TATSERRUN Protocol: Experiment & Science
TATSERRUN [Tactical Serotonin Run] is a behavior-first weight-loss protocol built around a simple premise: fat loss becomes dramatically easier when you remove high-intensity "dopamine spikes" (ultra-processed foods, alcohol, and algorithmic digital stimulation) that increase cravings, reduce sleep quality, and raise the cognitive effort of staying in a calorie deficit.
Experiment Period
April 1 – June 1, 2026
Last Enrollment
May 1, 2026
Duration
30 days per participant
Mechanism of Action
Dopamine tags behaviors as "worth repeating," rising during both reward and anticipation — shaping attention, cravings, and habits. Hyper-stimulating inputs make normal life (simple food, walking, early sleep) feel flat, requiring willpower.
But when you reduce the spikes, the baseline resets: the brain finds satisfaction in behaviors that move you forward. This is the foundation of a new identity — where your ideal weight is a permanent byproduct of your new identity, because those actions now feel rewarding.
Hypothesis
When the reward system is constantly hit with high-intensity stimuli, "normal" behaviors (home-cooked food, walking, early sleep) feel boring and require willpower. Remove the spikes long enough and:
- •Cravings drop
- •Mental clarity improves
- •Whole foods become more satisfying
- •Staying in a calorie deficit feels lower-friction
- •Identity shifts from "dieting" to "this is just what I do"
Eligibility Criteria
- BMI > 25 or body-fat above a healthy range
- No active or history of severe eating disorders (anorexia/bulimia)
- Able to commit to 30 minutes of outdoor activity daily
- Willing to remove social media/YouTube for 7 days
Phase I — 7-Day Hard Reset
Goal: rapidly reduce the biggest craving drivers and stabilize attention + sleep.
Digital detox
No social media
No ultra-processed food
No sweets, soda, junk food
No alcohol / drugs
100% abstinence
30 min outdoor activity
Daily movement requirement
Phase II — 21-Day Calibration
Goal: build sustainable defaults (identity-based habits) without tracking fatigue.
Zero alcohol for full 30 days
Continued abstinence
Daily outdoor movement
Maintained from Phase I
Cook 3 meals/day
Scale-free cooking + portion "eye-counting"
Controlled digital stimulation
Remove food content from feed
Daily Metrics (3 minutes)
Required
Daily weight
Morning, after bathroom
Craving intensity
1–10 scale
Mental clarity / prefrontal efficiency
1–10 scale
Movement compliance
Yes/No — 30 min outdoor walking
Trigger avoidance
Yes/No — sugar, junk food and alcohol
Optional (high leverage)
Sleep duration + quality
Hours + 1–10 scale
Evidence Base
This section links each rule to findings that support the direction of the protocol. This is not a claim that TATSERRUN is "clinically proven" as a full package — rather, each lever is supported by evidence and tested by the founder and his mom, the first two Pioneers.
1) Ultra-processed foods → overeating + worse weight outcomes
What the research suggests
In tightly controlled feeding studies, ultra-processed diets can increase energy intake and lead to weight gain compared with minimally processed diets, even when foods are matched for many nutrients. Mechanisms discussed include higher energy density, faster eating rate, and altered satiety signaling.
How this supports the protocol
Removing UPFs reduces a major driver of passive overeating and cravings.
2) Alcohol → "empty calories", impaired appetite control, reduced fat oxidation
What the research suggests
Alcohol provides substantial calories and can increase appetite and impulsive eating. Metabolically, ethanol intake can reduce lipid oxidation (fat burning) over 24 hours.
How this supports the protocol
Cutting alcohol removes a reliable "derailer" of deficit adherence and fat loss.
3) Digital overstimulation → attention, mood, sleep, self-regulation
What the research suggests
RCTs and reviews on screen-time reduction / digital detox interventions show improvements in mental health, stress, sleep quality, and well-being (effects vary by study).
How this supports the protocol
Better attention + sleep reduces cravings and increases follow-through on cooking + walking.
4) Morning light + outdoor movement → circadian alignment and behavior momentum
What the research suggests
Light exposure timing is a core circadian cue; morning daylight can help advance circadian phase, while late evening blue light can delay it.
How this supports the protocol
A consistent "outside walk" is a keystone habit that improves sleep timing, mood, and appetite regulation.
5) Daily self-monitoring → better weight-loss adherence
What the research suggests
In behavioral weight loss, self-monitoring is consistently associated with better outcomes.
How this supports the protocol
A minimal daily log avoids tracking fatigue while keeping attention on the process.
6) Financial behavioral contracts → higher adherence + completion rates
What the research suggests
In health psychology and behavioral economics, deposit contracts (where individuals risk a financial penalty if they fail to meet a specific goal) leverage "loss aversion." Studies show these pre-commitment devices significantly increase short-term and long-term adherence to weight-loss and exercise interventions compared to standard goal-setting.
How this supports the protocol
The $990 penalty acts as a strict pre-commitment device, forcing daily execution because the pain of losing money outweighs the friction of logging data.
Safety Notes
If you have a history of eating disorders, pregnancy, or medical conditions requiring dietary supervision, consult a clinician before attempting restrictive protocols.
If you experience severe mood changes, obsessive tracking, or binge/restrict cycles, stop and seek professional support.