based on the novel DunebyFrank Herbert--arguably "one of the most popular and influential science fiction novels of all time," and is of course now a movie and has since been re-done. Basically, you get to scheme and wage war to gain as much control of the precious element "melange" as possible.

Wanna a few more ideas? Take a lookhere.

See the original post here:

Need Gift Ideas For The Tech Lover In Your Life? - knue.com

We've covered supplements a lot here at THE/THIRTY. Whether it's finding the best ones for PCOS symptoms, concentration, inflammation,hair growth, or your specific age category, we've got you covered. While supplements and vitamins aren't theonly answer to good healtha balanced diet and regular exercise both go a long waythey can provide some extra support. You'll just want to chat with your doctor or healthcare professional before you start taking new ones tominimize any negativeside effects and avoid putting your health at risk.

While the benefits of supplements sound pretty good and all,those bottlescan be pricey, especially if you're taking multiple. But we're going to let you in on a little hack: Cyber Monday is a great time to stock up on them. It might not sound glamorousto shop for pills or gummy vitamins when there are so many other exciting things to buy (beauty products! wardrobe essentials!), but trust usyou're going to want to devote some of your budget to these. It's your health, after all.

To make it easier for you, we rounded up the best deals on supplements we love (and have tried) below.

You can read my ode to this, but I'll reiterate: Thesegummy vitamins really work for me. My hair is stronger and thicker after taking these. And they don't taste too bad, either. Hum is offering 50% off sitewide, so you don't want to miss this sale.

Who What Wearbeauty editor Erin Jahns likes taking these nootropics, which have a positive impact on her productivity and mood. The Nue Co. is offering 30% off sitewide, and if you spend $120 or more, you'll get a free full-size Skin Food + Prebiotic bottle.

Moon Juice SuperYou ($49)

If you're going to try Moon Juice's product offerings, might we suggestitsbest seller, SuperYou? It's a blend of adaptogens that can help reduce stress and improve energy, mood, and focus. For Cyber Monday, Moon Juice is offering 20% off sitewide.

Sun Potion Ashwagandha Powder ($30)

Ashwagandha can be used as a natural stress- and anxiety-relieving supplement. You can add this to water, tea, smoothies, and more.

Sakara Life Metabolism Super Powder ($45)

Jahns also recently reviewed Sakara Life's new Metabolism Super Powder and felt less bloated, more energetic, and had fewer sugar cravings. You can get 25% off everything on Sakara Life until December 2.

Revly B-Complex ($12)

For Cyber Monday, Amazon is offering 15% off its vitamin and supplement brand, Revly.This one is formulated with vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, niacin, folic acid, biotin, and inositol.

Hum Nutrition Gut Instinct ($25)

Another good option from Hum, these probiotics can help support digestion. It's recommended to take one of these a day on an empty stomach.

Garden of Life mykind Organics Immune Gummy Elderberry ($25)

Elderberry can helpboost your immunity, which is much needed during cold and flu season. The gummy versions are so easy to take. For Cyber Monday, Vitacost is offering 20% off your order with the code CYBERSAVE.

The Beauty Chef Glow Inner Beauty Powder ($70)

This powder has over 20 natural ingredients that are blended to promote healthy skin, collagen production, and gut health.

Moon Juice Magnesi-Om ($42)

I've been taking Moon Juice's new product Magnesi-Om, and it's helped ease my nerves during this busy time of year. It's supposed to improve relaxation, support brain help, and keep you regular.

Vitafusion Extra Strength Biotin ($10)

If you want healthy hair, skin, and nails, you might want to start taking biotin. This gummy version is blueberry-flavored, so you might remember to take it more.

Garden of Life Vitamin Code ($55)

This is a good option forwomen over 50. It contains ingredients that can support breast and thyroid health, bone strength, and healthy heart and digestion.

The Nue Co. Debloat+ ($60)

With 17 (yes, 17!) digestive enzymes, these supplements can really do some work when it comes to reducing bloat. It's recommended to take one in the morning and one in the evening with food and water.

Hum Nutrition Beauty zzZz ($10)

Having trouble sleeping? This can help. It's made with Vitamin B6, calcium, and melatonin to help you fall asleep faster and get better rest. Take one tablet 20 minutes before bedtime and you'll be set.

Gaia Herbs Curcumin Synergy Turmeric Supreme Extra Strength ($24)

Turmeric can help with inflammation, arthritis, and fatigueand it's been used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine.

Sun Potion Lion's Mane ($48)

Lion's mane is said to support memory, concentration, and mood.

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Powder Supplement ($25)

Add some collagen into your favorite beverage for a boost that can help with hair, skin, nail, and bone health.

Love Wellness Mood Pills ($25)

Love Wellness's Mood Pills are formulated with ingredients like Saint-John's-wort, gingko leaf, vitamin B6, and GAVA to make you feel better, especially when you're dealing with PMS symptoms.

Nutrafol Women ($88)

Nutrafol's supplement contains adaptogens, antioxidants, and collagen to make your hair grow thicker and faster.

Moon Juice Brain Dust ($38)

Who What Wearassistant editor Anna LaPlaca likes to add a scoop of Brain Dust to her morning coffee for extra energy and stress relief.

Natures Way Sambucus Original Standardized Elderberry Lozenges ($8)

If you don't want to take elderberry for immunity in gummy form, you can consume them in lozenge form. Keep these on hand this winter.

Nature Made Extra Strength Vitamin D3 ($11)

Combat any vitamin D deficiency with these tablets. It's recommended to take one daily with a meal.

Love Wellness Metabolove ($25)

Get your metabolism back on track with these Love Wellness supplements that are formulated to manage the thyroid. They contain selenium and green tea.

The Genius Brand Genius Joy ($39)

Another nootropic on this list, these supplements contain rhodiola, ginseng, vitamin b-12, and vitamin D. They're said to improve focus, energy, anxiety, and stress.

Vimerson Health Women's Daily Multivitamin ($15)

A multivitamin might be a good place to start if you want to add some supplements into your routine. This one is formulated to boost energy levels,support heart health, and strengthen immune and digestive symptoms.

Next up: No Liethe Instant Pot Will Change Your Life, and It's Majorly Discounted Today

This article originally appeared on The Thirty

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25 Supplements That Are Proven to Workand They're All on Sale for Cyber Monday - Yahoo Lifestyle