Most people have been told caffeine and nicotine are bad for you — but what does the science actually say? This week, host Kenny Santucci sits down with Dr. David Putrino, neuroscientist and Director of Rehab Innovation at Mount Sinai, to break down the truth behind nootropics, brain optimization, and the substances that could sharpen your focus and performance.

Dr. Putrino shares what it's really like to work at the intersection of elite athletic performance and clinical rehabilitation — and why the strategies used to train special forces operators and professional athletes aren't that different from what helps stroke patients recover. Plus, they dive deep into one of the most important and undertalked health crises happening right now: long COVID and its devastating effects on cognition and energy.

In this episode:

• Why caffeine and nicotine have been unfairly demonized — and what the research actually shows
• The truth about nootropics and how to build your own cognitive "stack"
• How elite athlete training and stroke rehab are more similar than you think
• Long COVID and the brain: why millions of Americans are still struggling with brain fog and fatigue
• The supplements and treatments Dr. Petrino uses with his 4,000+ long COVID patients
• Creatine, lion's mane, L-theanine, nicotine patches, and more — what works and for whom
• The future of personalized nootropics based on your DNA

CONNECT:
Follow Kenny: @kennysantucci
Follow Strong New York: @strongnewyork
Follow David: @putrino_lab

This episode is sponsored by Celsius, the energy drink that fuels every Strong New York workout. Visit @celsiusofficial on Instagram to see all of their new flavors!

This episode is sponsored by Marek Health. Optimize your hormones, recovery, and performance. by visiting marekhealth.com. Use code KENNY at checkout for 10% Marek Diagnostics, Supplements and the Marek Health Guided Optimization signup.