All protocols
4,984 protocols across every category, most recommended first.
- ▶ 1ToolsMirror Box
Use a mirror box for phantom limb pain by placing the intact limb into the box so its reflection appears where the missing limb would be, then moving the intact limb while watching the reflection to visually remap the phantom limb into a comfortable position; described as providing immediate relief.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsLow-Level Walking Throughout the Day
Keep low-level walking in the day to keep the glial/glymphatic support systems chronically active, in addition to nighttime slow-wave sleep.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsThink About or Look at a Loved One During Pain
Looking at an image of, or thinking about, a person, pet, or thing one loves can reduce pain experience and increase pain threshold/tolerance.
- ▶ 1DietAvoid Turmeric
He personally avoids turmeric despite its anti-inflammatory properties, noting that acute inflammation can sometimes be beneficial. He also warns that some turmeric products may be contaminated with lead and says turmeric may antagonize dihydrotestosterone in men, potentially blunting affect and libido.
- ▶ 1ToolsHot Compress
Conventional heat source mentioned for injury recovery or wound healing contexts, though the quote emphasizes there is very little evidence that such conventional heat methods drive wound healing via heat shock proteins.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsMovement for Injuries
Keep movement after injury because movement itself can act as an analgesic and reduce pain, whereas icing may reduce pain while impairing tissue clearance.
- ▶ 1ToolsProtective Eyewear for Systemic Red Light Therapy
When doing systemic very bright red light therapy, wear eye protection in some cases; this caution does not apply to treatment of macular degeneration.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsRestrict Above and Below the Injury Then Release
In some cases, use restriction above and below the injury and then release it to increase perfusion through the site and potentially accelerate wound healing.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsAvoid Early Use of NSAIDs for Acute Injury
Anti-inflammatory drugs that reduce prostaglandins may not be ideal at the beginning of an injury because early inflammation can be beneficial. They may still be useful for limiting pain enough to maintain function.
- ▶ 1ToolsUse Corrective Lenses During Focus Practice
If you wear contacts or corrective lenses, keep them on during focus practice; do not remove them and use a blurry image.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsUse a Full Bladder to Increase Alertness
Having a very full bladder can increase alertness, but do not let it become so distracting that all you can think about is urinating.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsUse Self-Generated Optic Flow for Recovery After Learning
Recover from intense focused learning with motor activity involving self-generated optic flow, such as walking, running, or cycling. This can function as a form of non-sleep deep rest and recovery.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsSee a Clinician for Suspected ADD/ADHD
If you think you have ADD or ADHD, see a clinician.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsDo Not Try to Focus All Day
Do not try to maintain maximum focus all day long. High performers are not focused all day; instead they deliberately disengage between work bouts, for example by taking walks or bike rides.
- ▶ 1ToolsBright Light Board
A bright light/light board of about 900 lux used early when waking before sunrise to stimulate alertness.
- ▶ 1DietWater
Drink water first thing in the morning; also rehydrate later in the day, especially if exercising and eating.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsSilence During Learning When Overalert
If feeling too keyed up/highly alert, use silence and quiet for learning and focused linear work.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsBackground Noise During Learning When Low Arousal
If tired/low arousal, use some background chatter or noise to elevate alertness during learning.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsUse Eating to Calm Arousal
Use eating to shift toward calm/rest-and-digest when too alert.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsHydrate in the Late Afternoon
Make sure to hydrate in the late afternoon, especially if exercising and eating.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsAvoid Long Fasting or Keto Near Bedtime if Sleep Suffers
Do not stay ketogenic all the way through bedtime or do long fasting bouts if either makes it hard to fall asleep; he instead uses carbs later in the day when needed for sleep.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsUse Mundane Tasks During Pre-Bed Alertness Spike
When the natural alertness spike occurs about an hour before bedtime, use it for simple organizing/cleaning rather than worrying about insomnia.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsRead Under Low Light if Awake at Night
If awake in the middle of the night, read a book under low light before returning to sleep.
- ▶ 1ToolsMichael Seeley Sleep Scripts
Use Michael Seeley hypnosis/sleep scripts at night to turn off looping thinking in the middle of the night and fall back asleep.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsSlot 90-Minute Brain Optimization Sessions Into the Day
Schedule one or two or more ~90-minute focused sessions per day wherever possible, anchored to your biology.
- ▶ 1SupplementsAvoid Evening Primrose Oil
Use caution with evening primrose oil because it has estrogenic properties and may alter estrogen levels, including through skin contact; especially relevant around children or if trying to avoid promoting estrogenic pathways.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsAvoid Skin Contact After Testosterone Cream
If using testosterone replacement cream, avoid skin contact with others, especially children and anyone trying to avoid androgen exposure, because transdermal transfer can occur.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsAvoid Herbicides Containing Atrazine
Avoid exposure to atrazine-containing herbicides due to evidence of endocrine disruption and severe testicular malformations in animal studies, with concern about human reproductive effects as well.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsAvoid Fungicides Such as Vinclozolin
Avoid exposure to vinclozolin, described as an antiandrogenic fungicide that disrupts male genital development in animal studies.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsAvoid Alcohol During Pregnancy and Puberty
Avoid alcohol during pregnancy due to fetal alcohol syndrome and other cognitive and physical malformation risks. Also probably avoid alcohol during puberty because alcohol, especially beer and other grain alcohols, can increase estrogenic activity and disrupt hormonal development in both boys and girls.