Brain Food: Nutrition for Mental Performance

Everything that makes you uniquely human comes from the brain, and the brain is held up by neurotransmitters. Without neurotransmitters, the brain couldn't function. This week, Casey gives you a quick rundown on what neurotransmitters are, as well as how to keep them in balance. Specifically, he discusses the perils of chronic stress and elevated adrenaline, and several key strategies to manage both. Give it a listen if you are overworked and constantly stressed!

If you enjoy this series and have found any value from it, please share it with a friend. My goal is to cut through the crap and spread some credible nutrition information! And if you have any other feedback, or would just like to say 'Hello', my email is caseythomasrd@gmail.com. I read everything you guys send me!

Modern humans have access to all sorts of stimuli that can artificially elevate dopamine levels beyond those seen naturally. This leads to downregulation of natural dopamine production, and a loss of motivation for things that SHOULD motivate you. In this episode, Casey walks through 8 tips to help you recalibrate your system to help normalize your dopamine levels.

If you enjoy this series and have found any value from it, please share it with a friend. My goal is to cut through the crap and spread some credible nutrition information! And if you have any other feedback, or would just like to say 'Hello', my email is caseythomasrd@gmail.com. I read everything you guys send me!

In this episode, Casey reviews Bacopa Monnieri - a compound that has been used for thousands of years to help with cognitive function and health. Despite its history, there are very few well-controlled research trials investigating its usefulness. Casey looks at the only trial done in healthy adults that investigated Bacopa's use as a memory enhancer. Give it a listen, the results may surprise you!

If you enjoy this series and have found any value from it, please share it with a friend. My goal is to cut through the crap and spread some credible nutrition information! And if you have any other feedback, or would just like to say 'Hello', my email is caseythomasrd@gmail.com. I read everything you guys send me!

Another listener wrote in asking Casey to review choline supplementation. There are many bold claims made regarding choline, and we have broken up the answer into two parts. In part 1 (last week), Casey reviewed the most popular claim - that choline supplementation can enhance your memory. In part 2 (this episode), Casey reviews whether choline supplementation can enhance fine motor control - a more rare claim, but particularly relevant to the typical purchaser. You will be surprised by the results!

If you enjoy this series and have found any value from it, please share it with a friend. My goal is to cut through the crap and spread some credible nutrition information! And if you have any other feedback, or would just like to say 'Hello', my email is caseythomasrd@gmail.com. I read everything you guys send me!

Another listener wrote in asking Casey to review choline supplementation. There are many bold claims made regarding choline, and we have broken up the answer into two parts. In part 1 (this episode), Casey reviews the most popular claim - that choline supplementation can enhance your memory. In part 2 (released next week), Casey reviews whether choline supplementation can enhance fine motor control - a more rare claim, but particularly relevant to the typical purchaser. You will be surprised by the results!

If you enjoy this series and have found any value from it, please share it with a friend. My goal is to cut through the crap and spread some credible nutrition information! And if you have any other feedback, or would just like to say 'Hello', my email is caseythomasrd@gmail.com. I read everything you guys send me!

Ever wonder what the best way to undergo ANY diet is? This week, Casey reviews two different dietary strategies - flexible vs. rigid dieting. There are merits to both, but only one will get you the lasting results that you want. Don't start dieting until you give this week a listen.

If you enjoy this series and have found any value from it, please share it with a friend. My goal is to cut through the crap and spread some credible nutrition information! And if you have any other feedback, or would just like to say 'Hello', my email is caseythomasrd@gmail.com. I read everything you guys send me!

With a return to more 'normal' holidays coming up, Casey wanted to provide you with some practical strategies so that you can get the most out of the experience WITHOUT it setting you back. Admittedly, this is not a strict episode on nutrition for mental performance, but it will be practically useful for anyone surrounded by tempting and dangerous foods. Give it a listen if you want some effective tips!

If you enjoy this series and have found any value from it, please share it with a friend. My goal is to cut through the crap and spread some credible nutrition information! And if you have any other feedback, or would just like to say 'Hello', my email is caseythomasrd@gmail.com. I read everything you guys send me!

Another listener wrote in asking for Casey to weigh in on the juice cleanse trend. Juice cleanses make all sorts of claims - that it will help you feel better, look better, think better, and shed weight like crazy. This week, Casey tells you what the science actually says regarding juice cleanses. Hint: We have very little data. Give this episode a listen if you're curious about the trend!

If you enjoy this series and have found any value from it, please share it with a friend. My goal is to cut through the crap and spread some credible nutrition information! And if you have any other feedback, or would just like to say 'Hello', my email is caseythomasrd@gmail.com. I read everything you guys send me!

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This week, Casey talks about two big strategies that nutrition researchers use to scam people. These scams plague the field and contribute to the misinformation and lack of credibility that nutrition research has. If you want to learn how to protect yourself and become a more savvy consumer, give this week's episode a listen!

If you enjoy this series and have found any value from it, please share it with a friend. My goal is to cut through the crap and spread some credible nutrition information! And if you have any other feedback, or would just like to say 'Hello', my email is caseythomasrd@gmail.com. I read everything you guys send me!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We've highlighted the role of the gut-brain axis in previous episodes. This week, Casey looks at probiotic supplementation and the impact it has on both the mood state and cognitive performance. The results suggest that even single strains of bacteria can have a significant effect on our brain. Check out this week's podcast to learn what strain!

If you enjoy this series and have found any value from it, please share it with a friend. My goal is to cut through the crap and spread some credible nutrition information! And if you have any other feedback, or would just like to say 'Hello', my email is caseythomasrd@gmail.com. I read everything you guys send me!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Beta-alanine has proven efficacy at enhancing high intensity physical performance, but are there any data supporting its use for cognitive performance? This week, Casey reviews a fun study investigating the use of beta-alanine on various physical and cognitive metrics in otherwise healthy individuals. The results were modest, but still interesting - give it a listen if you're curious!

If you enjoy this series and have found any value from it, please share it with a friend. My goal is to cut through the crap and spread some credible nutrition information! And if you have any other feedback, or would just like to say 'Hello', my email is caseythomasrd@gmail.com. I read everything you guys send me!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, Casey answers another listener question: Is L-carnitine an effective nootropic? Or is it a waste of money? Casey goes over the current state of the evidence regarding L-carnitine's use in otherwise healthy individuals. Give it a listen if you are curious! The answer may surprise you.

If you enjoy this series and have found any value from it, please share it with a friend. My goal is to cut through the crap and spread some credible nutrition information! And if you have any other feedback, or would just like to say 'Hello', my email is caseythomasrd@gmail.com. I read everything you guys send me!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, Casey reviews the nootropic Alpha Brain from Onnit. A listener wrote in asking for Casey's opinion. Give this week a listen if you want a no-BS answer based on two research trials that examined the effects of Alpha Brain directly. The results will surprise you!

If you enjoy this series and have found any value from it, please share it with a friend. My goal is to cut through the crap and spread some credible nutrition information! And if you have any other feedback, or would just like to say 'Hello', my email is caseythomasrd@gmail.com. I read everything you guys send me!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There's something everyone KNOWS they need to be eating, but they just don't do it. We even know how good they are for preventing things like death and disease. However, there's not been convincing data on how it helps us in the short-term. What are the immediate benefits, if any, to cognitive performance? Give this week a listen if you want to hear what I'm talking about!

If you enjoy this series and have found any value from it, please share it with a friend. My goal is to cut through the crap and spread some credible nutrition information! And if you have any other feedback, or would just like to say 'Hello', my email is caseythomasrd@gmail.com. I read everything you guys send me!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Much of this podcast has focused on reviewing positive foods and strategies to enhance brain performance. This week, Casey takes a different spin on it and looks at a particularly detrimental food item that will DIRECTLY compromise your brain's ability to function at it's highest capacity. Don't eat another meal until you give this a listen!

If you enjoy this series and have found any value from it, please share it with a friend. My goal is to cut through the crap and spread some credible nutrition information! And if you have any other feedback, or would just like to say 'Hello', my email is caseythomasrd@gmail.com. I read everything you guys send me!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, Casey answers another listener question, "Does eating chocolate help brain performance?" Chocolate has traditionally been regarded as a treat, but marketers have been doing a good job making claims that darker chocolates and natural cocoa may have several health benefits. Is there anything truth to it? More importantly, will it help with brain performance? Give this week a listen if you're curious!

If you enjoy this series and have found any value from it, please share it with a friend. My goal is to cut through the crap and spread some credible nutrition information! And if you have any other feedback, or would just like to say 'Hello', my email is caseythomasrd@gmail.com. I read everything you guys send me!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The gut microbiome is a hot topic these days. Unfortunately, most of the data coming out comes from marketing firms trying to sell you probiotic and prebiotic supplements. What the science says is quite different. This week, Casey continues the topic by giving you practical strategies to alter your gut microbiome for the better (yes, we talk about probiotics and prebiotics here!).

If you enjoy this series and have found any value from it, please share it with a friend. My goal is to cut through the crap and spread some credible nutrition information! And if you have any other feedback, or would just like to say 'Hello', my email is caseythomasrd@gmail.com. I read everything you guys send me!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The gut microbiome is a hot topic these days. Unfortunately, most of the data coming out comes from marketing firms trying to sell you probiotic and prebiotic supplements. What the science says is quite different. This week, Casey introduces the topic of the gut microbiome by telling you what it is and why you should care about it for mental performance.

If you enjoy this series and have found any value from it, please share it with a friend. My goal is to cut through the crap and spread some credible nutrition information! And if you have any other feedback, or would just like to say 'Hello', my email is caseythomasrd@gmail.com. I read everything you guys send me!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Much of nutrition has nothing to do with nutrition science and everything to do with psychology. It's not enough to tell people to eat broccoli every day. You need to figure out not only what to do, but how to do it in a way that sticks. We want habits. This week, Casey reviews a proven strategy for rewiring the brain to support the habits you want.

If you enjoy this series and have found any value from it, please share it with a friend. My goal is to cut through the crap and spread some credible nutrition information! And if you have any other feedback, or would just like to say 'Hello', my email is caseythomasrd@gmail.com. I read everything you guys send me!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

No matter what you're going for, you want to build good habits. You want your cognitive enhancing efforts to become effortless. You want it to be a part of your life, and not a chore. This week, Casey talks about the 4 stages of habit formation and how you can start working to "break" bad habits. Check it out if you're looking for results that LAST!

If you enjoy this series and have found any value from it, please share it with a friend. My goal is to cut through the crap and spread some credible nutrition information! And if you have any other feedback, or would just like to say 'Hello', my email is caseythomasrd@gmail.com. I read everything you guys send me!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.