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Smarter Not Harder

Smarter Not Harder

The Biohacker's Guide to Getting the Body and Mind You Want
by Dave Asprey 2023 320 pages
3.59
1k+ ratings
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7 minutes
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Key Takeaways

1. Harness Your Body's Laziness for Powerful Transformation

"Laziness can make you strong."

The laziness principle. Our bodies are designed to conserve energy, which can be harnessed for transformation. This innate laziness drives efficiency and innovation, but it can also hold us back from reaching our full potential.

Biohacking leverage. By understanding and working with our body's lazy tendencies, we can achieve greater results with less effort. This involves:

  • Applying short, intense signals to trigger rapid adaptation
  • Allowing quick returns to baseline for efficient recovery
  • Focusing on slope-of-the-curve biology: fast-on, fast-off responses

Reframing motivation. Instead of fighting against our natural inclinations, we can align our goals with our body's desire for efficiency. This shift in perspective allows us to make sustainable changes and unlock hidden potential.

2. Remove Friction: Eliminate Antinutrients and Toxins

"Mother Nature abhors waste."

Identify obstacles. Many common foods contain antinutrients and toxins that hinder our body's performance. These include:

  • Phytic acid: Found in grains, nuts, and legumes
  • Lectins: Present in nightshade vegetables and grains
  • Omega-6 fatty acids: Abundant in processed vegetable oils
  • Glyphosate: A common herbicide residue

Eliminate friction. Removing these obstacles allows our bodies to function more efficiently. Key strategies include:

  • Choosing grass-fed meats and dairy products
  • Limiting consumption of processed foods and vegetable oils
  • Opting for organic produce when possible
  • Properly preparing grains and legumes (if consumed)

Optimize absorption. By reducing antinutrients and toxins, we enhance our body's ability to absorb essential nutrients, leading to improved energy levels and overall health.

3. Load Up on Essential Raw Materials

"Your body burns hundreds more calories than usual if you do cryotherapy, especially after a sauna."

Foundational nutrients. Providing our bodies with the right raw materials is crucial for optimal function. Key components include:

  • Fat-soluble vitamins (D, A, K, E)
  • High-quality proteins and fats
  • Essential minerals
  • Fiber for gut health

Strategic sourcing. Obtain these nutrients from:

  • Grass-fed meats and dairy
  • Organ meats
  • Wild-caught fish (in moderation)
  • Carefully selected plant foods

Optimize combinations. Certain nutrient combinations enhance absorption and effectiveness:

  • Pair vitamin D with K2 for proper calcium utilization
  • Consume fat-soluble vitamins with healthy fats
  • Balance omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids

4. Supplement Strategically for Optimal Performance

"Supplements are profoundly safer than drugs."

Fill the gaps. Even with a nutrient-dense diet, supplementation is often necessary due to:

  • Soil depletion
  • Modern lifestyle factors
  • Individual genetic variations

Key supplements. Consider incorporating:

  • Vitamin DAKE complex
  • Magnesium
  • Omega-3 fatty acids
  • Probiotics and prebiotics
  • Adaptogenic herbs (e.g., rhodiola, ashwagandha)

Personalize approach. Tailor supplementation to individual needs based on:

  • Genetic factors
  • Health goals
  • Lifestyle considerations
  • Regular testing and monitoring

5. Charge Up with Minerals: The Overlooked Foundation

"You simply must take minerals together, and you must use the right forms."

Mineral importance. Often overlooked, minerals are crucial for:

  • Enzyme function
  • Energy production
  • Cellular communication
  • Structural support

Key minerals. Focus on obtaining:

  • Calcium and magnesium
  • Sodium and potassium
  • Trace minerals (e.g., zinc, copper, selenium)

Optimal absorption. Enhance mineral uptake by:

  • Choosing bioavailable forms (e.g., chelated minerals)
  • Balancing mineral ratios
  • Addressing potential inhibitors (e.g., phytic acid)

6. Target Your Upgrades: Strength, Cardio, Energy, Brain, and Stress

"You want to be like that deer, relaxed but hard to kill."

Prioritize goals. Focus on one primary area of improvement:

  • Strength and muscle building
  • Cardiovascular fitness
  • Energy and metabolism
  • Brain function
  • Stress resilience

Efficient strategies. Implement targeted approaches:

  • For strength: High-intensity, low-volume training
  • For cardio: HIIT or REHIT protocols
  • For energy: Mitochondrial support and metabolic optimization
  • For brain: Neurofeedback and cognitive enhancement techniques
  • For stress: Adaptogen supplementation and mindfulness practices

Synergistic effects. Recognize that improvements in one area often benefit others, creating a positive feedback loop of overall enhancement.

7. Hack Your Way to Resilience and Recovery

"Sleep is also an important part of the recovery process in a later stage of your biohacking."

Optimize recovery. Enhance resilience through:

  • Quality sleep optimization
  • Strategic use of heat and cold exposure
  • Targeted supplementation for cellular repair
  • Mindfulness and stress reduction techniques

Leverage technology. Utilize biohacking tools such as:

  • Sleep trackers
  • Red light therapy devices
  • Infrared saunas
  • Cryotherapy chambers

Balance stress and recovery. Implement a cyclic approach:

  1. Apply controlled stressors
  2. Allow for adequate recovery
  3. Adapt and grow stronger

8. Embrace Spiritual Growth for True Transformation

"To be your best self—your optimal 'normal'—you need to go after a sixth target, one that isn't covered by strength, cardiovascular fitness, energy, brain, or stress."

Holistic approach. Recognize the importance of spiritual development in overall well-being. This includes:

  • Cultivating gratitude and forgiveness
  • Developing emotional intelligence
  • Practicing mindfulness and meditation

Biohack spirituality. Apply biohacking principles to spiritual growth:

  • Use technology-assisted meditation
  • Explore neurofeedback for altered states
  • Experiment with breathwork techniques

Achieve equanimity. Work towards a state of mental calmness and composure, regardless of external circumstances.

9. Continuously Evaluate, Personalize, and Repeat

"You are the only person who can make you happy."

Iterative process. Biohacking is an ongoing journey of self-improvement. Continuously:

  1. Evaluate progress using objective and subjective measures
  2. Personalize approaches based on individual responses
  3. Refine and adjust strategies for optimal results

Data-driven decisions. Utilize:

  • Wearable technology
  • Regular blood tests
  • Self-assessment tools

Embrace experimentation. Be willing to try new approaches and discard what doesn't work. Remember that what works for one person may not work for another.

Last updated:

FAQ

What's Better Than Normal about?

  • Health Optimization Focus: Better Than Normal by Dave Asprey is a guide to reclaiming and optimizing your health, aiming for a state beyond mere normalcy in physical and mental resilience.
  • Laziness Principle: Introduces the "laziness principle," which suggests that embracing our body's natural energy conservation can lead to greater strength and resilience.
  • Holistic Health Approach: Covers nutrition, exercise, mental well-being, and recovery strategies to help readers become the best version of themselves.

Why should I read Better Than Normal?

  • Practical Biohacking Techniques: Offers actionable biohacking techniques that can be easily integrated into daily life, supported by Asprey's personal experiences and research.
  • Energy and Resilience Focus: Provides insights into improving energy levels and resilience through diet, exercise, and mindset shifts, encouraging proactive health management.
  • Unique Perspective: Combines scientific research with personal anecdotes, offering a fresh take on health optimization from a biohacker and entrepreneur's viewpoint.

What are the key takeaways of Better Than Normal?

  • Embrace Laziness for Strength: Understanding and leveraging the body's natural tendencies can lead to better health outcomes with less effort.
  • Importance of Nutrition: Highlights the need for proper nutrition, including fat-soluble vitamins and essential minerals, to support overall health.
  • Targeted Health Goals: Encourages setting specific health goals to streamline efforts and achieve better results in areas like strength and energy levels.

What is the "laziness principle" in Better Than Normal?

  • Biological Survival Mechanism: Refers to the body's tendency to conserve energy as a survival mechanism, which can be harnessed for health improvement.
  • Counterproductive Responses: Discusses how automatic responses like stress can sabotage health efforts, and how understanding these can help devise better strategies.
  • Energy Efficiency: Emphasizes finding smarter, more efficient ways to achieve health goals by working with the laziness principle.

How does Better Than Normal suggest improving energy levels?

  • Optimize Nutrition: Stresses the importance of a nutrient-dense diet rich in healthy fats, proteins, and essential vitamins and minerals.
  • Exercise Smartly: Advocates for high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and reduced exertion high-intensity training (REHIT) to boost energy levels.
  • Mindset and Recovery: Highlights mental resilience and recovery strategies like meditation and proper sleep as essential for maintaining high energy levels.

How does Better Than Normal address mental health?

  • Mind-Body Connection: Emphasizes the impact of mental resilience on physical health, advocating for a strong mind to enhance overall well-being.
  • Stress Management Techniques: Provides strategies like breathing exercises and meditation to manage stress and maintain mental clarity.
  • Holistic Approach: Promotes a view of health where mental and physical aspects are interconnected, aiming for a better quality of life.

What are some practical biohacks suggested in Better Than Normal?

  • Breathing Techniques: Introduces exercises to enhance oxygen intake and improve energy levels, such as "beer can breathing."
  • Cold and Heat Therapy: Discusses the benefits of exposure to cold and heat for recovery and resilience, stimulating metabolic processes.
  • Vibration Therapy: Highlights the use of whole-body vibration devices to improve muscle activation and recovery.

How can I personalize my health journey using Better Than Normal?

  • Set Specific Goals: Encourages identifying health targets based on personal priorities to streamline efforts for better results.
  • Track Progress: Emphasizes monitoring health metrics to evaluate progress and adjust strategies accordingly.
  • Experiment and Adapt: Advocates for a trial-and-error approach to find what works best for each individual, being open to new techniques.

What are some recommended supplements in Better Than Normal?

  • Fat-Soluble Vitamins: Recommends vitamins D, A, K, and E to support overall health and enhance nutrient absorption.
  • Essential Minerals: Highlights the importance of minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc for energy production and enzyme function.
  • Herbal Supplements: Discusses herbs like turmeric and ashwagandha for their anti-inflammatory and adaptogenic properties.

What are some advanced biohacking techniques mentioned in Better Than Normal?

  • PEMF Therapy: Discusses Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapy to enhance cellular function and energy production.
  • tDCS: Explains Transcranial Direct-Current Stimulation for improving cognitive function and neuroplasticity.
  • Neurofeedback: Highlights neurofeedback as a method for training the brain to achieve desired states of focus and relaxation.

What are the best quotes from Better Than Normal and what do they mean?

  • "Laziness can make you strong.": Challenges the notion that hard work is the only path to success, emphasizing natural tendencies for strength.
  • "You owe it to yourself... to start taking control of your MeatOS.": Encourages personal responsibility in health optimization.
  • "The goal is to reach a higher baseline.": Advocates for continuous improvement and setting higher health standards.

What is the significance of breathing techniques in Better Than Normal?

  • Oxygen Efficiency: Techniques like controlled hypoxia and Wim Hof breathing improve oxygen efficiency and metabolic health.
  • Stress Reduction: Controlled breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and calmness.
  • Accessibility: These techniques can be practiced anywhere, making them accessible to everyone for optimal health benefits.

Review Summary

3.59 out of 5
Average of 1k+ ratings from Goodreads and Amazon.

Smarter Not Harder receives mixed reviews, with ratings ranging from 1 to 5 stars. Some readers praise the book's comprehensive biohacking information and practical tips for improving health and wellness. However, critics argue that many suggestions are expensive, unrealistic, or lacking scientific evidence. Several reviewers express concerns about the author's credibility and product promotions. While some find value in the nutritional advice and supplement recommendations, others feel overwhelmed by the technical content and question the practicality of implementing the suggested biohacks.

Your rating:

About the Author

Dave Asprey is a prominent figure in the biohacking community, known for his extreme self-experimentation and entrepreneurial ventures. As a Silicon Valley investor and computer security expert, he spent substantial time and money optimizing his own biology, claiming significant improvements in IQ, biological age, and weight loss. Asprey's work has garnered attention from major publications, and he has presented at prestigious institutions. His approach to health and wellness focuses on using technology and unconventional methods to enhance human performance, earning him recognition as a leading voice in the biohacking movement.

Other books by Dave Asprey

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