In the upcoming posts I'll be sharing as much as I can about biohacking with the various lunar cycles or moon phases. This is the process I am using at the moment.
There are 4 check points in the lunar cycle, New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon and Third Quarter Moon. In between these are other points such as Gibbous waning etc but these are the main. So for the time being I will focus on these checkpoints.
I am drafting all this atm to put in a book which will be published soon but for the time being sharing brief information on this blog in order to share my journey so far.
Within each of these checkpoints the brain is using a predominant neurotransmitter.
New Moon to First Quarter Moon
The focus is on increasing Acetylcholine. This is a very powerful neurotransmitter and it's important not to overdo it as with any of the other neurotransmitters but this one specifically can fry your brain. But when done cautiously and producing just the right amount it produces the most amazing results. With peak levels my brain has worked super sharp, dreams are also a lot more vivid. The levels should rise gradually and a peak should be experienced on the First Quarter Moon. Acetylcholine in my view is like the alpha of the neurotransmitters, the beginning starting point, without it we can't produce two other vital neurotransmitters which we will see in the next checkpoint. In this phase the focus is on setting intentions and goals. Dreams can be vivid as acetylcholine increases REM sleep.
First Quarter Moon to Full Moon
Once there is peak level of Acetylcholine on the First Quarter Moon it should help jumpstart the next main neurotransmitter of focus. That would be serotonin, the "happy molecule". There should be surges of creativity and joyful feelings. Emotions get really charged by full moon. Another neurotransmitter that works alongside this one is dopamine, the chemical for reward and motivation. Both are implicated in mood disorders and depression. There is also likely to be some gender based differences, maybe men need more dopamine than serotonin - something I am still working on understanding. Positive thinking is useful at this time but if we have enough neurotransmitters this shouldn't need to be practiced, it should happen naturally. There should be a gravitation towards positive thoughts, optimism and a heightened sense of gratitude. Practice is still helpful especially if needed, as most people have been programmed to think negatively and also when the body is out of balance due to toxins etc.
Full Moon to Third Quarter Moon
By Full Moon dopamine should be peaking. Subsequently this is followed by neurotransmitters synthesised from dopamine - norepinephrine and epinephrine. We need them in smaller amounts and for shorter time. Norepinephrine is needed to help produce melatonin, so if we have produced adequate serotonin in previous checkpoint then melatonin production should be a breeze. Stay away from artificial light and sleep in the dark to help the melatonin production. Followed by this there is a surge of gamma amino butyric acid (GABA). GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter with calming relaxing effects. It helps with deep restful sleep and surges are seen during the night sleeping hours. This is where deep dreaming takes place and we experience NREM sleep. As we move towards the Third Quarter Moon some enzymes that help break down neurotransmitters such as Mono amine oxidase (MAO) and others that breakdown histamine are also present. These are essential for the detoxification process and a necessary component to manage the levels of neurotransmitters.
Spiritually we can take the time to review our goals and how we have manifested during this cycle, those deep dreaming can reveal what we need to know at this time.
Third Quarter Moon to New Moon
This is the detoxification phase. This phase is vital and the focus is on elimination of toxins. The best way to eliminate toxins is a healthy balanced diet and eating lots of fibre especially during this phase. Don't let waste in your body stagnate. Probiotics can be helpful as most people may have destroyed their gut through heavy pesticide food.
Spiritually we can use this time for deeper introspection. As questions before falling asleep and all is revealed through dreams. Review the entire lunar cycle.
This is just a very basic map. There's so much more to it such as hormones during each phase, various hormones work alongside the different neurotransmitters. I've also left out other neurotransmitters.
In my view I believe women are meant to synchronize their menstrual cycle with the moon phase. My menstrual cycle did synchronize at one point but something changed and I'm just working that out - the most important thing for women to focus on is having a healthy normal menstrual cycle. The checkpoints may be different for men and women.
I think using the map is easier for women as more scientific research is available and studies about female hormones and the menstrual cycle. I think generally though the moon map paints a pretty decent picture of the predominant neurotransmitters for men and women. For children it is much different as their developing brains are dependent on GABA levels more than the other neurotransmitters.
The changing seasons play a major role in neurotransmitter levels which means geolocation will greatly impact the requirements of neurotransmitters with spring and summer as a period of increase of the excitatory neurotransmitters. Autumn and winter we see more of the inhibitory neurotransmitters with sleep becoming deeper and more restful.
I have been doing this research in the past few years, deepening my level of understanding and even using myself as a guinea pig. It has not been easy but an interesting journey. I have had a bumpy ride along the way, nothing is ever smooth sailing but I've learned a lot through my mistakes. In the upcoming posts I will be sharing some basic formulations for increasing these neurotransmitters such as various supplements and practices.
What I've discovered from doing all this is that it really has heightened my level of intuition and energy. I want to go much deeper though as I feel I have only touched the surface. I have been able to increase psychedelic types of experiences but very briefly. I have also increased basic levels of awareness and mental states, such as deep restful sleep (and unfortunately even messed it up), motivation, creativity, focus, mental math, photographic memory to name a few.
