Hello everyone! If you’re reading this, you either want to start protecting your brain ASAP, you were forced to subscribe by Leán/Elodie, or you went to high school with us and your curiosity got the best of you…

Either way, we’re happy you’re here, and hope that the very first issue of Neurogrets convinces you to keep tuning in to find out what the makes the brain grow and what keeps it from getting slow!

Why the interest in brains?
My brilliant grandmother passed away from Alzheimer’s at a young age. By the end she didn’t recognize me, couldn’t recall her own children’s names, and was reliant on others for the most simple tasks of daily living. If you’ve watched someone go through it, you know the hardest part isn’t just the forgetfulness - it’s seeing pieces of the person you love slowly fade away.

After she passed, my mom — who happens to have a PhD in dietetics and has spent her career studying how food affects the body — started reading everything she could find on cognitive decline. My fiancée, who happens to be starting her PhD in clinical neuropsychology, then joined the rabbit hole. I'm a physicist at heart, so I tend to approach things the way most physicists do: by asking "BUT WHAT DO THE NUMBERS SAY?"

Many conversations later, here we are. Neurogrets exists because we figured out something the wellness industry doesn’t make super clear:

Which is great news if you're 30. But don't count yourself out if you're 60 - your brain didn't get the memo that it's supposed to stop changing.

Research keeps showing the same thing: your brain is more like a muscle than a hard drive. It adapts. It rebuilds. It just needs a bit more attention than remembering where you left your keys.

Cognitive reserve is like your brain's savings account. The more you invest over time through learning, social connection, exercise, a healthy diet, adequate sleep, and other healthy habits, the more resources your brain has to draw on when life starts throwing curveballs (like cognitive decline).

This means that when the brain starts to experience age-related changes - think of it like running a little low on cash - you’ve still got plenty tucked away to help compensate and keep things running smoothly.

This is where starting investing in brain health early, really pays off. The more consistently you build these habits across your life, the bigger your “reserve” becomes, and the more resilient your brain is when it needs to adapt.

Takeaway: Start building these healthy habits now to strengthen your brain’s ability to adapt, compensate, and stay resilient over time.

Because your brain is basically running the show. It influences how you think, remember, focus, problem-solve, and show up in your daily life. So when we talk about brain health, we’re really talking about maintaining the systems that allow us to stay independent, connected, and engaged in the things that matter to us, aging just puts us at a more vulnerable stage.

While brain health is very important throughout aging, it isn’t just a “later in life” concern. It’s something we’re actively shaping right now through everyday habits - often in ways we don’t notice.

Now that we've told you a little about ourselves, here's what we hope to give back to you.

Each newsletter will break down the latest research on brain health, aging, and cognition into practical, evidence-based information you can actually use. Our goal is to bridge the gap between scientific research and everyday life - without the jargon, confusion, or miracle cures.

Along the way, we'll explore various topics and the science behind healthy brain aging. Most importantly, we'll focus on realistic strategies that can help support brain health across the lifespan.

Think of us as your guide through the ever-growing world of brain health research - translating complex science into clear, actionable insights.

A small, science-backed action you can do in under 10 minutes to support long-term brain health.

This weeks brain deposit is… 🥁

Try doing one familiar task in a slightly different way:
Take a new walking route, use your non-dominant hand for a simple task (ex. brushing teeth), or rearrange a small part of your routine.

Why? Small changes like this encourage your brain to stay flexible and engaged (Gelfo, 2019).