Meditation, an Anti-Inflammatory?
The PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) did a study in 2010 with 124 adults which showed that social stressors and pressure (such as public speaking) greatly increased an individual’s inflammatory markers. Inflammation is the result of free-radical production and is one of the most detrimental cycles to our bodies. Meditation has been […]
Dopamine and our Sensitive Mind
Among many things Dopamine is also responsible for our brain’s reward response. Unmet expectations decrease our Dopamine, increase our stress, which then impairs our performance, lowers confidence which then decreases Dopamine even further. Some simple ways to interrupt that downward spiral are to Seek out novelty Be more social Set small and attainable goals Reappraise […]
How Can Memory Improve Your Life?
According to Congressman Tim Ryan in his book A Mindful Nation, “When people have higher working memory capacity they can pay better attention, can solve problems more readily, and have more fluid intelligence–they use facts rather than just know them. Those with strengthened working memory capacity also suffer less from emotionally charged thoughts and are better […]
BDNF, Anti-aging Anyone?
BDNF–Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor–is a key growth hormone. It protects the structure and integrity of our neurons, enables our neuroplasticity–that’s our ability to create new neural maps, and promotes neurogenesis–our ability to grow new brain cells. So–how do we get more of this amazing substance? Actually–it’s simple: cut back your calories, do 20 mins of […]
Can the Thin Veils between Sleep and Wakefulness Confuse our Consciousness?
Recent studies done in 2011 by Tononi and researchers at the University of California, LA are showing that “sleep and wakefulness can coexist in the brain.” (Scientific American Mind, July). In sleep deprived brains certain areas of neurons stopped firing during the waking state. This increased with the level of sleep deprivation. And interestingly, during […]
Who’s in the Mirror?
In neural imaging studies done in 1996, it was found that viewing images of fearful, stressed, or angered faces activated the viewer’s fear response in the amygdala. Take a look in the mirror today and make note of the expression on your own face at various times. Do you have a furrowed brow? Are your […]
Smoking, Memory Loss, and Aging Your Brain
According to Dr. Eric Braverman, author of Younger Brain, Sharper Mind, we unknowingly effect our brain speed and impair our memory recall circuits. “A 2004 study in the Journal Neurology showed that over a 5-year period, memory decline for smokers was five times worse than that of nonsmokers…Nicotine is an effective stimulant that can improve […]
Your Brain Potential – Ten to the Millionth Power
Dr. Daniel J. Siegel notes in Mindsight that “Given the number of synaptic connections, the brain’s possible on-off firing patterns–its potential for various states of activation–has been calculated to be ten to the millionth power–or ten times ten one million times. this number is thought to be larger than the number of atoms in the […]
Hydrogenated oils, Aggression and Your Amygdala
In a new study from the University of California, San Diego it was shown that those who eat more trans fats (fried foods or hydrogenated oils) are more prone to aggression. Perhaps this is because the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain capable of quieting our fight or flight center (the amygdala), seems to […]
Creativity and Open Mindedness are Just One Song Away.
In studies done in 2010 at North Dakota State University it was shown that individuals who were more creative were better able to down or up-regulate their cognitive control system based on the situation. This is called cognitive flexibility. To add to this, in 2011 neuroscientist Allan Snyder of the Center for Mind in Sydney […]
