Brain Fog About Brain Health

For now, just let brain health be good sleep and a good diet.

Good Morning!

I hate to say it, but the supplement and guru industries are at it again.

I was recently told to look into Bryan Johnson, the latest health guru measuring every last health metric of his body (like, every single god damned day) with the hopes of increasing longevity.

I’m not going to sit here and say he isn’t doing work that could further advance the human condition, but at the same time, we all don’t have to try and be like him or necessarily buy what he’s selling.

He runs a company called Kernel, which manufactures a helmet that gives brain readings.

No one’s paying 50k for a helmet, bro.

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Okay, maybe the ultra-wealthy are, but my point today is this:

The market for brain health is increasing as more people are realizing that pink thing in our skulls is more important than we thought.

And companies are trying anything and everything to make us buy their guinea pig ideas.

Brain Fog About Brain Health

Largely a field of unproven outcomes, the supplement industry is filled with ideas about what we can put in our mouths to boost memory, improve cognitive function, and sharpen acuity.

I talked months ago about how there are probably fewer supplements that work than you think, and we should be wary of snake oil salesmen.

Supplements are, at the end of the day, supplemental.

Where the meat and potatoes of our brain health (pun fully intended) comes from is actual food.

Whole, non-processed foods that we take the time to cook ourselves will arguably do more for our brain than most gummies, tablets, and capsules could.

The brain health market is determined to grow nonetheless, given that mental health issues (of both cognitive and emotional decline) cost the global workforce roughly $3 trillion a year in total dollars (accounting for missed benchmarks, lack of productivity and healthcare costs paid by employers, individuals, and insurers).

And while the gut-brain axis — our brain’s diametric relationship with our stomach’s digestive properties — is important, you don’t need someone with a blue check mark to tell you exactly what you need to eat every single day for $799.00 a month because they’re an expert on gut health.*

If you have a serious gut or health condition like Crohn’s Disease, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or Irritable Bowel Syndrome, maybe you will, but see a licensed medical professional first.

A Lack of Brain Specialty

Unfortunately, I’m not a neuroscientist.

I’m just going off of what’s historically worked for most humans (and consistently shows effectiveness in research).

Even more unfortunately, there are a lack of medical professionals who specialize in the cross-section between fitness and brain health, leaving even more room for skepticism about gurus and supplements.

Until we can tap into this avenue collaboratively, with doctors, coaches, test subjects and medical journals at the helm, questions about brain health and how we can augment it will largely be left up to chance.

I’m not saying you shouldn’t go and try out one the products of these mega-million ventures trying to push longevity forward.

I just think it’s worth a healthy bit of skepticism when you consider the supply-and-demand economics at stake for large corporations and early-stage startups.

A continuing demand of concern for brain health and overall wellness will fuel a large supply of products, some beneficial and some placebo, to quell that consumer anxiety.

Just be sure you use your brain before you buy, and follow these tips.