Accelerate Your Brain

This brief presentation introduces you to Section 2, all about the cerebral cortex and its many variations. A complete guide to brain anatomy is included as a supplement.

You may already know about brain anatomy but you may not know how the brain carries on its many functions. Cortical layers and columns are really where the action is. It is also here that brain enhancement technologies have their impact. You will come to know just how the technologies affect your brain.

While the basic brain architecture is the same for all of us, there are important differences that make each one of us unique. Beginning with noting differences between the hemisphere, we then look at gender differences and, the most impactful, individual differences. We can't cover them all, but take a look at interesting recent findings.

Individual differences also arise from the way we live - for the good or not so good. You will know what your brain does while you're sleeping and why it's so important. You will also understand how weight, alcohol and drug consumption, and stress all affect brain health - your most important asset.

Without networks of nodes and connections, cortical layers and columns couldn't accomplish very much. We have small modules, sub-networks, and larger networks that constitute the system. This lecture introduces you to the vital balance between segregation and integration of brain networks.

Brain networks connect different anatomical regions of the brain to carry out it's vital functions. We have stable functional networks and their functions, and we have dynamic networks that join together to carry out even more functions. It's all quite amazing!  Networks are the real target of brain enhancement. The supplement describes major functional and dynamic networks in the brain.

This short lecture introduces you to all the categories of brain enhancement to follow. Although behavioral methods - those requiring discipline and time - are not within the scope of this course, we briefly discuss their importance.

The first of two parts about the many biochemical methods of brain enhancement. Here we focus on stimulants, vitamins, supplements, and nootropics - so called smart drugs. Look to the targets/methods matrix supplement coming in Lecture 11 for a summary.

Second of two parts about biochemical methods of brain enhancement. This lecture looks into the near and far future, describing the new and coming era of artificially designed (human + artificial intelligence) drugs targeted at specific aspects of human life.

This and the next two lectures takes us through the specifics of non-invasive brain stimulation, a safe and proven brain enhancement method. Here we focus on the specifics of transcranial electrical stimulation (tES), and its many varieties we refer to as protocols. We have two supplements (Excel spreadsheet, PDF document) that connect the many possible targets for improvement and the enhancement methods presented in this course.

Moving to the actual mechanics of transcranial electrical stimulation (tES), this lecture will equip you with the knowledge to establish electrode placement, establish the variables you will use for a stimulation regimen, and conduct tES sessions. A complete placement guide with worksheet, and protocol guide are included as supplements.

We look at two additional brain stimulation methods, transcranial magnetic stimulation (tMS) and transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS). Because of technical and cost considerations, tMS is currently available only in clinics. tVNS, on the other hand, is available to the public. We take you through the procedures for using the device - the simplest of all stimulation methods.

Invasive methods of brain enhancement, brain implants and optogenetics, take us into the future - for good and for bad. While brain implants are currently available only for medical reasons, and optogenetics are still experimental, you need to know about these technologies because the future is coming very soon!

With your accumulated knowledge about brain enhancement methodologies, you are in a place where you can intelligently decide if and how to apply them. This lecture begins with the ethical and existential considerations involved in using these methods. As you likely already know, there is no answer for everyone - just for you. We end the course with guidelines for planning and implementing a brain enhancement regimen. The accompanying worksheet takes you through the steps.