Secrets to Superior Cognitive Performance (Without Drugs)

Secrets to Superior Cognitive Performance (Without Drugs)

Author: Chris Masterjohn, PhD November 17, 2023 Duration: 51:10

Nutrition is far more powerful than drugs to improve cognitive performance.

We start by looking at cocaine, Adderall, and Ritalin, and show why these drugs cannot possibly hold a candle to nutrition.

Optimal nutrition can definitely optimize the function of dopamine, norepinephrine, acetylcholine, histamine, creatine, and the methylation system, and in doing so can simultaneously optimize focus, motivation, sustained attention, and mental flexibility, and methylation, all while eliminating anxiety, depression, and distraction.

Yet, popular nutritional cognitive stacks in the nootropic space do not have convincing evidence behind them, and this is probably a result of them trying to do too many things in one capsule.

This presentation covers the low-hanging fruit of nutrition for brain power, supplements that help, the importance of individual nutritional optimization, and the central power of finding one's genetic "health super-unlock."

For my simple protocol to optimize methylation, see here:

https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/p/mthfr-protocol

For more detail on finding your own personal genetic health super-unlock, see here:

https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/p/unlocking-performance-and-longevity

Chris Masterjohn, PhD, is the Founder and Scientific Director of the mitochondria test Mitome.


Chris Masterjohn, PhD hosts Mastering Nutrition, a podcast that digs into the science of how our bodies work at a fundamental level. The focus here is on mitochondrial health-the energy powerhouses within our cells-and how optimizing them forms the cornerstone of lasting vitality. Chris brings his background as a nutrition scientist and his experience founding BioOptHealth to these conversations, which move beyond generic diet advice. Instead, the podcast explores how individual differences, informed by tools like whole genome sequencing and detailed biochemical data, can reveal personalized paths to better metabolic function. Listeners will hear deep dives into cutting-edge research, practical interpretations of complex studies, and discussions on how to apply these insights in a real-world context. This isn't about quick fixes or trending superfoods; it's about building a coherent, scientifically-grounded understanding of nutrition from the cellular level up. Each episode aims to provide the kind of nuanced, evidence-based perspective that can help you make sense of conflicting health information. Whether the topic is a specific nutrient, a metabolic pathway, or a broader principle of wellness, Chris works to translate dense science into actionable knowledge. Tune in for a thoughtful, detailed exploration of what it truly means to master your own nutritional landscape.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 712

Mastering Nutrition
Podcast Episodes
How to Increase or Decrease SHBG? | Masterjohn Q&A Files #302 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:58
Short Answer: SHBG is increased by adiponectin (vitamin K2, insulin sensitivity), thyroid hormone, fasting physiology (AMPK, fat oxidation), and estrogen (especially estrone), while it is decreased by insulin resistance,…
COVID Vaccine Side Effects: What Causes Them? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:51:03
I am done with my work on COVID vaccines, at least until I finish my Vitamins and Minerals 101 Book, so I am now making my scientific review on the likely causes of COVID vaccine side effects public. This is an excerpt o…
Protein and Longevity | Masterjohn Q&A Files #301 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:03
Short Answer: While protein restriction may have value in people with established cancer or kidney disease, cycling robustly between fasting and feeding states is likely to provide all the value that restriction of prote…
Chips! The Only Ones I'll Endorse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:08
My friend Steve, who is the one who originally introduced me to the Essex Farm CSA that now supplies me with almost all my food, has invented a new tortilla chip that launches today! MASA chips are made from organic corn…
The Ancestral Health Debate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:16:15
Nick Hiebert and I debate the value of ancestral health as a framework for approaching health in the modern era. For my summary of and reflections on the debate, as well as time stamps, relevant links, and a transcript,…
Mathew Crawford: Fraud in the Military's Health Database? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:17:34
In this interview, Mathew Crawford walks me through his slide presentation of data showing that, at some point between 2020 and 2021, the 2016-2019 data from the US Military's health database was altered in a way that hi…