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Ben Greenfield06 April 2020

The Ultimate Daily Routine - Ben Greenfield - #157

0Frameworks
11Insights

Insights & moments

The myth-busts, hot takes, explainers, and tools worth keeping.

Myth Buster· 1

Myth Buster37:00

How to Mitigate 5G and EMF Exposure Without Panic

Ben acknowledges limited research on 5G but recommends practical steps: using magnesium to counter calcium influx, supporting DNA repair with sirtuins and NAD+ precursors, and using exogenous ketones to modulate inflammation from EMF exposure.

  • Magnesium counters EMF-induced calcium influx into cells.
  • Sirtuins (from resveratrol, cacao) and NAD+ support DNA repair.
  • Exogenous ketones help regulate NF-kappaB inflammatory pathway.

The best thing you can do is to counteract some of that calcium influx into the cell just make sure you're supplementing with magnesium.

Ben Greenfield · 38:10
#emf#5g#inflammation

Explainer· 1

Explainer00:00

Why Carb Backloading Boosts Energy and Sleep

Ben Greenfield explains how delaying carbohydrate intake until the evening helps maintain stable energy and cognitive levels during the day by avoiding glucose fluctuations. This approach also supports better sleep through increased serotonin and melatonin production triggered by evening carbs.

  • Carbs are saved for dinner to maintain fatty acid oxidation or mild ketosis during the day.
  • Avoiding daytime carbs reduces glycemic variability and stabilizes energy.
  • Evening carbohydrate intake boosts serotonin, enhancing melatonin release and sleep quality.

I save all my carbohydrates for the end of the day... the release of serotonin in response to the carbohydrate feeding which enhances your melatonin…

Ben Greenfield · 00:20
#nutrition#sleep#metabolism

Tool· 8

Tool03:00

Gratitude Journaling to Start the Day

Ben begins each morning with gratitude journaling, writing down one thing he's grateful for and one person he can help that day. This practice fosters an other-centered mindset and encourages consistent positive actions throughout the year.

  • Writes one gratitude and one person to help each morning.
  • Aims to perform 365 helpful acts per year through this habit.
  • Includes dream insights or self-encouragement notes.

I write down one person who I can help that day... if I'm writing down one person I can help each day that's 365 good…

Ben Greenfield · 03:45
#mindset#habit#mental-health
Tool04:30

Ayurvedic Oral Hygiene: Tongue Scraping and Oil Pulling

Ben incorporates Ayurvedic practices into his morning routine, including tongue scraping with a copper scraper and oil pulling with coconut oil mixed with clove and peppermint essential oils. These methods support oral health by removing bacteria and improving hygiene.

  • Uses a copper tongue scraper to remove overnight bacterial buildup.
  • Practices oil pulling with coconut oil and antimicrobial essential oils.
  • Spits oil into trash (not sink or toilet) to avoid clogs.

I do a quick tongue scrape... helps to clean out some bacteria in the mouth that accumulates during a night of sleep.

Ben Greenfield · 04:45
#oral-health#ayurveda#morning-routine
Tool14:00

Full-Body Red Light Therapy for Energy and Circadian Rhythm

Ben uses red light therapy in the morning to stimulate mitochondrial ATP production, boost nitric oxide, and support circadian rhythm. He stands naked under Juve panels for 20–30 minutes while reviewing research, calling it a 'feel-good' circadian primer.

  • Uses Juve red light panels in the morning for 20–30 minutes.
  • Enhances mitochondrial function and nitric oxide release.
  • Supports circadian rhythm similarly to sunrise exposure.

I take off all my clothes and I just do like naked red light therapy full-body... nitric oxide release, stimulates mitochondrial production of ATP.

Ben Greenfield · 14:15
#red-light-therapy#circadian-rhythm#mitochondria
Tool08:00

Morning Tonic with Baking Soda and Vitamin C

Ben drinks a morning tonic made with hydrogen tablets, minerals, vitamin C, and baking soda. Inspired by the book 'Forbidden Healing,' this mix supports immune function, pH balance, and digestion, often triggering a strong bowel movement within 45 minutes.

  • Combines vitamin C and baking soda in a 2:1 ratio for immune and pH support.
  • Includes hydrogen water and mineral-rich salts like Quinton.
  • Triggers a reliable bowel movement, which he calls an 'amazing dump.'

I do two-to-one ratio of vitamin C and baking soda... I flip off the red lights after about a half-hour and you know I just…

Ben Greenfield · 08:20
#gut-health#supplements#morning-routine
Tool24:30

Power Naps with Oxygen and Nervous System Apps

Ben takes daily 20–45 minute naps, often in a soft-shell hyperbaric chamber that concentrates oxygen. He pairs this with apps like 'Unwind' and 'Brain.fm' to stimulate vagal tone and enhance nap quality, protecting this time from scheduling conflicts.

  • Naps daily for 20–45 minutes, often in an oxygen-concentrating chamber.
  • Uses 'Unwind' and 'Brain.fm' apps to simulate deep sleep cycles.
  • Wears a sleep mask and noise-blocking headphones for full immersion.

I have a soft shell hyperbaric chamber which just concentrates oxygen... I'll put on some really relaxing beats I like the one called Unwind.

Ben Greenfield · 25:10
#napping#recovery#sleep-tech
Tool35:00

EMF-Reduced Workspace with Hardwired Internet and Filters

Ben minimizes EMF exposure in his office by using wired Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi, installing dirty electricity filters, and avoiding Bluetooth devices. He also uses a manual treadmill to eliminate motor-based EMF.

  • Uses Cat 7 shielded Ethernet cables instead of Wi-Fi.
  • Installs dirty electricity filters in outlets.
  • Avoids Bluetooth headphones; uses air tube or wired versions.

Everything's hardwired with ethernet cable... no Wi-Fi no Bluetooth and these dirty electricity filters and so I just feel better when I don't have a…

Ben Greenfield · 35:20
#emf#work-environment#biohacking
Tool33:00

Using Red Incandescent Bulbs to Protect Circadian Rhythm

Ben uses red incandescent lighting in his kitchen and bedrooms at night to avoid blue light disruption. This supports stable circadian rhythms and melatonin production, even if it makes the house look like a nightclub.

  • Uses red incandescent bulbs in nighttime areas to block blue light.
  • Avoids LED lighting due to imperceptible flicker and retinal stress.
  • Maintains circadian stability even during nighttime bathroom trips.

I use incandescent lighting... all the cans in the house have incandescent light but then I've got a lamp in the office for nighttime work…

Ben Greenfield · 33:10
#circadian-rhythm#lighting#sleep-hygiene
Tool48:30

High-Dose CBD, Magnesium, and Gravity Blanket for Deep Sleep

Ben’s sleep stack includes 100mg of CBD, magnesium (Jigsaw MagSRT), glycine from gelatin, and a 25-pound gravity blanket. Combined with cold therapy via a ChillyPad and pink noise, this routine maximizes sleep quality and safety signaling.

  • Takes 100–600mg CBD for sleep (much higher than anxiety doses).
  • Uses magnesium and glycine for relaxation and bowel health.
  • Sleeps with a gravity blanket and ChillyPad for thermal regulation.

I'll take about 100 milligrams of CBD... I'm a big fan of making sure you sleep in a cold environment... and then I pull a…

Ben Greenfield · 48:50
#sleep#supplements#recovery

Takeaway· 1

Takeaway09:30

How to Avoid Caffeine Tolerance and Sleep Disruption

Ben avoids daily coffee to prevent adenosine receptor desensitization, which can impair sleep. He alternates between coffee and cacao tea, listening to his body to decide which to use, and takes periodic decaf breaks to reset sensitivity.

  • Doesn't drink coffee daily to avoid building tolerance.
  • Alternates with cacao tea containing theobromine and dopamine precursors.
  • Takes a week of decaf every few weeks to reset adenosine receptors.

I don't do coffee every day because I don't want to create a scenario in which I'm insensitive to adenosine later on in the day…

Ben Greenfield · 09:45
#caffeine#sleep#neurochemistry