Collective Insights Blog by Sara Adães, Ph.D.

How Does the Immune System Work? Part 1: An Exploration of the Functions, Responses, and Processes of the Innate Immune System

The immune system is the collection of cells, tissues, and molecules that work together to recognize the healthy cells that make up the body, and protect us against the unfamiliar or damaged. 

The immune system monitors our body continuously searching for certain categories of things that may threaten our health: infectious microbes, viruses, fungi, and parasites (i.e., germs or pathogens); toxic cellular products; and damaged or diseased cells, including senescent or tumor cells.

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Peter Attia Drive Podcast on COVID-19

Brief Summary of Two COVID-19 Episodes from the Peter Attia Drive Podcast

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COVID-19 Information and Recommendations

Right now, there are still many unanswered questions about the new coronavirus and the evolution of COVID-19 is still unpredictable. 

At this point, the only thing that is certain to make a difference is prevention. 

Here, we’ve compiled some important information about the new coronavirus and the official guidelines to help protect your health and help stop the spread of COVID-19.

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QUALIA NOOTROPIC ENERGY: Designing for Peak Mental and Physical Performance

We developed Qualia Nootropic Energy Shot with the goal of creating a liquid nootropic supplement capable of producing a fast, noticeable, and durable enhancement of mental and physical energy to support peak performance. Qualia Nootropic Energy Shot was designed to boost performance in high-demand situations that require extra mental effort and energy, be it at work, school, a social gathering, or even an athletic event. 

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The Role of the Gut-Brain Axis in Metabolism and Energy Homeostasis

In this article, we will take a look at the role of the gut microbiota and the gut-brain axis in metabolism and energy homeostasis. We will learn how food-derived chemical signals—nutrients and microbial metabolites—are translated in the gut into endocrine and neural signals that convey information about the caloric load and composition of a meal to the brain.

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Mitochondria Functions For Healthy Aging: What does the Mitochondria do?

In this article, we will take a look at how mitochondrial dysfunction can cause damage to cells and mitochondrial quality control pathways act to prevent or overcome that damage. We will also discuss how aging affects mitochondrial function and nutritional strategies to support it.

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What is The Gut-Brain Axis? An Exploration of The Communication Pathways Between The Brain, The Gut, And The Microbiota

The gut and brain are constantly communicating and influencing each other. This interaction is called the gut-brain axis. It means that what goes on in the gut can affect how the brain performs, influencing how we think, feel and behave. In this article, we explore the gut-brain connection and how the brain and the gut, our second brain, influence each other.

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Mitohormesis: How Mitochondria Protect Themselves from Oxidative Stress

In this article, we’re going to learn about mitohormesis, the activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as signaling molecules, and how and why ROS can be both beneficial and harmful. We will also discuss what leads to excessive ROS production and accumulation, how this associates with aging, and where antioxidants fit into the equation. Lastly, we’ll discuss nutritional strategies that can support the antioxidant defenses cells and mitochondria use to protect themselves against excessive ROS.

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What is Mitochondrial Biogenesis? Benefits & Effects

Similar to many other cellular processes, the creation of new mitochondria (a process called mitochondrial biogenesis), and the interacting pathways that influence it, suffers with aging. This is the bad news. The good news is that there are things we can do to better support maintaining a fitter mitochondrial network.

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How The Gut Microbiota Influences Our Immune System

The gut microbiota influences many aspects of human physiology, from metabolism, to the cardiovascular system or the nervous system, for example. In this article, we focus on the interaction between the gut microbiota and our immune system.

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What is Acetylcholine? An Exploration of the Cholinergic system — Functions, Neurochemistry and Support

Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator (i.e., a messenger molecule released by nerve cells to signal and regulate other nerve cells). It plays important roles in cognitive function, most notably, in the neural mechanisms of memory. In addition to this memory function, acetylcholine is involved in supporting alertness, attention, and learning. It is also responsible for the neuromuscular junction. It helps skeletal muscle contract and has many health benefits.

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What is Glutamate?

What is glutamate? Learn more about the most abundant neurotransmitter and how it affects our brains. 

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Dopamine and Dopamine Precursors

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The Science of Nootropic Stacks: Achieving a Whole System Upgrade

Nootropics are active compounds that act on the central nervous system to enhance cognitive function. There are myriad compounds with nootropic activity, each targeting different elements of the vast assortment of processes that give rise to cognitive function.

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