I went to a Skookum Tech Talk and learned about biohacking the brain – the experience and 4 takeaways

Skookum Tech Talks

Ready to learn something new? Want to check out a killer Uptown HQ? Looking for a way to meet innovative, forward-thinking professionals in Charlotte? Skookum’s Tech Talks may be just what you’re looking for.

Skookum, a B2B digital consultancy that creates custom software products, solutions and digital experiences for leading companies and brands, hosts free monthly events to connect leading minds and innovators with Charlotteans ready to learn. 

The vibe

Skookum Tech Talks attract a wide array of Charlotteans, from entrepreneurs to Uptown professionals to fellow innovators and experts on the topic. Essentially, anyone ready to learn is always welcome.

Either way, it’ll be a laid back feel with no pressure to take notes or ask questions. Plus, don’t be afraid to be the new kid on the block. When asked who in the crowd had never attended a Tech Talk, many in the room raised their hand as first-time attendees.

Details

The event: Skookum’s Tech Talks are always on Fridays at noon, but you’ll want to check their events calendar for updates on exact dates and talk details. Their next Talk is on Friday, April 21 and will feature Eric Hanson, the Director of Digital Experience, Product Management and Omni-Channel Integration at Lowe’s Home Improvement – RSVP.

The food: You can expect to get a free pizza lunch, but come a little early so you have time to peruse your pie options.

The directions: Skookum is located at 201 S. Tryon St., aka the building that Vapiano is in. You’ll head to the elevator and go straight to the 15th floor. You can expect to see fellow Tech Talk enthusiasts and Skookum employees to get you the rest of the way.

Biohacking your brain

I recently attended Skookum’s Tech Talk Biohacking for Peak Performance with Dr. Jeffrey Galvin, director of neurosciences at Vitality Medical Wellness Institute. He’s a doctor with 20+ years of experience and an innovative way of treating his patients.

He explained that his approach to medicine is completely different compared to other doctors. He believes his patients can easily live longer due to his ability to see and treat for the future of their lives, instead of just focusing on the present state of their health.

Another state of mind that sets Dr. Galvin apart is his passion to give his patients the opportunity to optimize their health and function above average.

He explained that to truly hack your brain, you have to take advantage of the tools that will allow you to focus, remember, innovate and energize more effectively.

My takeaways

1. Find a doctor that treats you as if your entire life’s health depends on it. This perspective is truly different from the doctors that have treated me, but makes far more sense. Planning ahead, especially when it comes to your health, is always worth it.

2. Brain functionality and ways to optimize it will be different for every person. There’s no magic one size fits all solution. Measuring biofeedback and neurofeedback offer exciting ways to understand, personalize and optimize health.

3. There are a variety of ways you can try to reach your peak performance, which include better nutrition, fitness and caffeine.

4. One aspect that I really enjoyed about the Tech Talk environment was the engaging discussion afterwards. I learned almost as much from the questions and answers as I did from the Talk itself. The crowd asked big picture questions, even debating the validity of what Dr. Galvin was discussing at some points.

Tech Talk pro tip

After enjoying your pizza and learning about something super interesting, make sure to read Skookum’s awesome meeting room signs and check the view on your way out.

(Note: This content was co-created with Skookum)