In the world of nootropic supplements, Dynamic Brain is a relatively new player that has garnered some attention. The supplement is manufactured by Stonehenge Health and claims to enhance focus, boost memory, and fight brain fog. While some of these claims have some scientific backing, they largely hinge on dosage and individual responses. The lack of transparency around ingredients, underdosing of key nootropics, and reliance on a proprietary blend are all major concerns that make these claims highly questionable.
Brain dynamics are complex processes that occur on multiple scales, systems and levels of abstraction. Capturing these dynamic changes is challenging, especially when these dynamics are linked to emerging functions and are influenced by different variables, including environmental, cognitive, and genetic factors. This workshop was designed to bring together experts across these domains to discuss recent developments and challenges in capturing developmental and learning-induced brain dynamics.
One of the most important aspects of capturing brain dynamics is understanding how to decompose them into components that can be analyzed and understood in detail. The talks at the workshop addressed this question from a number of different perspectives, ranging from zebrafish hunting behavior to human consciousness and the specifics of rule-switching in the mouse to a general theory of cortical computation.
In one example, a group led by UNC School of Medicine researchers experimentally demonstrated that changes to neural dynamics are a critical component of a specific mental process, and can be triggered by certain brain chemicals. Their study in a genetic mouse model showed that activating the locus coeruleus (LC) neurotransmitter receptor alters the dynamics of a particular brain network that includes part of the prefrontal cortex. This brain network is known to be associated with the mental activity of daydreaming, ruminating about worries, and planning for future events.
Another example discussed at the workshop was a computational drift-diffusion model that compared the decision-making performance of human and chimpanzee connectomes during a task that involved tracking elapsed time to select a target. The results of this study showed that the human connectome performed better than the chimpanzee connectome, and that the difference was related to differences in the neural dynamics of both systems.
These two examples illustrate the need for a broad approach to understanding and capturing brain dynamics, and to ensure that the resulting information is being interpreted correctly. In order to achieve this, we need to integrate data from many different sources and use the results of these analyses to guide our theories of how the brain works.
Overall, Dynamic Brain has a few promising ingredients, but is hampered by its reliance on a proprietary blend and its failure to include several proven nootropics at clinically effective doses. As a result, it is unlikely that this product will significantly increase focus, improve memory, or fight brain fog as advertised. There are much better choices for improving cognitive function available on the market. You can find out more about the best nootropics here.