Brain.
Evidence-led reading on brain from the HL Benefits desk. Long reads, careful guides, and the boring-but-true positions the research keeps settling on.
Selank vs. Semax: The Russian Brain Peptides Silicon Valley Is Obsessed With
Two heptapeptides from one Moscow lab became biohacker staples for anxiety and focus. Here is what the Russian science shows and where US regulation stands.
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PT-141 for Men: The Brain-Based Erection Peptide That Works When Viagra Doesn't
PT-141 (bremelanotide) activates melanocortin receptors in the hypothalamus to initiate erection from the brain down, rescuing 33.5% of men who fail Viagra. Approved as Vyleesi for women only —…
Peptides for ADHD: The Off-Label Stack Productivity Gurus Won't Talk About on Camera
BrainThe Nootropic Peptide Stack That Lifted Long-COVID Brain Fog in 30 Days
BrainThe Memory-Restoring Peptide Researchers Are Calling "Liquid Genius"
Dihexa: The Synapse-Building Peptide Reportedly 7× Stronger Than BDNF
Dihexa is the peptide marketed as 7x stronger than BDNF. The honest version: zero human trials, a retracted paper, and a failed Phase 2/3 trial.
Cerebrolysin: The Memory Peptide Used in 50 Countries — But Not the U.S.
Cerebrolysin is the porcine-brain peptide mixture European neurologists use for stroke recovery and vascular dementia. The FDA has never approved it. The Cochrane evidence is mixed, the gray market…
Anxiety Peptides: How Selank Compares to Xanax (Without the Withdrawal)
A detailed comparison of Selank peptide and Xanax for anxiety, covering mechanisms, clinical trial data, withdrawal risk, and regulatory realities.
We started this section because the conversation about brain had become unbearable — too loud, too certain, too often selling something. The boring middle — what the evidence actually supports, repeated across decades, written without a brand to defend — is not a position you can monetize, but it is the position the research keeps quietly settling on.
Companion sections.
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A companion section to brain, with its own evidence-led reading list.
Food & Nutrition
A companion section to brain, with its own evidence-led reading list.
Weight Loss
A companion section to brain, with its own evidence-led reading list.
Definitive guides.
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Ketogenic Diet for Mental Health: Depression, Bipolar, and Brain Energy Theory
Clinical trials at Stanford, Harvard, and Edinburgh are testing whether ketogenic diets can treat depression and bipolar disorder by providing the brain with an alternative fuel source.
Focused Ultrasound for Mental Health: The Non-Invasive Brain Treatment You Haven't Heard Of
Sound waves can now reach brain structures linked to depression and anxiety without surgery. Clinical trials show significant symptom reduction in just three weeks.
A claim about brain is not a study. A study is not a meta-analysis. A meta-analysis is not a guideline. The article doesn't fit on a label.
On our desk this week.
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Electric Medicine and Brain Stimulation: TMS, tDCS, and the Future of Mental Health
A guide to non-invasive brain stimulation covering TMS, tDCS, the Stanford 5-day protocol, UCLA research, and FDA-cleared devices for mental health.
Dopamine Detox: What the Neuroscience Actually Says About Resetting Your Brain
Your brain can't be 'detoxed' from dopamine. Here's what the neuroscience actually says about reward prediction, receptor recovery, and what works instead.
Quick reads.
All 26 →Phosphatidylserine for Memory, Cortisol, and Brain Health
Phosphatidylserine supports memory, lowers cortisol, and protects aging neurons. Here is…
Mediterranean Diet for Brain Health and Longevity: What the Research Shows
Current research links the Mediterranean diet to up to 30% lower Alzheimer's risk. Learn…
Lion's Mane Mushroom for Brain Health and Nerve Regeneration
Evidence-based guide to lion's mane mushroom for brain health, cognitive function, and…
Awe Walks: Daily Nature Exposure for Mental Well-Being
A practical, evidence-based guide to awe walks that uses daily nature exposure to reduce…
Best Ways to Seriously Improve Your Memory
Foods for Thought: Natural Brain Supplements That Science Supports
The Brain: Anatomy, Function, and Common Medical Conditions
Depression and Complementary Health Approaches: The Ultimate Evidence Guide
From the archive.
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