Optimize Your Body and Brain Right Now | Ben Greenfield on Conversations with Tom

The video is an interview with Ben Greenfield about optimizing the body and brain through responsible use of substances and educating children about the consequences of their decisions.

The video is an episode of Conversations with Tom featuring Ben Greenfield, who discusses how to optimize the body and brain. Greenfield talks about his upbringing in a restrictive household and how it led to a lack of knowledge about responsible use of things like alcohol and swearing. He also discusses his parenting style, which involves educating children about the consequences of their decisions rather than setting strict rules. Greenfield also mentions genetic testing and how it can help make intelligent decisions about health.

• The video is an interview with Ben Greenfield about optimizing the body and brain through responsible use of substances and educating children about the consequences of their decisions.
• Ben Greenfield grew up in a very restrictive household where alcohol, swearing, and porn were forbidden.
• Love and logic parenting involves educating children about the consequences of their decisions rather than setting strict rules and boundaries.
• Ben Greenfield believes in the responsible use of substances like alcohol, caffeine, and nootropics.
• Ben Greenfield believes in optimizing the body and brain through a combination of diet, exercise, sleep, and supplementation.
• Children may not have the gene to make glutathione, a master antioxidant, and may have low levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is important for brain growth and development.
• Irresponsible use of substances can paint them in a negative light, even if they have potential benefits.
• Setting an example for children and educating them on the consequences of their decisions can help them make responsible choices.
• Cyrex Laboratories is a lab testing company that Ben Greenfield places a good amount of faith in.

Optimize Your Body and Brain Right Now | Ben Greenfield on Conversations with Tom - YouTube

Introduction

• The video is an interview with Ben Greenfield about optimizing the body and brain through responsible use of substances and educating children about the consequences of their decisions.
• The interview is conducted by Tom Bilyeu.
• Ben Greenfield grew up in a very restrictive household where alcohol, swearing, and porn were forbidden.
• Tom Bilyeu grew up in a household where swearing was forbidden, but he has installed a blue light blocking box on his TVs to protect his eyes from blue light at night.
• Ben Greenfield's parents used a style of parenting called love and logic, which involves educating children about the consequences of their decisions rather than setting strict rules and boundaries.

Love and Logic Parenting

• Love and logic parenting involves educating children about the consequences of their decisions rather than setting strict rules and boundaries.
• Children are allowed to make their own decisions and suffer the consequences of those decisions.
• Parents educate their children about the biological impact of substances like gluten and alcohol.
• Parents do not forbid their children from eating gluten or drinking alcohol, but instead educate them about the consequences of consuming these substances.
• Parents use genetic testing to help their children make intelligent decisions about their health.

Responsible Use of Substances

• Ben Greenfield believes in the responsible use of substances like alcohol, caffeine, and nootropics.
• He believes that these substances can be used to optimize the body and brain when used responsibly.
• He recommends using alcohol in moderation and avoiding binge drinking.
• He recommends using caffeine in moderation and avoiding dependence on it.
• He recommends using nootropics like modafinil and LSD microdosing responsibly and under the guidance of a medical professional.

Optimize Your Body and Brain Right Now | Ben Greenfield on Conversations with Tom - YouTube

Optimizing the Body and Brain

• Ben Greenfield believes in optimizing the body and brain through a combination of diet, exercise, sleep, and supplementation.
• He recommends a diet that is high in healthy fats, low in carbohydrates, and moderate in protein.
• He recommends a combination of strength training and high-intensity interval training for exercise.
• He recommends getting at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night and optimizing sleep quality through practices like sleep hygiene and using blue light blocking glasses.
• He recommends using supplements like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and probiotics to optimize health.

Setting an Example for Children

• Children may not have the gene to make glutathione, a master antioxidant, and may have low levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is important for brain growth and development.
• Parents can set an example for their children by taking supplements themselves and educating their children on the consequences of their decisions.
• Screen time can be difficult on sleep rhythms, so parents can set the norm in their household by engaging in activities that do not involve screens during downtime.
• Children can be encouraged to read books, play outside, or engage in physical activities instead of playing video games or using screens.
• Parents should not display behavior that contradicts what they are telling their children to do.

Avoiding Irresponsible Use of Substances

• Irresponsible use of substances can paint them in a negative light, even if they have potential benefits.
• Alcohol is an example of a substance that can be helpful when consumed responsibly, but can be harmful when consumed irresponsibly.
• Blue zones, areas where people live longer and healthier lives, often consume wine and cocktails with meals, which can aid in digestion.
• Organic and biodynamic European wines may have higher concentrations of antioxidants due to less irrigation on the crops.
• Small doses of certain plant compounds, even though they may be mildly damaging to the body, can induce cellular resilience and cause the body to become stronger.

Personal Experience with Substance Use

• The speaker did not drink alcohol until he was 26 years old because he was afraid of acting stupid.
• Watching extended family members act foolishly due to alcoholism was a turnoff for the speaker.
• Irresponsible use of substances can have negative consequences and can turn people off from using them altogether.
• Responsible use of substances can have potential benefits, but it is important to educate oneself and use them in moderation.
• Personal experiences can shape one's attitudes towards substance use.

Conclusion

• Setting an example for children and educating them on the consequences of their decisions can help them make responsible choices.
• Irresponsible use of substances can paint them in a negative light, but responsible use can have potential benefits.
• Personal experiences can shape one's attitudes towards substance use, and it is important to educate oneself and use substances in moderation.

Benefits and Risks of Alcohol Consumption

• Alcohol can induce cellular resilience and increase insulin sensitivity.
• Bitters from nature can increase insulin sensitivity and lower the intensity of blood glucose response.
• Blue zones have women consuming one to two drinks a day and men consuming two to three drinks a day.
• Alcohol consumption can be beneficial from a digestive standpoint and from a cellular resilience standpoint.
• Alcohol consumption can be harmful to those who are prone to inflammation.

Personal Experience with Alcohol

• Ben Greenfield experiences a high inflammatory response after consuming alcohol.
• He is interested in doing genetic testing to see if there are any markers that show why he has this response.
• He had an autoimmune condition growing up that caused him to be wildly inflamed.
• He is skeptical about alcohol's benefits due to his personal experience.
• He would still prefer to be in the wine group if a test were done to determine if it is the alcohol or social setting that induces longevity.

Cyrex Laboratories

• Cyrex Laboratories is a lab testing company that Ben Greenfield places a good amount of faith in.
• They can test for mold, mycotoxin, fungi, and antibody reaction to foods.
• They test the white blood cell response to both the cooked and raw version of the protein.
• Their tests can help determine if the body is producing an immune response to certain foods or chemicals.
• They can also test for cross-reactivity between some of these protein compounds.

Autoimmune Conditions

• Ben Greenfield's autoimmune condition caused him to be wildly inflamed.
• He had Naga, a condition where he would welt in the skin if he scratched himself.
• He believes that his autoimmune condition may be why he has a high inflammatory response to alcohol.
• Cyrex Laboratories can test for antibody reaction to foods and help determine if someone has an autoimmune condition.
• Autoimmune conditions can cause inflammation and other health issues.

Peptides and their Benefits

• Peptides are amino acid sequences that can target specific cell responses.
• Peptides can be synthesized and injected to produce anti-inflammatory effects.
• BP c 157 is a gastric healing peptide that can be used for muscle injuries.
• TB 500 is a peptide that repairs torn up tissue in injuries like achilles tendonitis.
• Peptides like dye hexa and C max can be used topically or intranasally to increase blood flow to the brain and shut down neural inflammation.

LL 37 and its Benefits

• LL 37 is a peptide that can help with microbiome issues.
• LL 37 is an amino acid sequence that can be synthesized and injected.
• LL 37 can help with autoimmune issues and inflammatory reactions.
• LL 37 can help with mold mycotoxins and fungi.
• LL 37 can help with elevated thyroid antibodies.

Responsible Use of Substances

• Peptides and other substances should be used responsibly and under the guidance of a medical professional.
• Substances like nootropics and smart drugs should be used with caution and in moderation.
• Peptides and other substances can have clean and immediate effects without side-effects.
• Substances like LSD and lithium should be used with caution and in moderation.
• Education about the consequences of substance use should be taught to children.

Personal Experience with Peptides

• Ben Greenfield has used peptides like BP c 157 and TB 500 for injuries.
• Ben Greenfield has used peptides like dye hexa and C max for brain function.
• Peptides have helped Ben Greenfield with anti-inflammatory effects and clean-burning energy.
• Peptides have helped Ben Greenfield with muscle injuries and brain function.
• Peptides should be used responsibly and under the guidance of a medical professional.

Substances for optimizing body and brain

• The dye exa and c-max are two substances that are good for the brain.
• The dye exa gives energy without the jittery feeling of caffeine.
• The c-max improves the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, allowing compounds from the diet to cross more readily.
• Cognitive peptides like cordage-n can improve memory.
• The n-back brain training app has been shown to increase short-term and long-term memory with repeated use.

Using substances to stay ahead of fatigue

• Ben Greenfield tracks his sleep and uses substances like the dye exa and c-max when he has had less than seven and a half hours of sleep.
• He takes these substances to stay ahead of fatigue and be more productive.
• He prefers to take them in the morning to jumpstart his day.
• He knows he has had enough sleep when he wakes up without thinking about coffee.
• The c-max improves the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, allowing compounds from the diet to cross more readily.

Modafinil and its effects

• Modafinil is a substance that allows you to stay awake without feeling the need to sleep.
• It is not as cool as it sounds, as you still feel tired.
• It is given to narcoleptics and fighter pilots to stay up all night and stay sharp.
• It is not something that should be used all the time, as there are consequences.
• Ben Greenfield prefers to use substances like the dye exa and c-max to stay ahead of fatigue.

The benefits of the n-back brain training app

• The n-back brain training app has been shown to increase short-term and long-term memory with repeated use.
• It goes from N 1 training all the way up to n 10 training.
• It shows you a square that lights up on a grid of 10 squares on a screen.
• You have to remember where the square lit up and push a button if it lights up in the same place again.
• The app also uses sounds to help you remember.

Peptide Allen and Pineal Gland

• Penny Allen works on the pineal gland, which is responsible for melatonin and DMT production.
• DMT is associated with the use of plant medicines, journeying, or tripping.
• Penny Allen increases the amount of activity in the pineal gland, which can produce DMT or melatonin.
• Low pineal gland production can occur due to calcification of the pineal gland, which can be caused by large amounts of fluoride consumption.
• Fluoride has an impact on the pineal gland that could be reversed by the use of Penny Allen.

Cognitive Optimization and Sleep

• Ben Greenfield is a psychopath about getting sleep because he is aware of cognitive optimization.
• He feels like he has always been at a deficit cognitively and is always trying to optimize his cognitive abilities.
• He is always trying to do things like get sleep or take supplements that will have that kind of impact.
• He is secretly hoping that supplements or drugs will work for him.
• He is willing to take supplements or drugs if they are real and work.

Peptide LL 37 and SIBO

• Peptide LL 37 does a very efficient job of knocking out small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
• It is often prescribed for a SIBO-based diet.
• The standard for SIBO testing is a breath test that monitors the amount of gases produced.
• Peptide LL 37 can cause a detox reaction known as a Herxheimer reaction.
• After using it, you may feel pretty crappy for about two days up to a week.

Other Substances

• Dye hexa and C-Max are at the top of the totem pole.
• The topical lotion and intranasal spray are interesting but not completely necessary.
• The cordage and pinyon are also interesting.
• Ben Greenfield has a crazy memory due to reading so much.
• He remembers a minuscule fraction of the information he encounters.

Optimizing Gut Health with Colostrum and Other Substances

• Colostrum is the first part of any mammalian mother's milk and can help heal a permeable gut lining.
• Infant formulas based on soy can cause immune system issues or leaky gut as they lack colostrum.
• Colostrum is sold in capsules, but it's better to buy the powder and swish it around in your mouth for a few minutes before swallowing.
• Colostrum can also help athletes with gut permeability caused by exercise and heat.
• Consuming ibuprofen or Advil during a race or before it can induce kidney toxicity and is not recommended.

Using LL-37 and BPC-157 for Gut Health

• LL-37 and BPC-157 can help kill bacteria and reduce gut inflammation.
• LL-37 can cause flu-like symptoms for a few days to a week after taking it.
• BPC-157 can be taken regularly for gut health.
• These substances are not medical advice and should be used responsibly.

Glutamine for Gut Inflammation

• Glutamine is a great substance for gut inflammation caused by leaky gut.
• It can be bought as a powder and consumed regularly.
• Some people may not notice any noticeable impacts from taking glutamine.
• Other substances like bone broth can also help with gut inflammation.

Responsible Use of Substances for Optimal Body and Brain Function

• Substances like colostrum, LL-37, and BPC-157 should be used responsibly and not as a quick fix.
• Children should be educated about the consequences of their decisions and the responsible use of substances.
• Constant anabolism is associated with carcinogenicity, so it's important to maintain a balance in the body.
• Optimizing body and brain function requires a holistic approach that includes nutrition, exercise, and sleep.

Optimizing Inflammation Response

• Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, and metformin can blunt the hormetic response to exercise.
• Don't quell inflammation too close to the exercise session.
• Quick cold shower after workout can cool the core temperature and activate good sleep cycles.
• Green tea extract, EGCG, matcha, and care seating are some antioxidants that don't blunt the hormetic response to exercise.
• Hydrogen-rich water has a good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect without blunting the hormetic response to exercise.
• Deuterium, found in crops sprayed with pesticides and herbicides, is damaging to the body.

Personal Exercise Habits

• Ben Greenfield is an exercise fiend and has competed professionally in Spartan racing, Ironman, and bodybuilding.
• Exercise is his happy place and a chance to get cathartic.
• He intentionally doesn't channel aggression at the gym.

Responsible Substance Use

• Ben Greenfield believes in responsible use of substances to optimize the body and brain.
• He uses substances like nicotine, caffeine, and microdoses of psychedelics in a responsible way.
• He educates his children about the consequences of their decisions and encourages them to make informed choices.
• He believes in the importance of individual responsibility and not blaming substances for negative outcomes.

Importance of Education

• Ben Greenfield believes in educating children about the consequences of their decisions.
• He believes in teaching them about the importance of sleep, nutrition, and exercise.
• He encourages them to make informed choices and take responsibility for their actions.
• He believes in the importance of teaching children about the responsible use of substances.
• He believes that education is key to optimizing the body and brain.

Benefits of Aggression

• Aggression has an evolutionary reason to make it pleasurable and hunger-inducing.
• Being aggressive can make a person feel good and powerful.
• Aggression is different from anger, and it can be leveraged to attack weights or obstacles in business.
• Aggression is helpful for the nervous system and can increase overall heart rate variability (HRV).
• Training the sympathetic nervous system a few times a week can lead to greater nervous system resilience and higher overall HRV.

Responsible Use of Substances

• Ben Greenfield believes in responsible use of substances, including caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol.
• He recommends using these substances in moderation and being aware of their effects on the body and brain.
• Greenfield also suggests using natural substances, such as adaptogens and nootropics, to optimize the body and brain.
• He emphasizes the importance of educating children about the consequences of their decisions regarding substance use.
• Greenfield believes that substances can be used to enhance performance, but they should not be relied upon as a crutch.

Importance of Sleep

• Greenfield emphasizes the importance of sleep for optimizing the body and brain.
• He recommends getting at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night and creating a sleep-conducive environment.
• Greenfield suggests using tools such as blue-light blocking glasses and sleep tracking devices to improve sleep quality.
• He also recommends avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bed and establishing a consistent sleep schedule.
• Greenfield believes that optimizing sleep can lead to improved cognitive function, physical performance, and overall health.

Personalized Approach to Health and Fitness

• Greenfield believes in taking a personalized approach to health and fitness.
• He suggests experimenting with different diets, exercise routines, and lifestyle habits to find what works best for each individual.
• Greenfield emphasizes the importance of listening to one's body and making adjustments as needed.
• He also recommends incorporating practices such as meditation, breathwork, and cold exposure to optimize the body and brain.
• Greenfield believes that by taking a personalized approach, individuals can achieve optimal health and performance.

Benefits of Hard Weight Training

• Hard weight training sessions result in steady increases in HRV.
• Long-term benefits of hard weight training include nervous system benefits.
• Hard weight training sessions can help release pent-up aggression.
• Hard weight training can increase muscle mass, bone density, and make you harder to kill.
• Anti-inflammatory compounds can help with recovery after hard weight training sessions.

Types of Exercise for Longevity

• Racquet sports, cycling, swimming, and weight training are all beneficial for longevity.
• Powerlifting-style muscle development is the most beneficial for longevity, but it comes with a higher risk of injury.
• Slow-moving exercises like super slow training can help maintain strength and bone density without the risk of injury.
• Explosive bodyweight exercises like the New York Times seven-minute workout can tap into explosive powerlifting-style muscle without the risk of injury.
• Large amounts of non-functional muscle may not be worth the toll it takes on the body.

The Importance of Antioxidants

• Maintaining a large amount of muscle requires a lot of energy and antioxidants.
• Non-functional muscle may not be worth the toll it takes on the body.
• Large amounts of muscle can act as a glucose sink, making carbohydrates less damaging.
• Anti-inflammatory compounds can help with recovery after hard weight training sessions.
• Antioxidant formulations can help with recovery and maintaining muscle mass.

Responsible Use of Substances

• Responsible use of substances can help optimize the body and brain.
• BPC 157 can be used to aid in recovery after hard weight training sessions.
• Children should be educated about the consequences of their decisions regarding substance use.
• Substances should be used in moderation and with caution.
• Substances should not be used as a replacement for healthy habits and lifestyle choices.

Optimizing Body and Brain

• There is a correlation between muscle mass and longevity.
• Other factors that predict longevity include grip strength, walking speed, and the ability to do push-ups or get up and down off the floor.
• The world record for non-stop push-ups is over 10,000.
• A body that is explosive and wiry is most conducive to longevity.
• Ben Greenfield prefers to be lean and able to run and play sports.
• He eats a lot of organ meats and colostrum for hormonal balance and energy.

Organ Meat Consumption

• Ben Greenfield primarily eats organ meats that he has harvested from animals he has hunted or orders from US Wellness Meats.
• He eats a lot of braunschweiger and head cheese, which are convenient and taste like sausage.
• His kids have organ meats scrambled up with eggs.
• US Wellness Meats offers grass-fed, grass-finished meats that are super clean.
• Ben Greenfield has been experimenting with encapsulated organ meats while traveling.

Responsible Substance Use

• Ben Greenfield believes in responsible use of substances to optimize the body and brain.
• He recommends educating children about the consequences of their decisions.
• He believes that substances like caffeine, nicotine, and psychedelics can be used responsibly for cognitive enhancement.
• He also believes in the importance of sleep, exercise, and nutrition for optimal brain function.
• He recommends using heart rate variability to track recovery and stress levels.

Personal Health and Fitness

• Ben Greenfield is currently at 4.5% body fat and 185 pounds.
• He was at 3% body fat and 215 pounds in college when he was bodybuilding.
• He eats to appetite and focuses on nutrient-dense foods like organ meats and colostrum.
• He has been experimenting with a lower vegetable intake while traveling.
• He believes in the importance of balancing stress and recovery for optimal health and fitness.

Organ Meats

• Ancestral Supplements makes encapsulated organ meats for easy consumption.
• Ben Greenfield takes 30 capsules of organ meats mid-morning when traveling.
• He believes that consuming organ meats gives him more energy and prevents sickness.
• Ben Greenfield uses a marinade of raw milk or acidic substances to remove the gamy flavor of organ meats.
• He slices and fries organ meats with eggs and flour to make them taste like chicken nuggets.

Family Dinners

• Ben Greenfield and his family have grand family dinners at home.
• They gather in the kitchen at 7:30 pm to cook, chop, soak, rinse, and fry.
• After dinner, they clean up, play board games, and read stories.
• Ben Greenfield believes that family connection is important.
• He wakes up every morning and reads something spiritually enhancing before caring for his body.

Spirituality

• Ben Greenfield reads something spiritually enhancing every morning.
• He has a gratitude journal with a Bible verse on the top of each page.
• He answers three questions in his gratitude journal every day.
• Ben Greenfield believes in caring for his spirit before caring for his body.
• He believes in spiritual disciplines like fasting, meditation, silence, and solitude.

Conclusion

• Ben Greenfield believes in optimizing the body and brain through responsible use of substances.
• He believes in educating children about the consequences of their decisions.
• Ben Greenfield believes in the importance of family connection and spirituality.
• He believes in caring for his spirit before caring for his body.
• Ben Greenfield believes in spiritual disciplines like fasting, meditation, silence, and solitude.

Ben's Daily Gratitude Practice

• Ben starts his day with a gratitude practice where he writes down one thing he is grateful for and one person he can help or pray for.
• He does this every day of the year, which helps him grow spiritually and helps him to help others.
• His family also practices gratitude by sharing what they are grateful for during family dinners.
• They also have a nighttime prayer where they play songs and say a prayer.
• Ben believes in God and reads something scriptural every day.

Ben's Belief in Spiritual Dimension

• Ben believes that there is a spiritual dimension to life and that we are more than just flesh and blood.
• He believes that we are all spiritual beings and that life goes on after we die.
• Ben is a believer in spiritual life and that we are all souls.
• He finds comfort in the belief that there is something deeper out there and that life goes on after we die.
• Ben's belief in spirituality is not based on religion, but rather on his own personal experiences.

Tom's Perspective on Spirituality

• Tom is not religious and does not believe in spirituality in the same way that Ben does.
• He finds Ben's perspective on spirituality interesting and is drawn to the sense of poetry and wonder in his beliefs.
• Tom is open to understanding Ben's perspective on spirituality and is not invested in being right.
• He is curious about how Ben conceptualizes the idea of a soul or spirit and how it fits into his understanding of biology and science.
• Tom is open to the idea that poetry and wonder can coexist with scientific objectivity.

Watch the video on YouTube:
Optimize Your Body and Brain Right Now | Ben Greenfield on Conversations with Tom - YouTube