4029 replies to this topic

[lostfalco]

LF - enjoying the thread

 

Question - for the light therapy devices how do you determine that the claimed power intensity and wavelength are correct?

 

Thanks

Thanks MidwestGreg!

 

I used the the Lux Light Meter Pro app to confirm that my device (Carex Day-Light Sky) was 10,000 lux at 12 inches away (it was actually closer to 12,000 lux). 

 

As far as wavelength goes, the light is white which means that it includes all the visible wavelengths and the two main devices that I recommend have both been used in actual scientific studies.

 

I've linked both devices here: https://www.lostfalco.com/devices/

[cyborgonzo]

Glad you're still sharing the fruits of your research, Lostfalco. Thank you for introducing me to galantamine and ibudilast.

 

Inspired by the thread, I've been perusing alibaba/aliexpress for photobiomodulation helmets. I noticed that while 810nm is standard, many are labelled 810nm and 1070nm in their product names. So far as I can tell none actually emit 1070nm -- whoever wrote the description is just casting a wider net. Google found a 1070nm helmet, but the website is information-sparse and, considering the $3000(!) and $5000(!!) models they sell, hardly unbiased.

 

Here's an interesting paper: Synergistic photobiomodulation with 808-nm and 1064-nm lasers to reduce the β-amyloid neurotoxicity in the in vitro Alzheimer's disease models

 

In conclusion, the 808-nm lasers can stimulate the increase in ATP level in neurons and play a protective role in neurons under oxidative stress. On the contrary, some studies have employed lights with wavelengths similar to 1,064 nm in animal AD models to improve memory and reduce the burden of Aβ plaques on the cerebral cortex of AD mice (Michalikova et al., 2008; Grillo et al., 2013). However, the exact underlying mechanism of 1,064-nm lights on AD remains unclear. In a recent study, it has also been demonstrated in an AD mouse model to reduce the M1 phenotype microglia, thus promoting the phagocytosis ability of microglia to Aβ plaques (Tao et al., 2021). Our study also proved that the 1,064-nm lasers could regulate the phenotype of microglia, reduce the secretion of inflammatory cytokines and promote the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines, and change the levels of intracellular Ca²⁺ of microglia.

 

So, Lostfalco et al., any opinions on 810nm versus 1070nm? Have you ever heard of 1070nm being used on the brain? The above study makes me think that for us non-mice non-Alzheimer's sufferers, 810nm should be the main and 1070nm should be an adjunct.

[lostfalco]

Hey guys, sorry for being out of it for few days. Just have a little touch of the flu. Nothing major. 

 

Chat with you guys soon!

 

LF Out

[lostfalco]

Well, turns out it's Covid. lol

 

I got it at almost the exact same time last year too. Weird.

 

I have all my vaccinations and feel fine. Luckily, I also work in IT so I can work from home just fine for the next few weeks. 

 

I'm going to take it easy just to be safe and make sure I fully recover (since long Covid sounds like a b*tch).

 

In the meantime, I'll try to respond to the recent posts if I feel up to it but, if not, please don't feel like I'm ignoring anyone. Reflections on consciousness are coming (I have some stories to tell you guys about my experiences with psilocybin from early 2022...craziness! lol)

 

With that said, something I've been thinking a lot about lately is the gastric microbiome. 

 

As you guys know, I really like to focus on timing rules and I realized through experimenting with Dextrin that it really seemed to affect me WAY faster than what would make sense if it was primarily working through feeding the microbes in my small intestine. 

 

It usually takes food around 2 to 5 hours to make it through the stomach and get to the small intestine. 

 

I've noticed dextrin affecting me within a half hour...that just didn't make sense from the perspective of the small intestine.

 

Turns out, we actually have a pretty extensive gastric microbiome which can possibly respond to fiber on a shorter timescale.

 

Additionally, we can also take a probiotic (like kombucha) and feed that probiotic with prebiotic fiber like dextrin. 

 

That is where I got the idea for my dynamic synbiotic duo mentioned here. https://www.lostfalc...y-want-in-life/

 

Tbh, there is still a lot that is unknown to me here so please take it as somewhat speculative. 

 

However, at this point I've felt so fantastic taking this for so many months that it's hard for me not too recommend it as an experiment. 

 

Try it out and let me know how it works for you guys!

 

I'll keep you updated as my knowledge grows about the gastric microbiome and it's role in human optimization. 

 

Let's see what ChatGPT has to say...

 

Q: What is the gastric microbiome?

 

A: The gastric microbiome refers to the community of microorganisms that inhabit the stomach. These microorganisms, mostly bacteria, play a role in maintaining the health of the stomach and help with the digestion of food. They also help to protect the stomach from harmful pathogens and can help to regulate the immune system. However, an imbalance in the gastric microbiome, known as dysbiosis, has been linked to a number of stomach and gut-related disorders such as gastritis, peptic ulcers and even cancer.

 

Q: Which bacteria inhabit the gastric microbiome in humans?

 

A: The gastric microbiome in humans is primarily composed of bacteria from the phyla Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. The most common genus of bacteria found in the stomach are Helicobacter, Lactobacillus, and Streptococcus. H. pylori is a well-known species that inhabit human stomach and is associated with gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. However, it is worth noting that the composition of the gastric microbiome varies between individuals and can be influenced by factors such as diet, lifestyle, and use of antibiotics.

 

 

Q: What bacteria does dextrin feed?

 

A: Dextrin is a carbohydrate that is produced by the partial hydrolysis of starch. It can be produced by various microorganisms including bacteria and fungi, using enzymes called amylases.

The bacteria that can feed on dextrin include members of the genera Bacillus, Clostridium, and Streptococcus. These bacteria are able to ferment dextrin and produce various byproducts such as lactic acid, acetic acid, and CO2.

In addition, many species of lactic acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Leuconostoc are able to ferment dextrin and produce lactic acid, acetic acid, and ethanol.

It is also worth noting that not all bacteria can feed on dextrin, some bacteria can feed on other types of carbohydrates such as glucose, fructose, or cellulose.

 

End ChatGPT discussion.

 

So, ChatGPT did not know which strain of bacteria is used to make Synergy Kombucha...but I have a bottle right here and it says this..."Probiotics Bacillus Coagulans GBI-306086: 1 billion organisms; S. Boulardii: 4 billion organisms; Lactobacillus Bacterium: 4 billion organisms."

 

So, definitely seems likely that dextrin is feeding at least some of the bacteria in the kombucha I'm drinking.

 

I still need to get more data on what effect or effects that would have in the stomach itself.

 

More research needed for sure...but very intriguing nevertheless.

 

On a separate note...I'm going to bump my third Moonshot Session one week later than originally planned.

 

My girlfriend is going to be out of town then and I prefer to be high on MDMA when she is NOT around. lol

 

I never know what crazy sh*t I'm going to say. ha

 

She's used to my craziness at this point and she knows everything I'm doing...but I still don't want to subject her to that if I don't have too.

 

I'll keep you guys updated on the day and time.

 

Hope everyone is doing well!

 

LF Out

 

Edited by lostfalco, 24 January 2023 - 02:51 PM.

[lostfalco]

Hey my friends!

 

Welcome to Abstract Wednesday! (posted on Thursday...damn Covid. lol)

 

Anyway, I've stuck to my circadian protocols, eaten well, stayed hydrated, exercised very lightly, continued with bright light therapy, etc....and my recovery from Covid has been very fast. 

 

Is the correlation actually causation? Who knows?

 

Regardless, I'm back to 100% and feeling great again.

 

So, to get myself back in the rhythm of posting again, here are a few studies on bright light therapy. 

 

The first one discusses the possible role of the circadian system in binge eating.

 

I would not be surprised if there is a relationship here. 

 

We all know how easy it is to binge on unhealthy foods when we are not well rested. 

 

I definitely have noticed a strong increase in self control (socially, financially, dietary, etc.) since locking in a solid circadian schedule. 

 

See my Day Frame here for a refresher. https://www.lostfalc...lcos-day-frame/

 

The second study is on the role of Bright Light Therapy as an adjunct to Bipolar Depression treatment. 

 

I've posted it before but I think it's interesting due to the combination of BLT with antidepressants. 

 

As you guys know, I like to combine BLT with a lot of things. MDMA anyone? ha

 

Anyway, enjoy the studies!

 

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm...les/PMC9493346/

A matter of time: A systematic scoping review on a potential role of the circadian system in binge eating behavior

Background: Emerging research suggests that food intake timing, eating behavior and food preference are associated with aspects of the circadian system function but the role that the circadian system may play in binge eating (BE) behavior in humans remains unclear.

Objective: To systematically evaluate the evidence for circadian system involvement in BE behavior.

Methods: Systematic searches of PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus were performed for reports published from inception until May 2020 (PROSPERO Registration CRD42020186325). Searches were conducted by combining Medical Subject Headings related to the circadian system, BE behavior, and/or interventions. Observational and interventional studies in humans with BE behavior published in peer-review journals in the English language were included. Studies were assessed using quality and risk of bias tools (AXIS, ROB 2.0, or ROBINS).

Results: The search produced 660 articles, 51 of which were included in this review. Of these articles, 46 were observational studies and 5 were interventional trials. Evidence from these studies suggests that individuals with BE behavior tend to have more food intake, more binge cravings, and more BE episodes later in the day. Hormonal and day/night locomotor activity rhythm disturbances may be associated with BE behavior. Furthermore, late diurnal preference ("eveningness") was associated with BE behavior and chronobiological interventions that shift the circadian clock earlier (e.g., morning bright light therapy) were found to possibly decrease BE behavior. Substantive clinical overlap exists between BE and night eating behavior. However, there is a significant knowledge gap regarding their potential relationship with the circadian system. Limitations include the lack of studies that use best-established techniques to assess the chronobiology of BE behavior, heterogeneity of participants, diagnostic criteria, and study design, which preclude a meta-analytic approach.

Conclusion: Current evidence, although limited, suggests that the circadian system may play a role in the etiology of BE behavior. Further mechanistic studies are needed to fully characterize a potential role of the circadian system in BE behavior. A chronobiological approach to studying BE behavior may lead to identification of its neurobiological components and development of novel therapeutic interventions.

 

https://pubmed.ncbi....h.gov/36159463/

Effectiveness of light therapy as adjunctive treatment in bipolar depression: A pilot study 

Background: About 1 and 4 % of people suffering from depression is affected by bipolar disorder. Few patients respond to the first-line antidepressants, and a 4-week latency pharmacological treatment period has been observed. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of bright light therapy (BLT) in accelerating and increasing therapeutic response in patients with bipolar depression.

Methods: A pilot study was conducted. Patients with bipolar depression, already treated with antidepressants, were included. The treatment group was composed of patients treated with antidepressants combined with BLT (30 min/4 days a week at 10,000 lx for eight weeks). The control group included patients treated with antidepressants with exposure to red light (30 min/4 days a week at a red light for eight weeks). MADRS, HAMD-17, CGI-S, FSS, and QoLS were collected at the baseline and after 4 and 8 weeks of treatments.

Results: Forty-one patients (18 males and 23 females; mean age 49.1 ± 15 years) were included in the study. After four weeks, MADRS and HAMD-17 scores in treatment groups were significantly lower than those reported in the control group (p < 0.001). After eight weeks, all scales except FSS reported significantly lower values in patients treated with BLT (p < 0.0001).

Limitations: Small sample size and significant heterogeneity in the antidepressant treatments.

Conclusion: BLT has shown reliable effectiveness and safety in treating patients with bipolar depression and should be considered a clinically relevant approach in accelerating patients' therapeutic response and reducing the impact of long-lasting therapy.

 

Edited by lostfalco, 27 January 2023 - 01:00 AM.

[lostfalco]

As part of my recent reflections on consciousness, I've been going back through some of Daniel Gilbert's work. 

 

I really love his stuff. 

 

He's a social psychologist at Harvard who wrote 'Stumbling on Happiness' which I highly recommend. I've linked it here: https://www.lostfalco.com/books/

 

His work focuses on human imagination, consciousness, prospection (ie. the generation and evaluation of mental representations of possible futures) and especially 'affective forecasting' (ie. The ability (or inability) of humans to imagine how happy or unhappy certain future events will make them.)

 

Here are a few TED Talks of his for an introduction to his research. 

 

Very thought provoking.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by lostfalco, 31 January 2023 - 02:11 AM.

[lostfalco]

Good morning my friends!

 

I hope you'll forgive me for just posting short little thoughts that seem disconnected...I'll ultimately connect them all in the future. 

 

I was skimming through some YouTube vids as I sometimes do and came across a video by Greg Doucette who is an above average fitness influencer in my opinion. 

 

Not incredible, but pretty good and worth checking out from time to time. 

 

Greg was critiquing a girl who claimed that cardio doesn't help you lose weight. (see vid below)

 

As I was watching the vid a thought popped into my head that I've never heard anyone say before about why cardio helps you lose weight. 

 

Don't worry, I don't think I'm some sort of genius or something...I'm sure others have thought of this but I wanted to share it with you.

 

One of the main reasons that I think cardio can help use lose weight is this:

1. Cardio strengthens the bioenergetic capabilities of your body and brain.

2. IF you strengthen the bioenergetic capabilities of your brain THEN you are enhancing the ability of the prefrontal cortex to do its job.

3. The prefrontal cortex is strongly involved in goal directed behavior, planning, will power, self control, etc.

4. Thus, by strengthening the prefrontal cortex you are strengthening your ability to say no to bad foods, your ability to CONTINUE to say no to bad foods, your ability to create a meal plan, your ability to stick to a meal plan, your ability to create a sleeping schedule and stick to it, etc.

5. Therefore, cardio helps you lose weight by enhancing your strategic planning to lose weight and your ability to stick to that plan. 

 

This is completely separate from how many calories you burn while doing the cardio. 

 

What I am talking about is brain enhancement from cardio that enhances your decision making capabilities over the long term which helps you stick to a goal directed life aimed at losing weight. 

 

Anyway, I've never heard anyone explain that before so I thought I'd share. 

 

Most people just focus on basal calories burned and calories burned during exercise versus caloric intake. 

 

My main focus is the brain enhancement that comes from cardio which allows us to intelligently create a life that allows us to lose weight.

 

Just thought I'd put a little spin on it from my own perspective. 

 

Hope everyone is doing great!

 

Enjoy your Tuesday!

 

Falco Out

 

Edited by lostfalco, 01 February 2023 - 04:23 PM.

[Lucas N]

Hello Falco! I'm so happy that you start posting again, I love your style and amazing cutting edge content bro. 

I already started trying implementing some of your recommendations like wake up, 32oz water, walk 30 minutes in the sun, eat, and trying to repeat it every day. In the last years I tried to do intermitent fasting, but eating first meal after noon, and my last meal usually was about 10pm, that it's not good for circadian clock. I already liking a lot eat sooner. My worry is the social life. If I go to dinner with friends or family, I have to adapt it, but come back to MY style soon.

 

I will try to implement the fiber after the meal too.

 

But what I want to ask you its about your revolutionary learning new approach, combining flashcards, spaced repetition and answer the flashcards out loud and drawing a frame.

 

Could you show us more drawing examples? More frames please, and it association with the question/flashcard. 

Could you show us elemental flashcards and also complex flashcards answering a question?

This works for languages and historic dates for example? I can't imagine drawings answering that.
This works for how to questions? Because the examples that you show was "What is" questions.

 

I'm a trader student, and I REALLY want to apply this method for my learning. Also I want to apply it for your techings ha! 

Maybe you could show us an example making the flashcards and drawings for your TULIP protocol, from the begging to the end =)

 

https://www.lostfalc...-laser-therapy/

 

Infinite thanks to you Falco! You really makes the days better for a lot of us, keep going!

Lucas out! ha ha =)

 

 

[lostfalco]

Hey guys! Quick update. 

 

As I mentioned, I bumped my third Moonshot Session to Saturday, Feb 11th since it fits better with my schedule. 

 

So, it will not be tomorrow as originally planned. 

 

Also, I'll be responding to the recent questions today and this weekend. 

 

Chat with you guys soon!

 

-LF

 

 

[lostfalco]

In the recent spirit of posting short vids that I like, I wanted to share this one with you guys with Andrew Huberman and Rick Rubin. 

 

As a self-experimenter who is sharing my thoughts on the internet with other people, Rubin's message really resonated with me. 

 

When I share things, I'm telling you guys what works well for me and why I think certain things are worth an experiment if you want to try them out. 

 

I realize that I can never give recommendations that will work for everyone. 

 

I can simply share my own experiences and my own justifications for why I tried something. 

 

I wish I could say to everyone, "Do x and your life will be amazing"...but I can't. 

 

The closest I can get to universal advice is my little, "Aim, Act, Attend, Adjust" sequence. 

 

Of course, that is fairly universal but it also has the feature (bug?) of being fairly generic. 

 

Similarly, my advice about incrementalism is pretty close to applying to everyone since it involves lots of tiny experiments and continually keeping the ones that work for you until you reach a threshold that pushes you into the life you want.

 

However, even that advice could be inapplicable to certain people in certain circumstances. 

 

Bottom line is this: life is complicated and we're all doing our best with the hand we're dealt. Keep tinkering, pressing on, and pushing forward. Look for the most fundamental things that you think are NECESSARY for a great life, do as many of those as possible, and hopefully when you have enough of those in place they will be SUFFICIENT for a great life. (recall my +1 threshold)

 

Keep pressing on my friends!

 

 

Edited by lostfalco, 03 February 2023 - 07:44 PM.

[lostfalco]

Good morning my friends!

I had a surprise trip out of town this weekend so I wasn't able to respond to questions as I would have liked.

I will soon though.

I know...excuses, excuses. ha

Get your sh*t together LF!

In the meantime, I wanted to share this short little video of Andrew Huberman because it is excellent.

I've talked A LOT over the past few months about the importance of 'doing' AND of 'not-doing'. (Remember my 'Do, Not-Do Duality')

Both are EQUALLY important when it comes to learning and memory.

We need to intensely focus, then rest...intensely focus, then rest...intensely focus, then rest, etc.

This is built in to the 20-10 Method but as Huberman mentions, I think the most recent science indicates that we can lower the rest period from 10 minutes to substantially shorter periods of time. (ie. for the 20-10 Method I think we can lower the 10 minute rest to 2 minutes...try different rest times and see what works for you)

Additionally, we can also take micro-rests of 10 seconds where our conscious brain idles (do not look at your phone!...or the news...or facebook) and our subconscious replays the the thing we are trying to learn behind the scenes.

And, of course, good sleep is absolutely essential to learning and memory. (ie. sleep 7 to 9 hours EVERY night, go to bed at the same time, wake up at the same time, get bright light in your eyes first thing in the morning, block blue light with glasses 2 hours before bed, etc.)

See here for an affordable bright light device and $12 blue blocking glasses used in the scientific studies. https://www.lostfalc...y-want-in-life/

Take advantage of the free tools Huberman talks about below!

I can't tell you how many times I've been trying to learn something, I don't quite get it, I get a good night of sleep, and when I wake up in the morning the thing I'm trying to learn is suddenly ridiculously obvious to me.

Rest allows our subconscious to rewire the brain behind the scenes and solve the problem for us.

Remember, we are adding a few items at a time to working memory and those new items need to be compared to our long term memory stores to look for connections, contradictions, etc.

Take a breath, step back, and allow the brain to do that comparison for you.

You will be amazed at the things you can learn if you remember to take the time to NOT-LEARN.

Have a great Tuesday and thanks for spending part of your extremely valuable time with me!

I hope I've made your life a little better today.

Falco Oooouuuutttt

Edited by lostfalco, 07 February 2023 - 07:07 PM.

[lostfalco]

Hello my friends!

 

Moonshot Session Three is a go for tomorrow. 

 

I'll be taking my MDMA dose (orally like last session) at 11am CST and the second dose at 12pm CST.

 

Just like before, I'll do a half hour of bright light therapy during the session and I'll attempt to study flashcards as much as possible...while still enjoying some good music on breaks here and there. 

 

I'll try to sleep as much as I can and then get back into my circadian schedule first thing in the morning.

 

I'll post tomorrow when I start and then one more time once the dose wears off. 

 

Chat with you guys then!

 

 

[lostfalco]

Alright my friends, Moonshot Session Three begins in 3, 2, 1...dose!

 

I'll check back in once it wears off which should be about 5 to 6 hours based on last time. 

 

Talk to you guys in a little bit!

[lostfalco]

Hey guys!

 

Moonshot Session Three is now in the books. 

 

Everything went smoothly. 

 

I was able to study, get some bright light, go for a short walk, etc. 

 

No issues at all.

 

I'm pretty exhausted but I'm going to try eat a little something and stay up for a few more hours before heading to bed early. 

 

Talk to you guys tomorrow!

 

LF Out

[Sikorsky]

Lostfalco,

I hope you are not going to get discouraged from posting your ideas and knowledge (at least on your blog). I know that compared with the earlier activity on this thread, this seems like a dead thread but even if 10 people apply the information that you have provided, it will have a ripple effect. We all have families and friends, that are benefiting from this information. I have already bought 4 BLT devices as birthday presents. You are influencing a lot of people so I hope that you are not feeling like you are wasting time and energy by giving us your insights and keeping us informed about your innovative experiments.

I think it is perfectly understandable that you think that spending your time and energy answering all of our questions is not very wise. After all, many of them have already been answered (whether here or somewhere else) and we can find answers if we do a little bit of research ( I have already found mine ).

I do believe that you are impacting the lives of a big number of people and that that number will keep growing bigger. Many content creators on youtube have created big communities with far inferior content and so I would encourage you to make videos.

I know that flattery is a form of manipulation and so I wouldn't like this post to leave the impression of that. I just think that there aren't many people on the internet that have spent years enthusiastically researching, developing, and refining this type of information and so you are saving us all a lot of time and energy by sharing with us the results of that process.

All the best!

[lostfalco]

Lostfalco,

I hope you are not going to get discouraged from posting your ideas and knowledge (at least on your blog). I know that compared with the earlier activity on this thread, this seems like a dead thread but even if 10 people apply the information that you have provided, it will have a ripple effect. We all have families and friends, that are benefiting from this information. I have already bought 4 BLT devices as birthday presents. You are influencing a lot of people so I hope that you are not feeling like you are wasting time and energy by giving us your insights and keeping us informed about your innovative experiments.

I think it is perfectly understandable that you think that spending your time and energy answering all of our questions is not very wise. After all, many of them have already been answered (whether here or somewhere else) and we can find answers if we do a little bit of research ( I have already found mine ).

I do believe that you are impacting the lives of a big number of people and that that number will keep growing bigger. Many content creators on youtube have created big communities with far inferior content and so I would encourage you to make videos.

I know that flattery is a form of manipulation and so I wouldn't like this post to leave the impression of that. I just think that there aren't many people on the internet that have spent years enthusiastically researching, developing, and refining this type of information and so you are saving us all a lot of time and energy by sharing with us the results of that process.

All the best!

Thanks Sikorsky! I REALLY appreciate the encouragement. 

 

Tbh, you're right on the spot. I needed to hear that. 

 

It's difficult for me to justify putting in the time to communicate everything when the return on investment (in monetary terms) is very low. 

 

Of course, I do all of these experiments in my life whether I tell anyone about them or not. 

 

Your message is a good reminder that the return is not just monetary. 

 

Thank you!

 

[Dallasboy]

Thanks Sikorsky! I REALLY appreciate the encouragement. 

 

Tbh, you're right on the spot. I needed to hear that. 

 

It's difficult for me to justify putting in the time to communicate everything when the return on investment (in monetary terms) is very low. 

 

Of course, I do all of these experiments in my life whether I tell anyone about them or not. 

 

Your message is a good reminder that the return is not just monetary. 

 

Thank you!

 

Yes, your insight is greatly appreciated!!
 

[Sikorsky]

It would great to hear about the outcome of the experiment - subjective/objective evaluation. If memory serves, you were quite satisfied after the first session.

Btw - how much would you charge for consultations, or answering a set of questions?

https://youtube.com/@bam2829

https://youtu.be/Qc60SxMBHBA

Maybe you could derive some value from this guy...
He is talking about some "esoteric" substances...

Edited by Sikorsky, 27 February 2023 - 12:05 PM.

[Lucas N]

Hey Falco how are you? Are you ok? I hope that! Please come back with your amazing updates! Take care and thank you bro!

[Q did it!]

Hope all is well Lostfalco!

[lostfalco]

Hey guys! Just a quick update so you all know that I didn't take a bunch of psychedelics, shine excessive bright light into my retinas, and go completely nuts. lol

 

I'm super busy with work and possibly making a position change at my company so my free time is minuscule and I'm not sure how much I can post in the near future. 

 

I'm pretty sure I'll never stop posting completely though. 

 

Anyway, my moonshot experiment has been a smashing success. 

 

My cognition has been fantastic, my mood has been terrific, and I've gained some new abilities that I didn't have before (I used to be a singer when I was younger and I gained 2 entire octaves to my vocal range after my experiment...I could suddenly 'feel' what my vocal cords were doing in a way I never could before which allowed me to improve dramatically in a short period of time. Didn't see that coming at all! I had actually stopped music for almost a decade up the point when I started my moonshot sessions).

 

That's all I have time to say for now.

 

I'll be around though guys!

 

Just give me a bit of time. 

 

Miss you all!!!

 

We'll chat again soon. 

 

LF Ooooouuuutttttt

Edited by lostfalco, 07 April 2023 - 07:35 PM.

[lostfalco]

Hey guys, here is a fascinating pre-print study on bright light therapy (30min each morning for 3 to 4 weeks), blue blocking glasses (2 hours before bed), and cognitive performance in adolescents.

 

Of particular interest to us, students showed: 1. greater post-test improvement in math performance and reduction in errors of omission on attention test;  2. increased dentate gyrus volume and; 3. enhanced frontal connectivity with temporal, occipital and cerebellar regions.

 

Enjoy!

 

Here's where to buy both bright light therapy devices and blue blocking glasses that have been tested in the actual scientific studies for only $50 total: https://www.lostfalco.com/devices/

 

https://www.medrxiv....22278513v1.full

Bright light therapy and early morning attention, mathematical performance, electroencephalography and brain connectivity in adolescents with morning sleepiness

 

Abstract

Adolescents typically sleep too little and feel drowsy during morning classes. We assessed whether early morning use of an LED bright light device could increase alertness in school students. Twenty-six (8M/18F) healthy, unmedicated participants, ages 13-18 years, (mean 17.1±1.4) were recruited following screenings to exclude psychopathology. Baseline assessments were made of actigraph-assessed sleep, attention, math solving ability, electroencephalography and structural and functional MRI (N=10-11, pre-post). Participants nonrandomly received 3-4 weeks of bright light therapy (LiteBook Edge™) for 30 minutes each morning and used blue light blocking glasses for 2 hours before bedtime. LiteBooks™ were modified to surreptitiously record degree of use so that the hypothesis tested was whether there was a significant relationship between degree of use and outcome. LiteBooks™ were used 57±18% (range 23%–90%) of recommended time. There was a significant association between degree of use and: (1) increased beta spectral power in frontal EEG leads (primary measure); (2) greater post-test improvement in math performance and reduction in errors of omission on attention test; (3) earlier rise times on non-school days and reduced day-to-day variability in rise times; (4) increased dentate gyrus volume and (5) enhanced frontal connectivity with temporal, occipital and cerebellar regions during Go/No-Go task performance. Degree of bright light therapy use was associated with improvement in sleep cycle consistency, arousal, attention and functional connectivity, but not sleep onset or duration (primary measures). Although this was an open study, it suggests that use of bright morning light and blue light blocking glasses before bed may benefit adolescents experiencing daytime sleepiness.

 

 

For reference, here's what the LiteBook Edge looks like:

 

 LiteBook Edge.PNG   48.64KB   1 downloads

 

 

Edited by lostfalco, 28 April 2023 - 10:42 AM.

[alexburnetq]

Hey LostFalco!

It's great to hear from you again after such a long time. I'm sorry to hear about the challenges you've faced over the years, but it's inspiring to see your determination to regain what you've lost and get back on track.

I completely understand the impact that anxiety can have on our lives, and it's encouraging to hear that you've found some relief through a combination of medication, supplements, and biohacking practices. It's fascinating how testosterone supplementation has positively influenced your anxiety levels, and it's always important to find the right balance and combination that works for you.

Regarding your daily regimen, it seems like you have a comprehensive stack of supplements and nootropics that you find beneficial. Each person's response to these substances can vary, so it's important to experiment and find what works best for you. As for the TULIP stack, I haven't personally tried it, but I've heard positive feedback from others who have incorporated it into their routines. It's always a good idea to start with lower doses and gradually increase as needed, while closely monitoring any potential side effects.

I haven't tried the Tendlite Pro yet, but the combination of both 660nm and 850nm wavelengths sounds promising. LED boards can indeed provide good coverage, so it's a matter of personal preference and convenience.

As for my own regimen and tech, it has evolved over time. I've found that a combination of mindfulness practices, regular exercise, and a balanced diet has been key for me. Additionally, I incorporate intermittent fasting, cold showers, and occasional use of nootropics like Modafinil for specific tasks that require enhanced focus.

It's always a good idea to revisit the old threads and gather insights from different experiences shared by the community. Remember, what works for one person may not work for another, so it's important to listen to your body and make adjustments accordingly.

Wishing you continued success on your journey towards high performance and overall well-being!

By the way, if you're interested, I recently came across shiljits.com, a website that offers high-quality Shilajit products. It might be worth exploring if it aligns with your interests and goals.

Take care and keep pushing forward!

[Sikorsky]

A couple of valuable resources:

 

Handbook of Self-Regulation: Research, Theory, and Applications

https://www.amazon.c...ship,533&sr=1-5

 

The Handbook of Behavior Change

https://www.amazon.c...,aps,205&sr=8-1

 

Dr. Samer Hattar: Timing Light, Food, & Exercise for Better Sleep, Energy & Mood | Huberman Lab #43

 

And for the gentleman who became very angry with me - A very beautiful discussion about consciousness:

 

[CitizenScientist]

[CitizenScientist]

Edited by CitizenScientist, 06 June 2023 - 03:27 AM.

[Lucas N]

Hey Falco, how are you bro? Any news on your depression protocol that you start sharing something here? https://www.lostfalc...hange-humanity/

 

I hope you are doing excellent!

 

 

[Sikorsky]

https://onlinelibrar....1002/hbm.26286

 

"Structural architecture and brain network efficiency link polygenic scores to intelligence"

 

" This study is the first to investigate the mediating effects of multimodal, region-specific brain properties on the association between genetic variation and intelligence. We show that the surface area and structural connectivity of frontal, sensory, motor, temporal, and anterior occipital brain regions provide a missing piece in the link between genetic variation and general intelligence. These findings are a crucial step forward in decoding the neurogenetic underpinnings of intelligence, as they identify specific regional networks that relate polygenic variation to intelligence. "

 

https://marginalrevo...tion-redux.html

 

https://dash.harvard....pdf?sequence=1 - "Associations of Cognitive Function Scores with Carbon Dioxide, Ventilation, and Volatile Organic Compound Exposures in Office Workers: A Controlled Exposure Study of Green and Conventional Office Environments"

 

https://marginalrevo...s-iq-a-lot.html

 

In about a month, Haier's new book "The Science of Human Intelligence" and the second edition of "The Neuroscience of Intelligence" are coming out.

[Sikorsky]

10 min version of yoga nidra could be a perfect fit for 10 min break in 20/10 study method because at the same time it increases neuroplasticity and replenishes capacity for attention and working memory.

[Q did it!]

Just thought I would drop in here with an update! No longer take SSRIs or mood stabilizers for the last few months now. Lots of biohacking and time! My mind is working in ways I've missed and fought so hard to regain! ALCAR is something, Lostfalco suggested, took when I was younger with awesome results. Glad u brought it back to my attention!