Book Review: Head Strong by Dave Asprey

From the creator of Bulletproof Coffee and author of the bestselling The Bulletproof Diet comes a revolutionary plan to upgrade your brainpower—in two weeks or less.

For the last decade, Silicon Valley entrepreneur Dave Asprey has worked with world-renowned doctors and scientists to uncover the latest, most innovative methods for making humans perform better—a process known as “biohacking.” In his first book, The Bulletproof Diet, he shared his biohacking tips for taking control of your own biology. Now, in Head Strong, Asprey shows readers how to biohack their way to a sharper, smarter, faster, more resilient brain.

Imagine feeling like your mind is operating at its clearest and sharpest, and being able—possibly for the first time in your life—to do more in less time? What it suddenly became easier to do the very hardest things you do? Or if you could feel 100% confident about your intellect, and never again fear being the person in the room who just isn’t smart enough, or can’t remember something important? How would you treat people if the mood swings, short temper, and food cravings that disrupt your day could simply disappear?

In Head Strong, Asprey shows us that all of this is possible—and more. Using his simple lifestyle modifications (or “hacks”) to take advantage of how the structure of your brain works, readers will learn how to take their mental performance to the next level. Combining the latest findings in neuroscience and neurobiology with a hacker-inspired “get it done now” perspective, Asprey offers a program structured around key areas of brain performance that will help you:

• Power the brain with exactly what it needs to perform at its best all day long
• Eliminate the sources of “kryptonite,” both nutritional and environmental, that make the brain slower.
• Supercharge the cellular powerhouses of our brains, the mitochondria, to eliminate cravings and turn up mental focus.
• Reverse inflammation to perform better right now, then stay sharp and energized well into your golden years.
• Promote neuron growth to enhance processing speed and reinforce new learning—hotwiring your brain for success.

Asprey’s easy to follow, two-week program offers a detailed plan to supercharge brain performance, including: which foods to eat and which ones to avoid, how to incorporate the right kinds of physical activity into your day, a detox protocol for your home and body; meditation and breathing for performance, recommended brain-boosting supplements; and how to adjust the lighting in your home and work space to give your brain the quality light it thrives on.

A better brain—and a happier, easier, more productive life—is within reach. You just need to get Head Strong.

GENRE: Health, NonFiction
PUBLISHER: Harper Wave
RELEASE DATE: April 4, 2017
PAGES: 256

“The fact is, it’s all in your head.”

Head Strong is all about “biohacking” your brain to be smarter, faster, sharper. Biohacking, by definition, is about taking control of your own body. The author makes a good case for the need to do so, and he explains that growing a stronger brain is a four-step process (which the rest of the book outlines).

• Stop doing the stuff that makes you weak (get rid of the brain kryptonite)
• Add more energy (through “strategic dietary changes and supplementation“)
• Increase the efficiency of energy production & delivery
• Strengthen your mitochondria (“the powerhouses of the cell”)

He also explains the signs of low brain energy:

• forgetfulness
• cravings
• low energy
• moodiness
• inability to focus

If you have any/several/all of these symptoms, a lot of the material in this book can equip you with the knowledge and resources to do something about it.

I was particularly interested in the chapter on inflammation, as this is something I’ve been researching on my own due to my own health issues. This information, as well as the sections on brain fuel and brain-inhibiting foods, have been the most beneficial to me so far. Especially as it reinforces all I’ve already learned about how good blueberries are for you and how bad sugar & artificial sweeteners can be.

Bottom Line: There’s a lot of information in Head Strong – some of it is common sense, some of it is really intriguing, and other things I’m not so sure about. But these kind of books are great for giving you resources for further investigation as you build an arsenal of knowledge to get and stay healthy. I really liked the “Head Points” and “Head Starts” sections at the end of each chapter – they give a snapshot of what he covered as well as three or four actions you can do right now. This is especially nice if you want to get an idea of what each chapter is about before camping on one or two of most interest to you.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)

My Rating: 4 stars / Really interesting information!

HarperCollins

DAVE ASPREY, founder of the Bulletproof Executive blog, is a Silicon Valley investor and technology entrepreneur who spent fifteen years and over $300,000 learning to hack his own biology. Dave lost one hundred pounds without counting calories or doing excessive exercise; upgraded his IQ by more than twenty points; and lowered his biological age–all the while learning to sleep better in less time. Mastering these seemingly impossible things transformed him into a better entrepreneur, a better husband and a better father. Dave’s blog reaches 1.5 million unique monthly visitors, and his #1 ranked podcast has been downloaded 5 million times.

You can also connect with Dave on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Other Books by Dave Asprey

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What about you? Do you have any signs of low brain energy?