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Authors: Mark Sisson
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It’s likely that stupid mistakes from brief, careless lapses in judgment were a strong factor in diminishing the life expectancy of our exceptionally healthy ancestors.
Today vicious tigers are not a life-threatening safety concern, but we humans obliviously or carelessly (can you say, “multitasking”?) find ways to invite pain and suffering of a different nature into our lives. Buckle your seat belt; don’t drink, text, or phone and drive; and be prepared and hypervigilant when you go backpacking in the wilderness, descend a steep hill on your 15-pound racing bike, or use a blowtorch, chain saw, or tile cutter. Devote a little more attention and energy to risk management in your daily choices so you can enjoy a long, happy life and pass your own superior genes to the next generation
Primal Blueprint Law #10: Use Your Brain
One of the most important things that separates humans from all other animals is intellectual ability. The rapid increase in the size of our brains over just a few thousand generations was the combined result of optimum dietary choices (including high levels of healthy fat and protein—see Law #1) and a continued reliance on complex thought—working the brain out just like a muscle. The best proof of this is the fact that hunter-gatherers all around the world developed language, tools, and superior hunting methods independently.
While you might argue that we use our minds plenty to navigate and make a buck in today’s world, the reality is that many of us are stuck in unfulfilling or rote jobs or are otherwise disconnected from continued intellectual challenge and stimulation. Numerous studies of general intelligence qualities identify curiosity as one of the most profound markers and nurturers of intelligence. Opportunities for intellectual stimulation are everywhere in daily life. Commit to some personal challenges, such as learning a new language, playing a musical instrument, or taking an evening college class. Research indicates that risk of devastating mental conditions including depression, dementia, and Alzheimer’s can be reduced by keeping your brain active as well as your body.
Learn Them, Know Them, Live Them!
Law #1: Eat Lots of Plants and Animals . Enjoy the natural, satisfying foods that fueled two million years of human evolution.
Law #2: Avoid Poisonous Things . Avoid processed foods (sugars, grains, and chemically altered fats) that are foreign to our genes and make us fat and sick.
Law #3: Move Frequently at a Slow Pace . Enhance fat metabolism and avoid burnout by keeping active but taking it easy.
Law #4: Lift Heavy Things . Short, intense sessions of functional, full-body movements support muscle development and delay aging.
Law #5: Sprint Once in a While . Occasional all-out sprints trigger optimal gene expression and beneficial hormone flow.
Law #6: Get Adequate Sleep . Avoid excessive digital stimulation and sync with your natural circadian rhythm for optimal immune, brain, and endocrine function.
Law #7: Play . Balance the stress of modern life with some unstructured, physical fun!
Law #8: Get Adequate Sunlight . Don’t fear the sun! Adequate sun exposure helps synthesize vitamin D to ensure healthy cellular function.
Law #9: Avoid Stupid Mistakes . Cultivate hypervigilance and risk management to avoid the stupid mistakes that bring “avoidable suffering” to modern humans.
Law #10: Use Your Brain . Engage in creative and stimulating activities to nurture your mental health and overall well-being.
That’s It
Aside from—ahem—the reproductive act, I challenge you to name any other significant behavior that shaped our genes and today plays a critical role in our health and well-being. Could it really be this simple? Could the prevention of and cure for obesity, diabetes, heart disease, physical decline, most cancers, and the general overstressed existence of the modern human be contained in a list of ten
Primal Blueprint
laws? While you may be able to
Today vicious tigers are not a life-threatening safety concern, but we humans obliviously or carelessly (can you say, “multitasking”?) find ways to invite pain and suffering of a different nature into our lives. Buckle your seat belt; don’t drink, text, or phone and drive; and be prepared and hypervigilant when you go backpacking in the wilderness, descend a steep hill on your 15-pound racing bike, or use a blowtorch, chain saw, or tile cutter. Devote a little more attention and energy to risk management in your daily choices so you can enjoy a long, happy life and pass your own superior genes to the next generation
Primal Blueprint Law #10: Use Your Brain
One of the most important things that separates humans from all other animals is intellectual ability. The rapid increase in the size of our brains over just a few thousand generations was the combined result of optimum dietary choices (including high levels of healthy fat and protein—see Law #1) and a continued reliance on complex thought—working the brain out just like a muscle. The best proof of this is the fact that hunter-gatherers all around the world developed language, tools, and superior hunting methods independently.
While you might argue that we use our minds plenty to navigate and make a buck in today’s world, the reality is that many of us are stuck in unfulfilling or rote jobs or are otherwise disconnected from continued intellectual challenge and stimulation. Numerous studies of general intelligence qualities identify curiosity as one of the most profound markers and nurturers of intelligence. Opportunities for intellectual stimulation are everywhere in daily life. Commit to some personal challenges, such as learning a new language, playing a musical instrument, or taking an evening college class. Research indicates that risk of devastating mental conditions including depression, dementia, and Alzheimer’s can be reduced by keeping your brain active as well as your body.
Learn Them, Know Them, Live Them!
Law #1: Eat Lots of Plants and Animals . Enjoy the natural, satisfying foods that fueled two million years of human evolution.
Law #2: Avoid Poisonous Things . Avoid processed foods (sugars, grains, and chemically altered fats) that are foreign to our genes and make us fat and sick.
Law #3: Move Frequently at a Slow Pace . Enhance fat metabolism and avoid burnout by keeping active but taking it easy.
Law #4: Lift Heavy Things . Short, intense sessions of functional, full-body movements support muscle development and delay aging.
Law #5: Sprint Once in a While . Occasional all-out sprints trigger optimal gene expression and beneficial hormone flow.
Law #6: Get Adequate Sleep . Avoid excessive digital stimulation and sync with your natural circadian rhythm for optimal immune, brain, and endocrine function.
Law #7: Play . Balance the stress of modern life with some unstructured, physical fun!
Law #8: Get Adequate Sunlight . Don’t fear the sun! Adequate sun exposure helps synthesize vitamin D to ensure healthy cellular function.
Law #9: Avoid Stupid Mistakes . Cultivate hypervigilance and risk management to avoid the stupid mistakes that bring “avoidable suffering” to modern humans.
Law #10: Use Your Brain . Engage in creative and stimulating activities to nurture your mental health and overall well-being.
That’s It
Aside from—ahem—the reproductive act, I challenge you to name any other significant behavior that shaped our genes and today plays a critical role in our health and well-being. Could it really be this simple? Could the prevention of and cure for obesity, diabetes, heart disease, physical decline, most cancers, and the general overstressed existence of the modern human be contained in a list of ten
Primal Blueprint
laws? While you may be able to
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