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How NAD Precursors Work in the Body or what do I need to understand before taking a NAD supplement
Generated by ChatGPT (GPT-5 Thinking mini, OpenAI). Answer obtained August 10, 2025. Note: AI-generated content may contain inaccuracies; consult primary literature for clinical decisions.
Step 1 — Ingestion
• You swallow NR, NMN, or niacinamide.
• NAD⁺ itself is mostly broken down in the gut into smaller units before absorption.
Step 2 — Absorption
• NR: Taken up in the small intestine by nucleoside transporters.
• NMN: Likely broken down into NR before uptake in humans (still debated), though some evidence suggests a specific transporter exists in mice.
• Niacinamide: Readily absorbed via facilitated diffusion.
Step 3 — First-pass conversion
• In intestinal cells and liver, precursors enter the NAD salvage pathway:
• NR → NMN → NAD⁺
• NAM → NMN → NAD⁺
• Enzymes: NRK (nicotinamide riboside kinase) and NMNAT (nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase) are key rate-limiting steps.
Step 4 — Distribution
• NAD⁺ made in the liver is not directly shipped out — instead, NAD precursors (like NAM) circulate and are taken up by other tissues to make their own NAD⁺.
Step 5 — Regulation & limits
• If intake is too high, excess NAM accumulates. This inhibits sirtuins and PARPs, counteracting benefits.
• Enzymes like CD38 constantly break down NAD⁺ — higher with age and inflammation, meaning older adults may “burn through” NAD⁺ faster.
• Cells balance NAD⁺ pools across the nucleus, cytosol, and mitochondria separately — boosting blood NAD⁺ doesn’t guarantee a big mitochondrial bump.
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Key takeaway for dosage:
• There’s a ceiling: above a certain point, enzymes and feedback loops turn extra NAD precursors into waste products or inhibitors.
• For most healthy adults in studies, 300–500 mg/day NR or NMN moves NAD⁺ significantly; beyond 1 g/day, gains flatten and side effects (like flushing or digestive upset) can increase.
Prompt:
What do we know about the biology of NAD taken as a supplement. By biology is meant does oral ingestion really result in improving what we know the molecule does. Also biology is replete with examples of just the right amount being critical and that suggests dosage matters
Response
NAD biology is tricky, because the molecule is central to metabolism but also because taking it as a supplement doesn’t work as cleanly as people often assume. Let’s break it down carefully.
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1. What NAD does in the body
• Core role: NAD⁺ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme that shuttles electrons in redox reactions — it’s essential for energy production (glycolysis, TCA cycle, oxidative phosphorylation).
• Other roles: It’s also a substrate for enzymes that regulate DNA repair (PARPs), gene expression (sirtuins), and cell signaling (CD38).
• Decline with age: Tissue NAD⁺ levels tend to drop with age and in certain diseases, which has spurred interest in supplements.
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2. The problem with taking NAD⁺ directly
• Poor absorption: NAD⁺ itself is too large and charged to cross cell membranes efficiently and is rapidly broken down in the gut.
• Blood stability: Even if some NAD⁺ gets absorbed, blood enzymes degrade it quickly into smaller molecules before it reaches cells intact.
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3. Why precursors are used instead
Most supplements aren’t pure NAD⁺ — they’re precursors that cells can convert into NAD⁺:
• Niacin (vitamin B3) — classic form, raises NAD⁺ but can cause flushing.
• Nicotinamide (NAM) — raises NAD⁺ but in high doses can inhibit sirtuins (feedback inhibition).
• Nicotinamide riboside (NR) — marketed for NAD⁺ boosting; shown to raise NAD⁺ in blood and some tissues in humans.
• Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) — similar to NR, but one step closer to NAD⁺ in the biosynthetic pathway. Absorption route in humans is still debated.
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4. What the evidence says about oral supplementation
• Human trials: Small clinical studies show NR and NMN can raise blood NAD⁺ by ~20–60% within days to weeks.
• Tissue effects: Less clear — increases in muscle NAD⁺ are modest in healthy young adults, but more noticeable in older adults or those with metabolic issues.
• Functional benefits: Early human data suggest possible improvements in some measures (insulin sensitivity, vascular function), but effects are modest and not always reproducible.
• Animal vs human: Mice show bigger and more consistent benefits (lifespan extension, improved mitochondrial function) than humans so far.
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5. The dosage question — “just right” matters
Biology often follows a U-shaped curve:
• Too little NAD⁺ → impaired energy metabolism, DNA repair, resilience to stress.
• Too much NAD⁺ → potential issues:
• Sirtuin/PARP overactivation (could affect cell cycle or stress response).
• NAM accumulation from breakdown, which at high levels inhibits sirtuins.
• Possible support for growth of some cancer cells (since cancer often thrives on robust NAD⁺ metabolism).
• Most human trials use 250–1000 mg/day of NR or NMN and report it as safe for months to years — but long-term effects beyond that aren’t known.
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6. Key uncertainties
• Optimal target NAD⁺ level for different ages and conditions isn’t known.
• Which tissues benefit most from supplementation — blood NAD⁺ isn’t always a good proxy for brain, heart, or muscle.
• Whether long-term high-dose use has subtle downsides, especially in those without NAD⁺ deficiency.
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Bottom line
• Oral NAD⁺ itself doesn’t survive digestion well; precursors like NR and NMN do raise blood NAD⁺ in humans.
• There’s good biochemical evidence they work in principle, but the translation into large, lasting health gains in humans is still tentative.
• Dose likely matters a lot — both too little and too much could be counterproductive.
• At present, the strongest case for supplementation is in older adults or people with certain metabolic or mitochondrial disorders, not necessarily healthy young individuals.
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Battle of Britain in WW2 recurs Nov 5
If you are a US citizen, campaign for an overwhelming vote against Trump
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Pivots in my career
I’ve seen several pivots in my career that were both circumstantial and serendipitous. However, when I reflect upon it, I realize a key influencer and coach in my journey didn’t have this designated role. It is only in hindsight I realize how my approach was shaped by the four plus years I spent as a graduate student sharing an office with a faculty which was the unusual result of my advisor having an electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometer in his large office at the corner of the top floor of the tallest structure on campus.
I had landed in the US as a graduate student despite refusing to apply for graduate school as the graduate record exams I took were done on an insistence by a classmate from India who wanted to prepare together, but wanted me to have skin in the game so to speak. I had designed my career path in academia in India which had worked out quite well such that I could be a faculty in the university and pursue a PhD while working. That was until I was struck off the rolls by a government inspector who held the institution I was hired at, for a violation of not meeting quota restrictions to appoint faculty from underprivileged sectors of society. The irony of it is that I was a member but not legally. When I revealed this to the Principal (Provost equivalent) he pleaded that I go to court and get an affidavit attesting to it. I thought about it and decided against it. I viewed myself as a scientist, and the rest were incidental and circumstantial. I called up my friend who was a graduate student and thus had landed a year later, in the US.
As soon as I landed I was eager to complete the process of signing up who to work for. I had researched the faculty interests and on the top most was a faculty, I had the most interest yet the least confidence of gaining acceptance with.
Dr. Douglas Clayton McCain had a PhD from UC Berkeley and had a record of consistent publications that were pretty much just himself and collaborators from Purdue.
I knew he never had anyone sign up for a PhD under his guidance. I found out very soon as he explained the implication of being his student. From day one he said you have to have the mindset that you are an independent researcher. The requirement to graduate with a PhD would be largely his when he can say with confidence, what I can demonstrate through a story of my own which would be original research with just one publication at the least, where a majority if not all the published work is what I carry out. It didn’t have to be the topmost but a generally accepted journal with reviewers.
Cultural blinkers I had on, made me venerate the fact that he had a UC Berkeley PhD, to a point that I didn’t feel daunted despite the fear that gripped me. When the acceptance had sunk in, the fear returned. I had a conversation with him about it. I pointed out that he had obtained his degree from UC Berkeley but I was his student at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. So I asked him how he accepted me and if he could relax the requirement. He began by asking if all the work records I had submitted were authentic. I stated it certainly was and it was evident from it I was not any rank holder at any point. In India, unless you had a distinguished stellar record you could submit but you’d rarely hear back from any ranked institution or affiliated entity.
What he stated then was a key aspect of branding that I now realize. He said “all universities” in the USA were “UC Berkeley” as they followed the same structure and pattern. If it was not so, then the problem lay with the perceiver. If I didn’t think I was at UC Berkeley, in the US, I couldn’t succeed. He vouched for it from his experience that opportunities existed everywhere.
This aspect of branding was also a factor in competition. Several years later, after a day long session of interviews, presentation and meetings, for a position at the University of Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, as I was being dropped off at the airport on the way back, by the faculty whose lab I had applied to, casually asked, how do you feel about taking on and beating MIT, Harvard and UCBerkeley in HIV research. My immediate response was I’d love to do that.
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Prompt Engineering for researchers
I used ChatGPT extensively over a few months to bring myself up to date on the PhD work I did in the late eighties on the Manganese at the catalytic site of photosynthesis where water is split to produce oxygen.
It helped me understand and pick the reviews from the literature to write a chapter for a journal where I put in a plug for the model proposed in my dissertation.
I read an article which stated that there is increasing evidence supporting a theory of consciousness which posits its source to be quantum phenomenon in our neurons.
If I were a researcher interested in getting into this area, which I am not, how would I go about understanding this cross functional area to begin with. I chatted with ChatGPT on that.
Sharing a conversation with ChatGPT on exploring ideas for experimental design to gain evidence if any for the theory of consciousness that it is a quantum phenomenon in our neurons
Q
Microtubules in neurons are hypothesized as being networked since neurons are networked. They are also considered to be bearing quantum characteristics. One such characteristic is having fractional dimensions. Nano materials are known to possess one and two dimensions. Could a microtubule in a neuron be a nano material with fractional dimensions? If so, explain what is a fractional dimension
A
The idea of microtubules in neurons exhibiting fractional dimensions is indeed an intriguing hypothesis. In theoretical physics, fractional dimensions refer to non-integer dimensions that arise in certain mathematical constructs. These dimensions are often associated with complex systems that exhibit fractal-like properties, where the system’s structure appears self-similar at different scales.
In the context of microtubules, if they were to exhibit fractional dimensions, it could suggest that their structure is highly intricate and self-repeating at different scales, resembling a fractal. This could have implications for their function within neurons, potentially enabling them to process information in ways that classical physics alone might not explain.
However, it’s important to note that this hypothesis is speculative and would require empirical evidence to support. While microtubules are nanoscale structures, whether they truly exhibit fractional dimensions and possess quantum characteristics is still an area of active research and debate in the scientific community.
Q
Give an example of a repeating motif in microtubules
A
One example of a repeating motif in microtubules is the arrangement of α- and β-tubulin protein subunits. Microtubules are composed of these tubulin dimers arranged in a helical fashion, forming a cylindrical structure. The repeating pattern of alternating α- and β-tubulin subunits contributes to the stability and dynamic properties of microtubules, allowing them to serve as tracks for intracellular transport and to participate in cell division processes such as mitosis and meiosis. This repeating motif plays a crucial role in the overall function of microtubules within cells.
Q
Can this repeating motif be considered as having a fractal property
A
The repeating motif of α- and β-tubulin subunits in microtubules doesn’t inherently exhibit fractal properties. Fractals typically involve self-similar patterns at different scales, where each part of the structure resembles the whole to some extent. While the arrangement of tubulin subunits forms a repeating pattern within microtubules, it doesn’t exhibit the exact self-similarity characteristic of fractals.
However, it’s worth noting that the overall structure of microtubules can sometimes display fractal-like properties when considering their branching patterns or dynamic behavior. For example, microtubules can branch and form networks within cells, and this branching can exhibit some aspects of self-similarity at different scales. Additionally, microtubules can undergo dynamic instability, where they switch between growth and shrinkage phases, creating complex patterns reminiscent of fractals. Therefore, while the repeating motif of tubulin subunits itself may not be considered fractal, the overall behavior and organization of microtubules within cells can sometimes display fractal-like characteristics.
Q
Explain the math behind arriving at fractional dimension
A
The concept of fractional dimensions arises from the study of fractals, which are complex geometric shapes that exhibit self-similarity at different scales. Traditional Euclidean geometry deals with objects of integer dimensions: points (0D), lines (1D), surfaces (2D), and volumes (3D). However, fractals challenge this notion by exhibiting dimensions that are not whole numbers.One way to understand fractional dimensions mathematically is through a process called box counting.
Here’s a simplified explanation:
Box Counting Method: Imagine covering a fractal shape with a grid of squares (or cubes in 3D). The size of the squares decreases as we zoom in on the shape. We count how many of these smaller squares are needed to cover the entire shape at each scale.Scaling Relationship: As we zoom in on the fractal, the number of squares needed to cover it typically increases.
Screenshot shows equations in a better format 
The relationship between the size of the squares (ε) and the number of squares needed (N) is often a power law:[N \propto \left( \frac{1}{\varepsilon} \right)^D]
Where (D) is the fractal dimension. For traditional Euclidean objects, (D) corresponds to its integer dimension. However, for fractals, (D) can be a non-integer value.Determining the Dimension:
By plotting (\log(N)) against (\log(1/\varepsilon)), the slope of the resulting line represents the fractal dimension.
If the shape has a fractional dimension, the slope of the line won’t be an integer.
Example: Consider the Koch snowflake, a classic fractal. At each iteration of the construction process, the length of each segment is divided by 3. After an infinite number of iterations, the length of the Koch snowflake tends toward infinity, yet it encloses a finite area.
Using the box counting method, it can be shown that the fractal dimension of the Koch snowflake is approximately (D = \frac{\log(4)}{\log(3)} \approx 1.26), indicating its dimensionality lies between a line (1D) and a surface (2D).
In summary, fractional dimensions emerge from the scaling properties of fractals, where traditional integer dimensions are insufficient to describe the complex geometric structures observed in nature. The math behind arriving at fractional dimensions involves analyzing the scaling relationship between the size of the object and the number of smaller units needed to cover it at different scales.
Q
Explain Dirac electrons
A
Dirac electrons refer to electrons that behave according to the principles described by the Dirac equation, a fundamental equation in quantum mechanics formulated by physicist Paul Dirac. The Dirac equation describes the behavior of relativistic electrons, meaning electrons moving at speeds close to the speed of light.
Key features of Dirac electrons include:
Relativistic Effects: The Dirac equation incorporates special relativity into quantum mechanics, allowing for the description of electrons moving at high speeds. This is essential for accurately describing particles traveling at velocities comparable to the speed of light.
Spin: The Dirac equation predicts the existence of electron spin, a fundamental property of particles that wasn’t initially accounted for in earlier quantum mechanical formulations. Spin is a quantum property that influences the behavior of particles and plays a crucial role in phenomena like magnetism.
Antiparticles: The Dirac equation predicts the existence of antimatter counterparts to particles such as electrons, known as positrons. This prediction was experimentally confirmed, leading to significant advancements in our understanding of particle physics.Quantum Field Theory:
The Dirac equation is a cornerstone of quantum field theory, which provides a framework for understanding the behavior of particles as excitations of underlying quantum fields. In this framework, electrons are represented as excitations of the electron field.
Dirac electrons have important implications across various fields of physics, including particle physics, condensed matter physics, and quantum computing. In condensed matter physics, for example, certain materials can host quasiparticles that behave like Dirac electrons due to their unique electronic band structures. These materials are known as Dirac materials and have properties that can lead to exotic phenomena such as topological insulators and Dirac semimetals.
Q
Could Dirac elections exist in microtubules
A
The concept of Dirac electrons is typically associated with particles in high-energy physics and relativistic quantum mechanics. While electrons in certain materials can exhibit behavior reminiscent of Dirac electrons due to their unique electronic band structures, it’s not common to directly apply the concept of Dirac electrons to microtubules.Microtubules are nanoscale structures found in cells, primarily composed of protein subunits called tubulins. They play essential roles in cellular functions such as cell division, intracellular transport, and structural support. While microtubules can interact with electrons and other particles at the nanoscale, their behavior is primarily governed by classical physics and the principles of molecular biology, rather than relativistic quantum mechanics.However, it’s worth noting that there is ongoing research into the quantum properties of biological systems, including microtubules. Some hypotheses, such as the Orch OR theory proposed by physicist Roger Penrose and anesthesiologist Stuart Hameroff, suggest that microtubules may play a role in consciousness and cognition through quantum effects. However, this remains a topic of debate and exploration within the scientific community, and direct evidence for such quantum effects in microtubules is still lacking. Therefore, while intriguing, the idea of Dirac electrons specifically existing within microtubules would require significant empirical evidence and theoretical development to support.
Q
Let’s suppose we want to produce Dirac electrons in a polymer that is a biomimetic analog of tubules. How could one proceed designing such a biomimetic polymer to test for evidence of Dirac electrons
A
Designing a biomimetic polymer to mimic the behavior of tubules and potentially exhibit Dirac electron-like behavior would require careful consideration of several factors. Here’s a general approach one could take:Understanding Tubulin Structure: Begin by studying the structure and properties of tubulin proteins and microtubules. This includes understanding the arrangement of tubulin subunits, their interactions, and how they contribute to the overall properties of microtubules.Identifying Key Features: Identify the key features of tubules that may contribute to Dirac electron-like behavior. This could include the arrangement of subunits, any intrinsic symmetries or periodicities, and any emergent properties that arise from their interactions.Mimicking Structure: Design a polymer that mimics the structural features of tubules. This could involve synthesizing a polymer with a similar arrangement of repeating units or using techniques like self-assembly to create ordered structures.Introducing Quantum Effects: Incorporate elements into the polymer that could give rise to quantum effects similar to those observed in Dirac electrons. This could involve introducing specific chemical groups or functionalizing the polymer to create electronic properties conducive to Dirac-like behavior.Characterization and Testing: Characterize the electronic properties of the biomimetic polymer using techniques such as spectroscopy, conductivity measurements, and electron microscopy. Look for evidence of Dirac-like behavior, such as linear energy dispersion relations or anomalous transport properties.Comparative Studies: Compare the properties of the biomimetic polymer with those of natural tubules and other materials known to exhibit Dirac electron-like behavior. This can help validate the effectiveness of the biomimetic approach and provide insights into the underlying mechanisms.Iterative Design: Refine the design of the biomimetic polymer based on experimental results and theoretical insights. Iterate on the synthesis and characterization process to further enhance its Dirac electron-like properties.By following this approach, researchers could potentially create a biomimetic polymer that mimics the behavior of tubules and exhibits Dirac electron-like behavior, providing new insights into the interplay between quantum mechanics and biological systems.
Q
If we consider the electron transport chain in photosynthesis, could that chain have a potential Dirac electron properties?
A
The electron transport chain (ETC) in photosynthesis involves a series of protein complexes and coenzymes embedded in the thylakoid membrane of chloroplasts. While the ETC primarily operates within the realm of classical physics and biochemistry, it’s not typically associated with Dirac electron properties.However, it’s worth exploring whether certain aspects of the ETC could potentially exhibit behaviors reminiscent of Dirac electrons or other quantum phenomena.
Here are a few considerations:
Coherence and Quantum Coherence: Quantum coherence refers to the phenomenon where particles (such as electrons) can exist in multiple states simultaneously. While coherence is more commonly associated with processes like photosynthetic energy transfer, which involves quantum phenomena like excitons, it’s possible that elements of the ETC could also exhibit coherence under specific conditions.
Electronic Delocalization: In certain circumstances, electrons within the ETC may become delocalized, meaning they are not confined to a single molecular entity but can move freely across multiple molecules. This electronic delocalization could lead to behaviors that resemble quantum effects, although they may not necessarily be Dirac-like.Spin Interactions: The ETC involves electron transfer reactions, which can involve interactions between electron spins. While these interactions are typically described using classical or semi-classical models, they can exhibit quantum mechanical behavior under certain conditions, especially at low temperatures or in highly organized systems.
Experimental Evidence: Some research has suggested that quantum effects, such as coherence, may play a role in optimizing the efficiency of the photosynthetic process. While this does not directly imply Dirac electron properties in the ETC, it highlights the potential for quantum phenomena to influence biological processes.
Overall, while the ETC in photosynthesis operates primarily within the realm of classical biology and biochemistry, there may be aspects of its operation that exhibit quantum-like behavior. However, whether these behaviors can be accurately described using concepts from relativistic quantum mechanics, such as Dirac electrons, would require further investigation and theoretical development.
Q
How could we design a biomimetic superconducting polymer that uses light capture to generate electrons in a state that produces a current that would flow without loss
A
Designing a biomimetic superconducting polymer that utilizes light capture to generate a current without loss (i.e., a superconducting photovoltaic material) would be a groundbreaking endeavor.
Here’s a conceptual approach to achieve this:
Understanding Biological Systems: Start by studying biological systems that efficiently capture light and convert it into energy, such as photosynthetic organisms. Understand the mechanisms they employ to achieve high-efficiency energy conversion.
Mimicking Light Harvesting: Design the polymer to mimic the light-harvesting capabilities of photosynthetic systems. This could involve incorporating light-absorbing molecules or nanostructures into the polymer matrix to efficiently capture photons across a broad spectrum of wavelengths.
Exciton Formation: When light is absorbed by the polymer, it should create excitons—electron-hole pairs. Ensure that the polymer structure efficiently separates these excitons to prevent recombination, which could lead to energy loss.
Creating Superconductivity: Introduce elements into the polymer that promote superconductivity. This could involve doping the polymer with specific atoms or molecules known to enhance superconducting properties or creating a lattice structure that supports the formation of Cooper pairs—the pairs of electrons responsible for superconductivity.
Engineering Cooper Pair Transport: Design the polymer to facilitate the transport of Cooper pairs without loss. This may involve creating pathways or channels within the polymer matrix that allow for the smooth flow of Cooper pairs, minimizing scattering and resistance.
Characterization and Optimization: Characterize the electronic and superconducting properties of the polymer using techniques such as spectroscopy, conductivity measurements, and cryogenic experiments. Optimize the polymer structure and composition based on experimental results to maximize superconducting performance.
Integration into Devices: Incorporate the superconducting polymer into devices such as photovoltaic cells or superconducting wires. Test the performance of these devices under various conditions to ensure they maintain superconducting behavior while efficiently converting light into electrical energy.
Iterative Improvement: Continuously refine the design of the polymer and its integration into devices based on experimental feedback and theoretical insights. Strive to enhance both the superconducting properties and the light-harvesting efficiency of the material.By following this approach, researchers could potentially develop a biomimetic superconducting polymer that efficiently converts light into electrical energy while maintaining superconducting behavior—a significant advancement with applications in renewable energy generation and quantum computing, among others.
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The U.S. Treasury’s Innovative “Reverse Coinage” Program
In a bold move to combat inflation and encourage savings among American citizens, the U.S. Treasury announced early today its new “Reverse Coinage” initiative, set to launch nationwide on the first day of the next fiscal year. The innovative program will introduce a groundbreaking concept to the American economy: negative-value currency.
For the first time in history, the U.S. Mint will issue a series of coins that hold negative monetary value, in denominations of -$1, -$5, and -$10. These special edition coins, minted in a unique, easily identifiable alloy and embossed with the image of the famous “Penny-Farthing” (a symbol of economic reversal), are designed to be spent alongside regular currency but with a twist. When used in transactions, the value of the Reverse Coins is subtracted from the total amount of the purchase, effectively increasing the cost of the item bought.
The Treasury’s spokesperson explained, “This program is aimed at encouraging Americans to think twice about their spending habits. By integrating Reverse Coins into the market, consumers will have to be more mindful of their purchases, promoting savings and reducing frivolous spending.”
Banks across the nation will start distributing Reverse Coins to customers, with a limit on how many can be withdrawn at one time. Retailers are being equipped with updated software to handle transactions involving these new coins, ensuring a smooth integration into daily commerce.
Economic experts are divided on the potential impact of the Reverse Coinage program. Supporters laud the initiative as a genius move to instill fiscal responsibility and combat inflation by absorbing excess spending power. Critics, however, argue it could lead to confusion in the marketplace and potentially discourage consumer spending, impacting economic growth.
The program’s pilot phase is expected to last one year, with regular assessments to determine its effectiveness on the economy and consumer behavior. Treasury officials remain optimistic, stating, “It’s a small step backward, for a giant leap forward in economic responsibility.”
Remember to check your change closely in the coming months, as you wouldn’t want to accidentally spend more than you intended with America’s newest monetary innovation!
An April Fool’s day hoax generated by ChatGPT4
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Work hard, play hard, what’s the issue with that?
I subscribed to this axiom or meme (depending on your inclination) for the longest time. I will however say that a better meme or axiom is needed to define how we achieve work life balance, which in itself is anachronistic.
One new way to look at it comes from a very nuanced perspective provided by a former Googler marketing executive and entrepreneur who is pursuing a PhD in neuroscience from Oxford University. Anne-Laure Le Cunff started a subscription based community called NESS Labs to discuss how we could unleash our creativity. Her take on it is to tap into and craft our inherent “curiosity” to find the various things that draw out our curiosity and thus fuel our interest and energy.
A second way to look at it is the way provided by a famous essay that I read as a sophomore which led to my career choices, which was initially to teach and do research. Bertrand Russell suggests that the source of lasting happiness is to reflect upon our legacy that would survive past our limited life span. He suggests that science offers a field which builds upon original contributions to advancing human knowledge that modern scientific methodology has created a curated mechanism to incorporate contributions into generally accepted consensus.
I surmised that while I could learn and grasp abstract math like concepts, when it comes to original contributions, I’ll have to toil like a laborer planting rice seedlings in a field. In fact that has been the nature of my journey in a career that began as a Chemistry teacher to what I do today.
A second point about Russell’s advice is that I saw a curated publication as a metric of how I am doing. That assessment has now changed and I don’t need a metric as I feel it is sufficient to earn my keep so to speak by contributing to increasing the understanding of any domain where I am engaged in problem solving.
Problem solving and curiosity are both inherent qualities we all possess and use. I think Viktor Frankl provides a great idea that we inherently seek meaning and if we grok this through engaging in work the boundary between work and play blurs.
Interested in NESSLabs ? Check out
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AspiringPolymath
What is one word that describes you?
I aspire to gain the ability to be in the shoes of all minds from a sympathetic understanding. My inspiration for this aspiration came from a public speaking and speed reading courses I took under an instructor named Venkata Iyer, who was a business consultant who taught these two courses at the IndoAmerican Friendship society in Mumbai in the eighties. I would hang out with him after class as he was brimming with ideas and he shared the source of his ideas, as regards to how to think. He recommended I read all the works by Mortimer Adler, who wrote the book, how to read a book. Yes it is the same maverick faculty after whom the Planetarium in Chicago is named after.
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A personal publication stack
I am borrowing the term stack from technology stack, which is the combination of tools that developers use to create a website or application, including programming languages, libraries, frameworks, and other tools.
I am repurposing it into a term, personal stack. A personal stack allows an author or creator to create once and publish everywhere.
Several years ago, as a user of Notes on the iphone I had the ability to link it to my WordPress account such that I could choose what I could push out to WordPress. That feature allowed me to edit the write up on my phone to sync with what was visible in WordPress. Then it abruptly stopped.
Now WordPress is Jetpack. I like their new feature that allowed me to link my Facebook page and LinkedIn page to Jetpack such that my blog post on Jetpack was simultaneously published in both LinkedIn and Facebook.
I have been counseled not to share too much and to consider the audience which means keep your publications tailored for different audiences separated. Now I don’t know if the feature in Jetpack, which allowed me to publish in Jetpack would allow me to select the linked accounts to push the blog to.
I would think security breach would be another concern. In that area, I found Facebook offer a paid option to secure my Facebook account from being hacked. I am quite sure a similar feature might exist in LinkedIn for their paid account. I don’t know this for sure, but I am thinking if my Facebook account were hacked it would break the link as the credential might get changed and the hacker won’t have access to the Jetpack account and thus, the entire stack.
Since my blogpost on ChatGPT4 was successful after I linked the accounts, I will use this post to probe the feature, whether it lets me choose the linked accounts.
Jetpack added a feature that allows readers to post comments. Mind you, I don’t pay for any of my social media accounts, so my use of these apps and its features are limited from that standpoint.
There were more social media platforms available to link of Jetpack, that I haven’t set up yet.
I would also expect that if I edited the blog post in Jetpack, the link from the linked App would reflect the change thus realizing, write and update on one location and have it published on several chosen platforms, which I term the personal creator’s publication stack.
I am editing and adding a note that Jetpack allows you to select from the linked accounts to publish the blog. I also notice many more features to add different content types to the blog post.
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Dirac electrons explained by ChatGPT4
As a chemist, I am obsessed with electrons. When I read about Dirac electrons in material science, it really challenged my understanding of the reported publication.
So, I turned to my friend, ChatGPT4, who is available 24×7 and keyed in the question and waited for a response that took a long time such that I fell asleep. But, Lo behold, I think the response was well worth the intensive compute resources it takes.
Q: Explain in detail what are Dirac electrons
A: Dirac electrons refer to particles that are described by the Dirac equation, formulated by the British physicist Paul Dirac in 1928. This equation extended the Schrödinger equation of quantum mechanics to incorporate the theory of special relativity, providing a unified description of quantum mechanics and relativity for the behavior of electrons.
Dirac electrons have several distinctive and fascinating properties:
- Relativistic Effects: The Dirac equation predicts that electrons, even in atomic orbits, behave as if they are moving at speeds close to the speed of light. This results in relativistic effects, including corrections to the gyromagnetic ratio of the electron and fine-structuring of atomic energy levels.
- Antiparticles: One of the most revolutionary predictions of the Dirac equation was the existence of antiparticles. For each particle solution, the equation also has a corresponding solution that can be interpreted as a particle with the same mass but opposite charge. For the electron, this predicted the existence of the positron, its antiparticle, which was later discovered in cosmic rays by Carl Anderson in 1932.
- Spin: The Dirac equation naturally incorporates the concept of spin, a fundamental quantum property of particles. Electrons possess spin 1/2, meaning they have two possible spin states. This intrinsic angular momentum is a key component of quantum mechanics and is critical for understanding the Pauli exclusion principle, chemical bonding, and electron magnetic moments.
- Graphene and Dirac Cones: In materials science, Dirac electrons are of particular interest in the study of graphene, a two-dimensional form of carbon. Graphene’s electronic band structure features points where the conduction and valence bands meet in conical points known as Dirac cones. At these points, electrons behave as if they are massless and travel at a constant velocity, which is a fraction of the speed of light. This gives rise to unique electrical properties, such as high electron mobility and conductivity.
- Topological Insulators: Dirac electrons are also relevant in the study of topological insulators, materials that are insulating in their interior but have conducting states on their surface. These surface states are protected by topological invariants and can host Dirac electrons that are robust against certain types of scattering, leading to potential applications in quantum computing and spintronics.
In summary, Dirac electrons are characterized by their adherence to the Dirac equation, embodying both quantum mechanical and relativistic phenomena. Their study enriches our understanding of fundamental particle physics and paves the way for advancements in various fields of material science and technology.
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Die Empty, a book suggestion
Die empty
This is a post by my spiritual mentor, a former IT executive and currently a monk ordained by the order of monks of the tradition of Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh, in Facebook.
Copy paste:
“To possess a heart full of love, and then to live a life selfless, free and cheerful, is the goal of all lives.”
— Swami Ramdas
Aum. Indeed! It’s helpful to see this in print, yes? We all deal with this feeling of incompletion, and our dear mind comes up with so many ideas about how to fill our “hole in the heart”. As it turns out, though, there is actually not a hole at all. We are whole and complete, already in the Kingdom, and yet there are such strong ideas and feelings that this is not so. This – if we can visualize ourselves wearing this – puts an end to the longing. It is actually what we want. It is not easy, life is not easy, but this one sentence is as good an explanation of what we are looking for as any that we’ve seen.
Blessings. Jai Ma, Jai Gurudev, May all beings be Happy and Free.
🙏🕉️❤️
End copy paste.
I find that it is important to cultivate a mindset of plenty in our own capacity. The world is always rating us and we need to be objective in viewing those ratings as having lessons but not use it to label ourselves.
This meditation allows us to build the space in our mind to grow our potential.
The book Die empty by Todd Henry complements this mindset of a judgement free appreciation of ourselves by us to then consider how do we actualize our potential or self actualize, borrowing the term from Abraham Maslow. Todd Henry translates the Agile framework that is used very successfully in business, into our own life. In fact, Dr. Deming himself did likewise but his work in that area of how to apply the PDCA cycle in our own life may not have gained appreciation but his core principle of what I consider, a benevolent incremental and iterative cycle of a consciously designed process is embedded and can be discerned in many self help methodologies.
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Wim Hoff and weight loss
Despite the negative light in which he is casted in the Wikipedia link shared here, I practice his methods but very gently snd by paying attention to your own mind and body using the methods from Eckhart Tolle among others that include practices from Yoga.
Wikipedia considers his endurance an innate (freak) character than a systematically built ability.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wim_Hof
I was listening to a weight loss practitioner on a National Public radio interview and what he described was a very insightful interpretation of his experience. He had begun the weight loss medication to bring under control his clinical numbers that were in the danger zone for metabolism. It worked spectacularly well and he did not regret his decision and intended to continue it. However this is how he described his experience with the weight loss prescribed medication: it was as if a thousand voices in my head clamoring for food suddenly fell silent. Selecting what to eat was now a task as he did not feel like eating but did so following a deliberate choice based on what food he need to meet the goals that were metrics of health.
He spoke about the fact that to him it was apparent that it was not an addiction only but a source of joy to interact with people by sharing food. The simple joy of Thanksgiving dinner table was the anticipation to try various dishes. That was now completely lost.
If I put on my biochemist’s training hat, I would say his experience is temporary and that of a beginner. The reason is homeostasis or a reversal to the mean that the biochemicals in our bodies will exert. In simple terms, this dramatic effect he described for taking the medication will cease to work as dramatically.
However the subject of this essay is to examine how the magic bullet chemical (weight loss drug) approach compares with exerting a deliberate gradual exercise of will power, which is the practical takeaways I got from watching all of Wim Hoff’s videos both subscription based and freely available.
One key takeaway for me from Wim Hoff is about mindset. One has to have the mindset that mind can prevail over matter (genetics and circumstances).
The second takeaway was imagination matters. He speaks about visualizing the future. Before you go to bed, imagine yourself waking up and stepping in to the shower and having a pleasant warm water shower. Then you turn the dial to the coldest stream from the shower and now imagine that you will get shocked and uncomfortable yet it will be just fine and just 15 seconds the first time will feel good when it is over as you will be fine and better for having done it. This is the use of will power as a muscle to build habits to change into a new normal or change the homeostat in the body gradually to a new setting.
What is the difference between using will power versus pharmaceuticals is this. Will power is a very broad general skillset applicable to every aspect of our life whereas the pull based approach is highly specific to one outcome and even for that to sustain the goal you will need to exert will power.
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