The Promise vs. The Reality
I’ve been down the rabbit hole of supplement research lately - protein powders, magnesium, melatonin, and the endless list of cognitive enhancers that promise sharper focus and better brain function. The evidence is mixed at best, and definitive answers are hard to come by. That’s what made Freakonomics Radio’s episode 658, “This Is Your Brain on Supplements,” particularly interesting.
The podcast dives into a specific question: do supplements actually improve your cognitive ability? We’re not talking about physical performance, muscle mass, or sleep quality here. The focus is on whether taking a particular supplement genuinely enhances your ability to do brain tasks and improves mental function.
Peter Attia’s Blunt Take
Having read Peter Attia’s book Outlive, I was curious about his perspective on this topic. His take can be summarized in one word: bullshit. That’s his baseline assessment of most supplements marketed for cognitive ability.
According to Attia, the evidence supporting these cognitive supplements is limited. Where benefits do exist, they’re marginal - so minimal that you likely won’t notice a meaningful difference in your day-to-day mental performance. This isn’t exactly what the supplement industry wants you to hear.
The AG1 Paradox
Here’s where it gets interesting and seemingly contradictory: despite his skepticism, Attia invested in supplement companies like AG1. On the surface, this looks hypocritical. But dig deeper, and there’s a logical explanation.
Attia doesn’t view supplements like AG1 as cognitive enhancers or miracle solutions. Instead, he sees them as utility tools; a stopgap mechanism for when life gets in the way of optimal nutrition. He uses AG1 during periods when he knows he’s not following a proper diet or when other aspects of his routine aren’t dialed in. It helps him meet his macros and nutritional baselines without being the primary solution.
The Takeaway: Stopgap, Not Solution
Supplements can fill in the gaps, but they shouldn’t be the foundation. That’s the reality behind the marketing hype - and why even a skeptic like Peter Attia can justify their use, just not for the reasons the ads suggest.
