4 ms·

Caffeine, up to a certain daily dose, is associated with long-term cognitive benefits and a reduced risk of dementia. This study hints that it specifically doe

Caffeine, up to a certain daily dose, is associated with long-term cognitive benefits and a reduced risk of dementia. This study hints that it specifically doesn't benefit gray matter volume during periods of sleep restriction, at least in the short term. I wonder if substances like Ashwagandha extract or Magnesium L-threonate could mitigate gray matter loss during short term sleep restriction among caffeine drinkers.

zemvpferreira 2y ago
It seems more straightforward to simply curb caffeine consumption during periods where you're sleeping poorly. Most people (myself included in the past) would drink more coffee when they sleep less. Grey matter aside, I think this is a very poor strategy. It will make next night's sleep even less effective. Better to drink less coffee, have a shitty day/week, and sleep more restoratively as soon as you can. Don't get in a doom loop voluntarily. Have caffeine only when you're feeling well rested.
azinman2 2y ago
Ashwagandha extract Can only be safely taken up to 3 months. It’s not a long term benefit. Magnesium affects your heart’s signaling, which can be problematic if too much. I’m curious why you asked about Ashwagandha ahd magnesium? They seem to be THE supplements du jour, which is a pretty weird concept. There is a lot of grift going on, and little recognition of the potential negative health impacts of both.
- hereme888 2y ago
  I asked specifically about Magnesium L-threonate due to its ability to increase synaptic connectivity (yet to be conclusively reported in humans) and hence gray matter, and Ashwagandha due to its neuroprotective, neurotransmitter-preserving, and cortisol-lowering effects. I take magnesium daily, including the regular dose of Magnesium L-threonate, and my last CMP showed serum levels within range. Maybe super large medical doses beyond even those used for eclampsia would affect heart conduction, or those who take way more than what supplement bottles recommend. I'm not sure what studies have conclusively shown Ashwagandha to be safe only up to 3 months. I get most of my herbal data from Examine.com (PhD academics that analyze data), where they say: "Some case reports have suggested adverse effects such as rash or thyroid dysregulation may occur with ashwagandha use, but the same has not yet been observed by safety studies with larger samples.[38][39][35] Several case reports have also raised concerns regarding the rare occurrence of liver toxicity with ashwagandha use, but similarly, toxicity has not been observed in clinical safety trials. In the reports, liver toxicity was usually reported within 2–12 weeks of ashwagandha use, and liver function returned to normal in all but one case following medical support and ashwagandha discontinuation.[40][41][42][43][44][45] An in vitro study suggested that withanone (one type of withanolide in ashwagandha), may have toxic effects in the context of low levels of the cellular antioxidant glutathione (GSH), which is involved in drug detoxification.[46] However, this research is far from conclusive and the mechanisms underlying this possible adverse effect are unclear."

zemvpferreira 2y ago

It seems more straightforward to simply curb caffeine consumption during periods where you're sleeping poorly. Most people (myself included in the past) would drink more coffee when they sleep less. Grey matter aside, I think this is a very poor strategy. It will make next night's sleep even less effective. Better to drink less coffee, have a shitty day/week, and sleep more restoratively as soon as you can. Don't get in a doom loop voluntarily. Have caffeine only when you're feeling well rested.

azinman2 2y ago

Ashwagandha extract Can only be safely taken up to 3 months. It’s not a long term benefit. Magnesium affects your heart’s signaling, which can be problematic if too much. I’m curious why you asked about Ashwagandha ahd magnesium? They seem to be THE supplements du jour, which is a pretty weird concept. There is a lot of grift going on, and little recognition of the potential negative health impacts of both.

hereme888 2y ago
I asked specifically about Magnesium L-threonate due to its ability to increase synaptic connectivity (yet to be conclusively reported in humans) and hence gray matter, and Ashwagandha due to its neuroprotective, neurotransmitter-preserving, and cortisol-lowering effects. I take magnesium daily, including the regular dose of Magnesium L-threonate, and my last CMP showed serum levels within range. Maybe super large medical doses beyond even those used for eclampsia would affect heart conduction, or those who take way more than what supplement bottles recommend. I'm not sure what studies have conclusively shown Ashwagandha to be safe only up to 3 months. I get most of my herbal data from Examine.com (PhD academics that analyze data), where they say: "Some case reports have suggested adverse effects such as rash or thyroid dysregulation may occur with ashwagandha use, but the same has not yet been observed by safety studies with larger samples.[38][39][35] Several case reports have also raised concerns regarding the rare occurrence of liver toxicity with ashwagandha use, but similarly, toxicity has not been observed in clinical safety trials. In the reports, liver toxicity was usually reported within 2–12 weeks of ashwagandha use, and liver function returned to normal in all but one case following medical support and ashwagandha discontinuation.[40][41][42][43][44][45] An in vitro study suggested that withanone (one type of withanolide in ashwagandha), may have toxic effects in the context of low levels of the cellular antioxidant glutathione (GSH), which is involved in drug detoxification.[46] However, this research is far from conclusive and the mechanisms underlying this possible adverse effect are unclear."