The Adaptogenic Sessions - AAM1 Study

This is the first study in a series that will explore the Aggregate Adaptogenic Momentum Theory.

AAM theory posits that all of our systems can optimize better if they optimize together; that curating neurochemical improvements will lead to optimized physiological responsivity which effectuates subconscious benefits, as new standards are set, new expectations created, and new limits defined, before the cycle then repeats itself.

If we can nurture the brain to function as effectively as possible, it can then instigate the best physical responsivity in our body; this creates a new standard for performance and opens up new potential for the mind to grasp; the cycle then repeats, all under the umbrella of elevating our performative capability.

It's a tripartite formula: The neurological signaling; the physiological responsivity; the psychological  recalibration. And repeat. 

This is a live document, so stay tuned for updates.

Partnering with Endorf, an online retailer of adaptogenic supplements, Borealism is seeking to test the AAM theory by way of conducting several group trials with designated participants who will complete a series of runs to validate this hypothesis.

The human body is constructed in such a way as to be perpetually adaptive towards whatever’s required of it; the mind, likewise, is designed to be just as, if not more, adaptive than the body.

We’re incredibly dynamic and, under the right circumstances with the right resources and in the right ways, we can amplify our adaptive nature, allowing us to elevate our potential towards specific performative outputs. 

New findings in neuropsychology are continuously revealing the myriad of ways that our brains are not only built for adaptability but function as the fluid manager of our physiological dynamism as well. 

Neuroplasticity has shown us a lot in this regard. 

Enter adaptogens.

Plants, mushrooms, and other naturally-occurring compounds that categorically enhance our systemic functions, either by increasing the state of resistance to stress or decreasing our sensitivity to stressors, promoting critical levels of homeostasis amongst numerous bodily systems.

What we begin to see is a formula — a winning combination at play between concepts and ingredients, between the inherent functions we’re capable of and the prospect that carries us forward; the neuroplasticity combined with the adaptogenic effectuations, the conscious awareness supplemented with the cognitive enhancement, the physiological responsivity added to subliminal goal-construction.

This theory posits that all of our systems can optimize better if they optimize together; that curating neurochemical improvements will lead to optimized physiological responsivity which effectuates subconscious benefits, as new standards are set, new expectations created, and new limits defined, before the cycle then repeats itself.

If we can nurture the brain to function as effectively as possible, it can then instigate the best physical responsivity in our body; this creates a new standard for performance and opens up new potential for the mind to grasp; the cycle then repeats, all under the umbrella of elevating our performative capability.

It’s a tripartite formula: The neurological signaling, the physiological responsivity, the psychological recalibration. Repeating with increasing efficacy at each cycle. 

Hypothesis

We set out with an ambitious goal: To test and showcase the way that supplementing with the Endorf pre-run product could generate improved results across physical and mental metrics of performance when comparing two similar runs in similar conditions. 

That runners, who continuously supplement with the Endorf product, could achieve faster times, greater cadence, a quickened pace and an increased heart rate; moreover, that they could improve along a mental front of performance with respect to their motivation, confidence, engagement and effort. 

This had all been posited under the Aggregate Adaptogenic Momentum [AAM] theory, which details that our neurological states can have drastic effectuations upon our physiological responsivity which, in turn, influences our psychological frames of mind — these systems work symbiotically and, when engaged in unison via a catalyst (in this case, the Endorf pre-run supplment), generate optimal results across numerous spectrums of measurement. 

Specifically, the combination of ingredients within the Endorf supplement work to improve a runner’s endurance, contributing to a greater sense of energy and heightened stamina; mentally, the elements should combine to enhance focus and maintain a heightened level of motivation amidst other cognizant improvements like a boosted mood and expanded self-perspective. The adaptogenic effect on neurological states should thus have an exponential effect on the self-perceived efforts and engagements, which materialize into greater physical gains. 

This was our hypothesis. And it worked. 

Methodology

While most of the physical data had been pulled from the Strava profiles of the runners, a large portion of this study consisted of self-assessments before, during, and after the control and the trial run. 

Runners had been asked to consistently measure their sense of motivation, their confidence, their sustained peak performance and their sustained engagement respective to each short and long run that they conducted. 

Results had not only validated the proposed hypothesis but indicated a considerable increase to self-perceived assessment scores in a relatively short duration of time (21 days). 

Brian Week 1 Short Run:

Brian Week 1 long run:

Brian Week 2 short run:

Brian Week 2 long run:

Brian Week 3 short run:

Brian Week 3 long run:

Participants had also been given a questionnaire to complete twice, once at the start of the study and once at the end of the study, in an effort to delineate any notable improvements with regards to their abilities to initiate and stabilize a desired pace, to regulate their breathing, to balance and/or shift their weight, their visual acuity, and level of mental focus and determination, their ability to regulate thoughts and thinking patters and their mind-body coordination and responsivity. 

All participants noted categorical improvement 

Below are the questionnaire scores of another participant, David:

First assessment:

Your ability to initiate + stabilize a desired pace: 4/5

Your ability to regulate breathing: 3/5

Your balancing ability / ability to shift weight as needed: 5/5

Your visual acuity: 4/5

Your level of mental focus and determination: 4/5

Your ability to regulate thoughts and thinking patterns: 4/5

Your mind-body coordination and responsivity: 3/5

Second Assessment:

Your ability to initiate + stabilize a desired pace: 5/5

Your ability to regulate breathing: 5/5

Your balancing ability / ability to shift weight as needed: 5/5

Your visual acuity: 5/5

Your level of mental focus and determination: 5/5

Your ability to regulate thoughts and thinking patterns: 5/5

Your mind-body coordination and responsivity: 5/5

The Strava profiles are still being analyzed, however, a few preliminary findings can be presented: 

We sought to rely on three key indicators to measure a participants effort and effectiveness during the participants runs: heart rate, pace, and cadence.

Over the course of three runs, one participant logged an increase of her BPM from 147 to 152 to 160; her average pace improved from 5:37/km to 5:19/km and finally to 5:05/km; her cadence increased from 158 steps per minute to 172 and, finally, to 177.

Another participant noticed his BPM rise from 154 to 159 and then finally to 161; his average pace improved from 8:01/mi in the first week to 7:17/mi in the last week and his steps per minute improved from 149 steps per minute in the first week to 156 steps per minute in the final week.

The above results serve to delineate a remarkable improvement to the three specified metrics of measuring a runners effort and, in turn, their effectiveness. We had not necessarily expected such consistent findings and figured there to be more variability week to week as opposed to a continual improvement across all spectrums.

It's critical to further make note of several other elements:

i) Runner Consistency; we had asked our participants to ensure, as much as possible, that they remain consistent in all internal and external conditions with respect to their designated runs - that they avoid running under different circumstances regarding weather, diet, sleep or illness, as well as ensuring that the routes are kept consistent. Despite this, there is of course always variability that can't be avoided unless runs are completed in a completely controlled environment. Accordingly, no runner reported any noteworthy variability to their internal/external circumstances

ii) Short/Long Run Differentiation; we had also asked that runners completed one short run and one long run per week, allowing them to utilize their discretion regarding the exact distances. The above findings are based upon a consolidation of short and long run median statistics.

iii) Placebo Effect; we had also asked our participants to be weary of the placebo effect - explaining the ways by which placebo can serve to obscure findings. All participants had reported a self-perceived limited role of placebo. It is worth noting that, under the AAM theory, the placebo effect is not so much an obstacle to be avoided as it is a factor to be considered necessary (regarding our mental perceptions), which serves to mitigate its statistical-skewing impact accordingly.