Decoding Superhuman

The best approach for nootropics that I found and I try to impart on people is to think about them as tools where we can go from hopefully 95 to 100% in that range, just being totally optimized in ourselves to 105, 110% using nootropics. So hoping for some small increase above what we’re already capable of as opposed to what many people are drawn towards nootropics for, which is to go from 60, 70% because they got a bad night of sleep, bad diet, drinking alcohol in order to just simply get by or function and I think that taking that approach is really the first step.

Affiliate Disclosure

Mansal Denton is an entrepreneur. He has experience in many different ventures, organized a festival, published a book, and a myriad of other projects like donating books to prisoners.

At age 20 he was arrested and at 23 sentenced to 8 years in the Texas State Penitentiary. This prison sentence has influenced Mansal’s life tremendously.

With these unique life experiences, quirky behavior, and a somewhat arrogant nature, he has been featured on media outlets such as Entrepreneur, Huffington Post, Fox News, and Elite Daily.

Mansal Denton is the creator or co-creator of Nootropedia, which is a website that provides unbiased and factual information on nootropics to the extent where it's actually available. He's also the creator of a documentary and a book called A Head Above: A Simple Guide to Peak Mental Performance which Mansal wrote in 30 days.

Mansal lived in Switzerland, Poland, but currently resides in Austin, Texas.

This article and podcast episode do not constitute medical advice. Should you have interest in nootropics, please do your own research and consult your physician.

The strict definition of nootropics is a synthetic or natural compound that improves markers of cognitive abilities without the risks or significant risk of side effects. Other cognitive enhancers which may have significant side effects are labeled as "Smart Drugs."

For the purposes of this discussion, Mansal and I utilize "Nootropics" to describe both Nootropics and Smart Drugs.

Increasing one's capability without nootropics is possible. In this discussion, Mansal references intermittent fasting as a method to upregulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Mansal employs a fasting technique called 16-8. In this strategy, a person would fast for 16 hours of the day, only having an 8-hour eating window. Additional fasting strategies, such as 3-day water only fasts can be utilized under the supervision of a physician for different results.

Similar to previous podcast guest Peter Joosten, Mansal often employs "Deep Work."The concept is based largely on Cal Newport's book entitled Deep Work (link below). Mansal defines Deep Work as "uninterrupted work that is 100% free from distraction."

Mansal tracks his time religiously. He utilizes earplugs, a specific morning routine, the "Inbox When Ready" app for Google Chrome, a gratitude practice, meditation, and putting his phone in airplane mode to eliminate distraction.

Nootropics require a solid foundation of health in order to get the maximum benefits. This includes: optimal sleep, solid nutrition, and a reasonable exercise regimen. Once these areas are reached, nootropics may provide additional cognitive enhancement.

In the words of many health practitioners, you cannot out-supplement a bad diet. If you are looking for a magic pill (NZT in Bradley Cooper's case), nootropics are not for you.

• Email: mansal@nootropedia.com
• Instagram: MansalDenton

• Why Mansal spent time in prison and how did it change his life
• What are some non-nootropic cognitive enhancers people can employ to start
• The foundations needed to get the most from nootropics
• What is the difference between Nootropics and Smart Drugs?
• Is Modafinil the closest thing to NZT?
• If you considering taking modafinil, you may want to check your COMT gene (rs4680). AA variants tend to barely benefit than others when taking modafinil.
• Do any long-term st...

Nicotine is shrouded in controversy. Dr. Neil Grunberg has published >180 papers addressing behavioral medicine, stress, and leadership. Dr. Grunberg has received awards from the U.S. Surgeon General, CDC, FDA, American Psychological Association, NIH, Society of Behavioral Medicine, and USU. He has served as President of the USU Faculty Senate and has chaired many USU committees. In this fascinating conversation, Dr. Grunberg and I chat about the neurobiology of addiction, the potential for nicotine in pharmaceutical drugs, what nicotine does to your brain, and Dr. Grunberg's thoughts on the growing psychedelics movement.

Who is Dr. Neil Grunberg?

Neil E. Grunberg, Ph.D., is Professor of Military & Emergency Medicine (MEM), Medical & Clinical Psychology (MPS), and Neuroscience (NES) in the Uniformed Services University (USU) School of Medicine (SOM); Professor in the Graduate School of Nursing (GSN); Director of Research and Development in the USU Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) program; and Director of Faculty Development for MEM. He is a medical and social psychologist who has been on faculty at USU since 1979. His role in LEAD is to ensure that the LEAD program and sessions are based upon sound evidence and scholarship and to oversee original research relevant to leadership education and training.

Dr. Grunberg earned baccalaureate degrees in Medical Microbiology and Psychology from Stanford University (1975); earned M.A. (1977), M.Phil. (1979), and Ph.D. (1980) degrees in Physiological and Social Psychology from Columbia University; and received doctoral training in Pharmacology at Columbia University’s College of Physicians & Surgeons under a National Research Service Award (NRSA, 1976-79). Dr. Grunberg helps train physicians, psychologists, and nurses to serve in the Armed Forces or Public Health Service, and scientists for research positions. He has published >180 papers addressing behavioral medicine, stress, and leadership. Dr. Grunberg has received awards from the U.S. Surgeon General, CDC, FDA, American Psychological Association, NIH, Society of Behavioral Medicine, and USU. He has served as President of the USU Faculty Senate and has chaired many USU committees.

Dr. Grunberg is a fellow of the American Psychological Association, Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research, and Society for Behavioral Medicine. He is a founding member of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, and a member of the Association for Psychological Science, the Society for Neuroscience, Sigma Xi, and the Academy of Medicine of Washington, D.C. He has been an editor for Addiction, Annals of Behavioral Medicine, Nicotine and Tobacco Research, and US Surgeon Generals' Reports. He serves as a scientific consultant to the Maryland Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Resource Center, the Maryland Smoking Cessation Quitline (MD Quit), and the Maryland State Mental Health and Substance Abuse treatment programs. He is a member of the Society of Behavioral Medicine's Wisdom Council, the editorial board of Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, and a contributing reviewer to F1000 (an electronic biomedical research journal source).

Highlights

[5:01] What was Dr. Grunberg's first interest to study?

[9:00] Nicotine dosing and addiction

[16:50] Neurobiology of addiction

[22:48] The effect of different delivery mechanisms

[35:45] Are there benefits to nicotine?

[46:07] Are lower doses addictive?

[53:41] Who should avoid nicotine?

[1:02:20] What does Dr. Grunberg think of the resurgence of psychedelics?

Resources

Stanley Schachter

1988 Nicotine report

Nicotine Dependence by Dr. Rachel Tyndale

Yerkes Dodson function

Zen in the Art of Archery

Sponsors BiOptimizers

If you’re over 35, your enzyme levels have already begun to decline and your immune system can be more susceptible to viruses.

Enzymes are the workhorses of digestion. They break your food down into usable macro and micronutrients.

Research shows that by the time someone hits 65, their saliva and pancreatic secretions, both of which are involved in enzyme activity—can have declined by as much as 50%! This decline creates chronic indigestion, setting the stage for gut issues, yeast and mol...

I rarely get a chance to speak with someone with as much experiential knowledge as Josh Holland. He's the personal trainer behind many top professionals worldwide! In part two of this conversation, Josh and I dive deeper in his 5 pillars, discuss the perks of having a balance between primal movement and high-intensity interval training, and blood flow restriction.

Who is Joshua J. Holland?

Joshua J. Holland is a wealth of experiential knowledge and wisdom. A dedicated biohacker, state of the art fitness trainer, holistic health coach and sports professional, he champions the philosophy of “awareness through experience,” and has subsequently spent years consulting with elite professionals with the goal to build a vast well in which to draw from when evoking alignment of body, mind and spirit for his clients.

His ideological approach to life and his life’s work are based on principles that highlight effectiveness, efficiency, and quantifiability. His passion stems from kindling a state of bodily wholeness via connection through his extensive web of like minded individuals.

His vast experiential knowledge base has created a very sought after following in the world of health, wellness, fitness and lifestyle. He works with some of the world’s most renowned musical and theatrical artists to fine tune their physical and spiritual bodies. He endeavors to give his utmost through his vast exploration into a plethora of healing modalities for the purpose of restoring people to prime physical and spiritual wellness awareness.

Co-founder of several fitness and health entities, and a Global Ambassador for a number of companies including Technogym, Josh currently leads a team of elite trainers and health coaches at SystimFit in Flatiron, NYC. He happily serves the greater New York area, including Westchester, Greenwich and the Hamptons, and is available by request for inter-state and international consultations and appointments, either virtually or in person.

Highlights

[4:47] Ozone!

[12:30] The Movement Analysis Pattern

[23:26] High-Intensity Interval Training

[29:18] What excites Josh about the Inertia Wave?

[34:30] Blood Flow Restriction Training

[42:02] Movement efficiency, effectiveness and quantification

Resources

Ozone Generator

Apollo Neuro Device

MAP (Movement Analysis Pattern)

Tabata Protocol Workout

Foundation Training - From Pain to Performance

Inertia Wave

Breath by James Nestor

The Fatburn Fix by Cate Shanahan

Sponsors

BiOptimizers:

If you’re over 35, your enzyme levels have already begun to decline and your immune system can be more susceptible to viruses.

Enzymes are the workhorses of digestion. They break your food down into usable macro and micronutrients.

Research shows that by the time someone hits 65, their saliva and pancreatic secretions, both of which are involved in enzyme activity—can have declined by as much as 50%! This decline creates chronic indigestion, setting the stage for gut issues, yeast and mold overgrowth, even malnutrition.

This is why I’m a big fan of enzyme and probiotic supplementation and one of the best companies I’ve ever found that specializes in optimizing your digestion through both of these supplements are my friends at BiOptimizers.

Head on over to www.bioptimizers.com/boomer and use coupon code BOOMER to get 10% off any package. They have the best guarantee I’ve seen in the industry. It’s a 365 day FULL money back guarantee.

Blue Cannatine:

One of my favorite tools for cognitive enhancement, especially after long plan rides, is Blue Cannatine. The delivery mechanism is unique (buccle troche). It is especially effective for me on improving short-term memory, focus, and verbal fluency.

It’s the closest thing that I found to NZT and I think you guys should try it out. Get yours at troscri...

Patrick McKeown, bestselling author of The Oxygen Advantage joins for round 2 on everything you need to know about breath work. Patrick and I delve into CO2 tolerance, freediving, capnography, and the specific protocols for training. He talks about devices and technologies that can be used to track your breathing.

Who is Patrick McKeown?

Patrick’s book, The Oxygen Advantage (published in fourteen languages) combines the simulation of high-altitude training and specifically-formulated exercises which empower readers to improve their corporate and exercise performance. For the first time, individuals are afforded a reliable and accurate means to measure their progress using the Body Oxygen Level Test, enabling them to address poor breathing habits; understand in simple terms how oxygen is released to working muscles, and to practice breath hold exercises that naturally increase aerobic and anaerobic capacity. A summary of the science can be found at http://oxygenadvantage.com/science/

To date, Patrick has worked with some of the top athletes in the world across a variety of sports including tennis, cycling, weight lifting, American Football, MMA and track and field.

A TEDx Speaker, Patrick’s work has touched the lives of thousands and more worldwide.

Highlights

[4:08] CO2 tolerance

[12:50] Training the lungs and the diaphragm

[18:51] Light breathing training

[26:45] Length of breath work protocols

[35:49] Resonant breathing frequencies

[43:44] Capnography VS pulse oximeter devices

[52:30] Breath Training protocol for busy people

Resources

The Oxygen Episode with Patrick McKeown

The Oxygen Advantage

Oxygen Advantage Website

Buteyko International

Konstantin Buteyko

Buteyko belt

Dr. George Dallam

HeartMath emWave Pro

Lipseal Tape

Pulse Oximeter

Sponsors

Blue Cannatine

If you check out this episode in video, you’ll see that my tongue is blue. One of my favorite tools for cognitive enhancement, especially after long plan rides, is Blue Cannatine. The delivery mechanism is unique (buccle troche). It is especially effective for me on improving short-term memory, focus, and verbal fluency.

It’s the closest thing that I found to NZT and I think you guys should try it out.

Get yours at troscriptions.com. Plug in the code BOOMER for an extra 10% off your limitless experience.

Full disclosure: I am involved with the company (I like the product that much).

Resilient Nutrition

The guys at resilient nutrition have done a fantastic job of tackling the endurance nutrition space.

Their first product, Long Range Fuel comes with not only what they describe as Beyond Nut Butter, energy-dense food, but also nutrients to support you in your endurance endeavors.

I use for everything from cognitive endurance to my physical endurance.

If you want to try this out, head on over to resilientnutrition.com and plug in the code BOOMER for 10% discount on any purchase and solve all of your endurance nutrition woes.

Continue Your High Performance Journey with Patrick McKeown

Website

Facebook

I invited some of my closest friends, Dasha Maximov and Mads Friis, to join the show today. Dasha, Mads, and I play a game of drawing the question out of the hat amidst a fun conversation around biohacking, being happy, inner work, routines, and much more.

Who is Dasha Maximov?

Dasha Maximov, former-management consultant turned health explorer, found that the available information for addressing her chronic pain and depression from multiple concussions was limited and frustrating. Specialists across the globe offered reductionist approaches and outdated recommendations. Her last brain injury was, ironically, when she was doing her masters in neuroscience. Knowing about the brain and feeling the frustration of shrugged shoulders, led her on a path of health exploration to take control of her health and educate herself on alternative ways to heal her brain.

In 2019, after healing many of her immediate, chronic pains via natural hacks, Dasha turned to bring this information to others by organizing The Health Optimisation Summit, Europe’s largest alternative, and preventative health conference. Quickly she saw that a gap existed in the health world surrounding women-specific health topics.

To solve this, she created WhealthCo, an online global community focused on evidence-based science for women. The online forum bridges together doctors, researchers, healers, and ‘laywomen’ to focus specifically on knowledge sharing about women’s health issues. Each week the forum has guest doctors and researchers provide answers to members’ questions.

Dasha believes that health is best achieved when a person is informed about their options and that this is possible only through connecting together and learning from each other. A problem is solved much quicker when there are diverse perspectives looking at it from multiple angles.

Who is Mads Friis?

Mads Friis is the host of the Growth Island podcast which is focused on how to live a happy, healthy, and meaningful life. He is also a partner in the Venture/Startup studio/factory KRING where they utilize the knowledge from the podcast to build startups focused on health/biohacking. He has a background in Business and Psychology from Harvard and Copenhagen Business School.

When not nerding out on health-related aspects then he surfs, kitesurfs, skydives, or does other forms of movement.

Highlights

[6:26] What does a cheat day look like for Dasha and Mads?

[13:05] Is Biohacking a cult?

[20:45] Best gadget purchased in 2020 for under $100

[28:42] What’s the line you would never cross for a better life?

[37:00] The things that your friends and family will never understand about biohacking

[1:07:30] What makes you really happy?

Resources

Kavaplex

Discussing Kava with Cameron George

Sensate

Man's Search for Meaning

Blue Cannatine use code BOOMER for 10% off

Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins

The Art of Happiness

The Giver

Protecting the Asset: A Conversation on Essentialism with Gregory McKeown

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

Sponsors

Apollo Neuro

The Apollo Neuro easily became my favorite wearable for 2020. And you guys know that I am a fan of anything that can manipulate my state, whether it's to relax, wake up or even just enhance focus.

If you want to try Apollo yourselves, head on over to apolloneuro.com and use the promo code BOOMER for 10% off your purchase.

Neurohacker Collective

Our sponsor today is Neurohacker Collective. Chairman, Jordan Greenhall has been on the show discussing Sovereignty and Medical Director, Dr. Daniel Stickler joined me to discuss Unleashing your Human Potential Through Epigenetics.

T...