Read Like Your Life Depends On It

Happy Sunday!

Jay and I will be on for a live stream Q&A tonight at 8 PM EST.

This will be a general Q&A so bring your best questions!

Today, I want to talk about a habit that’s been with me longer than peptides, testosterone, or my favorite mitochondrial stimulant.

It’s a foundational habit for anyone trying to squeeze the most out of life: reading.

Now, before you roll your eyes and say, “Hunter, are you telling me to go read a book when I could be working, hitting the gym, or loading up my peptide pens?”, hear me out.

Reading is a high-performance, mind-expanding, and even physiologically beneficial practice that’s as core to my routine as a clean diet, consistent training, or my morning injections.

The Foundation

Since childhood, I’ve cycled through phases.

Sometimes devouring books at a record pace, sometimes letting my stack gather dust.

But one thing’s never changed…I always come back to reading.

Why?

When you read, your brain lights up like a Christmas tree.

Multiple studies have found that regular reading improves not only vocabulary and knowledge but also strengthens and builds new neural connections.

Research from Emory University, using fMRI scans, revealed that reading fiction increases connectivity in the left temporal cortex, a region associated with language receptivity, and the central sulcus, which is linked to sensory-motor activity, even days after finishing a novel.

In other words, your brain “works out” and adapts as you read, just like your body responds to progressive overload in the gym.

Reading, much like the right peptides or an optimized hormone stack, builds your mind’s resilience, flexibility, and capacity to tackle new challenges.

The Science

Why does reading deserve a spot next to peptides, diet, and training?

Because the data says so.

Studies show that lifelong reading improves cognitive function and delays cognitive decline.

A study in Neurology found that people who engage in reading and other mentally stimulating activities experience slower rates of cognitive decline as they age.

Reading can also lower stress by up to 68%, according to research from the University of Sussex.

Just six minutes of reading can decrease heart rate and muscle tension, leading to a calmer, more focused mind.

Think of reading as a mental adaptogen, except it’s free, accessible, and entirely within your control.

References:

• Short- and Long-Term Effects of a Novel on Connectivity in the Brain, Emory University

• Neurology Study: Late-life cognitive activity and cognitive decline

• Reading ‘can help reduce stress levels’, University of Sussex

Hormones, Peptides, and Neuroplasticity

Suppose you’re optimizing your life with peptides.

Whether it’s nootropics like Dihexa and Cerebrolysin, mitochondrial agents like SS-31, or a solid hormone replacement protocol, you’re investing in your brain and body’s ability to adapt, repair, and evolve.

Everyone wants to know the next best hack to “stave off” dementia.

Yet, what’s wild is that reading rarely is a component of a “brain health” protocol.

For instance, BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), a protein essential for neuroplasticity, is elevated by both physical exercise and intellectual stimulation, such as reading.

When you combine the neural growth from regular reading with peptides known to boost cognitive function (think Dihexa, Semax, Cerebrolysin), you get a synergistic effect which leads to more neural growth, better mood, and faster recovery from mental fatigue.

Optimizing testosterone and thyroid, using mitochondrial peptides, and reading daily…

That’s how you stay mentally and physically young, regardless of the number on your driver’s license.

Reference:

• BDNF, Exercise, and Cognitive Enhancement

Empathy, Perspective, and the Human Experience

Reading fiction, in particular, boosts something even more critical than IQ or memory: empathy.

MRI studies have shown that reading novels enhances your ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes, activating the same brain regions used for real-life social interactions.

In a world that’s increasingly digital, divided, and distracted, that’s a superpower.

Empathy is a competitive edge.

It allows you to lead, build relationships, sell, negotiate, and, most importantly, understand yourself.

Peptides can upgrade your biochemistry.

Reading can upgrade your software and your operating system for navigating reality.

Reference:

• How Reading a Novel Changes Your Brain, Scientific American

My Personal Routine

So, how do I fit reading into my high-performance, peptide-fueled lifestyle?

Simple.

I treat it as non-negotiable as my diet, training, or peptide injections.

I read every day, usually always for 20 minutes before bed, and always on my treadmill or bike with my Kindle while doing cardio.

The books rotate.

Sometimes I read heavy science, sometimes philosophy, sometimes pure escapist fiction.

I don’t judge the genre.

I focus on activating those pathways, stretching my mind, and reaping the mental recovery.

Just as you wouldn’t skip your protein because “life got busy,” you shouldn’t skip your reading.

No matter how crazy my schedule gets, I always carve out time for reading.

It’s as essential as sleep, magnesium, or hydration.

The Takeaway

If you want to be more than average…

If you want to be resilient, adaptable, and thriving long into old age…

You can’t afford to neglect the mind.

The best peptide stack, hormone regimen, and dialed-in diet won’t do squat if your mental software is outdated, brittle, or under-stimulated.

Reading is the OG nootropic.

Stack it daily with your peptides, your diet, and your training.

You’ll build not just a better body, but a sharper, more empathetic, and more creative mind.

That’s how you live the “life enhanced” philosophy.

Every day, for the rest of your life.

Best,

Hunter Williams