Smarter Tomorrow
How 15 Minutes of Neurohacking a Day Can Help You Work Better, Think Faster, and Get More Done
Book Edition Details
Summary
"Smarter Tomorrow (2021) shows you how to upgrade your brain using a technique called neurohacking. You’ll learn how to improve your memory, creativity, emotional regulation, and what’s known as “executive functioning” through self-testing and experimentation – all backed up with insights from neuroscience."
Introduction
Have you ever wondered why some people seem to effortlessly remember names, stay focused under pressure, or come up with brilliant solutions when others struggle? The answer isn't fixed intelligence or lucky genetics. Your brain possesses an extraordinary capacity for change and improvement that most people never tap into. Through the emerging field of neurohacking, you can systematically upgrade your mental performance using scientifically-backed methods. This journey isn't about becoming superhuman overnight, but about discovering the remarkable plasticity of your mind and learning to direct it toward the abilities you most want to develop. Every day presents new opportunities to strengthen your cognitive muscles, regulate your emotions more effectively, enhance your memory, and unlock your creative potential. The tools and techniques exist right now, waiting for you to apply them with intention and consistency.
Build Your Mental Foundation Through Self-Experimentation
Self-experimentation represents the cornerstone of effective brain enhancement, transforming you from a passive observer into an active architect of your cognitive abilities. Unlike one-size-fits-all approaches, this method recognizes that your brain is as unique as your fingerprint, requiring personalized strategies to unlock its full potential. Elizabeth Ricker's transformation began in elementary school when she struggled with reading difficulties that left her feeling frustrated and behind her peers. Her breakthrough came through the systematic approach of her tutor, Ms. Lecto, who carefully assessed her specific challenges and designed personalized interventions. Ms. Lecto's method worked because it followed scientific principles: establish a baseline, implement targeted interventions, measure progress, and adjust accordingly. Within months, Ricker went from being one of the worst readers in her grade to performing above grade level, demonstrating the remarkable plasticity of the human brain when approached systematically. This transformation wasn't due to chance, but to treating herself as both scientist and subject in her own cognitive laboratory. To build your mental upgrade lab, start by keeping a dedicated notebook for tracking your experiments and establishing clear protocols for testing interventions. Maintain rigorous standards for measuring results, remembering that your brain is unique and what works for others may not work for you. The key is developing a systematic approach to discovering your personal cognitive enhancement strategies through careful experimentation and honest self-assessment.
Master Essential Techniques for Cognitive Enhancement
The most powerful cognitive enhancement techniques work by leveraging your brain's natural mechanisms for growth and adaptation. These foundational methods require no special equipment or expensive supplements, yet they can produce remarkable improvements in mental performance when applied consistently. Physical exercise stands out as perhaps the most underestimated cognitive enhancer available. When Ricker increased her physical training before junior year of high school, she noticed not only improved athletic performance but also dramatically clearer thinking. Her previously erratic academic performance stabilized, and she could maintain focus throughout demanding coursework and competition schedules. The science behind exercise's cognitive benefits is compelling. Even a single workout session can improve mental performance by 15-20 percent, with effects lasting several hours. High-intensity exercise triggers the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, often called "Miracle-Gro for the brain," which strengthens neural connections and promotes the growth of new neurons. Morning exercise sessions show particularly strong cognitive benefits, improving average performance by nearly 16 percent. To implement exercise as a cognitive enhancer, combine aerobic and resistance training for maximum benefit. A 15-minute session mixing cardio and strength exercises produces better cognitive improvements than either type alone. Time your workouts strategically, exercising in the morning for all-day benefits or immediately before mentally demanding tasks for acute enhancement. Even simple activities like brisk walking can boost creative thinking for up to two hours afterward.
Apply Advanced Methods for Peak Performance
Advanced neurohacking techniques push the boundaries of what's possible for human cognitive enhancement, offering sophisticated approaches for those ready to explore cutting-edge methods. These interventions require more careful consideration and often involve technology or specialized protocols, but they can produce remarkable results when applied appropriately. Roger Craig exemplified the power of systematic cognitive enhancement when he revolutionized his learning approach for Jeopardy! success. As a software engineer, Craig discovered that traditional study methods weren't enough. He began using spaced repetition software to optimize his learning, following a scientifically designed schedule that presented information just before he would forget it, maximizing retention while minimizing study time. Craig's success came from treating his preparation as a scientific experiment. He established baseline knowledge levels, implemented specific interventions, tracked his progress meticulously, and adjusted his approach based on results. This systematic method allowed him to achieve extraordinary results with just 10-30 minutes of daily practice, ultimately becoming one of the most successful contestants in Jeopardy! history. To develop your personal brain protocol, integrate multiple evidence-based interventions tailored to your specific needs. Start with one intervention at a time, establishing clear baselines before implementation and tracking changes over several weeks. Use both objective measures like cognitive tests and subjective assessments of daily functioning to evaluate effectiveness. Gradually build your protocol by adding interventions that show consistent benefits while discarding those that don't work for your unique brain. Consider exploring neurofeedback training or targeted light therapy as you advance in your practice.
Summary
The path to enhanced mental performance lies not in seeking a single magic solution, but in embracing the systematic approach of treating your brain as a trainable system. As this exploration has revealed, your cognitive abilities are far more malleable than you might have imagined, and the tools for improvement are within your reach right now. The most important step you can take today is to begin measuring your current mental performance in one specific area that matters to you. Choose a simple daily test, track your baseline for one week, then introduce a single intervention while continuing to measure your progress. Whether you start with morning exercise, light exposure, or basic cognitive training, the key is consistency and careful observation of what works for your unique brain. Your journey toward cognitive excellence begins with that first measurement, that first experiment, that first commitment to treating your mind with the same intentional care you would give any valuable skill you want to develop.
By Elizabeth R. Ricker
