Training for a Mixed Type? (High Dopamine and GABA)

Bigger Stronger Leaner Christian Thibaudeau Coaching
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Hi CT & community,

I ran through the Braverman test and upon completion, showed that the profiles for high dopamine and GABA were the strongest. If I’m reading things correctly, that would sit me in your type 1A and 2A camps, correct? If so, as per your article on here I should train like a 2A, but with a reduction in volume? Would it be okay to increase intensity slightly above a normal 2A?

Hope all is well with your new mini CT and thanks in advance!

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The Braverman doesn’t really work. It only test for one excitory neurotransmitter out of 3 (dopamine… there is also adrenaline ans glutamate). And even worse: at least half the dopamine questions apply to adrenaline. So a “dopamine dominant” person could be an adrenaline dominant person, and both require drastically different training approaches.

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Ah, I see. Damn. Guess I’ll be saving my pennies (nickels now though, I suppose, as we have no more pennies up here) for some coaching. High GABA still translates to a type 2A under your classifications, correct? Or should I disregard that as well from the Braverman. GABA was my highest trait.

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From experience someone with high “dopamine” and a high “GABA” score on the Braverman is a 2A… but they really are adrenaline dominant with moderate-high GABA and moderate-low serotonin.

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I know I’ve been saying this for months, but I will soon have my own test

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Thanks for the insight. Looking forward to your eventual version of the Braverman!

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One more question: The 20-Minite Muscle Builder program looks very appealing (almost like a Layer System Light), however I’m wondering if these modifications would be all right,

  • Day 1: Back squat paired with SGHP (the 20-rep set taken to form and/or height failure), followed by a light conditioning circuit
  • Day 2: Unchanged from the original, except adding some loaded carries or prowler for a few sets
  • Day 3: Deadlift paired with front squat, possibly with a light conditioning circuit
  • Day 4: Unchanged from the original, except adding some loaded carries or prowler for a few sets and possibly swapping flat bench for incline
  • Day 5: Unchanged from the original, except possibly some light conditioning
  • Day 6: Unchanged from the original, except some loaded carries or prowler added.

I wanted a bit more leg work, and in an article on Thibarmy you mentioned pairing squats and deadlifts as a good practice. Would the above work, or should I just run it exactly as written in the original program and rotate through deadlifts, back squats and front squats in 3-4 week blocks?

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You’ll have my money on the spot. Having days where I feel 100% 1A and days where I feel 2A is annoying. If you can include percentages like on the Myers Briggs or Enneagram so that the next neurotype shows up? That’d be awesome. Thank you for your work tying neurotransmitters to muscle building.

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Same for me i feel 1b and 2a hahaha

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I know you now have your own marketers, but maybe a package deal where you buy the test and then whatever program fits your neurotype is at a slight discount for a limited time? That would expose people to both sides of your work, methinks: finding the problem, then applying the solution. Just a random thought.

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