EFR 911: Build an Alzheimer's-Resistant Brain - How to Rewire Your Brain for Better Sleep, Focus, and Stress Relief with Dr. Patrick Porter

This episode is brought to you by Fatty15 , WHOOP and Timeline. Dr. Patrick Porter, PhD joins us today to break down what brain fitness really means and why modern life is overwhelming a biological system that was never designed for today's pace. Dr. Porter explains how brain energy, neuroplasticity, breathwork, mitochondria, sleep architecture, stress physiology, light exposure, and daily rituals all influence our ability to think clearly, recover deeply, and perform at a high level. We explore the science behind neurogenesis, the glymphatic system, alpha and delta brainwave states, the impact of sugar and artificial sweeteners on cognitive decline, how breathing and light frequencies regulate the nervous system, and why most people are unknowingly compromising their sleep, metabolism, and cognitive output. Packed with actionable tools—from box breathing and SMR training to healthier morning routines, supplements, and digital hygiene—this episode is a masterclass on how to build a sharper brain and age better. Follow Dr. Porter @drpatrickporter Follow Chase @chase_chewning ----- 00:17 – Neuropruning, neurogenesis & brain voltage explained 01:18 – Why puzzles aren't brain fitness & the need for recovery 02:02 – How neuroplasticity works at any age 03:08 – Challenging the myth that humans can't grow new neurons 03:28 – DNA changes every 40 seconds & mindset's effect on cellular energy 04:42 – Optimism vs. pessimism on brain health 05:31 – The impact of modern sedentary living 08:52 – Light, circadian rhythms & how the body gets biological "codes" 09:54 – Why meditation and ancient practices matter for neuroplasticity 10:44 – The brain's energy demands during sleep 11:13 – Sugar, stress & metabolic dysfunction 12:16 – Tech overload & living in a world we weren't built for 13:19 – Why exercising first thing is harmful if cortisol is high 14:04 – SMR brainwave training & preparing the brain for the day 14:31 – How to enter alpha state through psychological breathing 15:30 – Breathwork as the best pre-workout 16:03 – Memory, aging & how recall networks degrade 17:49 – How environment, food & behavior shape brain performance 18:32 – Brazil study: music + frequencies improve cognitive retention 19:21 – Intelligence is energy, not innate talent 20:42 – Hypernesia, super-memory states & learning faster 21:19 – Stress collapses the brain's energy field 22:25 – The 2 p.m. biological crash & 20-minute reboot method 23:17 – Why you shouldn't drink coffee first thing in the morning\ 24:05 – WHOOP data & tracking recovery 28:35 – Fire, infrared, and ancient light patterns regulating cortisol 29:06 – Box breathing & Navy SEAL stress control 30:39 – The 4-4-8 breath for nighttime relaxation 31:31 – Photobiomodulation & brainwave entrainment results 32:48 – Cold plunging, testosterone & the body's adaptive response 33:57 – Pain, opioids & training the brain to regulate pain naturally 34:23 – Why TBIs need light—not darkness—for healing 35:02 – What's wrong with modern education 35:36 – Diving deeper into sleep health: "Sleep smarter" 36:28 – Why 6.5 hours may be optimal; deep vs. REM sleep 37:20 – The glymphatic system: brain "washing cycle" 38:12 – Why dehydration & late eating disrupt deep sleep 39:33 – Tracking sleep: analyzing Chase's data 41:08 – Coal miner sleep study: 1 minute of deep sleep 42:11 – Getting to delta faster improves brain repair 42:40 – Why many people clench & never unwind during sleep 43:06 – Breath is the foundation of all emotional regulation 44:11 – Using breath to process problems & create optimism 45:21 – Dementia study: increasing brain voltage reverses symptoms 46:20 – Kids vs. adults: why adults hold stress longer 47:03 – Applying breathwork anywhere in daily life 48:31 – Addiction is one solution to infinite problems—breath creates options 49:15 – Why most affirmations don't work 50:06 – Breath + emotion alignment for manifestation 51:37 – The worst thing for brain health: doing nothing 53:12 – Sugar & artificial sweeteners destroying brain health 54:27 – Pavlov, dopamine loops & our coffee addiction 56:04 – Pandemic stress accelerated brain aging 56:49 – How breath can change immune response & resilience 58:09 – Stress, perception & mitochondrial ATP 59:20 – Red light & brain energy: mitochondria producing 32× ATP 59:55 – Nasal vs. mouth breathing for brain optimization 01:00:23 – Yogic breath, pranayama & hemisphere balancing 01:01:11 – Should you breathe through left or right nostril 01:02:55 – Stress collapses neural function under pressure 01:03:34 – Why people fear brain decline but don't act 01:06:02 – Olive oil daily reduces Alzheimer's risk 01:07:00 – The sugar epidemic: 100 lbs/year 01:07:53 – Supplements: niacin, vitamin C, omega-3s 01:09:59 – How to know if you're inflamed 01:11:49 – Lab markers to track for brain health 01:13:20 – Iron, energy & the body's magnetic fields 01:14:05 – Algae, greens & light-activated nutrient strategies 01:16:23 – Measuring progress: HRV, community, daily walking 01:17:20 – Brain health by decade & sleep hygiene after 40 01:19:20 – Digital hygiene: limit phones after 8 p.m. 01:20:28 – Designing the perfect 24 hours for brain health 01:24:25 – The power of review, gratitude & problem-solving before sleep 01:25:13 – Ever Forward ----- Episode resources: Save an additional 15% on C15:0 essential fatty acids at Fatty15.com/everforward Save up to $60 on the WHOOP 5.0 activity tracker at Join.Whoop.com/everforward Get a FREE 3-day sample of MitoPure at Timeline.com/everforwardsample Watch and subscribe on YouTube