658. This Is Your Brain on Supplements

The podcast explores the largely unregulated brain supplement industry, questioning the reliability of product claims and the potential dangers of unregulated ingredients. It highlights the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994, which treats supplements as food rather than drugs, leading to minimal FDA oversight. Peter Attia and Peter Cohen, physicians, weigh in on the industry, with Cohen sharing his experience of being sued for libel after publishing findings on an unapproved stimulant in weight loss supplements. The discussion covers specific supplements like creatine, choline, ginkgo biloba, and omega-3s, with an analysis of their actual cognitive benefits versus marketing claims. The role of social media, the FDA's limited enforcement, and potential policy changes are also examined.