π¬ In this note:
π A New Test to Measure Biological Age
ππ The Entourage Effect
π Awaken the Giant Within
π A New Test to Measure Biological Age
βYouβre Off the Waitlist!βΒ
Tally Health dropped an email on Feb 23, 2023 announcing their product launch. I signed up for the waitlist back in April 2022.
Dr. David Sinclairβs new consumer longevity company revealed its proprietary biological aging clock, at-home diagnostic tests and personalized longevity supplements.
Tally Health wants to βchange the way we ageβ by leveraging science-backed technology to improve healthspan and extend longevity at the cellular level.
Tally Health is focused on helping customers determine their biological age. This differs from our chronological age (our age related to our birth). Biological age tells us how slowly or rapidly our bodies are aging. Biological age is a better predictor for how long you will live and how many of those years will be in good health.Β
The best part about biological age is that it can be changed by healthy lifestyle habits, diet and environment. You can literally turn back the clock on your biological age by practicing certain habits.
The TallyAgeβ’ Test measures biological age by measuring DNA methylation. DNA Methylation is an epigenetic marker which marks DNA and affects how much of that gene is produced. DNA methylation patterns can drastically change over time and can be analyzed to measure biological age.Β
The TallyAgeβ’ Test is a simple cheek swab and the results are built on top of a dataset of 8,000 individuals, from diverse demographic backgrounds with age ranges from 18-100 years.Β
Along with the test, you receive a personalized action plan, digital content and a daily Vitality longevity supplement.Β
The Vitality longevity supplement has 5 core ingredients:Β
Festin, 100mg, a senolytic compound that removes senescent cells
Resveratrol, 500mg, which activates sirtuins, a family of proteins that help maintain the epigenome
Quercetin, 500mg, supports the immune system and aids in the removal of senescent cells
Calcium alpha-ketoglutarate, 1000 mg, 790 mg alpha ketoglutarate and 210 my calcium (16% DV), provides a key metabolite used by mitochondria to produce cellular energy
Spermidine, 900 mcg, potent inducer of autophagy, a process in our cells that recycles old proteinsΒ
Tally Health offers the following plans:
One-time TallyAgeβ’ test ($229) without subscription
One TallyAgeβ’Test & 3 month subscription ($199/mo)
Two TallyAgeβ’ tests & 6 month subscription ($159/mo)
Β Four TallyAgeβ’ tests & 12 month subscription ($129/mo).Β
You can take control of your aging and try it out here (available only in the US).
ππ The Entourage Effect
The synergistic effect between different molecules to lengthen and intensify the psychedelic experience is called the Entourage Effect.
A common Entourage Effect known for over two decades is between monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOi) and psilocybin in magic mushrooms.
The enzyme, monoamine oxidase (MAO) degrades psilocybin. Inhibitors of MAO stop the enzymeβs function, leading to more of the psychedelically active compound circulating in the body which can extend the effect of the drug.
The combination of MAO inhibitors with psychedelics has been a common practice for over two decades. MAO inhibitors are naturally occurring molecules and have recently been found in four species of psychedelic mushrooms. These are called beta-carboline alkaloids, and are the same molecules responsible for the effects of the psychedelic brew ayahuasca.Β
Inhibiting MAOs will not only stop psilocybin degradation, meaning the effects are felt longer, but it can also increase the concentrations of other neurotransmitters by reducing the breakdown of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain.
Although few scientific studies have looked at the entourage effect in psychedelic mushrooms, there are reports of dramatically different effects resulting from different psychedelic mushroom species from as far back as 1989. Some of the enhanced effects are desirable - such as euphoria and visual experiences. However there can be undesirableΒ effects such as loss of muscle coordination or paralysis.
It is important to note that MAO inhibitors (MAOis) are drugs with wide use in the treatment of depression, since they help regulate the biochemical imbalance that exists in the brain. The combination of MAOis with MDMA or LSD can lead to a potentially fatal condition known as βserotonin syndrome,β For this reason, medical professionals (and yours truly) suggest you donβt mix them.
In psychedelic research, purified psilocybin is used in clinical trials rather than the whole mushroom. Scientists use the purified compound so that they can account for the placebo effect, and study the effects of psilocybin more directly. The use of purified psilocybin has brought significant insight into how the molecule works. The discovery of MAOis in the psychedelic mushroom shows us that there is still more to be studied and discovered about psilocybin.
π Book of the Week
Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins
3/5 stars
Iβve checked this book out from the library 4 times on the recommendation from friends and finally this time I started reading it. Iβve thought in the past - oh Tony Robbins, heβs tooβ¦ mainstream! But, he has a huge following so there must be something to his message.
Tony Robbins argues that, ultimately, we are all in control of our own lives.Β
100% agree
And the pathway to changing your life is to:
Make a goal
Make a plan
Take action
He also gives good examples of how to get your head out of negative self-talk, such as taking the question βWhy canβt I lose weight?β and reframing it as βHow can I make changes to achieve my goal of losing weight?β
Overall, I think he presents a good message and something I agree with. I think the book is far too long for what that message is and the book could have been 30% of its actual length.
β‘οΈ Check This Out
An oddly relaxing web-based game about packing the truck of a car for a road trip. If you know me, you know I love tetris-ing and organizing. This is my zen. π§³Β #carbootcarnage