Episode
#83: The Maverick of Brain Optimization
1:55:36
Published: Mon Jun 22 2015
Description
"My lab is interested in pursuing how we can enhance cognition to improve quality of life." - Adam Gazzaley Dr. Adam Gazzaley (@adamgazz) obtained an M.D. and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, then postdoctoral training in cognitive neuroscience at UC Berkeley. He is now the director of the Gazzaley Lab at UC San Francisco, a cognitive neuroscience laboratory. His recent studies go far beyond mere description — he and his lab are exploring neuroplasticity and how we can optimize cognitive abilities, even in healthy adults. So, what happens when you combine cognitive-focused video games with neurofeedback, magnetic and electrical stimulation, and even performance-enhancing drugs? Well, that’s just one of many things we cover in this conversation. As someone with Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease on both sides of my family, I find Adam's work to be of incredible importance and promise. I hope this discussion blows your mind, in the best way possible. Enjoy! Show notes, links, and resources can be found at fourhourworkweek.com/podcast This podcast is brought to you by a new sponsor, LegalZoom. Matt Mullenweg (CEO of Automattic - now worth more than a billion dollars) first incorporated his company on LegalZoom. LegalZoom, which I've used myself, can help you with almost anything legal, including setting up a will, doing a proper trademark search, forming an LLC, setting up a non-profit, or finding simple cease-and-desist letter templates. LegalZoom is not a law firm, but they do have a network of independent attorneys available in most states. They can give you advice on the best way to get started, provide contract review, and otherwise help you run your business. Use the code "Tim" at checkout to get $10 off your next order. Take a gander at everything you can get for a fraction of what you'd expect -- LegalZoom.com This podcast is also brought to you by 99Designs, the world’s largest marketplace of graphic designers. Did you know I used 99Designs to rapid prototype the cover for The 4-Hour Body? Here are some of the impressive results. Click this link and get a free $99 upgrade. Give it a test run.. Thanks for listening!***For show notes and past guests, please visit tim.blog/podcast.Sign up for Tim’s email newsletter (“5-Bullet Friday”) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Visit tim.blog/sponsor and fill out the form.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss YouTube: youtube.com/timferrissPast guests on The Tim Ferriss Show include Jerry Seinfeld, Hugh Jackman, Dr. Jane Goodall, LeBron James, Kevin Hart, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jamie Foxx, Matthew McConaughey, Esther Perel, Elizabeth Gilbert, Terry Crews, Sia, Yuval Noah Harari, Malcolm Gladwell, Madeleine Albright, Cheryl Strayed, Jim Collins, Mary Karr, Maria Popova, Sam Harris, Michael Phelps, Bob Iger, Edward Norton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Neil Strauss, Ken Burns, Maria Sharapova, Marc Andreessen, Neil Gaiman, Neil de Grasse Tyson, Jocko Willink, Daniel Ek, Kelly Slater, Dr. Peter Attia, Seth Godin, Howard Marks, Dr. Brené Brown, Eric Schmidt, Michael Lewis, Joe Gebbia, Michael Pollan, Dr. Jordan Peterson, Vince Vaughn, Brian Koppelman, Ramit Sethi, Dax Shepard, Tony Robbins, Jim Dethmer, Dan Harris, Ray Dalio, Naval Ravikant, Vitalik Buterin, Elizabeth Lesser, Amanda Palmer, Katie Haun, Sir Richard Branson, Chuck Palahniuk, Arianna Huffington, Reid Hoffman, Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Rick Rubin, Dr. Vivek Murthy, Darren Aronofsky, and many more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Chapters
In this episode, Tim mentions his personal physical feat, they touch on the appropriateness of being animalistic, and introduce Tim's popular email newsletter, Five Bullet Friday.
00:00 - 01:07 (01:07)
Summary
In this episode, Tim mentions his personal physical feat, they touch on the appropriateness of being animalistic, and introduce Tim's popular email newsletter, Five Bullet Friday.
Episode#83: The Maverick of Brain Optimization
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Tim Ferriss interviews successful people to learn about their routines, habits, and tricks for success.
01:07 - 04:48 (03:41)
Summary
Tim Ferriss interviews successful people to learn about their routines, habits, and tricks for success. Listeners can learn more at tim.blog/Friday.
Episode#83: The Maverick of Brain Optimization
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Scientists and video game professionals can work together to build customized video games that target deficient processes in the brain, resulting in sustainable and meaningful changes in the brain.
04:48 - 11:10 (06:22)
Summary
Scientists and video game professionals can work together to build customized video games that target deficient processes in the brain, resulting in sustainable and meaningful changes in the brain.
Episode#83: The Maverick of Brain Optimization
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
A study showed that the multitasking ability of individuals who played a 3D game increased to the level of 20-year-olds after a month of training and was maintained for six months.
11:10 - 18:22 (07:11)
Summary
A study showed that the multitasking ability of individuals who played a 3D game increased to the level of 20-year-olds after a month of training and was maintained for six months. This highlights the possibility of engaging in different types of training to move the brain into a different state with different abilities.
Episode#83: The Maverick of Brain Optimization
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
A scientist shares their experience of pursuing a risky study that involved developing a video game to improve the cognitive abilities of older adults.
18:22 - 25:03 (06:40)
Summary
A scientist shares their experience of pursuing a risky study that involved developing a video game to improve the cognitive abilities of older adults. They emphasize the importance of challenging oneself and taking on risky research projects to make a difference in the world.
Episode#83: The Maverick of Brain Optimization
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
A conversation about using scientific research methodology to understand and develop approaches to enhance the aging brain and validate their efficacy.
25:03 - 29:57 (04:54)
Summary
A conversation about using scientific research methodology to understand and develop approaches to enhance the aging brain and validate their efficacy.
Episode#83: The Maverick of Brain Optimization
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
In this podcast, the speaker talks about how people can volunteer or intern to get to know what the laboratory does and to find approaches to change the system effectively, whether it is a physical or biological system.
29:57 - 36:40 (06:43)
Summary
In this podcast, the speaker talks about how people can volunteer or intern to get to know what the laboratory does and to find approaches to change the system effectively, whether it is a physical or biological system.
Episode#83: The Maverick of Brain Optimization
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
A study published in 2002 showed that young people who play violent video games, specifically first person shooter games, have superior cognitive abilities compared to those who do not.
36:40 - 46:23 (09:43)
Summary
A study published in 2002 showed that young people who play violent video games, specifically first person shooter games, have superior cognitive abilities compared to those who do not. It is important for science and video game professionals to have open communication and balance in media coverage.
Episode#83: The Maverick of Brain Optimization
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The guest talks about how science fiction was a significant influence on their life and research.
46:23 - 51:18 (04:54)
Summary
The guest talks about how science fiction was a significant influence on their life and research. They mention the Foundation series by Isaac Asimov and The Reality Dysfunction by Peter Hamilton as some of their favorite books.
Episode#83: The Maverick of Brain Optimization
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
This episode features a scientist who is a guest and talks about treating oneself as a research participant, though not in a formal study setting.
51:18 - 56:18 (05:00)
Summary
This episode features a scientist who is a guest and talks about treating oneself as a research participant, though not in a formal study setting. The episode also tackles the rigorous methodology that scientists follow in conducting experiments.
Episode#83: The Maverick of Brain Optimization
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
A game design team has created a 3D game that challenges cognitive demands, working memory, selective attention, and task-switching, with benefits on cognitive control and the ability to understand changes in the brain.
56:18 - 1:03:41 (07:23)
Summary
A game design team has created a 3D game that challenges cognitive demands, working memory, selective attention, and task-switching, with benefits on cognitive control and the ability to understand changes in the brain. The game adapts as the player improves, scaling the challenge according to their cognitive abilities.
Episode#83: The Maverick of Brain Optimization
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The rhythmic nature of our brain and biology can be improved through participating in fun rhythm games like rock band and guitar hero, leading to improvements in cognition and brain function.
1:03:41 - 1:11:22 (07:40)
Summary
The rhythmic nature of our brain and biology can be improved through participating in fun rhythm games like rock band and guitar hero, leading to improvements in cognition and brain function. Studies are being done to create placebo controls and validate these findings.
Episode#83: The Maverick of Brain Optimization
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The CEO of Resolve to Save Lives, Dr. Tom Frieden, talks about how his love for nature photography has helped him decompress, find beauty in the world, and connect with others.
1:11:22 - 1:16:40 (05:18)
Summary
The CEO of Resolve to Save Lives, Dr. Tom Frieden, talks about how his love for nature photography has helped him decompress, find beauty in the world, and connect with others.
Episode#83: The Maverick of Brain Optimization
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The ability to create a realistic, immersive experience in a setting that would otherwise not be accessible to that type of experience gives us the potential to heighten the human experience in many ways, and could be used to improve how our brains work.
1:16:40 - 1:38:41 (22:00)
Summary
The ability to create a realistic, immersive experience in a setting that would otherwise not be accessible to that type of experience gives us the potential to heighten the human experience in many ways, and could be used to improve how our brains work. Additionally, virtual reality could provide therapeutic release and a type of relaxation that serves a valuable role, allowing people to let their minds wander and connect on a human level without any particular agenda.
Episode#83: The Maverick of Brain Optimization
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The future of neurofeedback involves learning how to control your own brain rhythms by interacting with them in their place of origin through the use of a technology called an EG cap.
1:38:41 - 1:43:59 (05:18)
Summary
The future of neurofeedback involves learning how to control your own brain rhythms by interacting with them in their place of origin through the use of a technology called an EG cap. There is also a theory that hallucinogens deactivate filters that typically block out external noise, allowing you to experience signals you wouldn't typically perceive.
Episode#83: The Maverick of Brain Optimization
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Applying low electrical fields through the scalp and playing video games can selectively activate networks in the brain to improve cognitive abilities, with potential implications for cognitive enhancement research.
1:43:59 - 1:52:48 (08:48)
Summary
Applying low electrical fields through the scalp and playing video games can selectively activate networks in the brain to improve cognitive abilities, with potential implications for cognitive enhancement research.
Episode#83: The Maverick of Brain Optimization
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
A game designer discusses the challenges of funding research for innovative projects and how their nonprofit organization goes beyond traditional scientific funding sources to support their work.
1:52:48 - 1:55:30 (02:42)
Summary
A game designer discusses the challenges of funding research for innovative projects and how their nonprofit organization goes beyond traditional scientific funding sources to support their work.