BDNF: The Master Switch for Brain Health

 

THE WORLD’S MOST POWERFUL SCIENCE BACKED INGREDIENT.

BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) is one of the most powerful molecules in the human body. It is the master growth factor that controls brain development, repair, resilience, and performance. High levels of BDNF are associated with:

  • Enhanced memory and learning
  • Improved mood and emotional balance
  • Faster recovery from brain injuries
  • Protection from neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS)
  • Increased metabolic flexibility
  • Reduced inflammation and oxidative stress
  • Prevention of age-related cognitive decline

The BDNF Crisis: A Modern Epidemic

  • After age 40, BDNF levels naturally decline.
  • Chronic stress, poor diet, lack of exercise, inflammation, and poor sleep all accelerate this drop.
  • Low BDNF levels are now strongly linked to the global rise in dementia, mood disorders, obesity, and brain aging.

BHB: The Most Powerful Natural BDNF Activator

BHB (Beta-Hydroxybutyrate) is the primary and most powerful ketone body.

Multiple published studies have shown BHB activates BDNF through six distinct and complementary biological mechanisms:

1. Epigenetic Activation via HDAC Inhibition

  • BHB inhibits Class I histone deacetylases (HDACs), unlocking gene transcription for BDNF.
  • This is the most direct known dietary method to increase BDNF at the genetic level.

2. Powerful Anti-Inflammatory Effect

  • BHB suppresses key inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-alpha).
  • Chronic inflammation suppresses BDNF. BHB reverses this, allowing BDNF expression to rise.

3. Oxidative Stress Reduction

  • BHB scavenges damaging reactive oxygen species (ROS).
  • Reducing oxidative stress protects neurons and allows optimal BDNF production.

4. Neuronal Energy Optimization

  • BHB provides a clean, efficient fuel source for brain mitochondria.
  • Supports ATP production needed for BDNF-driven neuroplasticity.

5. Sleep Enhancement

  • BHB supports deep slow-wave sleep cycles, directly linked to BDNF upregulation.
  • Better sleep = higher natural BDNF output.

6. Synergy with Exercise (HIIT)

  • HIIT dramatically increases BDNF.
  • BHB supplementation amplifies this effect by enhancing recovery, reducing post-exercise inflammation, and maintaining elevated BDNF for longer.

BHB + BDNF: The Neuroprotection Stack

Because BHB impacts BDNF through multiple pathways simultaneously, it may offer unmatched neuroprotection and cognitive enhancement. Studies suggest BHB may:

  • Improve working memory and learning speed
  • Reduce anxiety and depression symptoms
  • Lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease by improving amyloid clearance
  • Protect neurons from age-related degeneration
  • Improve insulin sensitivity and metabolic brain health
  • Support mood stability and emotional resilience
  • Increase longevity of brain function well into advanced age

Clinical Literature Supporting BHB’s BDNF Activation

  • Sleiman SF et al. BHB activates BDNF expression via class I HDAC inhibition. Nature Communications, 2016.
  • Rahman M et al. BHB as a neuroprotective metabolite in oxidative stress. J Cell Biochem, 2014.
  • Kanoski SE et al. BDNF, obesity, and cognition. Physiol Behav, 2011.
  • Gomez-Pinilla F et al. Exercise, BDNF and cognitive function. Nat Rev Neurosci, 2008.
  • Newman JC, Verdin E. Ketone bodies as signaling metabolites. Cell Metabolism, 2014.

The Bottom Line

“BHB is one of the most effective, scientifically-validated compounds for naturally increasing BDNF. No other nutrient activates this many BDNF pathways simultaneously.”

For individuals concerned with cognitive health, mood stability, neuroprotection, and brain longevity, BHB offers a uniquely powerful solution.

BHB fuels the brain. BDNF builds the brain. Together, they unlock your brain’s full potential.

Why BDNF Matters?

Why bdnf matters

HOW BHB INCREASES BDNF

How bhb increases bdnf

THE CRISIS: BDNF DECLINES WITH AGE, STRESS, AND INFLAMMATION

Bdnf
  • BDNF levels naturally fall after age 40
  • Obesity, high sugar diets, poor sleep and chronic inflammation reduce BDNF
  • Modern lifestyle leads to epidemic levels of low BDNF, cognitive decline, and mood disorders

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

This Molecule Can Change Your Life | Podcast with Dr. Ben Bikman & Marc Lobliner

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In this powerful episode, Dr. Ben Bikman joins Marc Lobliner to uncover the science behind one of the most overlooked yet life-changing molecules: beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). You’ll learn:

✅ What BHB actually is and how it fuels your brain and body
✅ Why ketones like goBHB are more than just a “keto supplement”
✅ How BHB impacts metabolism, energy, inflammation, and longevity
✅ The shocking truth about glucose, insulin resistance, and modern health
✅ How YOU can take control of your health using cutting-edge science

Whether you’re a high-performing athlete, biohacker, or just trying to feel better every day—this episode is for you.

Therapeutic Ketosis for Heart Failure

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Therapeutic Ketosis for Heart Failure

By: Marc Lobliner, IFBB Pro

A recent state‑of‑the‑art review published in the Journal of Cardiac Failure (Kodur et al., 2025) shows that failing hearts naturally increase ketone oxidation as a survival mechanism for energy production. Small clinical trials have demonstrated that supplementing with ketones like beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) can improve heart function in patients with heart failure. The review highlights promising results for exogenous ketones in boosting cardiac output, stroke volume, and ejection fraction—metrics directly tied to heart performance.

Key Insights from the Review

Failing hearts suffer from an energy crisis. Normally, the heart burns glucose and fatty acids. But in heart failure, those pathways become inefficient. As a result, the heart shifts toward burning ketones, which are a more efficient and clean fuel.

The most accessible and impactful ketone for this purpose is beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). Studies now show that even in the most compromised hearts, infusions of BHB lead to immediate improvements in pumping capacity, oxygen use, and energy output.

These trials show that therapeutic ketosis—whether induced via diet or supplementation—can play a major role in improving cardiac performance.

Additional Clinical and Mechanistic Evidence

Acute Hemodynamic Boost
Research demonstrates that infusion of 3-OHB in heart failure patients led to a 40% increase in cardiac output, a 20 mL improvement in stroke volume, and an 8% increase in ejection fraction. This was achieved without a loss in cardiac efficiency or increased oxygen demand.

Ketones as Preferred Fuel
In failing hearts, up to 16% of the energy production (ATP) can come from ketones. This shift in metabolism suggests that the heart prefers ketones when under stress, and providing them exogenously makes a real difference in performance.

Anti-Inflammatory and Remodeling Effects
BHB has been shown to inhibit the NLRP3 inflammasome—a driver of chronic inflammation and tissue scarring in heart failure. By reducing inflammation, BHB may also limit myocardial fibrosis and support cardiac remodeling.

Endothelial and Vascular Support
Ketones have demonstrated an ability to support endothelial cell growth and blood vessel formation, which may improve circulation and nutrient delivery to the heart muscle itself.

 

Alignment with SGLT-2 Inhibitor Research
SGLT-2 inhibitors like empagliflozin, known for improving heart failure outcomes, also raise ketone levels. Many researchers believe this increase in circulating BHB is one of the reasons behind their success.

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The Role of goBHB Supplementation

goBHB is a patented form of exogenous BHB that offers all the metabolic benefits of therapeutic ketosis—without needing a restrictive ketogenic diet. It rapidly elevates blood ketone levels into the 1 to 3 mM range, which mirrors what’s seen in the successful heart failure trials.

For individuals recovering from cardiovascular strain, dealing with heart failure symptoms, or simply looking to improve endurance and energy metabolism, goBHB offers a promising and accessible tool. It provides fuel, reduces inflammation, and may enhance the overall metabolic flexibility of the heart.

Take-Home Message

The new research—including the 2025 review by Kodur et al.—shows that goBHB isn’t just a performance supplement or keto hack. It’s a powerful metabolic fuel with clinically relevant benefits for cardiovascular health.

For patients with heart failure, BHB helps the heart recover some of its lost function. For athletes and high-performers, it can enhance endurance and recovery. For those looking to support long-term heart health, it offers an additional tool in the metabolic arsenal.

With its ability to improve cardiac energy efficiency, reduce inflammation, and support vascular integrity, goBHB stands at the forefront of the next wave of heart health support—grounded in clinical science, not hype.

References

 

  • Kodur et al., Therapeutic Ketosis for Heart Failure: A State-of-the-Art Review. Journal of Cardiac Failure, 2025. PubMed ID: 40043832

  • Nielsen et al., Hemodynamic Effects of Ketone Bodies in Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction. Circulation, 2019.

  • Matsuura et al., Ketones and the Heart: Metabolic Principles. Circulation Research, 2023.

  • Frontiers in Pharmacology: Beta-hydroxybutyrate and Heart Function, 2024.