Nicotine’s Effects On The Brain & Body & How To Quit Smoking Or Vaping | Huberman Lab Podcast #90 [60320f]
2025-09-13
Cracking the Code: Decoding Your Non Fasting Blood Sugar Level and Why It Matters!
Ever wondered what your blood sugar level means when you haven't fasted? It's a crucial window into your metabolic health and can offer vital clues, especially when it comes to conditions like diabetes. Understanding your non fasting blood sugar level isn't just for diabetics; it’s for anyone who wants to proactively manage their well-being. Let’s dive into what this reading signifies, how it connects to blood sugar supplements and diabetes gummies, and its relationship with traditional diabetes drugs.
Decoding Your Non Fasting Blood Sugar Level: What's Normal, What's Not?
Your non fasting blood sugar level, also known as your random blood sugar level, is a measurement of glucose in your blood taken at any time of the day, regardless of when you last ate. Unlike a fasting blood sugar test which requires you to abstain from food for at least eight hours, a non-fasting test can be done anytime. This makes it a convenient and often insightful snapshot of your glucose metabolism in real-world conditions.
So, what should your non fasting blood sugar level ideally be? Here's a helpful guide based on established medical guidelines:
Category | Non Fasting Blood Sugar Level (mg/dL) | Interpretation |
---|---|---|
Normal | Less than 140 | Healthy blood sugar regulation |
Prediabetes | 140 to 199 | Increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes |
Diabetes | 200 or higher (plus symptoms) | Likely indicates diabetes, further testing needed |
Important Note: A single high non fasting blood sugar level doesn't automatically mean you have diabetes. Factors like recent meals, stress, or illness can temporarily elevate your blood sugar. However, consistently high readings, especially above 200 mg/dL accompanied by symptoms like increased thirst, frequent urination, and unexplained weight loss, warrant immediate medical consultation to rule out diabetes.
The Power of Blood Sugar Supplements and the Delicious Approach of Diabetes Gummies
For those in the prediabetes range or looking to maintain healthy blood sugar levels proactively, blood sugar supplements can play a supportive role. These supplements are designed to complement a healthy diet and lifestyle, not replace them. They often contain natural ingredients that research suggests can help improve insulin sensitivity, support glucose metabolism, and reduce blood sugar spikes after meals.
Now, let's talk about making this journey enjoyable – enter diabetes gummies! These aren't your typical sugary candies. High-quality diabetes gummies are formulated with low or no added sugar and packed with beneficial ingredients often found in traditional blood sugar supplements. They offer a palatable and convenient way to incorporate these supportive nutrients into your daily routine.
Key ingredients often found in effective blood sugar supplements and diabetes gummies include:
- Chromium: Essential for insulin function, helping to transport glucose into cells for energy. Studies have indicated that chromium supplementation can improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes.
- Cinnamon: Contains compounds that may mimic insulin and improve glucose uptake. Research suggests cinnamon can help lower fasting blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity.
- Berberine: A potent plant compound shown to have significant blood sugar-lowering effects, sometimes can ozempic lower blood sugar too much compared to certain oral diabetes medications. Clinical trials have demonstrated berberine's effectiveness in improving blood sugar control and lipid profiles.
- Gymnema Sylvestre: An herb traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine, Gymnema may help reduce sugar cravings and improve insulin secretion. Studies suggest it can contribute to lower blood sugar levels and improved HbA1c (a long-term blood sugar marker).
- Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA): A powerful antioxidant that may improve insulin sensitivity and help reduce nerve damage associated with diabetes. Research indicates ALA's potential in managing diabetic neuropathy and improving blood sugar control.
(Disclaimer: It is crucial to consult with your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you have diabetes or are taking other medications. Supplements should not replace prescribed medications without medical guidance.)
Navigating Diabetes Drugs vs. Blood Sugar Supplements: Understanding the Landscape
When diagnosed with diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes, diabetes drugs are often prescribed to manage blood sugar levels effectively. These medications work through various mechanisms, including:
- Increasing insulin production: Some drugs stimulate the pancreas to release more insulin.
- Improving insulin sensitivity: Others help the body use insulin more efficiently.
- Reducing glucose production by the liver: Certain medications limit the liver's output of glucose.
- Slowing down glucose absorption: Some drugs delay the absorption of sugar from the intestines.
Examples of common diabetes drugs include metformin, sulfonylureas, DPP-4 inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors, and insulin itself. These medications are powerful tools for managing diabetes and preventing complications.
Where do blood sugar supplements and diabetes gummies fit in this picture?
It’s crucial to understand that blood sugar supplements, including diabetes gummies, are not intended to replace prescribed diabetes medications. They are meant to be supportive and complementary, particularly for individuals:
- With prediabetes: Supplements can be part of a lifestyle intervention strategy to help prevent the progression to type 2 diabetes.
- Managing type 2 diabetes alongside medication: Some individuals with diabetes may choose to incorporate supplements, under medical supervision, as part of a holistic approach to managing their condition. They might help in further optimizing blood sugar control and potentially reducing medication dosages in some cases (always under doctor's guidance).
- Focused on proactive wellness: Even individuals with normal non fasting blood sugar levels might use supplements as a preventative measure to support healthy glucose metabolism, especially if they have risk factors for diabetes like family history, obesity, or sedentary lifestyle.
Sweetening Your Health Journey: Why Choose Diabetes Gummies?
Diabetes gummies offer a unique and appealing way to integrate blood sugar support into your daily life. Here’s why they are gaining popularity:
- Palatable and Enjoyable: Let's face it, swallowing pills can be a chore. Gummies are chewable, often delicious, and feel more like a treat than a medicine. This makes consistent supplementation much easier.
- Convenient and Portable: Gummies are easy to take on the go. No water needed! Keep them in your bag, at your desk, or in your car for convenient blood sugar support anytime, anywhere.
- Often Formulated with Natural Ingredients: Reputable diabetes gummy brands prioritize natural sweeteners and flavorings, avoiding excessive artificial additives. They focus on delivering the beneficial ingredients effectively and palatably.
- Can be Part of a Holistic Approach: Diabetes gummies, combined with a healthy diet, regular exercise, and stress management techniques, can be a powerful component of a comprehensive strategy for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.
Making Informed Choices: When selecting diabetes gummies, prioritize brands that are foods that don't raise blood sugar transparent about their ingredients, dosages, and quality control. Look for gummies that:
- Are low in sugar or sugar-free.
- Contain clinically studied ingredients like chromium, cinnamon, berberine, Gymnema, or ALA.
- Are from reputable manufacturers with good quality standards.
- Ideally, have third-party certifications for purity and potency.
Beyond Supplements: Lifestyle Cornerstones for Healthy Blood Sugar
Remember, whether you're using blood sugar supplements, considering diabetes gummies, or managing diabetes with diabetes drugs, a healthy lifestyle is foundational. Here are key lifestyle habits that significantly impact your non fasting blood sugar level and overall metabolic health:
- Balanced Diet: Focus on whole foods, rich in fiber, lean protein, and healthy fats. Limit processed foods, sugary drinks, and excessive refined carbohydrates.
- Regular Exercise: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, plus strength training exercises twice a week. Physical activity improves insulin sensitivity and helps manage blood sugar.
- Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight, or losing even a modest amount of weight if overweight or obese, can significantly improve blood sugar control.
- Stress Management: Chronic stress can elevate blood sugar levels. Practice stress-reducing techniques like meditation, yoga, deep breathing, or spending time in nature.
- Adequate Sleep: Poor sleep can disrupt hormones that regulate blood sugar. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night.
- Regular Monitoring: If you are at risk for or have diabetes, regularly monitor your blood sugar levels as recommended when to check your blood sugar levels by your doctor.
Your journey to healthy blood sugar is a marathon, not a sprint. Understanding your non fasting blood sugar level, exploring supportive options like blood sugar supplements and diabetes gummies, and embracing a healthy lifestyle are all vital steps. Take charge of your well-being and pave the way for a healthier, happier you!
(Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any decisions related to your health, including starting any new supplement or medication.)
In this episode, I explain how nicotine impacts the brain and body, including its potent ability to enhance attention, focus, and alertness, increase blood pressure and metabolism and reduce appetite. I discuss nicotine’s ability to increase the action of neurochemicals, including dopamine, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine and activate sympathetic (alertness-promoting) neural circuits. I also discuss common nicotine delivery methods, such as cigarettes, vaping, dip, and snuff, and how they each create their own unique experience and how they, but not nicotine itself, cause cancer and other adverse health effects. I also explain science-based tools to permanently quit smoking cigarettes or vaping, including peer-reviewed clinical hypnosis tools, antidepressants, and alternative nicotine replacement (patches, lozenges, gums etc.). As nicotine is one of the most widely used substances with billions of users — most of whom report wanting to quit — this episode ought to be of interest to former/current nicotine users, those who want to quit smoking or vaping and/or those interested in learning the biology behind how nicotine impacts the brain and body. #HubermanLab #Science #Health Thank you to our sponsors AG1 (Athletic Greens): Thesis: InsideTracker: ROKA: Supplements from Momentous Social & Website Instagram: Twitter: Facebook: TikTok: LinkedIn: Website: Newsletter: Articles Predictors of smoking abstinence following a single-session restructuring intervention with self-hypnosis: Effect of hypnotic suggestion on cognition and craving in smokers: Pharmacological Approach to Smoking Cessation: An Updated Review for Daily Clinical Practice: Resources Reveri: Timestamps 00:00:00 Nicotine 00:02:47 Momentous Supplements 00:03:41 Tool: Brief Daily Meditation & Focus 00:05:59 The Arrow Model of Focus, Alpha GPC & Garlic Supplements 00:10:43 Thesis, InsideTracker, ROKA 00:14:35 Nicotine Effects vs. Methods of Delivery, Acetylcholine 00:19:55 Where is Nicotine Found? Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors 00:25:12 Nicotine & Effects on the Brain: Appetite, Dopamine & GABA 00:30:58 AG1 (Athletic Greens) 00:32:11 Nicotine, Acetylcholine & Attentional “Spotlighting” 00:37:29 Nicotine, Norepinephrine & Alertness/Energy 00:41:10 Nicotine & Effects on Appetite & Metabolism 00:46:47 Nicotine & Effects on Body: Sympathetic Tone 00:51:29 Nicotine & Cognitive Work vs. Physical Performance 00:55:08 Nicotine Delivery Methods & Side Effects, Young People & Dependency 00:58:35 Smoking, Vaping, Dipping & Snuffing: Carcinogens & Endothelial Cells 01:02:34 Smoking, Vaping, Dipping & Snuffing: Negative Impacts on Lifespan & Health 01:09:23 How to Quit Smoking, Nicotine Cravings & Withdrawal 01:13:56 Vaping & Nicotine, Rates of Effect Onset, Dopamine, Addiction & Depression 01:25:06 Tool: Quitting Smoking & Clinical Hypnosis, Reveri 01:30:16 Bupropion (Wellbutrin) & Quitting Smoking 01:36:24 Tool: A Nicotine Replacement Schedule to Quit Smoking, Nicotine Patch/Gum 01:41:52 Tool: Biological Homeostasis & Nicotine Withdrawal, The “First Week” Strategy 01:51:39 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous Supplements, Neural Network Newsletter, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook The Huberman Lab Podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions. Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac -