Biohacking Weekly 30: Cordycepin, Sleep Cycle and Natural Celastrol for weight loss

This is Biohacking Weekly — a curated news roundup designed to help you increase your longevity and improve healthspan. Here’s what caught our attention this week.

Contents

1. Dr. Rhonda Patrick’s top 7 tips for improved cognitive function
2. Nature’s anti-inflammatory weapon
3. Everyday plastics could be quietly rewiring your sleep cycle
4. Ancient Chinese herb shows weight loss-effects similar to a popular synthetic
5. What to eat for youthful skin

1. 🧠 Top 7 Proven Ways to Boost Brain Health and Longevity, According to Dr. Rhonda Patrick

Dr. Rhonda Patrick, a biomedical scientist, researcher, and fitness podcaster, shares seven evidence-based strategies to enhance cognitive function. Backed by clinical research, these approaches support brain health across the lifespan.

1. Vigorous exercise – Just 10 minutes of high-intensity movement increases BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), improves memory and executive function, and can reverse age-related hippocampal shrinkage.
2. Daily multivitamin supplementation – Clinical trials, including the large-scale COSMOS study, have demonstrated that multivitamins may slow brain aging by approximately two years in older adults.
3. Blueberries – Rich in anthocyanins, these berries improve memory, executive function, and processing speed.
   
4. Cocoa flavanols – Found in dark chocolate, these compounds enhance cerebral blood flow and support cognitive performance.
5. Lutein and zeaxanthin – Carotenoids concentrated in kale and other leafy greens; they accumulate in the brain and retina, contributing to improved neural efficiency and protection against oxidative stress.
6. Choline – Abundant in eggs, choline is critical for neurotransmitter synthesis and brain development.
7. Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) – A minimum of 2 grams per day is associated with improved cognitive function and reduced neuroinflammation, particularly in aging populations.

Watch the full YouTube video on FoundMyFitness

2. 🍄 Ancient Mushroom Compound Gains Ground in Cancer Therapy

A powerful natural molecule from a medicinal mushroom may soon become a key player in cancer therapy. Scientists at the University of Oxford and biotech company NuCana have developed NUC-7738, a modified version of cordycepin, a compound found in Cordyceps militaris.

Cordycepin is a naturally occurring nucleoside analogue that has been used in traditional medicine for centuries to treat inflammation. However, its clinical potential has been limited due to biological barriers that cause it to break down rapidly before reaching tumors. This new version, NUC-7738, is engineered to remain stable and active in the body, helping to shut down cancer cell growth by cutting off their energy production.

Phase 2 human trials are currently underway, with early results showing tumor reduction in several patients. This could represent a major step forward in using nature-inspired treatments for difficult-to-treat cancers.

Read the full article on New Atlas

3. 🥱 Plastics May Be Stealing 17 Minutes From Your Natural Sleep Rhythm

A new study has uncovered a troubling link between plastic-related chemicals and disrupted sleep patterns. Researchers found that phthalates — chemicals used in food packaging, cosmetics, and many everyday products — could interfere with your body's ability to regulate its internal clock. For the first time, the study showed how these chemicals may disrupt cell signaling tied to circadian rhythm, throwing it off by as much as 17 minutes.

That small shift can have a major impact over time, leading to shorter sleep duration and reduced deep sleep, both of which are crucial for recovery, immune strength, and brain health. With data from over 5,000 adults, the findings offer new urgency to reducing exposure to synthetic compounds in daily life — especially for those seeking better sleep, mood balance, and long-term healthspan.

Read the full article on The Guardian

4. ⚖️ Scientists Discover Natural Celastrol, Ancient Chinese Herb

In a breakthrough study, researchers may have found a natural compound with weight-loss effects comparableto synthetic drug structure. The compound, celastrol, comes from the thunder god vine (Tripterygium wilfordii), a plant long used in traditional Chinese medicine. When given to mice, celastrol cut their food intake by 80% and led to an 18% drop in body weight in just one week — a result that has stunned researchers.

Celastrol works by re-sensitizing the brain to leptin, the “I’m full” hormone. This unique mechanism could make it a natural, safer alternative for those struggling with obesity or metabolic disorders. Though human trials are still ahead, this finding could open doors to plant-based weight management strategies.

Read the full article on ScienceAlert

5. 🕐 How Diet Can Turn Back the Clock on Aging

A new scientific review published in the journal Food Science & Nutrition confirms what many health-conscious eaters already suspected: your diet doesn’t just affect your waistline — it shapes your skin’s future.

Researchers found that eating more omega-3 fatty acids, polyphenol-rich foods like berries and green tea, and skin-supporting vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin C, and niacinamide can delay signs of aging. These nutrients help preserve collagen, fight inflammation, and improve skin hydration.

On the flip side, a diet high in sugar, processed foods, and red meat may accelerate wrinkles and dullness by fueling oxidative stress and breaking down the skin's structure. The review also pointed out how gut health and weight management influence skin aging through inflammation pathways.

Read the full article on News Medical

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This Week’s Product Spotlight:

🔥 Primal Collective Grass Fed Ghee- Rich in fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, as well as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), Primal Collective Ghee supports overall health and wellness. Its high smoke point and shelf stability make it a practical choice for everyday use.

🔥 KetoneAid KE4 Ketone Ester Drink - Insomniac reports that he takes 10ml of this Ketone Ester before bed and sleeps like a rock through the night, no waking up and having trouble going back to sleep. Others use this Ketone Ester for clarity of mind, energy & hunger control.

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