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- entangled weekly 3
entangled weekly 3
Matěj Coufal
February 26, 2024
Welcome to the third issue of entangled weekly, a science-packed newsletter that helps his readers use science-based tools to improve their life.
I am happy to announce we have achieved the 5 followers milestone, and I want to say i appreciate every single one of you people! If you have any questions you think I might have the answer to, do not hesitate and message me - you can find all my contact info above.
In this issue we will look at ways of manipulating your brains frequency the most popular drug and its effect on adenosine receptors and much more!
Table of Contents
Frequency of our brain
Everything has a frequency - including your brain.
The thoughts are running back and forth your neurons with a rhythm. And this rhythm can be measured by EEG.
What we already know?
Scientists differentiate between 5 frequencies of your brainwaves - alpha, beta, gama, theta and delta. Each of the frequencies are prevalent in one of many brain states. Have a look at the table
Frequency band | Frequency | Brain state |
|---|---|---|
Gamma | > 35 Hz | Concentration, focus, flow |
Beta | 12 - 35 Hz | External attention, relaxation |
Alpha | 8 - 12 Hz | Passive attention, relaxation |
Theta | 4 - 8 Hz | High relaxation, invard focus |
Delta | 0.5 - 4 Hz | Sleep |
What does it mean?
Well, that is simple - by measuring the brain you can make a pretty good guess at the state the brain(and therefore the person) is currently in.
Can it be hacked?
Sure! You can persuade your brain into some of the brain states by simply showing him the frequency you would like to attain.
For example, you can achieve focus by making your brain frequency close to gamma.
How do you show it? Well, you can go different ways around this:
You can mindfully change your brainwaves to state of different focus with the help of meditation. This takes practice and time.
You can listen to binaural beats - look at the box below to find out what it is. This is my go-to method as it is very accessible and easy to do - just put on your headphones and start working. The focus will come.
You can manipulate the frequency by altering the magnetic field in your brain - this sounds crazy, but we already use this as a treatment. This is called transcranial magnetic stimulation.
Binaural beats are a form of auditory illusion perceived when two different pure-tone sine waves, both with frequencies lower than 1500 Hz, with less than a 40 Hz difference between them, are presented to a listener in stereo, meaning one through each ear.
For example, if the left ear receives a 300 Hz tone and the right ear a 310 Hz tone, the brain will process and perceive a 10 Hz beat, which is the mathematical difference between the two frequencies.
This effect is thought to originate in the superior olivary complex of the brainstem, where brain wave patterns can synchronize to the perceived rhythm.
This phenomenon is used in music and sound therapy for various purposes, including relaxation, meditation, stress reduction, focus enhancement, and promoting sleep.
The theory is that by tuning into certain frequencies, one can induce desired brainwave states, such as those associated with deep relaxation or heightened focus.
WTF?
Your brain has organelles that are magentic. They are called magnetosomes.
Caffeine, alternatives and synergies
Caffeine is worlds most consumed drug.
The popularity is understandable - coffee is a great drink enhancing mood, alertness and mitigating the need of sleep.
We identify it as a central nervous system stimulant, it can be found in coffee, tea, chocolate and, of course, energy drinks.
How it works?
It works by blocking the action of a neurotransmitter called adenosine, which is involved in regulating sleep and wakefulness.
When we consume caffeine, it binds to adenosine receptors in the brain, preventing adenosine from binding and exerting its effects. This leads to an increase in the activity of other neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine, which can improve alertness, focus, and overall cognitive function.
Adenosine is a byproduct of normal brain cells activity - as it piles up, it makes us feel more and more sleepy.
Synergies
Caffeine works great with L-Theanine, an amino acid found in tea. This combination is reported to improve cognitive performance, particularly attention and working memory, while reducing the jitteriness and anxiety often associated with caffeine intake.
The L-Theanine seems to moderate the stimulant's side effects, producing a more balanced and sustained alertness.
Alternatives to caffeine
Methylxanthines: Theobromine, found in chocolate, and theophylline, found in tea, are methylxanthines like caffeine. They offer milder stimulant effects compared to caffeine and are being explored for their potential benefits in enhancing mood and cognitive performance with fewer side effects.
Adaptogens: Substances like Rhodiola Rosea and Ginseng are considered adaptogens, known for their ability to improve stress resistance. They have been studied for their effects on enhancing mental performance, reducing fatigue, and improving mood without the crash associated with stimulants like caffeine.
Nootropics: Nootropics, or "smart drugs," like Piracetam, are researched for their cognitive-enhancing effects. These substances are believed to improve memory, creativity, and motivation in healthy individuals.
Weekly experiment
I am trying to get my VO2max to better levels, and here is my plan for my next seven days:
3 runs at my MAF HR (what is it?) - this is 145 bpm for me
3 HIIT for at least 20 minutes
Daily minimum of 10k steps
Currently my VO2max is sitting at very low - 28 , according to fantastic runalyze.com, where i analyze my activity from strava.com.
I will tell you how it went next week!
Worth your focus
What caught my attention last week?
this TED talk by James Williams talking about attention economy and how to make it yours - check out the book also!
Everything Lewis O’Brien does is work of art that you can learn from. If you like mental models and thinking about thinking - give that man a follow.
For all the tech enthusiasts: check out this video of Neovim setup, with signature calm and informative aesthetics of devaslife
Tech pick
The Logitech MX Vertical Mouse is the best addition to my workspace setup - its comfortable, has great design and i can switch between 3 computers easily.
