Collective Insights Blog

Brain Energy: Why We Need to Rethink Popular Views of Mental Disorders - An Interview With Dr. Chris Palmer

Brain Energy: Why We Need to Rethink Popular Views of Mental Disorders - An Interview With Dr. Chris Palmer

What follows is a transcript from our discussion with Dr. Chris Palmer on the neuroscience linking mental disorders to a metabolic disorder of the brain, shedding new light on how our brains function and the potential for innovative, whole systems treatments for mental disorders.

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Healing Autoimmune Diseases With Functional Medicine - An Interview With Dr. Terry Wahls

Healing Autoimmune Diseases With Functional Medicine - An Interview With Dr. Terry Wahls

Dr. Terry Wahls shares her personal experience healing an autoimmune disease by changing her diet, incorporating supplements, and adding mindfulness practices into her routine.

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Beautiful Skin From the Inside Out: A Whole Systems Approach to Skin Care - An Interview With Dr. Molly Maloof

Beautiful Skin From the Inside Out: A Whole Systems Approach to Skin Care - An Interview With Dr. Molly Maloof

Chances are that soft, supple, skin that feels good and looks healthy (not to mention, radiant) is on your health optimization radar. But to achieve that you must start from the inside out. Dr. Molly Maloof and Dr. Mark Tager help us do just that.

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Hormesis: 3 Science-Backed Ways to Train Your Stress Response

Hormesis: 3 Science-Backed Ways to Train Your Stress Response

Our bodies and brain thrive on short-term acute “stress” exposure by ramping up growth and repair. Here are three science-backed ways to increase resilience with hormesis.

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Why Algae is a Powerful Longevity and Detox Hack - A Q+A With the Founder of ENERGYbits

Why Algae is a Powerful Longevity and Detox Hack - A Q+A With the Founder of ENERGYbits

As Neurohackers, longevity, in relation to both lifespan and healthspan, is a topic of great interest to us. Scientific understanding in these areas is advancing rapidly as are studies linking algae to longevity.

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How Metabolism Supports Immunity

How Metabolism Supports Immunity

Immunometabolism is the crosstalk between metabolic and immunological processes. Mitochondria, the cellular structures that generate cell energy, are key elements in the crosstalk between metabolic and immune signaling pathways. 

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What Is Oxidative Phosphorylation?

What Is Oxidative Phosphorylation?

Oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) is the major pathway of ATP production. ATP is the energy-rich molecule that powers cellular processes that require energy input. OXPHOS occurs in mitochondria and uses energy extracted in the metabolism of cellular fuels, particularly in glycolysis, fatty acid oxidation, and the citric acid cycle, to power the production of ATP.

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Biohacking for Longevity: Interview with Dave Asprey

Biohacking for Longevity: Interview with Dave Asprey

We invited the biohacking pioneer, Dave Asprey, to talk about the science backed practices to age better and live longer. He shares with us his favorite biohacks to improve your gut bacteria, your heart rate variability, your mitochondrial function and more. There is not just 1 thing that causes aging, but 7 functions that contribute to the aging process.

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The Science of Longevity: An Interview with Valter Longo, Ph.D.

The Science of Longevity: An Interview with Valter Longo, Ph.D.

There is so much advice on longevity and aging that it can be hard to sort through all of the information. In this podcast transcript we dive into the science-backed approaches for living a longer and healthier life. Valter Longo, Ph.D., has thirty years of experience in longevity and healthy eating, and is one of the world’s experts in the field.

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Mitohormesis: How Mitochondria Protect Themselves from Oxidative Stress

Mitohormesis: How Mitochondria Protect Themselves from Oxidative Stress

In this article, we’re going to learn about mitohormesis, the activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as signaling molecules, and how and why ROS can be both beneficial and harmful. We will also discuss what leads to excessive ROS production and accumulation, how this associates with aging, and where antioxidants fit into the equation. Lastly, we’ll discuss nutritional strategies that can support the antioxidant defenses cells and mitochondria use to protect themselves against excessive ROS.

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What is Mitochondrial Biogenesis? Benefits & Effects

What is Mitochondrial Biogenesis? Benefits & Effects

Similar to many other cellular processes, the creation of new mitochondria (a process called mitochondrial biogenesis), and the interacting pathways that influence it, suffers with aging. This is the bad news. The good news is that there are things we can do to better support maintaining a fitter mitochondrial network.

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What is CD38? An Exploration of NAD+ Consumption Uses and Functions of CD38

What is CD38? An Exploration of NAD+ Consumption Uses and Functions of CD38

In this article, we’re going to introduce an indirect way of supporting NAD+. Rather than making more, this article will be teaching you about using less. Using less requires downregulating a protein called cluster of differentiation 38 (CD38 for short). When CD38 is not as active, less NAD+ is used by it. The result is higher NAD+ levels and greater NAD+ availability for important healthy aging uses.

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NAD+ Consumption Uses: An Overview

NAD+ Consumption Uses: An Overview

The NAD+ form of the molecule is required for certain cellular signaling reactions that change the way cells behave. Unlike redox, where the molecule is conserved, the NAD+ molecule is broken apart or “consumed” when used for signaling. It’s these NAD+ consumption uses that have been a main reason for the resurgence of scientific interest in strategies to boost NAD+.

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Benefits of Gynostemma pentaphyllum Whole Herb Extract

Benefits of Gynostemma pentaphyllum Whole Herb Extract

Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Southern Ginseng) is an herb attributed with having ginseng status. Until fairly recently Gynostemma pentaphyllum was used primarily in mountainous regions of southern China and northern Vietnam. It’s been described as the "immortality herb,” because people within Guizhou Province, where herbal teas made from the plant are consumed regularly, are said to have a history of unusual longevity. 

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Sophorae japonica L. Flower Extract: Sources and Benefits

Sophorae japonica L. Flower Extract: Sources and Benefits

Rutin is a type of polyphenol called a flavonoid glycoside. It’s composed of quercetin and the disaccharide rutinose. It’s also called rutoside, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside and sophorin. While it’s found in a wide variety of plants, including citrus, foods with the highest concentrations of rutin include capers, black olives, buckwheat, and asparagus. The most common use of rutin has been for supporting healthy veins. But it does much more.

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Theobroma cacao Seed Extract: Sources And Benefits

Theobroma cacao Seed Extract: Sources And Benefits

Theobroma cacao can be translated as chocolate, food of the gods. This tree is native to the tropical regions of the Americas. The beans are the source of the cocoa used to make chocolate. But this extract is more than simply a pleasure for our tastebuds. Over the past decade chocolate has had a blossoming reputation as being heart healthy. As it turns out, it might also be good for our mitochondrial structure and function.

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Ashwagandha: Sources and Benefits

Ashwagandha: Sources and Benefits

Ashwagandha is an Ayurvedic herb often referred to as “Indian ginseng.” Within this system of it was classified as a general tonic and strength promoting. Its uses included infusing energy and vigor in circumstances characterized by exhaustion or a lack of physical energy. 

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Mitochondria: Exploring 5 Lifestyle Habits to Benefit Cell Health

Mitochondria: Exploring 5 Lifestyle Habits to Benefit Cell Health

Any way we can boost mitochondria helps us to increase the longevity of our cells and support energy production. In this article, we explore lifestyle habits that improve mitochondrial health and support healthy aging.

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Mitochondria Health: An Exploration of Temperature and Light Therapy

Mitochondria Health: An Exploration of Temperature and Light Therapy

Any way we can boost mitochondria helps us to increase the longevity of our cells and support energy production. Here we explore temperature and light therapy to improve mitochondrial health and support healthy aging.

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Anti-Aging Benefits of Intermittent Fasting

Anti-Aging Benefits of Intermittent Fasting

In Silicon Valley, the hub of anti-aging research and funding, countless entrepreneurs and high-profile celebrities use fasting to combat the effects of aging. In Anti-Aging Benefits of Fasting, we will explore the mechanisms that create these fasting benefits. This part is more scientific than the others, but we emphasize only crucial components in an easily digestible format.

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