Cognitive Athletes

Enhancing brain function with nootropics and augmentation in Silicon Valley

We live in an overstimulated world with information overload which demands continuous use of our brains leading to mental fatigue and difficulties with attention. Many people are looking for ways to enhance their cognitive abilities through technology and lifestyle and more so in Silicon Valley which idealises productivity culture.

I’ve been interested in neuro-tech for a while and how we can not only help optimise our brain function but also help remove some of our cognitive load. I’ve played with devices such as the muse head band which aids meditation through brain wave detection and have also been looking at other devices such as foci and Apollo neuroscience.

When I came in the Top 10 student nationally in the UK for Computer Science at 16 but chose to study medicine, I didn't imagine that in 10 years time we would be talking about the convergence of human physiology and AI.

Elon Musk has a grand vision with Neuralink using implanted brain chips which won’t only help cure many neurological problems but conceptualises a symbiosis with technology with the human brain to enhance human performance and ability such as memory and motor function. We have already been enhanced with the uses of smart phones in our lives which store information and help us retrieve information at an increasing rate. I am excited on how these experiences will become more seamless through devices such as the rumoured Apple glasses as well as innovation in the hearable space. On Clubhouse I have been part of many of these futuristic discussions and particularly enjoyed the talk by Bethanie Maples who is part of the embodied AI design team at Google AI and also part of the human centred AI group at Stanford. In this discussion she talked about personal assistants becoming more ‘emotional’ or ‘personalised’ in their responses with possibility of humans developing attachments to these devices.

Nootropics are becoming increasingly in popular to enhance brain function by being used by many tech entrepreneurs, I promised a few young entrepreneurs that I would recommend a few.

Caffeine is a stimulant that most of us use to enhance brain function and despite individualised responses to caffeine when used in the right quantities to mitigate any side effects and by blocking adenosine receptors helps us feel more attentive, alert and energetic.

Nootropics may enhance cognitive function particularly executive functions- memory, creativity, attention, concentration and motivation.

Here are some other less known nootropics that may work-

Bacopa Monnieri - Said to increase ‘working memory’ - must take for a minimum of 1 month for effects.

Huperzine A- inhibits the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine- which has the net effect of having the learning/memory neurotransmitter in synapses for longer and therefore increased memory.

Choline- Choline is the building block for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine which regulates learning and memory.

Rhadiola Rosea- May sustain brain chemicals norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine by modulation of an enzyme. Can improve mood and concentration.

Blueberries- 125 grams (minimum effect dose of anthocyanin for memory improvement)

20-40 g of 85 % Dark chocolate- (cocoa flavanols improve visual acuity)

I look forward to learning more about the human brain and testing the merging technology in the ever growing area of neurotech.