Brain Optimization For Beginners

  |   EP39   |   59 mins.

Kayla Barnes Brain-Upgraded Interview

Your mind is potentially your greatest asset. But it’s malleable. And neuroscience has evolved tremendously. This episode explores how your common everyday choices improve or worsen your brainpower, and most importantly, what you can do today.

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Episode highlights

"If our gut is not operating at optimal capacity, our brain won't either" Share on XStop counting calories and start counting chemicals (in your food) Share on X

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About Kayla Barnes

Kayla Barnes is an entrepreneur and certified brain health coach with a mission to help her clients and community achieve optimal health through science-backed and proven approaches. Barnes has been named one of the top longevity leaders globally and has been featured in Forbes, Thrive Global, Byrdie, BeWell, Biohackers Magazine + more. Barnes studied nutrition and has trained under the renowned brain doctor, Dr. Daniel Amen.

Top things you’ll learn from Kayla Barnes

  • Move to grow your brain
    • Upgraded walking
    • Strength training
  • Movement increases neurogenesis, BDNF, dopamine, serotonin
  • Food is information for your cells
  • Ozine therapy for anti-aging effects
    • Reduces senescent cells & increases blood flow to brain
    • Kills pathogens
    • Used successfully around the world
  • Hyperbaric therapy also incredibly healing and therapeutic
  • Why functional/root cause medicine
    • Best way to help your body & brain optimally, feel your best, prepare for a long healthspan
  • Toxin and chemical exposure is modern societies achilles heel
    • Science, longevity, biohacking have advanced tremendously
  • Genes don’t matter much
    • “Studies now say that only 10% of your genes determine your health outcomes”
    • Epigenetics is the ability to change our genes expression
  • “Your body is always listening.” The answer to all your thoughts is YES
    • All thought creates a chemical reaction in the brain > cascades to body
    • Consistent negative or fearful thoughts leads to suppressed immune/cardiovascular system
  • Antidotes to fear & stress
    • 21-days of gratitude
    • Upgrade your peer group
  • Negative relationships impede brain optimization
  • How to optimize your sleep environment
  • “Alcohol and marijuana are not health foods and are very detrimental to blood flow in brain”
    • Cuts HRV in half
    • Powerful alcohol alternatives
  • Inflammation drives most disease
    • Anxiety, some forms of depression, many cognitive ailments all linked to brain inflammation
    • Measure your hs-CRP (I use InsideTracker)
  • Tips to optimize your brain
    • Avoid collisions
    • Reduce toxic burden
    • Use the Think Dirty app to scan your daily use products
    • Filter shower water
    • Take care of your gut
    • Bloating should not be normalized
    • Eat pre/pro/post biotic foods, pesticide-free foods
    • Reduce stress levels
    • Stable glucose is vital for brain, inflammation, longevity
  • Gut is the second brain
    • Houses 70% of your serotonin
    • Most of your immune system
    • Americans suffer from dysbiosis caused by processed foods, additives, pesticides, and other crap
  • Quantifying your gut with these tests
    • GI Map by Genova Diagnostic
    • Gut Zoomer
  • Not health foods in any quantity
    • Alcohol – studies show 1-2 drinks per week decreases brain blood flow
    • Coffee – often highly sprayed with toxic pesticides and contaminated with mycotoxins
  • Cold thermogenesis is wonderful for strengthening the blood-brain barrier
  • Kayla’s favorite nootropics
  • Does the Hapbee actually work?
  • Where the future of optimal health is going
  • Keys to a healthy home environment
    • Filtered tap water with AquaTru
    • Filtered shower water with AquaBliss
    • Toxin-free cleaning products
    • Fridge stocked with superfoods
    • Dim, red light at night
    • Filtered air with the Air Doctor

Resources mentioned

  • Self-trackers: Oura Ring, WHOOP, or Biostrap (see my review here)
  • Wearable: Hapbee
  • Nootropics: TroScriptions or Qualia Mind
  • Gear: AquaTru RO water filter
  • Gear: AquaBliss/AquaSauna shower filter
  • Gear: Air Doctor air filter
  • Teacher: Einstein
  • Teacher: Elon Musk
  • Teacher: David Sinclair
  • Teacher: Sergey Young
  • Teacher: George Church
  • Teacher: Dr. Mark Hyman

This podcast is brought to you by

Nick Urban is a Biohacker, Data Scientist, Athlete, Founder of Outliyr, and the Host of the Mind Body Peak Performance Podcast. He is a Certified CHEK Practitioner, a Personal Trainer, and a Performance Health Coach. Nick is driven by curiosity which has led him to study ancient medical systems (Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hermetic Principles, German New Medicine, etc), and modern science.

Adolfo Gomez Sanchez 1

Music by Luke Hall

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