Smart Drug Smarts

Jesse has a freewheeling discussion with John Danaher about "moral enhancement" technologies - old and new. They talk about emerging technologies, ethics and the notion that the mind extends much beyond our body and brain. The post #076: The Ethics of Moral Enhancement appeared first on Smart Drug Smarts.

Creatine has long been known as a supplement-of-choice for athletes and weightlifters... but what cognitive benefits might Creatine provide? The post #075: Creatine: Brains and Brawn? appeared first on Smart Drug Smarts.

Round 2 of the “Know Your Neurotransmitters” series, featuring Professor John Salamone of the University of Connecticut, talking about that most popular neurotransmitter: Dopamine. The post #074: Know Your Neurotransmitters: Dopamine appeared first on Smart Drug Smarts.

Jesse is joined by Dr. Andrew Pipingas and Professor David Crewther for a conversation about fish oil and its effects on neural efficiency, introducing the idea that "smart brains work less hard." The post #073: Fish Oil: A Cognitive Lubricant? appeared first on Smart Drug Smarts.

We're joined by QEEG Diplomat and founder of Brain Science International Jay Gunkelman to talk Electroencephalography. The post #072: EEG: Lessons From A Half-Million Brains appeared first on Smart Drug Smarts.

Professor Andrew Scholey takes us through the history and effects of adaptogen, and powerful cognitive and mood enhancer Lemon Balm. The post #071: Lemon Balm: 2300 Years of “Joy and Mirth” appeared first on Smart Drug Smarts.

For the very first in our "Know Your Neurotransmitters" series, Jesse is joined by Dr. Matthew Broome to talk about the neurotransmitter GABA. Dr. Broome explains how GABA works, where it comes from, and how it affects our brains and bodies. The post #070: Know Your Neurotransmitters: GABA appeared first on Smart Drug Smarts.

We welcome back Dr Sunderji to speak to us about Ritalin – the benefits, the risks, and the importance of careful diagnosis and responsible dosing. The post #069: Ritalin: On and Off-Label appeared first on Smart Drug Smarts.

Jesse conducts his first tDCS experiment, and is joined by tDCS veteran Chris Zobrist to discuss best practices, mechanisms of action, and results. The post #068: Electrified Brains (Experimentation in tDCS) appeared first on Smart Drug Smarts.

Dr. Kenneth Ford gives a fresh take on the principles behind the Turing Test, and artificial intelligence, and the hurdles that stand in the way of quicker advancement in the field. The post #067: Going Beyond The Turing Test appeared first on Smart Drug Smarts.

Dr. Longo shares with us his research on the beneficial effects of fasting on everything from our immune responses to our lifespans, and addresses some points of curiosity that arose over the course of our calorie-free week. The post #066: Starvation And Its Benefits appeared first on Smart Drug Smarts.

Professor Trevor Robbins, co-inventor of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) – a computer-based cognitive assessment system – explains its use for both neurodegenerative disease detection and cognitive enhancement efficacy and safety. The post #065: CANTAB: Quantified Cognition appeared first on Smart Drug Smarts.

For our Valentine's Day special edition, Dr. Peters explains the basics of what makes male brains male and female brains female. The post #064: Male vs. Female Brains appeared first on Smart Drug Smarts.

IARPA's Dr. Adam Russell introduces us to the SHARP Program, which aims to uncover the most effective methods to optimize adaptive reasoning and problem-solving in high-performing adults working in cognitively-demanding environments. The post #063: IARPA – Tax Dollars, Sci-Fi Goals, And Your Brain appeared first on Smart Drug Smarts.

We hear from Dr. Belinda Pletzer about how oral contraception, or "The Pill", may be altering women's brain structures. The post #062: Brain Changes From “The Pill”? appeared first on Smart Drug Smarts.

We hear from Kyle Boyar, researcher at SC Laboratories, a quality assurance and safety testing facility for medical marijuana. Kyle takes us through some lesser-known facts about marijuana, its use as treatment for a variety of ailments, and its effect on memory and mood. The post #061: In Defense of Marijuana? appeared first on Smart Drug Smarts.

Dr. Alexis Shields, naturopathic doctor and blood chemistry specialist, explains how blood chemistry analysis can be used to monitor and improve overall health, and how the insights we gain can help us maintain optimal neurotransmitter levels and boost cognition. The post #060: Blood Work with Dr. Alexis Shields appeared first on Smart Drug Smarts.

Dr. Deirdre Barrett shares with us the ins and outs of lucid dreaming – what it is, how to achieve it, and how we can use it as a cognitive tool. The post #059: Lucid Dreaming with Dr. Deirdre Barrett appeared first on Smart Drug Smarts.

Dr. David Bellinger explains how neurotoxins in our environment affect our development and tells us how we can best protect our, and our children's, brains. The post #058: Neurotoxins: Villains of the Brain appeared first on Smart Drug Smarts.

Dr. Patricia Gerbarg introduces us to Rhodiola rosea, an herbal supplement used to increase stamina, decrease mental fatigue, and combat stress. The post #057: Rhodiola rosea: “Santa’s Stimulant” appeared first on Smart Drug Smarts.