12 ms·

Ask HN: What foods do you eat to optimise brain function/problem solving skills?

40 points by zabana 9y ago

skate22 9y ago
Smart food. Justkidding, but having enough protein and staying hydrated greatly increases my ability to stay focused.
farnsworthy 9y ago
In addition to whatever foods are most nutritious, how about what not to eat? Sugar and caffeine both have a rebound effect, that big (tasty) sandwich and resulting afternoon hangover, etc.
neilsimp1 9y ago
It's not something I eat regularly, but I have heard (probably posted on HN) that turmeric can help improve brain function/memory. http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/one-dose-kitchen-spice-improves-brain-function http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/one-dose-kitchen-spice-impr...
Jasonbe 9y ago
How do you avoid the mid afternoon slump? My afternoon are pretty much a write-off until the early evening. I have tried avoiding carbs and sugars for lunch and have a pretty good bowl of oats for breakfast. Ive just come to accept that its my Circadian rhythm and such plan my productive hours around the early mornings.
- Jasonbe 9y ago
  In addition, I take a b6 vitamin along with zinc and magnesium.
- stevenkovar 9y ago
  Improving insulin sensitivity will help. Also look into the benefits of apple cider vinegar.
  - sidcool 9y ago
    What foods are good to improve insulin sensitivity?
    - bauer 9y ago
      Resistant starch. I take Hi-Maize mixed straight into a glass of water. https://www.selfhacked.com/blog/resistant2-resistant-starch-metabolism-autoimmunity-cancer-weight-loss-digestion/ https://www.selfhacked.com/blog/resistant2-resistant-starch-...
      - charleyramm 9y ago
        Does instant custard work? Or is it special corn starch?
  - imeron 9y ago
    Don't eat pizzas or anything with too much carbs for lunch, never ever. If you did try eating half a teaspoon of cinnamon. (google cinnamon and sugar processing).
- controversy187 9y ago
  I switched to drinking tea instead of coffee, all day long. For the most part, I've noticed that I don't experience the afternoon slump as much. On the occasions that I do, a half cup of coffee usually overcomes it. I've also experimented with intermittent fasting, only eating between noon and 8pm. That also, for me, helped eliminate the slump.
- clueless123 9y ago
  Nothing beats a short nap after lunch to let the body (and mind) reset the system for a great afternoon. Many companies now days have special nap rooms, with mats and blankies. :)
  - maroonblazer 9y ago
    I've taken to simply sitting with my eyes closed for ~10 minutes around 2-ish. It's a very pronounced feeling of shedding all the accumulated 'cruft' on my brain from the morning's work. I also plan less 'smart work' in the afternoon, so things like catching up on email or reading literature/learning.
- hycaria 9y ago
  Eat less for lunch.
  - tonyedgecombe 9y ago
    Especially anything sugary.
- joemaller1 9y ago
  Oats are mostly starch, starch is how plants store sugar. A bowl of oats has a fairly high GI score.
- sethammons 9y ago
  For me, it used to be bad. Watery eyes, lack of focus, nodding off while staring at the screen. After I started morning exercise, I almost never get the afternoon doldrums, and if I do, it can be attributed to either poor sleep or poor diet. I feel solidly productive for the entire day now; though on lazy weekends, I'll take a solid long nap. For more context, at a minimum I do 3 days of CrossFit at a competitive gym (meaning it can be a bit more than what you would typically find for that kind of exercise programming), normally at 5:30am. Food typically starts off with overnight oats and/or eggs, bacon, spinach, cottage cheese, and the like. Lunch bounces around, but often includes salad and/or rice and some meat. Dinner is usually similar but of better quality compared to lunch. And I try to be asleep before 9pm. Snacking (or binging) on junk foods or lack of good sleep can sometimes bring afternoon slumps, but not very often. If those do hit, working from a different spot helps. Maybe standing instead of sitting, working from a couch instead of a desk, or working in the kitchen with coworkers milling around.
nwatson 9y ago
Costco recession special, ie, hotdog and soda with sauerkraut $1.50. Puts one in the happy place for afternoon coding. Even better if I bike to/from but the greenway isn't ready yet so it can get real muddy.
- faitswulff 9y ago
  Costco lost my business ever since they discontinued the (apparently Chicago area-only) $1.50 bratwursts. I know the hotdogs are technically probably as good a deal in terms of protein and calories, but they are a mere shadow of what once was...
  - mynameishere 9y ago
    Well, you can get a whole package of bratwurst for maybe 3 dollars, so there's that.
    - faitswulff 9y ago
      ...then I'd have to actually buy a membership (you can get in to the cafe without one). So I guess they never really had my business :p
  - phhlho 9y ago
    Always interesting to find 'local-only' chain things. For what it's worth, I think the brats are at the Milwaukee and Green Bay Costcos as well.
indescions_2018 9y ago
The bottomless bowl of Peanut M&Ms I keep within arms reach.
stevenkovar 9y ago
Your diet is only part of the equation. Diet, sleep, and exercise are needed in combination. The highest performers across many professions tend to sleep the most. Exercise helps make better use of the foods you are eating and produces the hormones you need to think clearly. As for supplements to help, examine.com has a bounty of information: https://examine.com/topics/Cognition/ https://examine.com/topics/Cognition/
- thisisit 9y ago
  > Diet, sleep, and exercise are needed in combination This cannot be stressed enough. I have started to sleep at least 7.5 hours each day. But most of the days it is proving to be difficult and I am able to complete only 6 hours. Still having a routine comfortable sleep has worked wonders for my mood and productivity.
  - gtsteve 9y ago
    Perhaps this is well known but I discovered this only two weeks ago - you can buy yellow-tinted glasses to block blue light. I wear them for an hour or so before bed (which my partner mocks me for) but it really seems to help me get to sleep. I'm not sure if that's the placebo effect of course but it does seem to work.
    - drchickensalad 9y ago
      Every computer or phone I own has a screen display filter to rid those blues. Really helps reduce the artificial stimulation for me. Once you get used to it, turn it back on sometime temporarily. It's incredibly blinding.
  - slig 9y ago
    For me, cutting coffee helped me to sleep better and be less anxious. If you have trouble sleeping, try going cold turkey on coffee. It will suck for a couple of days, but you'll feel better.
    - 9y ago
crstinin 9y ago
The original Budwig Protocol is great for the brain. It's simply quark cheese and flax seed oil. It's important to keep in mind the flax seed oil needs to as fresh as possible because it gets rancid very quickly. At best buy you own press, the seeds cost next to nothing and you'll have the best quality flax seed oil on demand. Works fantastic against acidosis.
bayesian_horse 9y ago
Make sure you are not diabetic. During diabetes and pre-diabetes blood sugar is higher than normal, even when fasting, more so when snacking. And high blood sugar does cause "brain fog". Fasting, done right, can also improve mental clarity.
O_H_E 9y ago
Colorful Salads and Fruits, will start paying off after 2 days or so. But don't eat until you are "really" full, stop 3 bites after you are not feeling hungry. I like -and it is proven to be more healthy- to always keep food with me, and not eat just 3 BIG meals, but many small ones Also Fasting in the the correct timing helps mental attention and clarity
lozzo 9y ago
dark chocolate (I recommend 85% cocoa or more)
joncrane 9y ago
I optimize for good stable long term mental function, not temporary boosts. It works for me. My overall philosophy, divided by macronutrient: * Lots of high quality protein (grass fed beef, free range chicken, tempeh, etc) * Minimize high GI (glycemic index, meaning it spikes blood sugar and insulin) carbs * Healthy fats (avocados, flax seed oil, etc) Raw almonds are a good example of 2 & 3 combined I'm not perfect but it takes a while to develop habits and I've gotten into a good habit.
eorge_g 9y ago
soylent
desarun 9y ago
Bourbon.
- tonyedgecombe 9y ago
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bourbon_biscuit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bourbon_biscuit or https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bourbon_whiskey https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bourbon_whiskey ?
  - desarun 9y ago
    The latter: https://xkcd.com/323/ https://xkcd.com/323/
everyone 9y ago
Human pineal gland extract.
zupa-hu 9y ago
I'm experimenting on this lately. Currently, I'm trying to eat lots of nuts, like 100g+/day. Seems more healthy than taking vitamin pills etc. I've put together a table comparing nutrition info on some nuts. I've also done blood tests and my mineral levels (iron, zink) did go up. I do feel more energetic when doing sports. Not sure about my brain yet. :D https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MT-TEMWooXMZ5u5CxMbiRjUYDIFi-HuofrQnyKuwx2k/edit?usp=sharing https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MT-TEMWooXMZ5u5CxMbi...
rm_-rf_slash 9y ago
I like to start the day with an enormous breakfast of proteins and fats with zero carbs that come from anywhere but green vegetables. Growing up with American public school lunches, I never really became a lunch person. I just let breakfast carry me to dinner. Avoiding grains and sugars allows my blood sugar (and thus insulin) levels to stay constant throughout the day. I’ve found that if I spike blood sugar with grains and sugars I tend to be generally unproductive after I eat, and barely productive at all when I get the inevitable sugar crash.
arthurofbabylon 9y ago
It’s most useful to think of all inputs (food, air, smells, visual and auditory information) the same way we think about food: they require digestion, they have a very practical impact, and the experience of consuming it is as or more important than what the thing actually is. Along these lines, I maximize my productivity by paying most attention to my digital consumption, and avoiding the toxic, addictive, digital foods. Staying off of threads like this one is really, really useful. It’s far more useful than my diet of fresh fish, nuts, and other fatty foods alongside vegetables, legumes, and whole grains that are in all honesty less important than the company I enjoy the meal with. The what is so much less important than the how.
glastra 9y ago
A ketogenic diet combined with intermittent fasting has put my brain into serious overdrive for the last 2 months. I also get better sleep and have much higher levels of energy (and constant throughout the day, too).
- ElatedOwl 9y ago
  Congrats on the lifestyle change! Were you overeating before? I've heard a lot of anecdotal stuff about keto and magical side effects, but I really wonder if it's effects are from losing weight/eating a better balanced diet. In my experience it's really easy to overeat with carbs. Sugar in particular gives me crazy cravings.
  - glastra 9y ago
    No, I wasn't. This is part of a progression I started 2 years ago. I was a hardcore case of skinny-fat ever since I was a kid. In other words, my BMI has always been normal, although my body fat % was probably through the roof (small frame, no muscle at all, quite a bit of fat). First I started a "future food" liquid diet (Queal) together with running 5K 3 times a week. The change in diet (I was eating mostly precooked and fast-food) and the exercise worked pretty well. Then I switched to other future food providers, but I was finding it difficult to gain muscle while not gaining fat. As it turns out, it's all in the macros. Most Soylent-like products are catered towards sedentary people who come from very crappy diets, or who don't mind having a less-than-ideal diet for convenience. At one point I was already almost doing my own DIY powders (using one commercial brand as a base and adding my own fat and protein, to keep the carbs low). Then, after 3 or 4 months reading and researching the ketogenic diet, I decided to go all in and start my own DIY ketogenic powdered food diet. I enjoy tinkering with pretty much everything, so coming up with a proper formula and tweaking it was and still is an amazing experience for me. I encourage you to at least give keto a try. It's true that "whole food" keto is a bit hard, and it's also hard to keep track of all the micronutrients you need and where to get them. Either way, the benefits are incredible. Apologies for the lengthy response. Edit: Oh, sorry for not addressing one of your points. Actually, the amazing increase in brain function is felt quite early into the diet, when no weight loss (other than water encased in glycogen) has happened yet.
vinchuco 9y ago
short term: anything with glucose or caffeine long term: varied but balanced diet (diversified portfolio strategy), the body likely takes care of all the messy details Many others here mention sleep and exercise. Hydration should also be considered. I would strongly be in favor is someone suggested a causal link between quality of life and brain functioning. Just look at how long it takes you to die without {air, water, food, sleep, mobility, social interaction} and weigh their importance accordingly.
matte_black 9y ago
Brain Octane Oil by Bulletproof
carbocation 9y ago
Is there objective evidence published in the scientific literature to suggest that the foods you eat impact your problem solving skills on a day-to-day basis?
- glastra 9y ago
  A quick search yields this, for example: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1525505016300555 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S152550501...
  - carbocation 9y ago
    That is in patients with refractory epilepsy, for which the ketogenic diet is a therapy.
    - glastra 9y ago
      And an improvement in productivity was a side-effect of said therapy. I fail to see your point.
imeron 9y ago
What worked for me is using 'smart drugs' to help my mind in critical periods. I experienced with a couple of offerings, but weirdly 'Lion’s Mane' and 'Cordyceps' mushrooms were the best. Your mileage may vary.
bArray 9y ago
Disclaimer: Not a doctor or in any medical profession, my opinion is formed from just general articles and (probably false) points I have generally read. A few simple points I normally follow: * Food takes energy to digest. Don't eat a lot just before you need to think, have a small snack instead. In general, smart your day with a small amount of food. If you eat lots for one single meal, assume you will need time to recover. * Sugar brings you up fast, brings you down faster. If you do have sugar, caffeine seems to be good for keeping you up a while. Carbohydrates can also help keep you up for a while. * Caffeine is generally good, but make sure to decaffeinate to bring down your tolerance occasionally. * Protein seems to generally be good for brain growth and maintenance. * Fats in small quantities are apparently needed for neural connections, but those can be got in many forms. * Iron to prevent anemia (which a surprising number of people have). In general, stuff that is good for the rest of the body tends to be good for the mind.
- glastra 9y ago
  I'll reply to your points one by one: * Postpandrial crashes are insulin-blood sugar crashes. Just keep the glycemic load in check and you're good to go. * Carbohydrates can also make you crash hard afterwards. Unless you start snowballing them, but that's a horrible idea. * Effects similar to that of caffeine can be obtained without having to resort to psychoactive drugs. Meditation, for one, can have a tremendous effect on focus. * Brain growth? What is that? * Some fatty acids are essential for survival as we cannot synthesize them ourselves. Also, why small quantities? Dietary fat is generally by no means a bad thing. * Exactly. And I'd go further and add some electrolytes and other vitamins, too. Edit: I'm also not a doctor nor a medical professional and this is all based on opinion, papers I've read and personal experience.
  - bArray 9y ago
    Thanks for the reply, I'll reply to the points here: >* Postpandrial crashes are insulin-blood sugar crashes. Just keep the glycemic load in check and you're good to go. Not had much success with this, but not experimented with it too much either. What would be an example where you do this? >* Carbohydrates can also make you crash hard afterwards. Unless you start snowballing them, but that's a horrible idea. I had foods like pasta/rice and bananas in mind. I think some high carb foods do act as you say, but generally in small proportions they tend to be beneficial. I think you only get a hard crash (like sugar) when you have too much. >* Effects similar to that of caffeine can be obtained without having to resort to psychoactive drugs. Meditation, for one, can have a tremendous effect on focus. I found meditation completely ineffective, but I already have my own form of reducing stress and putting everything into perspective. Also, there have been plenty of studies done showing that caffeine in general has a net benefit. Other than people with existing heart issues, sensible consumption of caffeine tends to have a net benefit. >* Brain growth? What is that? I'm still relatively young and my reasoning is that I haven't stopped growing yet as far as I know, or at least my brain needs to replace this stuff when new connections are made. It's also generally good for every other part of your body. https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200301/brain-power-why-proteins-are-smart https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200301/brain-power-... http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/role-protein-brain-function-kids-4273.html http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/role-protein-brain-function-... >* Some fatty acids are essential for survival as we cannot synthesize them ourselves. Also, why small quantities? Dietary fat is generally by no means a bad thing. I agree, but I think it's easy to have too much in a diet. >* Exactly. And I'd go further and add some electrolytes and other vitamins, too. My assumption is that most people are eating enough mixture of foods to get this stuff anyway. If someone was running low on a vitamin, I think it's more beneficial to eat an associated food. Iron seems to generally be low for a lot of people from speaking to doctors, a lot of people are anemic and not even aware. Of course, eating green vegetables is a great way to get iron. >Edit: I'm also not a doctor nor a medical professional and this is all based on opinion, papers I've read and personal experience. Same.
PerfectElement 9y ago
Whole plants, mostly starchy complex carbohydrates and legumes.
dlwdlw 9y ago
In many primitive cultures certain chemicals were used. "modern" society has many subcultures that still continue to do so however. Eg https://qualiacomputing.com/2016/12/12/the-hyperbolic-geometry-of-dmt-experiences/amp/ https://qualiacomputing.com/2016/12/12/the-hyperbolic-geomet... Caffeine/tobacco are some modern less "powerful" ones.
bjourne 9y ago
Whipped cream. 2.5dl instead of lunch
- Tomminn 9y ago
  Is that.. decilitres?

40 points by zabana 9y ago

Smart food. Justkidding, but having enough protein and staying hydrated greatly increases my ability to stay focused.

In addition to whatever foods are most nutritious, how about what not to eat? Sugar and caffeine both have a rebound effect, that big (tasty) sandwich and resulting afternoon hangover, etc.

neilsimp1 9y ago

It's not something I eat regularly, but I have heard (probably posted on HN) that turmeric can help improve brain function/memory. http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/one-dose-kitchen-spice-improves-brain-function http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/one-dose-kitchen-spice-impr...

Jasonbe 9y ago

How do you avoid the mid afternoon slump? My afternoon are pretty much a write-off until the early evening. I have tried avoiding carbs and sugars for lunch and have a pretty good bowl of oats for breakfast. Ive just come to accept that its my Circadian rhythm and such plan my productive hours around the early mornings.

Jasonbe 9y ago
In addition, I take a b6 vitamin along with zinc and magnesium.
stevenkovar 9y ago
Improving insulin sensitivity will help. Also look into the benefits of apple cider vinegar.
- sidcool 9y ago
  What foods are good to improve insulin sensitivity?
  - bauer 9y ago
    Resistant starch. I take Hi-Maize mixed straight into a glass of water. https://www.selfhacked.com/blog/resistant2-resistant-starch-metabolism-autoimmunity-cancer-weight-loss-digestion/ https://www.selfhacked.com/blog/resistant2-resistant-starch-...
    - charleyramm 9y ago
      Does instant custard work? Or is it special corn starch?
- imeron 9y ago
  Don't eat pizzas or anything with too much carbs for lunch, never ever. If you did try eating half a teaspoon of cinnamon. (google cinnamon and sugar processing).
controversy187 9y ago
I switched to drinking tea instead of coffee, all day long. For the most part, I've noticed that I don't experience the afternoon slump as much. On the occasions that I do, a half cup of coffee usually overcomes it. I've also experimented with intermittent fasting, only eating between noon and 8pm. That also, for me, helped eliminate the slump.
clueless123 9y ago
Nothing beats a short nap after lunch to let the body (and mind) reset the system for a great afternoon. Many companies now days have special nap rooms, with mats and blankies. :)
- maroonblazer 9y ago
  I've taken to simply sitting with my eyes closed for ~10 minutes around 2-ish. It's a very pronounced feeling of shedding all the accumulated 'cruft' on my brain from the morning's work. I also plan less 'smart work' in the afternoon, so things like catching up on email or reading literature/learning.
hycaria 9y ago
Eat less for lunch.
- tonyedgecombe 9y ago
  Especially anything sugary.
joemaller1 9y ago
Oats are mostly starch, starch is how plants store sugar. A bowl of oats has a fairly high GI score.
sethammons 9y ago
For me, it used to be bad. Watery eyes, lack of focus, nodding off while staring at the screen. After I started morning exercise, I almost never get the afternoon doldrums, and if I do, it can be attributed to either poor sleep or poor diet. I feel solidly productive for the entire day now; though on lazy weekends, I'll take a solid long nap. For more context, at a minimum I do 3 days of CrossFit at a competitive gym (meaning it can be a bit more than what you would typically find for that kind of exercise programming), normally at 5:30am. Food typically starts off with overnight oats and/or eggs, bacon, spinach, cottage cheese, and the like. Lunch bounces around, but often includes salad and/or rice and some meat. Dinner is usually similar but of better quality compared to lunch. And I try to be asleep before 9pm. Snacking (or binging) on junk foods or lack of good sleep can sometimes bring afternoon slumps, but not very often. If those do hit, working from a different spot helps. Maybe standing instead of sitting, working from a couch instead of a desk, or working in the kitchen with coworkers milling around.

nwatson 9y ago

Costco recession special, ie, hotdog and soda with sauerkraut $1.50. Puts one in the happy place for afternoon coding. Even better if I bike to/from but the greenway isn't ready yet so it can get real muddy.

faitswulff 9y ago
Costco lost my business ever since they discontinued the (apparently Chicago area-only) $1.50 bratwursts. I know the hotdogs are technically probably as good a deal in terms of protein and calories, but they are a mere shadow of what once was...
- mynameishere 9y ago
  Well, you can get a whole package of bratwurst for maybe 3 dollars, so there's that.
  - faitswulff 9y ago
    ...then I'd have to actually buy a membership (you can get in to the cafe without one). So I guess they never really had my business :p
- phhlho 9y ago
  Always interesting to find 'local-only' chain things. For what it's worth, I think the brats are at the Milwaukee and Green Bay Costcos as well.

indescions_2018 9y ago

The bottomless bowl of Peanut M&Ms I keep within arms reach.

stevenkovar 9y ago

Your diet is only part of the equation. Diet, sleep, and exercise are needed in combination. The highest performers across many professions tend to sleep the most. Exercise helps make better use of the foods you are eating and produces the hormones you need to think clearly. As for supplements to help, examine.com has a bounty of information: https://examine.com/topics/Cognition/ https://examine.com/topics/Cognition/

thisisit 9y ago
> Diet, sleep, and exercise are needed in combination This cannot be stressed enough. I have started to sleep at least 7.5 hours each day. But most of the days it is proving to be difficult and I am able to complete only 6 hours. Still having a routine comfortable sleep has worked wonders for my mood and productivity.
- gtsteve 9y ago
  Perhaps this is well known but I discovered this only two weeks ago - you can buy yellow-tinted glasses to block blue light. I wear them for an hour or so before bed (which my partner mocks me for) but it really seems to help me get to sleep. I'm not sure if that's the placebo effect of course but it does seem to work.
  - drchickensalad 9y ago
    Every computer or phone I own has a screen display filter to rid those blues. Really helps reduce the artificial stimulation for me. Once you get used to it, turn it back on sometime temporarily. It's incredibly blinding.
- slig 9y ago
  For me, cutting coffee helped me to sleep better and be less anxious. If you have trouble sleeping, try going cold turkey on coffee. It will suck for a couple of days, but you'll feel better.
  - 9y ago

crstinin 9y ago

The original Budwig Protocol is great for the brain. It's simply quark cheese and flax seed oil. It's important to keep in mind the flax seed oil needs to as fresh as possible because it gets rancid very quickly. At best buy you own press, the seeds cost next to nothing and you'll have the best quality flax seed oil on demand. Works fantastic against acidosis.

bayesian_horse 9y ago

Make sure you are not diabetic. During diabetes and pre-diabetes blood sugar is higher than normal, even when fasting, more so when snacking. And high blood sugar does cause "brain fog". Fasting, done right, can also improve mental clarity.

O_H_E 9y ago

Colorful Salads and Fruits, will start paying off after 2 days or so. But don't eat until you are "really" full, stop 3 bites after you are not feeling hungry. I like -and it is proven to be more healthy- to always keep food with me, and not eat just 3 BIG meals, but many small ones Also Fasting in the the correct timing helps mental attention and clarity

lozzo 9y ago

dark chocolate (I recommend 85% cocoa or more)

joncrane 9y ago

I optimize for good stable long term mental function, not temporary boosts. It works for me. My overall philosophy, divided by macronutrient: * Lots of high quality protein (grass fed beef, free range chicken, tempeh, etc) * Minimize high GI (glycemic index, meaning it spikes blood sugar and insulin) carbs * Healthy fats (avocados, flax seed oil, etc) Raw almonds are a good example of 2 & 3 combined I'm not perfect but it takes a while to develop habits and I've gotten into a good habit.

eorge_g 9y ago

soylent

desarun 9y ago

Bourbon.

tonyedgecombe 9y ago
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bourbon_biscuit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bourbon_biscuit or https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bourbon_whiskey https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bourbon_whiskey ?
- desarun 9y ago
  The latter: https://xkcd.com/323/ https://xkcd.com/323/

everyone 9y ago

Human pineal gland extract.

zupa-hu 9y ago

I'm experimenting on this lately. Currently, I'm trying to eat lots of nuts, like 100g+/day. Seems more healthy than taking vitamin pills etc. I've put together a table comparing nutrition info on some nuts. I've also done blood tests and my mineral levels (iron, zink) did go up. I do feel more energetic when doing sports. Not sure about my brain yet. :D https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MT-TEMWooXMZ5u5CxMbiRjUYDIFi-HuofrQnyKuwx2k/edit?usp=sharing https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MT-TEMWooXMZ5u5CxMbi...

rm_-rf_slash 9y ago

I like to start the day with an enormous breakfast of proteins and fats with zero carbs that come from anywhere but green vegetables. Growing up with American public school lunches, I never really became a lunch person. I just let breakfast carry me to dinner. Avoiding grains and sugars allows my blood sugar (and thus insulin) levels to stay constant throughout the day. I’ve found that if I spike blood sugar with grains and sugars I tend to be generally unproductive after I eat, and barely productive at all when I get the inevitable sugar crash.

arthurofbabylon 9y ago

It’s most useful to think of all inputs (food, air, smells, visual and auditory information) the same way we think about food: they require digestion, they have a very practical impact, and the experience of consuming it is as or more important than what the thing actually is. Along these lines, I maximize my productivity by paying most attention to my digital consumption, and avoiding the toxic, addictive, digital foods. Staying off of threads like this one is really, really useful. It’s far more useful than my diet of fresh fish, nuts, and other fatty foods alongside vegetables, legumes, and whole grains that are in all honesty less important than the company I enjoy the meal with. The what is so much less important than the how.

glastra 9y ago

A ketogenic diet combined with intermittent fasting has put my brain into serious overdrive for the last 2 months. I also get better sleep and have much higher levels of energy (and constant throughout the day, too).

ElatedOwl 9y ago
Congrats on the lifestyle change! Were you overeating before? I've heard a lot of anecdotal stuff about keto and magical side effects, but I really wonder if it's effects are from losing weight/eating a better balanced diet. In my experience it's really easy to overeat with carbs. Sugar in particular gives me crazy cravings.
- glastra 9y ago
  No, I wasn't. This is part of a progression I started 2 years ago. I was a hardcore case of skinny-fat ever since I was a kid. In other words, my BMI has always been normal, although my body fat % was probably through the roof (small frame, no muscle at all, quite a bit of fat). First I started a "future food" liquid diet (Queal) together with running 5K 3 times a week. The change in diet (I was eating mostly precooked and fast-food) and the exercise worked pretty well. Then I switched to other future food providers, but I was finding it difficult to gain muscle while not gaining fat. As it turns out, it's all in the macros. Most Soylent-like products are catered towards sedentary people who come from very crappy diets, or who don't mind having a less-than-ideal diet for convenience. At one point I was already almost doing my own DIY powders (using one commercial brand as a base and adding my own fat and protein, to keep the carbs low). Then, after 3 or 4 months reading and researching the ketogenic diet, I decided to go all in and start my own DIY ketogenic powdered food diet. I enjoy tinkering with pretty much everything, so coming up with a proper formula and tweaking it was and still is an amazing experience for me. I encourage you to at least give keto a try. It's true that "whole food" keto is a bit hard, and it's also hard to keep track of all the micronutrients you need and where to get them. Either way, the benefits are incredible. Apologies for the lengthy response. Edit: Oh, sorry for not addressing one of your points. Actually, the amazing increase in brain function is felt quite early into the diet, when no weight loss (other than water encased in glycogen) has happened yet.

vinchuco 9y ago

short term: anything with glucose or caffeine long term: varied but balanced diet (diversified portfolio strategy), the body likely takes care of all the messy details Many others here mention sleep and exercise. Hydration should also be considered. I would strongly be in favor is someone suggested a causal link between quality of life and brain functioning. Just look at how long it takes you to die without {air, water, food, sleep, mobility, social interaction} and weigh their importance accordingly.

matte_black 9y ago

Brain Octane Oil by Bulletproof

carbocation 9y ago

Is there objective evidence published in the scientific literature to suggest that the foods you eat impact your problem solving skills on a day-to-day basis?

glastra 9y ago
A quick search yields this, for example: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1525505016300555 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S152550501...
- carbocation 9y ago
  That is in patients with refractory epilepsy, for which the ketogenic diet is a therapy.
  - glastra 9y ago
    And an improvement in productivity was a side-effect of said therapy. I fail to see your point.

imeron 9y ago

What worked for me is using 'smart drugs' to help my mind in critical periods. I experienced with a couple of offerings, but weirdly 'Lion’s Mane' and 'Cordyceps' mushrooms were the best. Your mileage may vary.

bArray 9y ago

Disclaimer: Not a doctor or in any medical profession, my opinion is formed from just general articles and (probably false) points I have generally read. A few simple points I normally follow: * Food takes energy to digest. Don't eat a lot just before you need to think, have a small snack instead. In general, smart your day with a small amount of food. If you eat lots for one single meal, assume you will need time to recover. * Sugar brings you up fast, brings you down faster. If you do have sugar, caffeine seems to be good for keeping you up a while. Carbohydrates can also help keep you up for a while. * Caffeine is generally good, but make sure to decaffeinate to bring down your tolerance occasionally. * Protein seems to generally be good for brain growth and maintenance. * Fats in small quantities are apparently needed for neural connections, but those can be got in many forms. * Iron to prevent anemia (which a surprising number of people have). In general, stuff that is good for the rest of the body tends to be good for the mind.

glastra 9y ago
I'll reply to your points one by one: * Postpandrial crashes are insulin-blood sugar crashes. Just keep the glycemic load in check and you're good to go. * Carbohydrates can also make you crash hard afterwards. Unless you start snowballing them, but that's a horrible idea. * Effects similar to that of caffeine can be obtained without having to resort to psychoactive drugs. Meditation, for one, can have a tremendous effect on focus. * Brain growth? What is that? * Some fatty acids are essential for survival as we cannot synthesize them ourselves. Also, why small quantities? Dietary fat is generally by no means a bad thing. * Exactly. And I'd go further and add some electrolytes and other vitamins, too. Edit: I'm also not a doctor nor a medical professional and this is all based on opinion, papers I've read and personal experience.
- bArray 9y ago
  Thanks for the reply, I'll reply to the points here: >* Postpandrial crashes are insulin-blood sugar crashes. Just keep the glycemic load in check and you're good to go. Not had much success with this, but not experimented with it too much either. What would be an example where you do this? >* Carbohydrates can also make you crash hard afterwards. Unless you start snowballing them, but that's a horrible idea. I had foods like pasta/rice and bananas in mind. I think some high carb foods do act as you say, but generally in small proportions they tend to be beneficial. I think you only get a hard crash (like sugar) when you have too much. >* Effects similar to that of caffeine can be obtained without having to resort to psychoactive drugs. Meditation, for one, can have a tremendous effect on focus. I found meditation completely ineffective, but I already have my own form of reducing stress and putting everything into perspective. Also, there have been plenty of studies done showing that caffeine in general has a net benefit. Other than people with existing heart issues, sensible consumption of caffeine tends to have a net benefit. >* Brain growth? What is that? I'm still relatively young and my reasoning is that I haven't stopped growing yet as far as I know, or at least my brain needs to replace this stuff when new connections are made. It's also generally good for every other part of your body. https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200301/brain-power-why-proteins-are-smart https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200301/brain-power-... http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/role-protein-brain-function-kids-4273.html http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/role-protein-brain-function-... >* Some fatty acids are essential for survival as we cannot synthesize them ourselves. Also, why small quantities? Dietary fat is generally by no means a bad thing. I agree, but I think it's easy to have too much in a diet. >* Exactly. And I'd go further and add some electrolytes and other vitamins, too. My assumption is that most people are eating enough mixture of foods to get this stuff anyway. If someone was running low on a vitamin, I think it's more beneficial to eat an associated food. Iron seems to generally be low for a lot of people from speaking to doctors, a lot of people are anemic and not even aware. Of course, eating green vegetables is a great way to get iron. >Edit: I'm also not a doctor nor a medical professional and this is all based on opinion, papers I've read and personal experience. Same.

PerfectElement 9y ago

Whole plants, mostly starchy complex carbohydrates and legumes.

dlwdlw 9y ago

In many primitive cultures certain chemicals were used. "modern" society has many subcultures that still continue to do so however. Eg https://qualiacomputing.com/2016/12/12/the-hyperbolic-geometry-of-dmt-experiences/amp/ https://qualiacomputing.com/2016/12/12/the-hyperbolic-geomet... Caffeine/tobacco are some modern less "powerful" ones.

bjourne 9y ago

Whipped cream. 2.5dl instead of lunch

Tomminn 9y ago
Is that.. decilitres?