Placeholder Topics

Owner

Untitled

Verification

Logical Reasoning

Cognitive Resource Management

Prioritization, value assessment, attention allocation, focus management

Hardship Control and Ownership

Extreme Ownership
Post Traumatic Growth
Cognitive Behavioral Theory
Responsibility or action avoidance

Memory & Learning Systems

Flow State
Metacognition (learning how to learn)
Spaced repetition and retrieval practice

Cognitive Flexibility & Adaptation

Perspective-taking and reframing
Cognitive switching and task transitions
Tolerance for ambiguity and uncertainty
Mental agility training

Consciousness & Awareness States

Mindfulness and present-moment awareness
Meditation and contemplative practices
Flow state cultivation
Altered states of consciousness
Self-observation and introspection

Communication & Expression

Clear thinking and articulation
Persuasion and influence
Active listening and comprehension
Nonverbal communication awareness
Conflict resolution and negotiation

Decision-Making & Judgment

Bias recognition and mitigation
Risk assessment and probability thinking
Systems thinking and long-term consequences
Value-based decision frameworks
Information processing and synthesis

Mental Energy & Stamina

Cognitive load management
Mental fatigue prevention and recovery
Sustained attention training
Mental endurance building

De-escalation

Emotional Intelligence

Self-awareness (perception, ego/pride)
Self-regulation (discipline/motivation, fear/inaction, stress/frustration)
Social skills (respect, love)
Emotional Dysregulation & Recovery

Purpose and meaning
Gratitude, proud, affirmations, self-compassion
Burnout (+ post burnout euphoria), cortisol, stress, frustration

Self-Awareness & Mental Frameworks

Introspection, metacognition, awareness
Cognitive biases (curse of knowledge, functional fixedness)
Shoshin (beginner's mind)
Cognitive burn-in vs burnout

Emotional Regulation & Attachment

Emotional tension, availability, vulnerability
Attachment vs detachment (caring vs clinging)
Hope, fear, expectations
Trauma relativity and individual capacity

Agency & Response Patterns

Psychological reactance (autonomy threats)
Choice, responsibility, options vs desperation
Self-fulfilling prophecy, Pavlovian conditioning
Intentions vs actions

Values & Identity

Dignity, pride, duty, honor vs ego
Preservation of identity
Sufficiency, mastery, sovereignty
Purpose, relevance, continuous improvement (Kaizen)

Psychological Dynamics & Paradoxes

Hedonic treadmill, baseline tolerance
"When good intentions go bad" effect
Logical path vs emotional path
Winners focus on winning, losers focus on winners

Neurochemicals

Every neurochemical is finite in its’ structure but can do a wide variety of functions, effects, and speeds. Think of it like a key (the molecule) that can open different doors (receptors) in different buildings (brain regions) for different purposes.

By structure: Amino acids, monoamines, neuropeptides, gases, etc.
By function: Neurotransmitters vs. neuromodulators vs. neurohormones
By effect: Excitatory vs. inhibitory
By speed: Fast-acting vs. slow-acting

Neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, GABA)
Neuromodulators (like acetylcholine in certain contexts)
Neuropeptides (endorphins, oxytocin)
Neurohormones (adrenaline/epinephrine, oxytocin, cortisol, melatonin)

Steroid hormones (broad category)

Glucocorticoids (stress/metabolism subset)
Mineralocorticoids (salt/water subset)
Sex hormones (reproductive subset)

Neuroanatomy

Neuroanatomy (1)

Psychoactive Substances

Psychoactive Substances (1)

Things like caffeine and alcohol can inhibit the receptors to prevent certain things from happening causing other parts to be dependent more on the non-inhibited receptors.

Caffeine:

Blocks adenosine receptors (adenosine normally makes you sleepy)
Increases dopamine in reward pathways (mild euphoria/motivation)
Boosts norepinephrine (alertness, focus)
Elevates acetylcholine (enhanced cognition)
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/caffeine

Nicotine:

Activates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors directly
Triggers dopamine release in reward circuits (addiction mechanism)
Increases norepinephrine (alertness, focus)
Boosts GABA initially, then depletes it (relaxation followed by anxiety)

Alcohol:

Enhances GABA activity (sedation, relaxation)
Blocks glutamate receptors (reduced brain activity)
Initially increases dopamine (pleasure), then depletes it (depression)
Disrupts serotonin (mood swings, sleep issues)

Nootropics (varies by type):

Racetams: Enhance acetylcholine and glutamate (memory, learning)
Modafinil: Increases dopamine and norepinephrine (wakefulness)
L-theanine: Boosts GABA and reduces cortisol (calm focus)
Alpha-GPC: Provides acetylcholine precursor (cognitive enhancement)
Cognizin - A patented form of citicoline (CDP-choline), which is a nootropic compound that supports brain health and cognitive function. It's classified as a dietary supplement ingredient rather than a food additive.

Exercise Science

Physical Activity

Martial Arts
Lifting
Yoga
Cardio
Strength/Endurance

Movement & Mobility

Flexibility and range of motion
Postural optimization
Movement quality and biomechanics
Corrective exercise

Body Composition & Physiology

Muscle development and maintenance
Fat optimization
Bone density and joint health
Cardiovascular conditioning

Nutrition & Metabolism

Macronutrient timing and composition
Micronutrient optimization
Digestive health and gut microbiome
Hydration strategies
Fasting protocols (intermittent, extended)

Nutritional Components

Carbohydrates (Carbs) - The body's primary energy source, broken down into glucose to fuel cells, brain function, and physical activity. Includes simple carbs (sugars) and complex carbs (starches and fiber).
Protein - Essential building blocks made of amino acids that repair and build tissues, muscles, enzymes, and hormones. Also serves as backup energy when carbs are limited.
Fats (Lipids) - Essential for hormone production, vitamin absorption, and energy storage. Includes saturated, unsaturated, and trans fats.
Fiber - Indigestible plant material that aids digestion, helps control blood sugar, and supports gut health.
Water - Often overlooked but crucial for hydration, temperature regulation, and transporting nutrients.
Vitamins - Micronutrients needed in small amounts for various body functions. Divided into fat-soluble (A, D, E, K) and water-soluble (B vitamins, C).
Minerals - Inorganic substances like calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, potassium, and sodium that support bone health, muscle function, and metabolism.
Phytonutrients - Beneficial plant compounds like antioxidants, flavonoids, and polyphenols that may help prevent disease.
Electrolytes - Minerals like sodium, potassium, and chloride that maintain fluid balance and nerve function.

Sodium: Essential for action potential propagation (all neurotransmitter signaling)
Potassium: Maintains resting membrane potential (neuronal excitability)
Magnesium:

Blocks NMDA receptors (prevents overexcitation)
Required for GABA function (relaxation)
Involved in serotonin synthesis (mood regulation)

Calcium: Triggers neurotransmitter release at synapses
Chloride: Works with GABA receptors (inhibitory signaling)

Ketones - Alternative fuel molecules produced by the liver when carbohydrate intake is very low, forcing the body to break down fat for energy. Used by the brain and muscles during fasting, low-carb diets, or prolonged exercise.

Provide alternative brain fuel (bypasses glucose dependency)
Increase GABA production (calming, anti-anxiety effects)
Boost BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor - supports neuroplasticity)
Reduce glutamate excitotoxicity (neuroprotective)
May increase acetylcholine (enhanced focus and learning)
Stabilize dopamine (sustained motivation without crashes)

Food Additives

Red 5 (Allura Red AC) - A synthetic food coloring additive used to give foods and beverages a red color. It's purely cosmetic with no nutritional value.
Sucralose - An artificial sweetener additive used to provide sweetness without calories. It's a sugar substitute that's about 600 times sweeter than regular sugar.
Monk fruit - A natural sweetener extracted from the monk fruit (luo han guo). While it's a natural extract, it's still classified as a food additive when used as a sweetening agent in processed foods.
Citric acid - A natural preservative and flavor enhancer that occurs naturally in citrus fruits. When added to foods, it's classified as a food additive used to prevent spoilage, add tartness, and help preserve color.
Ascorbic acid - This is actually Vitamin C. When used in foods, it serves dual purposes: as a nutritional supplement (vitamin) and as a food additive (antioxidant preservative) to prevent oxidation and maintain freshness.
High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) - A sweetener made from corn starch that's been processed to convert some glucose into fructose. It's classified as a food additive used as a sweetening agent, though it does provide calories and energy like regular sugar.
Aspartame - An artificial sweetener made from two amino acids (aspartic acid and phenylalanine). It's a food additive used as a sugar substitute that's about 200 times sweeter than sugar but provides virtually no calories.

Performance Recovery & Optimization

Sleep & Recovery

Sleep architecture and optimization
Recovery protocols (active vs passive recovery)
Rest cycles and periodization

Environmental Optimization

Light exposure and circadian entrainment
Temperature regulation (cold/heat therapy)
Air quality and breathing environment
Electromagnetic field management
Acoustic environment

Breathwork & Respiratory Training

Breathing techniques and patterns
Respiratory muscle training
Altitude/hypoxic training
Breath-based stress regulation

Recovery Modalities

Massage and manual therapy
Compression therapy
Vibration therapy
Thermal therapies (sauna, ice baths)