Hey friend,

The modern world is quietly hijacking your brain.

Toxins in your food, water, and air.

Artificial ingredients, non-native EMFs, constant digital overload.

At first, it’s subtle—

You lose your train of thought.

Forget your keys.

Feel weird, fatigued, overwhelmed, or foggy.

But over time, these “everyday brain killers” can snowball into cognitive issues, anxiety, depression, and even Alzheimer’s.

The good news?

Most of them are fixable—once you know what they are.

5 common things sabotaging your brain (and what to do about them)

1) Mold

Mold is one of the most overlooked brain killers.

You've probably been told it’s harmless.

The truth: Mold toxins (mycotoxins) are insanely neurotoxic.

They can impair memory, mood, and focus, and even trigger anxiety and depression. [1]

They're also carcinogenic and toxic to your liver and kidneys. [2][3][4]

Dr. Dale Bredesen, a top Alzheimer’s researcher, found a strong link between mold toxins and cognitive decline. [5]

The EPA estimates that over 50% of U.S. buildings have water damage significant enough for mold growth. [6]

This is a much bigger issue than most people realize.

I'm telling you from experience—mold devastated my brain and body (and life) throughout my twenties, and it took years to overcome.

→ What to do about mold:

• Check for water damage at home or work
• Run a dust test (like ERMI or HERTSMI)
• If levels are high, consider further inspection, remediation, or relocation
• Detox is the next step (we’ll cover that in a future issue)

​

2) Alcohol

Hey, I get it—you love your espresso martinis at the club, your scotch on the rocks, cracking open a cold one with the homies, or your evening red wine.

But alcohol doesn’t just hit your liver… it hits your brain.

It shrinks and ages it. [7]

It impairs memory, focus, and long-term cognition. [8]

And beyond that, it contributes to addiction, broken families, and community decay.

→ Swap the booze for health-neutral alternatives like:

• Kava from Tru Kava or New Brew​
• Kanna from Ka Empathogenics​
• ​Microdose magic mushrooms​
• Microdose Amanita muscaria from Psyched-Wellness​
• Alcohol-free, adaptogen/nootropic-infused spirits like Kin Euphorics​

​

3) Cannabis

I smoked weed every day—multiple times a day—from age 12 to 19… and I deeply regret it.

Cannabis ages and changes your brain rapidly.

A massive study of 62,000+ brain scans found that cannabis abuse accelerates brain aging by nearly 3 years, just behind schizophrenia. [9]

Opt for CBD oil (there are health benefits).

→ And if you're trying to quit cannabis, check out:

​Puff Herbals—herbal smoking blends crafted to calm your nerves, lift your mood, and center yourself.

​

4) Sedentary lifestyle

They weren’t kidding when they said sitting is the new smoking.

A new landmark 7-year study found that excessive sitting shrinks key brain areas linked to memory and focus, even if you work out. [10]

The damage was even worse in those genetically prone to Alzheimer’s.

The takeaway? Exercise alone isn’t enough.

To protect your brain, you need to move throughout the day.

→ Simple ways to sit less and move more:

• Use a standing desk (even better with a walking treadmill)
• Take stretch, yoga, or bodyweight movement breaks during the day
• Choose active hobbies like gardening
• Get outside — play a sport, go for walks, or do what I do: skate daily

​

5) Sugar

This one’s gonna ruffle some feathers...

But the science is clear: high intake of free (honey, syrups, etc.) and added sugars — especially from sodas, juices, and processed snacks — can impair cognition and increase your risk of dementia. [11][12][13]

Yes, your brain needs glucose.

But too much sugar or wild blood sugar swings can damage key areas like the hippocampus, critical for memory and focus. [14][15]

→ Want better brain function? Cut the sugar.

• Eat whole fruits
• Use honey, maple syrup, and agave sparingly
• Swap in blood sugar-friendly sweeteners like stevia, xylitol, or monk fruit
• Prioritize meat, seafood, veggies, and healthy fats

The beautiful thing is, your brain is plastic — it can repair, rewire, and regenerate itself when given the right inputs.

By addressing these silent brain killers today, you’re not just preventing decline — you’re unlocking clearer thinking, deeper focus, better mood, and long-term cognitive resilience.

🧠 Have you ever noticed your brain feeling foggy, distracted, or off… and figured out what was causing it?

Hit reply and tell me what changed — and what helped you bounce back.

I read every response.

Protect your brain,

Onjae