Nicotine/Cannabis/Keto Bread? A collection of questions.

[McGido]

Hey Everyone!

I joined the forum not too long ago, and I am really enjoying it. There are literally so many wonderful people on here and it really seems like everyone is so open minded but yet there is a cohesiveness on this forum to keep improving our understanding.

Anyways,

I am always trying to refrain from making too many off topic posts so I've put this together, a smorgasbord of questions and things I've been thinking about. Most are pretty open ended questions, a couple are specific to me. Not expecting answers for all of them but just a few things I've been thinking about, feel free to join in if you have any thoughts ...

1. How do you better tune your subjective feeling of well being? I've changed many lifestyle aspects and have started to "feel better"... but I'm always second guessing myself. Since states of being are so fluid, how do you become more aware of exactly how you are feeling. Meditation? Sense of this just gets better as you feel better? This is sort of abstract but curious if anyone ponders this.

2. Cannabis - Is this taboo for E4's? I know any form of smoking it is a no go but what about edible, vaporizing etc? Same question about psilocybin. Just curious if there is anything I should be made aware of or if the research just isn't out there yet.

3. Meditation - There doesn't seem to be much on this, but my intuition is this might be of more help then we think. It seems clearing the mind regularly and having that permeate into your moment to moment experience could be very important. How many of you put an emphasis on attempting this practice?

4. Keto Bread - almond flour, cream of tartar, 6 eggs, baking soda, salt... this seems to be fine for us 4's? Haven't made yet but would be nice to have something similar to bread so I can make some sort of sandwiches for camping etc.

5. Rain noises while sleeping - I always have rain noises/white noise while going to bed and set them to turn off after 4 hours. I know sleep is super important, so curious if this could maybe limit me from going into a deeper sleep. Doubt there is much info on this but figured I'd ask and see!

6. I'm 31, about 5'9 and 135-140lbs, how important is for me to put on some weight/muscle? I typically eat one meal a day or eat within a 3-4 hour time frame but sometime have bulletproof coffee in the morning.

7. How often do you worry about your cognitive state? - I'm in the 98th percentile for my age group on lumosity and if I have an off day with some of the games I can start to associate that with a mental decline and the associate that with my 4/4... haha, I know this is an over reaction but curious how you become more lenient on mental goofs. I suppose the tough thing is "normal" or "optimal" cognitive function is quite subjective.

8. Nicotine - I've never smoked but I used a nictorette quickmist for nicotine. I've read mixed things on it and I know it can be addictive. Any thoughts are appreciated.

9. Video games - Curious if this could actually be beneficial for the brain in moderation. Some of the games I play require quite a lot of concentration, motor skill, strategy etc... Despite the bad stigma and potential abuse, it seems like certain games must encourage some new brain connections to be formed? Or am I just grasping at straws

10. Soccer - I still play mens competitive soccer. Now that I've acknowledged some of the risks of 4/4.. I'm curious if I should continue playing. There isn't a ton of head trauma, but heading the ball, and some tackles can be rough. I guess this is play at your own risk?

Any responses are appreciated. Thanks

[Stavia]

great questions!
1. hmm, never thought of this. I just kinda take life as it comes. Need to meditate more
2. I don't know anything negative about cannabis for e4s. Smoking anything is not good for the lungs, so mebbe brownies rather? Never looked at other hallucinogens
3. yes!!! we should talk about it more. I use Headspace. I believe its one of the foundation stones of strategies.
4. sounds fab. Recipe please?
5. I fall asleep listening to Beethoven piano sonatas very softly quite often. Waldstein is my favourite. Cant be harmful IMO. I find it a kind of mindfulness, just focusing on the music. Used to use rain/sea/forest but Beethoven is better IMO
6. Wouldn't worry about trying to bulk up. I find it rather amusing that women want to be smaller and men bigger.... myself included. Sigh. Social conventions.
7. Less than before actually. Sometimes when I'm tired I worry that I'm getting AD but then I talk sternly to myself and tell myself not to be ridiculous, AD in e4s is LATE onset.
8. don't know anything sorry
9. I think they are great actually!! Used to play a lot of World of Warcraft at end game raiding level for some years during my head injury recovery. I believe it helped me tremendously, co-ordinating, sequencing, multitasking, visual scanning, attention plus the social aspect. Played many other games with my sons and their mates over the years. I got really addicted and had to retire so there is a negative aspect. But IMO if it doesn't interfere with sleep or socialising, I am very supportive. I believe the detractors do not understand the level of skill required for high level gaming. What do you play? I bet its Overwatch...
10. Very low risk of serious head injury, enjoy!!

[Sara]

Hello fellow lumosity gamer! Congratulations on your high ranking! I think meditation is very important for so many reasons but it does help me minimize anxiety and keep my calm. There are many methods and everyone has to find what works for them. I am a proponent of HeartMath which gives a little beep when my thoughts stray towards stressful thing or stated another way... no beeps when I stay in the zone.

[Julie G]

3. Meditation - There doesn't seem to be much on this, but my intuition is this might be of more help then we think. It seems clearing the mind regularly and having that permeate into your moment to moment experience could be very important. How many of you put an emphasis on attempting this practice?

Welcome, McGido! I agree with you on this one and am planning to take a deep dive. I've recently signed up for the Ziva Online course and am very excited about this. The introductory lecture alone has dramatically inspired me; the universe connecting me with what I need? You can see it by following this link. I agree that this one intervention, given our pro-inflammatory gene, could be HUGE.

[rrmolo]

Dr. Depak Chopra many years ago taught that meditation was good for the brain. I don't let a day start without it. It's very spiritual for me and serves to connect me with my Spirit. It is part of my purpose for getting up in the morning.

[TheresaB]

2. Cannabis - Is this taboo for E4's? I know any form of smoking it is a no go but what about edible, vaporizing etc?

Short answer is, from what I’ve read, we really don’t know.

Now for a long answer, which basically has the same conclusion, but with a bit more detail:

1. We’ve somewhat discussed this subject, more a discussion of cannabinoids vs cannabis, but you may want to read through this thread: Cannabinoids remove plaque forming Alzheimer’s proteins from brain cells https://www.apoe4.info/forums/viewtopic ... nnabinoids. I recommend you read through it.

2. In Aug 2016, Dr Dale Bredesen was asked about marijuana during the ApoE4 dinner Q&A session after his presentation at the Ancestral Health Symposium presentation. The quality of the recording isn’t very good, but, if interested, here’s a link to that Q&A session https://www.apoe4.info/forums/viewtopic ... ium#p28887

During this Q&A session he said that the cannabinoid receptor, if stimulated, does have an interesting ameliorative effect at reducing amyloid.

Dr Bredesen did say there’s no evidence against it, but couldn't recommend it either.

He did cite an example of a patient, a doctor, ApoE4/4, amyloid positive, PET positive, with hippocampal volume atrophy, who he had a big problem sleeping. A good night sleep is very important. This patient found that a little bit of medical marijuana, helped him sleep and his function the next day was not impaired. But that was 2016, I don’t know what his situation is now, and I’m sure as a Bredesen patient, he was doing far more than just a bit of medical marijuana to aid his sleep.

3. Lastly, I refer to an interview with Dr Nasha Winters. She is a naturopathic oncologist, neurological issues are not her specialty, but in this interview https://paleovalley.com/podcast/ep89-th ... ha-winters she did discuss issues of interest.

At approx. the 38 minute point, she starts to talk about the endocannabinoid system, the CB1 receptor (for THC) and the CB2 receptor (for CBD/Hemp based) and how depending on the circumstances they can both be helpful. She’s opened minded about usage of both for treatment, but not without cautions.

At about the 40:20 minute mark she talks about how we’ve bred plants to be super THC dominant (the psychoactive ingredient of marijuana, not how nature intended it) and how it’s not a good idea to over ingest THC.

She said the endocannabinoid system is intimately related to our immune function (important to ApoE4s)

At about 47:25 she says THC dissolves the blood brain barrier, whereas CBD heals the blood brain barrier. She says those who abuse THC are abusing their brains and their neurological system, that she’s not a fan of those who go for the high, that it will have its repercussions over time. On the other hand she cites that high doses of CBD for those with traumatic brain injury, brain cancer or post concussion have unbelievable (her emphasis) in healing the neurological function, the blood brain barrier, and the protective aspects. In the interview she said if you’re trying to do anything to support your brain including dementia, Alzheimers, neurological diseases, CBD is where you want to go, not so much THC.

She talked about being excited for the greater availability medical marijuana, but at the same time she is also sad that it is going down the same path of big business mono-crops. We are overbreeding the plants, adding pesticides, adding chemicals to maximize their growth, etc. and then ingesting them and putting them into pretty delicate systems. There’s no organic certification in this country.

Lastly she says don’t smoke ever and cautions that edibles are mostly sugar bombs. (ApoE4s need to keep insulin sensitivity!)

[McGido]

1. hmm, never thought of this. I just kinda take life as it comes. Need to meditate more

Me too...

3. yes!!! we should talk about it more. I use Headspace. I believe its one of the foundation stones of strategies.

I've used headspace as well. But I'm more trying to do quiet meditation as I have gone deeper that way. I sometimes find myself anticipating the soothing voice to come back on and "guide" me... haha. Not sure if you've tried, but I've used a sensory deprivation tank a number of times. Been thinking about utilizing that more regularly. I might make a separate post about it

4. sounds fab. Recipe please?

https://www.ketoconnect.net/recipe/best-keto-bread/

5. I fall asleep listening to Beethoven piano sonatas very softly quite often. Waldstein is my favourite. Cant be harmful IMO. I find it a kind of mindfulness, just focusing on the music. Used to use rain/sea/forest but Beethoven is better IMO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3G4NKzmfC-Q <-- One of my favourite classical compositions.. I actually found this from a movie that you may like. "It's such a beautiful day" ... be warned it's a cartoon, very dark, morose but profound in it's message IMO!

6. Wouldn't worry about trying to bulk up. I find it rather amusing that women want to be smaller and men bigger.... myself included. Sigh. Social conventions.

I've skimmed a lot over the past of 60 days in terms of cognitive decline. Saw a few articles suggesting that putting on some muscle mass with the correct lifts is neuro protective and losing muscle mass could be detrimental for cognitive performance. Keep in mind im paraphrasing something that I should probably look into more but I've been down a rabbit hole somedays reading so please forgive me

7. Less than before actually. Sometimes when I'm tired I worry that I'm getting AD but then I talk sternly to myself and tell myself not to be ridiculous, AD in e4s is LATE onset.

It's funny how the mind works.

9. I think they are great actually!! Used to play a lot of World of Warcraft at end game raiding level for some years during my head injury recovery. I believe it helped me tremendously, co-ordinating, sequencing, multitasking, visual scanning, attention plus the social aspect. Played many other games with my sons and their mates over the years. I got really addicted and had to retire so there is a negative aspect. But IMO if it doesn't interfere with sleep or socialising, I am very supportive. I believe the detractors do not understand the level of skill required for high level gaming. What do you play? I bet its Overwatch...

I dabbled in overwatch but main game is actually rocket league haha... But the thing that's kept me coming back is the motor coordination required at higher levels. Very high skill curve that keeps you coming back for more! I've been a gamer life long so play other things as well

10. Very low risk of serious head injury, enjoy!!

Good to hear... not something I would have considered before. I'm glad growing up I only played soccer, basketball, volleyball and baseball. Can only imagine if I was into rugby/football and found out I was 4/4 .

[McGido]

At about 47:25 she says THC dissolves the blood brain barrier, whereas CBD heals the blood brain barrier. She says those who abuse THC are abusing their brains and their neurological system, that she’s not a fan of those who go for the high, that it will have its repercussions over time. On the other hand she cites that high doses of CBD for those with traumatic brain injury, brain cancer or post concussion have unbelievable (her emphasis) in healing the neurological function, the blood brain barrier, and the protective aspects. In the interview she said if you’re trying to do anything to support your brain including dementia, Alzheimers, neurological diseases, CBD is where you want to go, not so much THC.

She talked about being excited for the greater availability medical marijuana, but at the same time she is also sad that it is going down the same path of big business mono-crops. We are overbreeding the plants, adding pesticides, adding chemicals to maximize their growth, etc. and then ingesting them and putting them into pretty delicate systems. There’s no organic certification in this country.

Lastly she says don’t smoke ever and cautions that edibles are mostly sugar bombs. (ApoE4s need to keep insulin sensitivity!)

I've read a fair bit on CBD. I try not to latch on or dismiss anything too quickly. I feel like half my friend group won't stop talking about how CBD cures cancer etc... lots of things like this make people go fanatical sometimes. Especially the younger generation . However, it's so encouraging that there is some good research coming out on it. I take a CBD sublingual semi-frequently. Only use the THC side of the plant occasionally

Will have a listen to that interview, very interested in this area of study! Thank you

[McGido]

Welcome, McGido! I agree with you on this one and am planning to take a deep dive. I've recently signed up for the Ziva Online course and am very excited about this. The introductory lecture alone has dramatically inspired me; the universe connecting me with what I need? You can see it by following this link. I agree that this one intervention, given our pro-inflammatory gene, could be HUGE.

I'll have a look! I have been contemplating doing a silent retreat of some sort. Maybe spend 3-5 days somewhere remote with no electronics and by myself. Feels extreme but I feel connecting back with just "being" is important beyond just e4 prevention. Truly something I think society at large is lacking right now

[McGido]

Hello fellow lumosity gamer! Congratulations on your high ranking! I think meditation is very important for so many reasons but it does help me minimize anxiety and keep my calm. There are many methods and everyone has to find what works for them. I am a proponent of HeartMath which gives a little beep when my thoughts stray towards stressful thing or stated another way... no beeps when I stay in the zone.

I've used heartmath a bit in the past! Just something I need to stay consistent with

I've played lumosity for sometime, my favourite games are word bubbles and train of thought. Train of Thought has to be one of the best attention games I've ever played. I'm stuck on level 12 though