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Ask HN: What lifestyle choices have led to improved cognitive function/memory?

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Re: Ask HN: What lifestyle choices have led to improved cognitive function/memory?

#31

Post by dharma1 »

ChaitanyaSai wrote: post #29
eurasiantiger wrote: post #18

Completely removing all alcohol, coffee and tobacco consumption from my life. I still consume caffeine and nicotine. I’ve found that my cognition is improved by them; in the case of nicotine, I might just as well have regular pauses from work, though. Coffee and tobacco, however, contain a host of other psychoactives which tend to bring about an easily distracted, impulsive frame of mind. So many impulse buys are con…

What's a good easy way to get caffeine without coffee?

I like green tea (powered matcha has more caffeine than regular green tea), I guess you also have things like mate and energy drinks

Re: Ask HN: What lifestyle choices have led to improved cognitive function/memory?

#32

Post by eurasiantiger »

jstarfish wrote: post #28
eurasiantiger wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do note that these mental effects of powerlifting/strength training are mediated by the concommittant increase in circulating endogenous opioid peptides. These people are effectively using and getting dependent on opioids. While it may seem healthy at first, the cravings for more lifting can increase until one cannot control themselves any more, leading to constant overtraining, muscle/skeletal injuries, and eventual…

That's an interesting extrapolation, but you do realize exercise itself releases the same endorphins as opiates? Sure, you do go through a form of withdrawal once you stop doing it, but it has nothing to do with opioid abuse. Same thing makes fast food "addictive" (unnatural levels of salt and fat), caffeine, and capsaicin (peppers).

That is exactly what I was saying. Those ”endorphines”, i.e. endogenous morphines, are opioid molecules and have opioid effects in the human body, including addiction, dependency and withdrawal.

Some do anything for a fix.

Many vehemently deny this and that they like getting high from it.

Interesting that you would compare ”unnatural” food ingredients to the exercise high.

Re: Ask HN: What lifestyle choices have led to improved cognitive function/memory?

#33

Post by eurasiantiger »

ramblerman wrote: post #27
eurasiantiger wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do note that these mental effects of powerlifting/strength training are mediated by the concommittant increase in circulating endogenous opioid peptides. These people are effectively using and getting dependent on opioids. While it may seem healthy at first, the cravings for more lifting can increase until one cannot control themselves any more, leading to constant overtraining, muscle/skeletal injuries, and eventual…

You could have just said you don’t feel like working out

But then I would have been lying.

Re: Ask HN: What lifestyle choices have led to improved cognitive function/memory?

#34

Post by bergenty »

eurasiantiger wrote: post #32
jstarfish wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's an interesting extrapolation, but you do realize exercise itself releases the same endorphins as opiates? Sure, you do go through a form of withdrawal once you stop doing it, but it has nothing to do with opioid abuse. Same thing makes fast food "addictive" (unnatural levels of salt and fat), caffeine, and capsaicin (peppers).

That is exactly what I was saying. Those ”endorphines”, i.e. endogenous morphines, are opioid molecules and have opioid effects in the human body, including addiction, dependency and withdrawal . Some do anything for a fix. Many vehemently deny this and that they like getting high from it. Interesting that you would compare ”unnatural” food ingredients to the exercise high.

Getting addicted to exercise? Sounds fantastic.

Re: Ask HN: What lifestyle choices have led to improved cognitive function/memory?

#35

Post by bergenty »

clintonwoo wrote: post #4

Quitting my job did wonders for me. After years of hard working it takes it's toll on the mind. This may or may not be an advisable plan though Sleep is incredibly important also. Earplugs and a face mask help with sleep in disrupting conditions.

Does quitting your job improve cognition though?

Anecdotally I think so. Stress and anxiety are the worst things you can do to your mind so I’m always better at conversations on my frequent sabbaticals.

Re: Ask HN: What lifestyle choices have led to improved cognitive function/memory?

#36

Post by bergenty »

eurasiantiger wrote: post #18

Completely removing all alcohol, coffee and tobacco consumption from my life. I still consume caffeine and nicotine. I’ve found that my cognition is improved by them; in the case of nicotine, I might just as well have regular pauses from work, though. Coffee and tobacco, however, contain a host of other psychoactives which tend to bring about an easily distracted, impulsive frame of mind. So many impulse buys are con…

Alcohol for sure but I need something to look forward to at the end of the day. I exercise, have a great family and lots of hobbies I enjoy but it’s not enough of a release.

Re: Ask HN: What lifestyle choices have led to improved cognitive function/memory?

#37

Post by p0d »

I'm 50 now and deliver cloud training. The discipline of passing one or two more difficult tech certifications a year gets my brain pumping. It's surprising what information the brain can store. When studying intensely I do 45 minutes study, 15 minutes rest. I have also observed anecdotally that information gets consolidated in your brain overnight.

Finally, I have also observed some people have exceptional memories, like my wife. She is just wired better than me in this regard. My stance is to look after what you got, not worry about comparison too much.

Re: Ask HN: What lifestyle choices have led to improved cognitive function/memory?

#38

Post by Borrible »

Since you are not these people you think to have a better memory than you, shouldn't you first try to figure out why you should have the same memory as you think "some" people have, and then what the reasons might be that you don't?

By the way, how do you know that these others have a better memory? Anecdotes and subjective impressions?

Apart from that, there is nothing better for an otherwise mentally and physically healthy person than moderate sleep, moderate exercise and a balanced diet.

Disclaimer: If your memory has suddenly deteriorated, you'd better talk to a doctor. In combination with other symptoms, this can be an indication of mental and physical illness.

Oh, and never ever just take for granted what some stranger writes on some random newsboard.

Re: Ask HN: What lifestyle choices have led to improved cognitive function/memory?

#39

Post by blargey »

eurasiantiger wrote: post #21
arieswar wrote: post #9

Exercise, specifically following powerlifting programs. It makes me tired so I can sleep without stressing over what I need to accomplish work during the next day. It also makes me crave healthier food. It's a feedback loop, and it makes me sharper mentally. If I skip 1-2 days, I immediately notice the negative effects by the end of the week: cloudy thoughts, less motivation, etc. Powerlifting also gives me goals to…

Do note that these mental effects of powerlifting/strength training are mediated by the concommittant increase in circulating endogenous opioid peptides. These people are effectively using and getting dependent on opioids. While it may seem healthy at first, the cravings for more lifting can increase until one cannot control themselves any more, leading to constant overtraining, muscle/skeletal injuries, and eventual…

So how much endorphins are released by intense exercise, and how much are introduced by opioid abuse?

Re: Ask HN: What lifestyle choices have led to improved cognitive function/memory?

#40

Post by nano9 »

Stopping alcohol and stimulant use almost entirely. The way I see it, psychoactive substances induce different modalities of thinking. The fewer modalities we have, the better preserved are our memories.

Unfortunately, I am an obligate coffee drinker. I find that need it to keep pace with work, so I am not running optimally under my own framework, but it's a locally bound sacrifice I make. To try to keep "modalities" stable, I just drink much less and only at a specific hour in the morning, and with food to slightly decrease uptake. It's a work in progress, but it has helped tremendously, specifically with memory.

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