8 Natural Practices With Better Effects Than Man-Made Drugs on the Brain

Drugs alter the neurochemicals, so why shouldn’t we change them with healthy lifestyle habits effectively and sustainably

Friends, colleagues, and loved ones often teased me about whether I was on drugs when I experienced euphoria in dull moments and stayed calm and composed amidst crises. They got used to this unusual behavior.

I managed altered states of mind responsibly and sustainably without using man-made drugs, as I never had an interest in recreational drugs and never tried them. But, I used medication to treat some of my health conditions in my younger years, which caused undesirable side effects.

Apart from prescribed medications and legal substances like caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and sugar, I have no first-hand experience with the effects of recreational drugs on the brain.

Yet, as part of my cognitive science studies, I researched their effects on the brain and gained valuable insights from the literature, observations, and anecdotes. The more I read, the further I stayed away from man-made, especially glorified, recreational drugs.

I like the effects of naturally occurring drugs on the brain. When I say “better effects” in the title of this story, I don’t mean potency. Instead, I mean with no side effects, no health risks, and sustainability.

Some people enjoy man-made drugs, but no one enjoys the side effects and unbearable withdrawal symptoms. They were my main reasons for never trying recreational drugs and politely rejecting drug-related parties or social occasions.

Besides, many drugs have been controversial, unhealthy, deadly, unethical, and illegal for valid reasons. They adversely and noticeably affect brain chemistry, mind, and behavior.

Fortunately, drugs for medicinal purposes are well-controlled by governments and healthcare organizations. Therefore their abuse and misuse are relatively lower than those from illegal drug markets.

Like plants, the human body creates amazing drugs (biochemicals) serving different purposes, affecting the brain as emotions and behaviors. They can be activated with thoughts, emotions, and behavioral changes.

Man-made drugs have pronounced effects on the brain. Some stimulate, some relax, some energize, some generate strong emotions, some change perception, mood, and behavior, and some cause serious toxicity.

Drugs can have positive and negative effects depending their ingredients and doses. However, drug-like biochemicals naturally created by the body might produce similar effects without causing harm, side effects, or withdrawal symptoms unless they raise deltafosb.

I developed natural drug-like impacts through healthy lifestyle habits, making effects as sound as man-made drugs. My approach is methodical and experimental to benefit promising effects.

For example, when my beta-hydroxybutyrate levels exceed three nanomoles per liter during long-term fasting, I experience more energy, euphoria, and contentment with myself and my surroundings.

This natural physiological and psychological response can be more profound and durable than the effects of artificial molecules.

My brave, curious, experimental, methodical, and diligent approach satisfied my needs and made me feel younger and happier as I got older.

They might not apply to everyone, but I believe there are many viable options that you might try and customize for your needs.

My hypothesis in this post is that as man-made drugs work by altering the biochemicals in the brain, it is possible to alter them with healthy lifestyle habits which can be as effective and more sustainable.

A High-Level Overview of Man-Made Drug Effects

Throughout history, humans extracted drugs from plants. Evolutionary theories claim that plants create these chemical substances to protect themselves from intruders like insects and animals, as they can’t move.

In the modern age, scientists developed synthetic drugs in labs. They are designed to mimic natural substances' effects and produce new effects.

They are more potent than their natural counterparts, making them highly addictive and potentially harmful if not used properly.

Synthetic drugs are used for various purposes, such as treating medical conditions, enhancing athletic performance, and recreationally.

Some synthetic drugs, such as synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones, are marketed as legal alternatives to illegal drugs. However, their effects might be risky and unpredictable.

Synthetic cannabinoids bind to cannabinoid receptors in the brain, leading to altered perception and mood. Synthetic cathinones act on the dopamine and serotonin pathways, leading to euphoria and augmented sociability.

They can be highly addictive and cause serious health problems like seizures, psychosis, and death.

Drugs are classified under different categories in the pharmacology literature, like stimulants, hallucinogens, painkillers, enhancers, etc. I want to touch on a few's effects on the brain briefly.

Stimulants can increase the levels of dopamine by blocking its reuptake or increasing its release. This leads to more alertness, energy, and euphoria.

Excessive use of stimulants can lead to addiction, changes in brain structure, and long-term behavioral and cognitive impairments.

Hallucinogens bind to serotonin receptors in the brain, leading to altered perception, mood, and cognition. They can cause profound experiences, leading to changes in personality, spirituality, and mental health.

Some psychedelics include “dissociative drugs,” which can cause detachment from one’s body and surroundings. Empathogens can increase empathy and sociability. They might cause unpredictable and potentially dangerous effects, like hallucinations and paranoia.

Painkillers act on the brain’s pain pathways to reduce pain perception. Opioids bind to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, leading to pain relief, euphoria, and respiratory depression. Excessive use of opioids might lead to dependence, tolerance, and addiction.

There are performance-enhancing drugs affecting biological improvements and nootropics affecting cognitive performance. Some potent nootropics can enhance cognitive function but can also cause side effects, such as anxiety and insomnia, for some people.

Anabolic steroids and the human growth hormone can enhance muscle growth and strength. However, they might cause serious health problems, like liver damage, heart disease, and psychiatric disorders.

Overview of 8 Natural Practices or Molecules Based on My Experience

Man-made drugs work by interacting with various receptors in the brain. These receptors are like locks. The drugs resemble keys that fit into these locks and activate them in various ways.

Some drugs can activate receptors not naturally activated in the brain, leading to altered perceptions and experiences. Others activate pain relief and pleasure receptors, leading to euphoria and relaxation.

These drugs can have adverse side effects, like addiction, tolerance, and withdrawal, which can be dangerous and life-threatening. This made me hesitant to try recreational drugs, as I wanted to avoid these harmful effects.

Instead, I decided to develop drug-like practices producing biochemicals naturally that could have similar effects on the brain without side effects.

Through a methodical approach, I developed practices that could activate the same receptors in the brain as drugs but more naturally and safely.

In the following sections, I cover eight physical and psychological tools. They have different biochemical effects on the brain and other body parts.

1 — Ketone Bodies [My Best Drug - Beta-Hydroxybutyrate]

The liver produces ketone bodies during periods of low glucose availability, such as fasting, intense exercises, or low-carbohydrate diets. The drug-like effects of ketone bodies on the brain are therapeutic.

While ketone bodies are still believed to be simply an alternative energy source for the brain, recent studies suggest they have more effects on brain function and behavior. I personally experienced them and can testify from my three decades of experience.

Beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) can have drug-like effects on the brain. It can act as an inhibitor of histone deacetylases (HDACs), which are enzymes that regulate gene expression by modifying the structure of chromatin.

By inhibiting HDACs, BHB may increase the expression of specific genes involved in energy metabolism, neuroprotection, and synaptic plasticity, leading to beneficial effects on brain function and behavior.

Some examples of the drug-like effects of ketone bodies on the brain are antidepressant effects like improving mood, anticonvulsant effects like preventing seizures, and cognitive enhancement like clear thinking.

Whenever my BHP is over three n/mol, I feel energetic, euphoric, and delighted with my being. I don’t believe man-made drugs can have such a valuable and everlasting effect on the brain. BHP can also increase cognitive reserves to make us functional when we face age-related cognitive decline or impairment.

2 — Meditation [My Second Best Drug]

The drug-like effects of meditation on the brain are due to its ability to increase neural connectivity, enhance emotional regulation, and boost immune function and neuroplasticity. It can also affect neurotransmitter levels and gene expressions, affecting the brain and the nervous system.

From my experience, the critical contributions of meditation to brain function and health are stress reduction, increased brain connectivity, improved emotional regulation, boosted immune system, and enhanced neuroplasticity.

Meditation can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, supporting the rest and digest response. When we meditate, we activate this system, leading to feelings of relaxation and reduced stress.

Meditation can strengthen the connections in the neocortex, calm the limbic system, and increase gray matter density in the brain. It is associated with improved cognitive function and emotional regulation.

Regular meditation can increase activity in the neocortex, the anterior cingulate cortex, and the default mode network balancing cognitive and emotional activities like attention, self-reflection, mind wandering, and emotion regulation.

3 — Thermogenesis and Sensory Therapies

Thermogenesis through cold showers, ice baths, dry saunas, and sensory therapies can have drug-like effects on the brain. These natural interventions can promote physical and mental well-being.

Thermogenesis is the process of heat production in the body. Exposure to cold and hot temperatures can have thermogenic effects on the brain, leading to various physiological and psychological responses.

Besides physical effects, thermogenesis can have drug-like effects on the brain by altering neurotransmitter levels, affecting gene expression, and producing neurochemical adaptations in the brain and nervous system.

The drug-like effect of thermogenesis on the brain is due to the release of endorphins, natural painkillers that can produce euphoric feelings. Exposure to cold temperatures can stimulate the release of endorphins in the body, leading to pain relief and pleasure.

Exposure to cold temperatures can activate brown adipose tissue, increasing energy expenditure and metabolic rate. This increased metabolic activity can improve glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity.

Sensory therapies (sound, light, water/soil, aromatherapy) can have drug-like effects on the brain. These therapies involve exposure to specific sensory stimuli, such as light or sound, altering brainwave activity, producing relaxation, and improving mood.

As I explained in a previous article, sensory deprivation therapies can also have drug-like effects, such as physical and mental relaxation.

4 — Dancing, Exercising, and Laughter Yoga

Dancing and exercising can have drug-like effects on the brain by activating physiological, biochemical, and psychological processes.

They can have drug-like effects on the brain by releasing endorphins, alleviating pain and stress, promoting relaxation, and improving mood.

They can activate the brain’s reward system, releasing dopamine for pleasure and motivation. This effect on the reward system can be significantly enunciated when we engage in physical activities.

Dancing and exercising can promote the growth of new neurons. Intense exercise can increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels, a protein that stimulates growth.

Neurogenesis is important for cognitive function, emotional regulation, and stress resilience. Physical activity can promote neurogenesis in the hippocampus, which is involved in memory and learning.

Laughter yoga is a practice that combines yoga breathing exercises with laughter, and it can have drug-like effects on the brain.

The practice works by activating several physiological, biochemical, and psychological processes, like releasing endorphins, reducing cortisol, and activating the parasympathetic nervous system.

Laughter can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, improving heart rate variability and decreasing blood pressure, leading to a calm and composed state.

5 — Special Foods and Supplementary Nutrients

Some foods like dark chocolate and blueberries contain natural compounds that can have drug-like effects on the brain.

Fresh dairy cream, kefir, cheese, egg yolks, organ meats, bone broth, and honey have much better effects on my brain due to their nutritional values related to our ancestral and genetic proclivities.

The drug-like effects of these foods are likely due to their nutrient content (amino acids, healthy fats, and benefits to support gut and brain function). I explained this critical health point in a recent story: the brain-gut axis.

Some nutrients and natural supplements like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, choline, acetyl-l-carnitine, NAC, magnesium, and more can have drug-like effects on the brain. Magnesium can make 300+ enzymatic changes.

Every nutrient I wrote about and attached at the end of this story can have drug-like effects from my experience. Of course, they might not suit everyone, but some can be customized with professional support.

6 — Restorative Sleep and Lucid Dreaming

Restorative sleep and lucid dreaming had drug-like effects on my brain. These effects are likely due to neurotransmitter levels, brain activity, hormonal regulation, and their ability to promote relaxation.

During restorative sleep, the body performs physiological processes that repair and restore the brain. One essential process is the consolidation of memories, where the brain processes and stores information.

Sleep regulates neurotransmitters essential for regulating mood, appetite, and relaxed state. During restorative sleep, the brain produces more serotonin, improving mood and reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Restorative sleep supports the production of more growth hormones, which is necessary for tissue repair and regeneration, as well as maintaining muscle mass and bone density.

Lucid dreaming is when the dreamer is aware that they are dreaming and can control the dream's content. It occurs during REM sleep, a stage of sleep increasing brain activity and vivid dreaming.

From my experience, lucid dreaming has benefits, like improved problem-solving skills, increased creativity, and reduced anxiety.

The mechanisms are still unclear, but it is thought to involve changes in brain activity and neurotransmitter levels.

For example, during lucid dreaming, the brain might produce more dopamine for motivation, reward, and pleasure.

7 — Mindfulness and Working in Flow State

A flow state can create a drug-like effect in the brain. This state can positively affect the brain’s ability to boost dopamine levels, increase creativity, reduce stress, and enhance learning and memory.

This unique psychological state involves being fully immersed and focused on a task to the point where we lose track of time and become completely absorbed in the activity. Meditation can enhance this state.

When in a flow state, the brain gains heightened focus, with increased activity in the prefrontal cortex associated with attention and focus.

This increased activity can release more dopamine and other neurotransmitters, reinforcing the behavior and creating pleasure, motivation, and satisfaction.

Being in a flow state can increase creative thinking and problem-solving abilities. Working in a flow state is a form of mindfulness meditation that can reduce stress and anxiety. It can improve the consolidation of memories, making it easier to recall information later on.

8 — Gratitude and Altruism

Gratitude and altruism can produce drug-like effects on the brain. These effects on the brain are due to hormonal and neurotransmitter changes that can improve mood, reduce stress, and increase happiness.

When experiencing gratitude and performing altruistic acts, the brain releases dopamine. This neurochemical can lead to feelings of happiness and contentment, similar to the effects of drugs that stimulate dopamine release.

Practicing gratitude and altruism can reduce cortisol levels associated with stress and anxiety. This stress reduction can lead to a more relaxed state, similar to the effects of drugs that have sedative properties.

Kindness and gratitude can increase oxytocin levels, promoting social bonding and trust and reducing stress. This increase in oxytocin can lead to warmth, connection, and positive emotions, similar to the effects of drugs that stimulate the release of oxytocin.

Conclusions and Takeaways

Man-made drugs might bring some benefits. However, they have significant risks and side effects.

By exploring drug-like practices that activate the same receptors in the brain, we can experience positive effects without negative consequences.

As exemplified in this post, many alternative options exist without experiencing awful side effects and withdrawal symptoms. I covered only a few of them.

There are many more practices and tools that sensible biohackers constantly experiment with and use for their cognitive enhancement, happiness, and well-being.

These natural and drug-like practices can positively affect the brain and body without the adverse side effects of recreational drugs.

By exploring these natural and safe options, we can improve our health and well-being and experience the benefits of altered states of consciousness responsibly and sustainably.

I believe you can discover safe and natural ways to improve health and well-being methodically, experimentally, and with professional support.

Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a healthy and happy life.

As a new reader, please check my holistic health and well-being stories reflecting my reviews, observations, and decades of experiments optimizing my hormones and neurotransmitters.

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I also wrote about valuable nutrients. Here are the links for easy access:

Lutein/Zeaxanthin, Phosphatidylserine, Boron, Urolithin, taurine, citrulline malate, biotin, lithium orotate, alpha-lipoic acid, n-acetyl-cysteine, acetyl-l-carnitine, CoQ10, PQQ, NADH, TMG, creatine, choline, digestive enzymes, magnesium, zinc, hydrolyzed collagen, nootropics, pure nicotine, activated charcoal, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B1, Vitamin D, Vitamin K2, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine, and other nutrients.

Disclaimer: My posts do not include professional or health advice. I only document my reviews, observations, experience, and perspectives to provide information and create awareness.

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