Though most would agree that there is no cure for A.D.D. [attention-deficit disorder] or A.D.H.D. [attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder], I have been able to reduce mine so significantly that I consider it cured. It no longer bothers me, I no longer consider myself a person with A.D.D. I can now easily focus, and accomplish things. The progress that I’ve seen in my personal development has been huge.

It hasn’t been easy, believe me, it’s tough to stay dedicated and focused on a regimen, when A.D.D. keeps me unfocused. I really have felt a huge shift in perception and my entire state of consciousness has improved for the better. So do you want to try to cure your A.D.D. or help someone work towards reducing their symptoms? Then continue reading this article!

First of all, I want to get a few things straight. I am not anti-medication at all. I think that everyone is different and some cases of A.D.D. and A.D.H.D. are more significant than others. What I do think is that anyone that can commit to improving their mental condition on a daily basis, will be able to significantly lower or cure their A.D.D. I consider my case of A.D.D. to be average: it didn’t affect me to the point where I couldn’t get anything done, but it was definitely an impairment in life.

The method that I’m about to describe requires discipline and constant motivation. In no way has it been easy to cure my A.D.D. and unfocused thinking. In fact, it has taken around 10 months to reach the point that I’m at! If you want to change yourself for the better, it does take hard work and dedication.

The fact is, the hard work and dedication that I’ve put in has paid off immensely. Though it was extremely difficult to get into a strict daily regimen, it has improved every aspect of me. Within this article, you will find out: my personality before my regimen / experiment, my personality after 10 months (today), and why I consider my A.D.D. cured!

How did I feel before the 10 month daily regimen?

Lack of focus – Before my 10 month commitment, I really could not maintain a specific focus. I would try something new one week, then switch to a different activity the following week. Lack of focus is the primary symptom of A.D.D.

Negative thoughts – I was thinking about myself and the world in a negative light. It gets really tough to improve your situation in life when all you are able to do is think negatively. Negative thoughts lead to frustration, anger, and hate. I am so glad I was able to get out of this state.

Low self-esteem - Low self-esteem and negative thinking goes hand-in-hand. I don’t know which one came first, but am glad I was able to eliminate both! Low-self esteem lead me to become depressed.

Depressing emotions - Depressing emotions make perfect sense for a person with A.D.D. to have because most people with A.D.D. are in the “theta brainwave” state. Theta waves are linked to: creativity, spirituality, emotions, and depression.

Rapid thoughts - When you get uncontrollable rapid thoughts in your mind, it is really tough to know what you want, let alone make good decisions. Rapid thoughts around others made it extremely difficult for me to stay focused and perform well in school and work.

Zoned-out - I usually felt “zoned-out” or “blankness” in my mind at times throughout the day. This zoned-out feeling made it difficult for me to even think. It seemed as though I just “acted” and “reacted” instead of thinking through my decisions.

What were the 5 steps that cured my A.D.D.?

Listen, I’ve got commitments such as work and school like everyone else. I forced myself and my friends encouraged me to stay disciplined. If you are serious about doing this routine, then by all means: go all out and do it! If you think it will cure you in a few days, you are only fooling yourself.

To be honest, most people will commit to this as most people commit to New Years Resolutions: start a new healthy habit for a few weeks, then revert right back to the old ways. With this plan, you’ve really got to be dedicated and disciplined: 2 things that are extremely difficult for an A.D.D.’er. I don’t know which of these things were most effective, but they all have research behind them that backs their claim.

Step 1 – Daily meditation

Daily mediation seems really easy, that is, until you actually do it! I committed myself to observing thoughts in my mind for 20 minutes everyday immediately upon wake-up. I chose to do a type of meditation that involves me observing my thoughts. I chose to focus on the picture of a baseball for some reason.

Every day, I’d wake up, sit down, and focus on observing my thoughts. I didn’t react to any of the thoughts, just accepted them and let my mind flow. All that really matters when meditating is knowing what you’re doing and not reacting to your thoughts.  For more information about the positive changes associated with meditation, check out my article discussing the benefits of meditation and my other article about meditation improving concentration.

Step 2 – Aerobic exercise

After doing a little bit of research about the benefits of aerobic exercise and finding that it increases brain power, improves blood flow, and can even increase I.Q., I decided that it is a must-add to my daily A.D.D. regimen. Everyday after the meditation, I ran for at least 1 mile. I kept it short and sweet at first: just 1 mile.

It was very easy, and seemed to be a very effective tactic in the process. Committing everyday to aerobic exercise is extremely difficult, but once you get past the first 2 months, it really seems to be a habit on autopilot. Now, I try to run at least 1 mile daily, sometimes I run over 1 mile.

Step 3 – Fish oil & multivitamin

I had read about fish oil and was experiencing some benefits prior to adding it to my regimen. I decided that I’d continue taking fish oil, but up the dosage to 3 capsules of 1200 mg — one at each meal. Therefore, I was getting over 3 grams daily of fish oil. For those of you that don’t know, fish oil has been linked to improved concentration, focus, and has great brain boosting potential.

I figured since I’m taking fish oil, I should also have some sort of multivitamin in the mix. I had read that A.D.D. brains are usually deficient in certain levels of vitamins. I figured that just taking 1 daily multivitamin couldn’t hurt, so I added that to the mix. Overall, I think the fish oil did a lot more than the multivitamin, but whose to say that they both didn’t help!?

Step 4 – Brainwave entrainment

Brainwave entrainment is definitely a touchy subject. It should not be done if you are pregnant epileptic or under 18 without doctor approval. It has been proven to be very safe, but there are certain regulations that you should follow before engaging in brainwave entrainment. I actually did a lot of experimentation, because I had read that everyone’s brain is different.

What was really effective for me was doing some 40 Hz gamma entrainment and some beta SMR (12 – 15 Hz). 40 Hz has been linked to increased intelligence, improved thinking skills, and a number of positive changes. I have also read in the book “Getting Started With Neurofeedback,” that most people with A.D.D. had relatively high amounts of theta activity and virtually ZERO beta SMR (12 – 15 Hz).

I stuck with gamma daily for 30 minutes while I was listening to music. A really cool program called “mind stereo” allowed me to get the effect of brainwave entrainment without hearing annoying tones and only hearing my music. It has been proven to work and I could definitely feel a change after doing this! After doing 40 Hz for a few weeks, I decided to try some beta SMR.

The beta SMR made me calm, quiet, and helped with clearer thinking. I personally have had good experiences with both. I still experiment with the software programs to change my brainwaves on a weekly basis now. For the first three months, I was doing them daily! Looking back at my progress, brainwave entrainment was definitely a key to my success!

Step 5 – Waking up at the same time everyday

Yes, I always tried to get a good amount of sleep. The best tactic though, for reducing my A.D.D. symptoms was waking up at the same time everyday! I tried Steve Pavlina’s technique to become an early riser. I always used to sleep in and be running late for work and school. It was important for me to wake up earlier each day, eat a good breakfast, and take my time in the morning.

Waking up early and at the same time, greatly helped me stay more organized, and really did help out a lot by improving my alertness! As soon as I’d awaken each morning, I’d go right into 20 minutes of meditation and from the meditation into an aerobic workout if I had time. If I wasn’t able to do my aerobic workout in the morning, I’d fit it in after work or school.

How do I feel today after 10 months of disciplined commitment?

Improved focus – I can now focus extremely well in any area of life.

Increased awareness – I am now much more aware of myself and my actions as well as others.

Increased self-esteem – I feel better about myself and am not as fearful of new situations.

Clear thinking – I now notice that I can focus on each individual thought in my mind, rather than having to deal with extreme racing thoughts or pure “blankness.”

Better memory – I don’t know what caused this, but I never used to remember things in my long-term memory much. Now, I can recall events that happened long-ago and relate them to the present.

Positive thinking – No I don’t think positively all the time, but I’m human. Everyone gets mad or upset from time-to-time. The great thing is, I am not constantly thinking negative thoughts about myself and others! I feel good about myself and am able to make a conscious effort to stay positive.

Can everyone cure their A.D.D. with these 5 daily steps?

I could elaborate on each item in my regimen and claim that they will cure your A.D.D., but I don’t know you, how severe your A.D.D. is, or what you’re capable of! And to be completely honest, I don’t think everyone can cure their A.D.D. Some people will never be committed enough to a specific set of rules to live by.

Some friends that I know have A.D.D. and take medications as needed. I let them know about what worked for me. Most of them tried it for a few days and couldn’t continue. Though most did say that while they were doing the regimen, they did notice slight improvements in focus…

Basically, the experience is different for everyone. If you want something new to try to help your A.D.D., I highly recommend trying my daily commitment and evaluating your personal change. Not only is this a great routine to have for people with A.D.D., it’s a great routine for anyone to try to improve their mind and their life!

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A violent brain is caused by a combination of factors: some environmental, others genetic. It is extremely difficult to pinpoint one area of a person’s life that causes them to act violent. Violence is constantly all over the news, media, and has been the unfortunate cause of school shootings.

While most people (myself included) prefer not to watch the news coverage of negative acts of violence in our society, it is not a problem that can easily be ignored. There are always ways that we can help each other and one of the ways is helping others boost their brain power! To get an idea of where violence comes from, I did a little bit of research.

Some quick facts about violence:

• Violence is caused by a complex combination of factors – Violent behavior is never caused by just one factor. Violence is the result of an extremely complex combination of things including: neurotransmitter levels, brainwaves, brain anatomy, past experiences, genetics, social influences, and other environmental factors.

• Men are more at risk for physical violence – Research has proven that men are more at risk for being involved in violent behavior or lash out with aggression than women. So if you’ve ever heard the stereotype that “boys are more aggressive than girls,” it’s true. Women don’t lash out with physical aggression as much as men do. Women have a tendency to use negative verbal comments and “trash talk” one another when getting angry.

• Violence caused by abnormal frontal lobe – An abnormal development of the frontal lobe, specifically the prefrontal cortex results in less emotional control and less control of impulsive action. Criminals tend to have brain development problems and actually have less brain activity in their prefrontal cortex than others. The less activity in their frontal lobe results in the inability to control their violent urges.

• The limbic system plays a role – Also, the limbic system, or emotional center of the brain, may be abnormally developed. Specifically, the communication between the hippocampus and the amygdala. This results in lack of proper emotional processing.

• Do criminals even have control? – If violence is hardwired into the lives of people through so many complex factors, do violent people even really have control of their actions and of their life? Many experts still ask the question and still debate whether a certain criminal actually had “free will” when committing a crime!

What drives a person to kill for little or no obvious reason?

Why do so many criminals return to prison for the exact same crime after getting released? Researchers know that many complex risk-factors like childhood trauma, inherited tendencies, and negative experiences can all shape a person’s behavior patterns. Researchers from the University of Wisconsin have examined antisocial behavior and how it relates to violence. What did they find?

Researchers found that people of antisocial behavior fall into 2 distinct groups:

1. Most are between 13 and 15 years old, beginning the teenage years and new neural growth.
2. A small minority show signs of extreme antisocial behavior throughout childhood: in some cases, as early as age 5 that continues throughout their adult life.

Repeat criminals offer cues. They found that repeat-criminals or offenders usually: cannot control their urges, have a low tolerance for frustration, are antisocial, have a lowered I.Q., and are extremely impulsive. Repeat criminals are unable to control their urges. When prisoners were questioned as to why they committed the same crime, they responded “I don’t know.” Even though they knew the consequences and resolved to act with greater self-control, they weren’t able to control impulses.

Prefrontal and Orbitofrontal cortex offers clues. Some neuroscientists think that the orbitofrontal cortex, a specific part located in the prefrontal cortex where decisions are made, has less activity than normal individuals. The primitive brain regions of the hypothalamus and the amygdala seem to be in overdrive, which causes aggression. If there is some sort of communication blockage in the brain between the prefrontal lobe and the primitive brain regions, the individual may be unable to control his or her emotional reactions. PET scans of inmates’ brains were taken and those that “killed on impulse” showed less overall metabolic brain activity in the prefrontal region.

Men are more susceptible. For some reason men are much more susceptible for being involved in acts of violence. In fact, being a male is the strongest risk-factor for being violent. Stats show that males commit the majority of physical assaults. According to the F.B.I., roughly 90 % of all 2004 murderers were men Men also were responsible for roughly 82 % of all violent crimes that resulted in arrest.

Are women perfect? Women are not as unaggressive as popular stereotyping suggests. However, women usually are more indirect and “hold in their aggression” better than men. Men are much more likely to act on a physically aggressive urge to cause harm to another. The cause of these differences can be due to many societal factors (i.e. “girls don’t fight” and “boys can fight to settle this”). Girls also have a tendency to develop earlier social intelligence than boys, which helps to prevent impulsive urges to fight.

The testosterone connection. It turns out that the sex hormone testosterone offers some clues. In a wide-variety of animals, male aggressiveness is linked to testosterone. In humans, researchers have proven that violent people tend to have elevated levels of testosterone, when compared to peaceful criminals. Testosterone increases during competitions like football games, hockey games, or basketball games.

Testosterone levels reach their maximum during mid 20′s (the age group that is most linked to violence). Studies were conducted on women inmates’ testosterone levels as well. The exact same connection as men was found: more violent women had higher levels of testosterone. As you can see in the article 50 things that kill brain cells, elevated testosterone levels is at # 20.

Head injuries or tumors. People that suffer head injuries or develop brain tumors can also become more susceptible to violence. Not all people that have head injuries or tumors do, but if the injury or tumor affects certain areas of the brain, they definitely can develop violent behaviors.

Low levels of serotonin. Lowered levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin have been linked not only to violent crime, but the male population in general. Serotonin is linked to relaxation, the 10 Hz Alpha brain wave, and a sense of peace with yourself and the world. When it is lowered, stress can overtake the brain and cause things like depression and anxiety.

Brains of psychopaths. When compared to criminals that killed on impulse, the brains of successful psychopaths (i.e. those that planned out their crimes) showed almost 23 % more gray-matter when compared with the impulsive criminals. Testing and research also showed that the frontal cortex of successful psychopaths performed “better than average on a variety of neuropsychological tasks.

Abnormal activity in the limbic system and amygdala has been linked to successful psychopath behavior. When the amygdala isn’t properly functioning, individuals become more antisocial, unable to feel empathy, guilt, or other emotions.

Some signs that a person may be violent:

• Anti-social behavior – Anti-social behavior is a sign that someone needs some friends and some help. Yes, some people are introverted and non-violent. A violent person usually has more than just “antisocial behavior” as a sign.

• Aggressive behavior – Aggressive behavior that causes physical or verbal damage to another needs to be dealt with and is a sign that a person is violent. If someone is consistently harming others whether it be with words or punches, it’s a sign that the person needs some support and help!

• Short-temper – Anyone can be short-tempered at times. When a person is constantly short-tempered and ready to snap at others (i.e. always takes a joke seriously) then there is a problem.

• Impulsive action – Impulsiveness means that a person acts on their emotions without thinking through the consequences. Impulsiveness is a common trait of violent people.

• Breaks laws – If someone is constantly breaking laws, rules, and regulations, there is definitely a likely possibility that they are violent and need some sort of support.

• Makes threats – Someone who makes threats to harm others or even themselves really needs some psychological help. Do them a favor and check into things you can do to help them out!

What you can do to help prevent violence in an at-risk person’s life:

1. Be around for emotional support – The absolute best thing you can do to make a difference in anyone’s life is to be around for emotional support. Violent people need someone to talk to even if they may not show it. Ask them to talk sometime and hang out with them. Most violent people have been socially isolated for awhile. Be around to help – deep down they’ll definitely appreciate it.
2. Monitor their daily activities - To ensure the safety of themselves and others, try to monitor their life as much as possible. Make sure they are getting involved in the community and are not locking themselves away in a room. Try not to come off as a “snoop” or nosy person, but don’t be afraid to monitor activities. It is much better to prevent violence before it starts.
3. Get them extra help in school - School may be the most difficult place for the at-risk person. He or she may not have many friends and may truly need some in-school-intervention. Step up to the plate and notify a counselor or school psychologist of a person’s violent tendencies.
4. Get them involved at church - Getting involved at church is always positive because the person at-risk will be able to interact with other members of the community and feel appreciated for his or her contribution to the community. Church is also great because it brings forth hope in their lives. When they are able to shift their focus from negativity to having faith in God or another form of spirituality, it could really help turn their life around!
5. Push them to interact with positive social groups - Having a positive social group can make a huge difference in your life and your brain. Being around negative people trigger stress-related hormones and make people feel sad, depressed, insecure, and anxious. Hanging around a positive social group is stimulating, fun, adventurous, and can really make a person better. Most people share similar characteristics of the people that they hang out with. Get the at-risk person around a positive crowd.
6. Help them build healthy friendships - Having close friends is also a huge part of staying healthy and preventing violence. Building healthy friendships shifts focus away from violence and towards conversation, activity, and feelings of well-being. It is important to help the at-risk person hang around people with healthy lifestyles.
7. Have them try brainwave entrainment - Violent people tend to have certain sets of brainwaves that are different than the rest of the population. Since most lack activity in the prefrontal lobe, some beta brainwave training may greatly help them think through their decisions. Another brainwave rhythm that my help them out greatly is the alpha brainwave. 10 Hz is considered the safest brainwave frequency and may actually do them a world of good. Let them experiment with the brainwaves to see which ones work best. I do encourage you to check out the brainwave entrainment products in my “recommended products section” and at least give them a free trial if you are eligible. I am not a medical professional, so do some more research and see a licensed practitioner if you have any questions or concerns about brainwave entrainment.
8. Have them talk to a therapist - There are some great therapists out there, though you may have to do a little digging to find a therapist that your child or friend likes. It may take some work to find the best therapist to fit the “violent person’s” specific needs, but once the person finds the proper therapist, it may make a world of difference and help turn their life around!
9. Try to get them to take fish oil - I believe I’ve previously emphasized just how big of an impact fish oil has made in my life and the positive changes I’ve seen from fish oil. Show them the article: Take fish oil to boost your brain’s performance if they do not believe the tremendous benefits it can have in their life. It may be a challenge to get them to take fish oil for a day, let alone a month, but every bit is better than nothing at all! For those of you that haven’t read my article discussing fish oil, I highly recommend you check it out! Fish oil has been proven to improve mood, increase focus, and boost overall brain power.
10. Have them volunteer – Though they may not be interested in volunteering, try to encourage it. Have them at least try volunteering once. Others will love them for helping out, they will get a chance to interact with others, and most importantly they will feel much better about themselves.
11. Help them find an area of interest in life – An area of interest could be anything. Help them be productive in some way. Have them take a skills test and find out what they are good at. Maybe they really enjoy music or are a really good writer. You could even have them start a blog to document their journey, or help them blog about a topic that they love! This shifts their focus away from negativity and towards a part of life that brings them joy and satisfaction!

Are you really in position to make a difference?

If you feel that you can make a difference in an at-risk child or teenager’s life, by all means do it. If you can’t, at least do them a favor and show them 4 Mind 4 Life or an article that you think they’d find useful. You can always try to help: no matter how small the contribution you make to someone’s life, it could make a world of difference in the long-run.

My goal is to provide you with powerful, healthy, brain development tips and information so that you can improve your own life and the lives of others! Anyone is in position to make a difference by helping another person boost their brain power, work towards improving their life, and bringing forth peace and goodness instead of violence. Be bold, step-up to prevent violence, and help bring joy and peace on Earth.

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References: Scientific American Mind December 2006 / January 2007 Issue. Article: “The Violent Brain” by Daniel Strueber, Monika Lueck, and Gerhard Roth (pages 20 – 27).

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1) Sniffing paint — Yes, sniffing paint will give you a “high” for awhile, but it can really inflict severe brain damage. Avoid inhalants like paint and keep your brain cells healthy. Even worse than just killing your brain cells is the fact that sniffing paint has the potential to kill you — even on your first time. Stay away from this stuff and get help now if you are addicted.

2) Taking cocaine – Thank you captain obvious, right? It’s possible that not everyone out there knew that cocaine killed brain cells. Cocaine doesn’t just kill random brain cells either, it wipes out the brain cells in your brain’s pleasure center — brain cells that make you feel good and are triggered with positive emotion and pleasure. Want to keep having fun in life and feel pleasure? Stay away from cocaine.

3) Too much stress — A little bit of stress is healthy for everyone. It keeps you motivated and motivated to achieve goals. When stress gets out of hand to the point where you’re having adrenaline rushes, your body produces an excess of the chemical “cortisol.” Too much of that cortisol is what kills brain cells. Please don’t stress after reading this.

4) Getting a concussion – Unfortunately most people don’t have much control over getting concussions. The fact is, concussions are neuronal killers and should be avoided if at all possible. There are special precautions to take to avoid concussions such as: wearing a helmet in contact sports, wearing a helmet when riding your motorcycle, even wearing a helmet when riding your bike.

5) Rapidly shaking your head – Rapidly shaking your head around back and forth causes axons to tear, which causes brain cell death. A very easy way to prevent brain cell loss is by NOT shaking your head. You have complete control over the shaking of your head; don’t do it!

6) Eating junk food — What happens to your brain cells when they aren’t provided with the healthy nutrients they need to survive? They starve and die! A little bit of junk food won’t hurt, but unhealthy food on a consistent basis without any healthy food will cause brain cells to die. Again, you have complete control over what you choose to eat. Pick healthy foods and give your brains the adequate nutrients that they need to flourish.

7) Drinking too much alcohol — How many brain cells does one beer kill? Chances are good that drinking just one beer won’t kill any. Getting drunk probably won’t even kill any brain cells. Alcohol can cause a temporary chemical imbalance and structural changes. If you are an alcoholic or you frequently “drink too much alcohol,” you will most likely kill brain cells. MRI’s of alcoholic patients show a decreased brain volume.

8) Taking ecstasy (MDMA) – Common-day club drug, Ecstasy literally puts holes in your brain. Brain scans have compared healthy brains to brains of those who’ve used ecstacy and have found that the “brains on ecstasy” had holes in them. Ecstasy depletes serotonin manufacturing cells, which are important for keeping a positive mood and promoting relaxation. If you frequently go “clubbing” make the choice to stay away from “X,” as it is very common in clubs. Avoid this drug, and your brain will be much healthier than if you didn’t.

9) Dehydration – Without sufficient levels of water in the brain, ions get disrupted and the result is brain damage. Replenish your body and brain with necessary water levels to avoid dehydration and keep your brain cells healthy.

10) Using methamphetamines – Taking methamphetamines is probably the most uneducated decision you could possibly make. Not only are they one of the most addicting groups of drugs, they destroy lives and kill brain cells. The sad part is, methamphetamine use results in severe to permanent brain damage even long after the drug has been stopped. In my opinion, methamphetamines are the most dangerous group of drugs to get involved with. Stay away from them, get help now if you use them, and help a friend if you know they are a user.

11) Getting a contusion – A contusion is a severe bruise within the brain. It does cause neuronal death (brain cell death). Unfortunately, most people that have contusions couldn’t really do much to avoid them. Sports like boxing where taking jabs to the head is common, influences the development of contusions. Safety precautions: wear a helmet or hardhat when debris or other objects have potential to damage your head. The great-est Mohammed Ali suffered brain contusions from his heavy involvement in boxing.

12) Having a stroke – A stroke results from temporary loss of blood-flow to the brain. Usually, the damage from having a stroke is centralized in just one side of the brain. Strokes can cause anything from small lesions, to widespread cell death. Unfortunately strokes cannot be avoided, but there are things that you can do to reduce your risk: lowering stress levels and staying active are just a couple healthy activities that reduce risk of a stroke. An interesting fact: millions of brain cells die each minute a stroke is left untreated.

13) Avoiding exercise — The act of avoiding exercise doesn’t kill brain cells, however, the effects that are associated with lack of exercise happen to be killers. Exercise reduces stress levels, chance of brain damage, and even creates new brain cells. If you are avoiding exercise, you happen to be setting your brain cells up for an early death. Make time in your schedule to exercise and reap the benefits; exercise should never be avoided.

14) Sensory deprivation – We know from my “hearing voices” article that sensory deprivation may cause you to have auditory hallucinations. When your brain undergoes sensory deprivation for longer periods of time, you lose brain cells. When cells are not stimulated for long periods of time, your brain reorganizes itself; you naturally lose the unused, understimulated cells.

15) Taking absinthe — Most types of absinthe contain extremely high amounts of ethanol and a chemical called thujone; both of which can cause brain cell death. Thujone has the opposite effects of barbiturates like Xanax and in high doses can cause seizures and possibly death. It is definitely best to avoid absinthe and not put your brain at risk of damage.

16) Drinking too much water — The act of drinking too much water in too short of time period will actually flood your nervous system and kill off brain cells. How exactly does this work? When the ratio of water to sodium escalates, your brain swells and brain cells die in the process. Individuals on low-sodium diets may be especially vulnerable to “water toxicity.” It is important to stay hydrated, but be reasonable; you know what’s right for your body. Don’t go overboard and kill off your brain cells!

17) Being a chronic negative thinker — The act of simply thinking negative will not cause any sort of brain cell loss. Most people have negative thoughts that creep in their consciousness from time to time. It is when the negative thinking takes over, gets “out of line” and causes stress, and you to make unwise decisions such as taking drugs like Ecstacy to improve your mood at the club when you are probably losing brain cells. The side-effects and byproducts from negative thoughts are what make you more likely to engage in activities that kill brain cells. Negative thinking is an indirect killer; surround yourself with positivity and a healthy circle of friends!

18) Post traumatic stress disorder – Victims of post-traumatic stress disorder unfortunately deal with memory problems, anxiety, flashbacks, and happen to lose brain cells in the process. Post traumatic stress disorder causes the brain to produce a surplus of the stress hormone “cortisol,” which kills brain cells. Like other stress related disorders, they don’t lose a huge amount of brain cells overnight, but they definitely can lose a significant amount if they don’t get adequate assistance and treatment.

19) Head trauma – The scary thing about head trauma is that it not only kills brain cells, it also damages the brain’s ability to repair itself after the damage. Head trauma is linked to Parkinson’s disease and poor sensorimotor processing within the brain — always try to protect your head whenever engaging in a contact sport, working construction, riding a motorcycle, etc.

20) Elevated testosterone levels — Having too high of testosterone levels has been proven to be detrimental to your brain’s health and does kill brain cells. If you are taking supplements that increase testosterone levels, be aware that too much of the supplement could potentially cause the death of your brain cells!

21) Chemotherapy — Unfortunately for those who have undergone chemotherapy, the process not only kills the cancerous cells, but many of your good brain cells. In order to avoid cancer, take steps to reduce your risk of developing cancer such as: eating healthy, exercising, getting proper sleep, etc. Not everyone is able to avoid cancer, but you can certainly make an effort to try.

22) A single stressful event — Yes, you read correct — just ONE stressful event has the potential to kill off brain cells. If you live in a high-stress environment, are always on the go, and never take time to just chill, your mind is most likely overactive and you are losing brain cells. If you know that you will be exposed to stressful events, I recommend learning stress coping methods like meditation, deep breathing, guided imagery, yoga, etc. There are many things you can do to lower your stress response to hectic events.

23) Smoking cigarettes — The act of smoking cigarettes is not only detrimental to your physical health — it could be taking a heavy toll on your mental health. The fact is, scientists have found that “smoking” kills brain cells and stops the production of new brain cells (neurogenesis). If you are a smoker, work hard to kick the habit. If you are smoke-free, stay that way and encourage smokers to quit.

24) Taking steroids — Taking steroids is terrible for your brain and body. Steroids elevate testosterone levels and increase stress levels: 2 activities [mentioned earlier] that are known to deplete brain cell. Steroids cause early death, an increased suicide risk, and give the user absolutely ZERO fulfillment in the long-term. Take the time to lift the necessary weights and don’t expect to get “ripped” overnight; you will be better off in the grand scheme of life.

25) Extreme anxiety and panic — Anxiety and panic in extreme situations will definitely provoke feelings of stress, release cortisol, and will kill your brain cells in severe forms. Light and moderate forms of anxiety and panic may feel uncomfortable, but will probably not damage your brain. Learning valuable coping techniques by visiting a psychotherapist, using relaxation techniques consistently, and considering medication are all things that will stop you from losing brain cells from anxiety and panic.

26) Food additives — Food additives contain a group of compounds commonly referred to as “exotoxins,” which slow and destroy cognitive development in the brain. “Exotoxins” are not just present in a few foods, they are present in virtually ALL processed foods. To avoid future health problems and keep a healthy brain, your best bet is to eat healthy, non-processed foods.

27) Oxycodone abuse — Oxycodone abuse kills brain cells, heart tissue, damages kidneys, and has terrible side-effects. If you or someone you know abuses Oxycodone, seek help immediately! Your brain and body will thank you in the long run — Oxycodone is nothing to fool around with.

28) Exposure to electricity — Short and long-term exposure to electricity has terrible effects on your brain. Electricity doesn’t just cause you to lose a few brain cells either, it causes you to lose millions! If you or anyone you know works with electricity on a consistent basis, you may want to take special precautions or reconsider!

29) Exposure to lead — It is known that the early exposure of lead may lead to later brain aging in life. What about brain cell loss from lead exposure? Scientific evidence shows that exposure to lead leads to brain cell loss and damage years later. Scientists figure that a single exposure is equivalent to at least 5 years of brain aging. Avoid lead exposure at all possible costs and do what you’ve got to do to keep your brain healthy!

30) Mercury toxicity — Chances are good that you probably know that avoiding exposure to mercury is recommended. When a person is exposed to mercury, they can develop what’s known as “mercury toxicity” in the brain. Mercury toxicity is a known brain cell killer. I find it interesting that many old, tooth-fillings could be releasing mercury into your body and you could be a victim of mercury poisoning. To watch a boring, yet informative research video about mercury poisoning, check out this video.

31) Carbon monoxide poisoning — Yes carbon monoxide itself can kill brain cells, but the reason brain cells die in carbon monoxide poisoning is mostly due to the fact that inadequate amounts of oxygen get to the brain. To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, take necessary household precautions such as installing a detector and check for burning.

32) Getting Lyme disease — Severe forms of Lyme disease cause memory impairments and brain cell loss if left untreated for a long period of time. Lyme disease is usually carried by deer ticks, but can be found in other types of ticks. To avoid Lyme disease, it is recommended to always check your body after long expeditions through the woods.

33) Exposure to pesticides — It is always important to take the necessary precautions when working with pesticides or being in an area around pesticides. Pesticides kill brain cells quickly and cause abnormal mental and physical development. If you are in an environment where pesticide exposure is common, get out, save yourself, or report the company and people using the pesticides to proper authorities. Pesticides are linked to Parkinson’s disease and many other forms of mental illness!

34) Certain types of cosmetics – Certain types of cosmetics have been proven to have an adverse interaction with mental health. Some forms of shampoo have ingredients that have been shown to kill brain cells. Be aware that certain types of cosmetics have ingredients that will kill or damage your brain cells.

35) Using cleaning solvents — Taking a good whiff of a solvent can really knock you out! If “sniffed” with the purpose to get high, solvents can cause severe brain damage and possibly death. They can cause severe learning impairments, declined social functioning, and reduce the capacity of your short-term memory. Most cleaning solvents, when used properly for their intended purpose (to clean), will not cause any harm. If you know someone that is abusing solvents, get them help! You are not only helping their brain, you are helping their life!

36) Ingesting aspartame — In case you didn’t know, aspartame is an artificial sweetener found in gum, candy, and Nutra-Sweet. Several studies made connections that link aspartame to brain cell destruction. It is a very controversial substance that has been proven to be bad for health in some studies, and has been proven safe in others. Either way, I’d avoid aspartame; it’s nothing to risk your brain cells over.

37) Indoor air pollution — Indoor air pollution affects the spinal cord, kidneys, blood cells, central nervous system, and the brain. Depending on the type of indoor air pollution, effects can range from being unnoticeable to causing brain cell loss. It is important to keep the air inside of your home and business clean and safe to breathe. Don’t underestimate the potential of indoor air pollution to be detrimental to the health of your body and mind!

38) Lack of quality sleep — We all know that when we don’t get enough sleep, we cannot properly function the next day! Not only does lack of quality sleep interfere with learning and social functions (left-hemisphere), it does kill brain cells. In order to prevent brain cell loss from lack of sleep, it is recommended to get good quality sleep. Some people run effectively on just 6 hours of sleep, while some need 9 to keep a clear head. You be the judge of what works best for your body and brain!

39) Using heroin – As you probably expected, using heroin will kill your brain cells. Heroin has been linked to Alzheimer-like brain damage. Opiate use has been associated with sped up aging in the brain. Heroin causes nerve-cell damage in essential parts of the brain. Don’t let a drug like Heroin ruin your brain and your life!

40) Paint remover — When you put paint remover on paint, it eats it away. When you inhale paint remover, it eats away at your brain! Paint remover, when sniffed, crosses the blood-brain barrier and eats away at your brain tissue and cells. Make the decision to help others that have a problem with “sniffing” or “huffing” paint remover by getting them psychological assistance and being around for support.

41) Welding fumes — Exposure to welding fumes is an extreme health hazard. Welding rod fumes have been linked to Parkinson’s disease and many other illnesses. Most fumes from welding are produced during “arc-welding.” The fumes enter and damage your lungs, nervous system, and deplete brain cells. If you are a welder, you may want to check out this informational guide from the American Society of Safety Engineers.

42) Outdoor air pollution – Like indoor air pollution, outdoor air pollution can have terrible side-effects. Places like Mexico City have so much air pollution that many citizens chose to wear masks and filters to protect themselves. Depending on the type and severity of the air pollution, you can potentially lose a lot of brain tissue. Chemical gases build up quickly and mix with each other, those gases get trapped in the environment, people inhale the gases, and brain damage / cell loss is a result.

43) Microwaving “popcorn” — It doesn’t really matter what you are microwaving, if you stand close enough to the microwave or have a “microwave” leakage, you are killing your brain cells. By just standing close to a microwave that is fully sealed while operating, you do risk losing some brain cells — but not nearly as many as if there were a microwave leakage. It is important to always check up on your microwave and to repair any possible leaks. It is recommended to always stand a minimum of 2 feet away from microwaves while they are cooking.

44) Having narcolepsy – Having narcolepsy — a disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and uncontrollably falling asleep at random times. Research has shown that having narcolepsy kills “hypocretin” brain cells which are located in the hippocampus. Individuals without narcolepsy have around 70,000 hypocretin brain cells, while narcoleptics have have between 3,000 to 10,000 (a significantly lower amount). Luckily new advances and treatments are constantly being developed to help with narcolepsy!

45) Formaldehyde — Formaldehyde can be found in forest fires, automobile exhaust, and tobacco smoke. Formaldehyde can deplete brain cells and decreases cell counts within the brain. Formaldehyde exposure can cause burning of the eyes and nose, coughing, difficulty breathing, and could possibly cause leukemia. For great physical and mental health, formaldehyde exposure should be avoided.

46) Radiation treatment — It is not surprising that radiation treatment damages brain cells. After all, radiation treatment works to damage the DNA of cancerous cells. Some other cells happen to get hit with the radiation intended to take out the cancer cells, and healthy brain cells die. Most medically accepted treatments of cancer involve the killing of both healthy and unhealthy brain cells.

47) Taking the chemical MPTP — MPTP is a neurotoxin that causes permanent symptoms of Parkinson’s disease by killing neurons in the substantia nigra area of the brain. It’s scary that there’s an illicit drug like this… Hopefully you never even hear about MPTP other than on the internet.

48) Laughing gas a.K.a. nitrous oxide — When nitrous oxide is used in a controlled setting like the dentist’s office, it is fine and will not cause brain damage — the amount of the substance is carefully monitored. It is when nitrous oxide is illicitly used and abused that results in brain damage and cell loss. No need to freak out the next time the dentist uses this stuff. Don’t use this stuff in a non-medical setting and you’ll be fine.

49) Using ketamine – The use of ketamine, a common type of anesthesia, prevents brain cells from picking up “glutamate” — a protein which is essential for cell communication and survival. Like nitrous oxide, ketamine use should be limited to medical professionals. Using the proper amount of ketamine probably won’t do much damage.

50) Taking PCP – Most commonly referred to as “angel dust,” the drug PCP (Phencyclidine) can cause memory problems, inability to control thoughts, and compulsive action. PCP has been correlated with frontal-lobe brain damage and like most drugs, aids in the process of brain cell death. PCP is dangerous, triggers dangerous behavior, and should be avoided to keep a healthy brain.

There are more drugs and activities that weren’t mentioned that kill brain cells. I recommend checking out the article: “50 Ways To Boost Your Brain Power” to keep your brain healthy and to avoid unnecessarily killing brain cells!

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Forgot where you put your car-keys? Does your mind blank out when trying to think of answers? Forgetting these types of things is a sign of how busy we are. “When we’re not paying good attention, the memories we form aren’t very robust, and we have a problem retrieving the information later,” says Zaldy S. Tan, MD, director of a Memory Disorders Clinic in Boston. Not everyone has a bad memory, but everyone can benefit from a few memorization tips.

How to better remember names:

1) Pay close attention — When you first meet someone, consciously force yourself to listen closely to that person’s name. To improve ability to remember the name, be sure to ask about the spelling. Ask if “Kristine is spelled with a ‘K’ or a ‘C’ “– picture the spelling. Also, be sure to add a comment about the name such as: “I used to have a few friends named Kristine, but their names were spelled with a ‘K’ and not a ‘C’ like yours.” Always be sure to use their name when first greeting them, saying goodbye, or throughout a conversation.

2) Visualize their name — If you are terrible at remembering names, it may help to relate their name with a picture. Visualize their name, meditate on it if you need to. Picture the name, or a picture associated with the name, then picture the person. If the person’s first name is something like Troy — it may help to picture the person and then the DVD cover of the movie “Troy.” If you are shooting to remember the last name as well, try to break it up into smaller words. Heres an example: a man’s last name is Lidkey — break the name up into the words “lid” and “key.” Picture a “lid” and “key” and associate it with the man’s face.

3) Jot down some notes — If you are watching a speaker or are in a position to help you take notes to remember a person, by all means do so. It will definitely help by jotting down some personal features like: has a shiny bald-head, coached the University’s basketball team, and wears big sunglasses. These notes will serve as a good reference when you need a reminder.

Misplacing things: Where did I put my cell phone?

1) Describe the “play-by-play” –Notice what you are doing when you set your cell phone down on the table. Increase your overall awareness by being conscious that you’ve lost your cell phone in the past, tell yourself that you won’t forget where you put it. As you set down your cell phone on the table, tell yourself: “I’m reminding myself that I’m putting my cell phone on this table,” so you have a clear memory of where you put your cell phone.

2) Make remembering a habit — Put a small box or basket on the counter top. Train yourself to put your cell phone, sunglasses, car keys, or any other object that you commonly misplace, in the basket after each use. By putting each object in the basket, you are gradually training yourself to remember where you put things.

How to remember tasks to complete:

1) Give yourself a physical reminder — To remind yourself what you need to do, write a big “to-do” list for the day and post it up in a place you will easily see each day. Give yourself some sort of “physical” reminder. You expect to see your bills on the table, so leaving them sit won’t necessarily remind you to pay them; everybody can forget. If you place your toothbrush or glasses on your bills, you will be more likely to pay them without forgetting. Why? When you place an object like a shoe or toothbrush that you use on a daily basis, you will be forced to look for that object. Seeing the object next to your bills will make you remember to pay the bills with less procrastination.

2) Sing some tunes — A great way to remember is to sing. The sound of music has potential to create a rhythm that “gets stuck in our head.” There are many ways to create a tune to help you remember. To remember items on a shopping list, combine them with a well-known, catchy melody. Combine “new shirts, jeans, socks” with the tune to nursery rhymes like “jack and jill” or a popular song that’s been stuck in your head.

3) Use mnemonic devices — Many of us have used phrases like “My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas.” Using the first letter of each word can help to remember Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. Another very common mnemonic device is “ROY G BIV” to remember the colors of a rainbow. You can make your own form of a mnemonic device to help you remember names in a family. Let’s say the Johnson family has 4 kids that you want to remember: Alex, Eileen, Peter, and Susan. Combine the first letter of their names and you have “APES.” Next time all you’ll need to do is think of a monkey or ape and you are likely to remember the “APES” of the Johnson family.

4) Put your body to use — When you don’t have a writing tool and paper to make a shopping list or to-do-list, remember it by associating each item with parts of your body. Begin at your head and work your way down to your feet. So if you need to by eggs, calculators, chicken, and gum, you should try to picture something like: a smashed egg on your head, calculators on each shoulder, a chicken stuck underneath your shirt, and gum on the bottom of your shoes. When you are able to associate items with something like body parts, you are improving your memory, facilitating creativity, and don’t need to waste time writing out a list.

Remembering passwords: e-mail accounts, bank accounts, PIN numbers

1) Associate shapes with the numbers — For example: the number 2 could appear to look like a duck, 0 looks like a bowling ball, 1 looks like a pen, 8 looks like a snowman, etc. You can use your imagination and think of associations that work best for you. To remember your PIN number 8201, imagine that you have built a snowman (8), when ducks come near (2), you roll a bowling ball (0), miss them and find a new pen.

2) Start rhyming — Think of words that rhyme with numbers. 3-6-9 tree, sticks, pine (all pertaining to the woods). You could get a theme going. Making letters rhyme with numbers and vice-versa is a great way to improve your memory. You are much more likely to remember something that rhymes over something that doesn’t! Start rhyming your way to a better memory.

I have a terrible memory, will anything work?

Some people may have a worse memory than others, but there’s always a method that you can use to improve. Don’t lose hope if you do have a below-average memory. Always keep trying new ways to improve your memorization abilities. A few tips that I have are:

1) Read, talk, and listen to what you are trying to memorize — To memorize a textbook passage or poem, read the material, say the material out loud, and focus on hearing what you are reading. It wouldn’t hurt to write or type what you’ve just read. Writing and typing encourage memory formation through repetition. If you need to, record what you are trying to memorize and play it on your way to work each morning. Rotate every third day between: reading the poem over, stating the poem out loud, and listening to your recorded version of the poem.

2) Eliminate distractions when memorizing — When you can hear the T.V. playing, have the radio playing or your i-Pod playing while trying to memorize, it will naturally be much harder for your brain to retain the information. A valuable recommendation is to eliminate all possible distractions such as: T.V., music, and other distracting sounds. It may help to go to the library in a quiet place to concentrate. Eliminating distractions is much more productive if you are trying to memorize: quit wasting time and get in a good environment that promotes healthy memorization.

3) Take fish oil — The DHA in fish oil supplements has been proven to form memories. I have been taking fish oil supplements for almost 2 years and have personally experienced an improved memory and overall brain function. Fish oil is linked to an increased I.Q. and building a healthier brain. If you haven’t yet at least tried out fish oil for awhile, I recommend it. It could be the best thing for your brain’s memory. If you think you’ll forget a lot of this list, get out a pen and write down “buy fish oil” and start taking it to experience leaps in memory.

Women’s memories are better than men’s in a couple of areas:

1) Remembering stressful, frightening, or unpleasant experiences — The hormone Estrogen activates a much bigger neuron field in a woman’s brain during an unpleasant experience. When faced with an unpleasant experience, women actually find it to be much more distressing than men. “Simply remembering an unpleasant experience can bring back the same terrible sadness and agitation to women that they experienced at the time,” says Dr. Legato, author of Why Men Never Remember and Women Never Forget. On a positive note, women are probably better at remembering more precise details of an accident or crime scene.

2) When people talk — “This includes stories read aloud from books, as well as verbal arguments,” says Dr. Legato. The spoken word becomes firmly packed into women’s memories and can be recalled more easily than men. This is due to an increase in the amount of blood flow to the brain that women experience when listening.

Men can have phenomenal memorization abilities, it’s just that it is more common for women to have a natural advantage when it comes to memorizing.

Will you remember this article ?

Don’t be discouraged if you currently have a bad memory. There are many things you can do to keep your brain fit and memory boosted. If you can do yourself a favor and at least remember the information within this article, your memory will start to improve. If know that you will forget this article, then print it out now and tape it up in a place you will see everyday.  There are also other ways to improve your brain with things like memory vitamins that you should check out if you are interested.

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References: Reader’s Digest, March 2008, “New Ways To Retrain Your Brain” by Patricia Curtis.

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Hearing voices: not as uncommon as you may think

Contrary to popular belief, not only schizophrenics experience auditory hallucinations a.K.a. hear voices. Many people who are not even mentally ill often report hearing claps, whistles, buzzing voices, or even music in their head. Around 70 % of schizophrenics hear voices that interrupt their thought patterns on a consistent basis and 15% of people with mood disorders experience auditory hallucinations. However, hearing noises or voices isn’t necessarily a sign of mental illness.

According to Scientific American Mind magazine, hearing auditory hallucinations may not be as uncommon as the public thinks. In 1983 a study showed that 70% of a 375 college-student survey admitted to hearing voices at leas once in their lives. Many students thought that they heard dead relatives, divine beings, and even their own thoughts in vocal form. Auditory hallucinations during waking or directly before sleep were recorded by 40% of the study participants.

A 1991 National Institute of Mental Health study reported 5% of 15,000 Americans who had experienced auditory hallucinations, heard them for a complete year. Only 1/3 of the 5% that had experienced the hallucinations met the criteria for a psychiatric diagnosis. Thomas Bock, a psychotherapist and director of the outpatient psychosis service at the University Medical Center of Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany, at least 3% to 5% of the entire population in western Europe and the United States hear voices. In comparison to those findings, the disease schizophrenia only affects every 1 in 100 people.

How do these hallucinations happen?

Psychotherapist Thomas Bock explains that they arise from “too much internal stimulation” or “too little external stimulation.” Bock thinks that auditory hallucinations maybe a cause of people holding too much thought and emotion on the inside. Many people that hear voices have suffered a degree of trauma as a child or adult such as: rape, abuse, isolation, or a severe accident.

The unresolved conflicts resulting from traumas trigger signals which Bock thinks signifies that they need to listen more to their inner voice. Though there are many speculations as to what causes one to hear voices, some researchers agree that the hallucinations are due to a failure in a feedback circuit within the brain.

This feedback circuit normally tells you when “you” are talking or thinking — not someone else. The hypothesis that “self-talk” or “internal dialogue” gets misaligned with normal internal feedback applies to schizophrenics as well.

How can you tell if a person is hearing voices or has schizophrenia?

Well, researchers also studied and compared those who had no psychiatric symptoms to those already diagnosed with schizophrenia. Participants in the study listened to distorted voices of themselves — they were told to press a button if they thought they were listening to themselves or another person.

People already diagnosed with schizophrenia had much greater difficulty identifying their own voices. Also, non-schizophrenics did not report negative commentary in their hallucinations — schizophrenics heard negative and degrading voices. Both groups of people reported commentary on the vocalization of their thoughts, yet non-mentally ill participants heard encouraging statements like: “You can do it” or “it really wasn’t your fault.” Non-mentally ill patients also felt more in control of their voices, while schizophrenics reported little or no control.

What brain-imaging has shown

Brain-imaging studies have also shown the physiological aspects that happen in verbal hallucinations. During schizophrenic hallucinations, a huge increase of brain activity was shown in Broca’s area, an area involved in producing speech, not hearing it. They also found large amounts of activity in the brain’s primary auditory cortex — an area that normally processes sounds from the outside environment. Schizophrenics brain’s responded to their auditory hallucinations the same way as a regular brain responds to chatting with others.

Several causes of auditory hallucinations:

• Mental illness — People with various forms of mental illness can hear voices. It is most common to hear voices in schizophrenia, but in bipolar disorder and severe forms of depression, some people hear voices.

• Social isolation — A common trait of people who experience auditory hallucinations is social isolation. Social isolation causes the brain to receive too little simulation from the outside world. Withdrawn social activity can fuel hallucinations for non-schizophrenics, which in-turn will fuel social rejection.

• Poor stimulation for extended periods — Several hikers and sailors that have survived poor stimulation for long periods of time have reported auditory hallucinations.

• Sensory deprivation victims — Some victims of sensory deprivation victims often report hearing voices. Sleep deprivation when taken to extremes, can commonly cause auditory hallucinations.

• People with hearing loss — Musical hallucinations in people who have forms of hearing loss are actually quite common. Scientists think that the brain records auditory information that it has stored over one’s lifetime. When the external output (hearing) is eliminated, the deposited signals can live on in the form of hearing music — when it’s not playing…

• Spiritual phenomena — Many very spiritual or religious people claim to have heard voices in meditations, rituals, or during enlightening experiences. Very spiritual people claim to have been talking with others in another dimension, talking to “spirit guides,” deceased relatives, or another “higher being.”

How researchers are trying to quiet the voices

Currently, for those who do suffer from hearing voices, anti-psychotic medications work best for eliminating symptoms. Trans-magnetic-stimulation (TMS) has also been used by scientists as a method of decreasing the amount of brain activity in specific regions by using magnetic fields. The targeted areas of TMS have been those involved in speech-processing.

In 2005, researchers were able to suppress acoustic hallucinations in 50 patients for a total time period of 3 + months! Studies have also shown that the sooner one talks to someone about hearing the voices, the sooner the voices disappear. They have also shown that how a person views their voices is almost always a direct reflection of what the person actually hears.

Researchers and therapists are also helping victims learn how to “reframe the voices” and become more conscious of their illness. Therapists help to make sufferers masters of their own mind — by providing victims with valuable coping techniques. One interesting coping technique that has been used on several patients is that of allowing voices to “come out for conversation” during a set period of time.

By allowing them to come out for a set period, they tend not to usually bother the victims for the rest of the day. Another interesting phenomenon that scientists have found is that the vocal hallucinations that a victim experiences are usually a mirror reflection of their social life with real people.

It’s not always necessary to eliminate hearing voices from your life. Researchers think that whether or not a person should attempt to eliminate voices should result from whether the voices are positive or negative. When voices get negative, swear at the victim, talk trash, or degrade the person hearing them, it is definitely recommended to get help.

On the other hand, if a person hears positive voices, is socially active, and is not isolated, chances are good that the person can comfortably lead a fulfilling life. However, friends and family should still not rule out mental illness if one does hear “positive voices.” Some people manage to convince themselves that “negative voices” actually are well-meaning.

What should you learn from this article?

You should realize that hearing voices is actually fairly common nowadays. If you are hearing voices, don’t be afraid to share them with others — it may quiet them a little bit. The type, or mood of the voice, can usually distinguish a schizophrenic from a non-schizophrenic. For a nice video clip on what it feels like to experience schizophrenia: check this out — it’s a “virtual simulation.”

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Article sources: Scientific American Mind December 2006 / January 2007 Issue, Article: Hearing Voices by Bettina Thraenhardt — a psychologist and science journalist.

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1) Meditate — Meditation has been known to increase IQ, relieve stress, and promotes higher levels of brain functioning. Meditation also activates the “prefrontal cortex” of the brain, an area responsible for advanced thinking ability and performance.

2) Draw A Picture — Drawing stimulates the right-hemisphere of the brain and inspires creativity. Get out the colored pencils and begin drawing your way to a powerful brain.

3) Exercise — Long-term exercise has been proven to increase brain power and even create new neurons in the brain. Go out and get a natural high off of your own brain chemistry through exercise!

4) Brainwave Entrainment — Brainwave entrainment is a safe, innovative way to stimulate and shape the brain and it’s functioning. You can literally build up more control over your life and harness your brain’s potential!

5) Avoid Junk Food – Junk food has been proven to decrease energy in the body and promotes “brain fog.” Cut some junk food from your diet, and reap the benefits of a more calm, focused brain chemistry.

6) Deep Breathing — Deep breathing actually increases oxygen levels and blood-flow to the brain. 10-15 minutes of daily deep breathing can make a huge difference in the quality of your life and brain’s functioning potential.

7) Learn A New Language — Learning adds more structure to the brain and improves the brain’s speech centers. Hablas espanol? It may be time for you to take a class or program to supplement your job-skills and brain power!

8) Take Fish Oil — Fish oil supplements are literally like membrane material for the brain. The 2 primary components of EPA and DHA each act to strengthen both the emotional center of the brain and boost focus. There is an increase in overall brain activity after taking fish oil for awhile.

9) Laugh It Up — Laughter causes a natural release of the brain’s endorphins — chemicals that drown out pain and increase overall wellbeing. Laughter is a well known, natural stress reducer. Watch a comedy, crack a joke, and increase those endorphin levels!

10) Engage In Debate — A good, healthy debate strengthens the brain’s ability to think quickly and apply intelligence to verbal situations. Work to build up your brain power by engaging in plenty of healthy debate. Just ask someone who they are voting for in the presidential election and you’ll definitely provoke a debate!

11) Take A Multivitamin — Vitamins are great for the brain, and if it does not get enough of a certain vitamin through daily diet, consider a multivitamin. Multivitamins help facilitate the functioning of a healthy body and enriched brain. Start popping a vitamin each morning for awhile and chances are good that you’ll notice a difference!

12) Drink Red Wine — Alcohol in moderation has been proven to be good for the brain. Why? It is rich in antioxidants — chemicals that actually protect the brain! One glass daily for women and two for men is generally considered a healthy amount.

13) Eat Healthy — You know what ‘healthy’ is, so why not eat healthy and improve your brain? The brain requires a certain amount of energy to reach it’s maximum level of functioning. Eating chocolate cake and chips instead of fish and legumes, well maybe that’s why you cannot think clearly.

14) Change Your Environment — To keep your brain properly stimulated, it is important to keep changing your environment. Drive a new route to work, eat at a new restaurant on Friday night. Changing the environment helps change the brain!

15) Set Goals — Setting goals activates areas of the brain associated with positive thinking and action. Setting goals is great for achieving success and prosperity in life and boosting your brain.

16) Listen To Music — Studies have proven that listening to music strengthens the right-hemisphere of the brain and literally changes the structure. Those same studies have found that people who listen to music are generally smarter and have more emotional intelligence than those who don’t.

17) Be Empathetic — Being empathetic and trying to understand the emotions of others is a skill that your brain can learn. Being empathetic is definitely a powerful trait to have and allows your brain to relate to the emotions of others.

18) Avoid Stress — A little bit of stress will never hurt anybody. Too much stress actually causes detrimental increases in the hormone “cortisol” which in high levels, kills brain cells and suppresses brain functioning.

19) Think Positive — If you are currently very good at thinking positively, chances are good that you already have a more powerful brain than those “Negative Nellies.” Take 10 minutes daily to think more positive and start noticing an improvement in thinking abilities and problem solving skills.

20) Brainstorm — A good brainstorming session to think of new, stimulating ideas is a great way to boost your brains ability to think creatively. Brainstorming is actually a different way of thinking that will equip your brain with a quick creative boost.

21) Write An Article — Writing is linked to an improved memory and expression of thoughts. When you write, you are strengthening your brain’s natural ability to convey thoughts and feelings. Writing is a great way to exercise your ability to analyze and build a thought process with critical thinking. Journals, diaries, blog entries, and writing stories are phenomenal ways to fulfill your brain.

22) Visualize — Visualization has been associated with focus at a deeper level. Many successful athletes that are able to play “in the zone” actually visualize their game at a deeper level. Visualization has been linked to lowered stress, increased creativity, and peak mind-body performance.

23) Get Some Sleep — Be sure to always fulfill your brain’s need for sleep. Sleep clears out mental clutter and unimportant thoughts. Getting a good night’s sleep can also be the difference between a sharp memory and feeling forgetful. Everyone has different sleep requirements, be sure to fulfill yours! If you don’t get enough sleep — you may want to take a nap…

24) Do Self-Hypnosis — The power of hypnotic suggestion is definitely real. You can change aspects of your thought process and learn to shift your focus by taking the time to do some self-hypnosis. Hypnosis research shows that by practicing hypnosis, an individual experiences lowered stress, increased pain tolerance, and clear thinking. Try it out for yourself if you haven’t already!

25) Do Crossword Puzzles — Crossword puzzles bring out your brain’s ability to critically think and recall past memories. The challenge of completing crossword puzzles is definitely mentally invigorating and stimulating. If you enjoy reading the newspaper, be sure to check out the daily crossword puzzles section and build up that brain power!

26) Eat Nuts — Brazil and South American University students swear by eating nuts before taking exams. They notice that eating them is correlated with an increase in test scores. New studies are beginning to prove nuts effectiveness at increasing brain power. If you do not eat a lot of nuts, try it sometime and reap the brain related benefits!

27) Read Books — Reading books teaches your brain to adapt to absorb large amounts of information in shorter periods of time. Books challenge your thinking abilities and memorization skills, as well as boost vocabulary and critical thinking skills. Not only do you learn something from reading a book, but your brain power increases as you build up the book load.

28) Listen To Classical Tunes — Listening to classical music activates the left hemisphere of the brain, which is why classical music usually helps students do better in mathematics and writing. If you haven’t yet tried listening to some Mozart, consider it! Mozart has been linked to an 80 % increase in spatial intelligence scores!

29) Play “Brain Age” — New games like “Brain Age” for the nintendo DS and Big-Brain Academy help promote quick thinking and essential brain skills. These games work wonderful for improving thinking speed and natural problem solving skills. I’ve had a chance to play these games before and I can personally vouch for their effectiveness!

30) Take A Nap – Taking a nap has been proven through research to significantly improve task-performance and thinking abilities. If you are feeling tired throughout the day and have time to take a quick nap, it is recommended. Naps are a wonderful refresher and quick little mental booster.

31) Turn Off The T.V. – Watching T.V. may not be the only reason which rotting begins in the brain, but it is a key ingredient to the rotting process. A little T.V. will never hurt anybody, but it does definitely change brain functioning. The act of watching T.V. slows brainwaves and causes a decline in brain fitness.

32) Paint A Picture — Being able to visualize where you want paint to go on paper sparks pure creativity from within. Painting is an exercise that gets the right-brain fully functioning and improves your creative side. If you haven’t tried painting a picture, give it a shot and notice that you’re likely to feel and be more creative.

33) Start Crying — Don’t be afraid to cry when the time is right! Crying actually heals emotions and promotes healthy circulation within the brain. Those who are able to cry are actually cleansing the inside of their brain, which is another very healthy way to increase brain power.

34) Eat Less — Eating too much food has the effect of decreasing blood-flow to the brain and increasing blood-flow to the digestive system. Therefore, if you are able to cut-back on the total amount of food you consume, you will have enhanced brain functioning. In several lab studies, rats on a calorie-restricted diet had increased blood flow to their brains.

35) Eat Breakfast — When kids who hadn’t eating breakfast for awhile, began to eat breakfast, their math grades went up an entire letter grade (on average). Breakfast is probably the most important meal of the day — it provides your body with fuel for the rest of the day. If you don’t have time to eat an entire breakfast in the morning, at least have some sort of snack… It could give your brain a powerful edge!

36) Go For A Walk — Exercise deifnitely benefits the brain, and walking is a great form of exercise that is easy and very effective for boosting brainpower. Walking puts your mind in a relaxed state of clear thought and brain function. Walking gives your brain a chance to wander and free itself from any troubling thoughts.

37) Mimic Others — Being able to mimic other’s actions and talk activates several areas of the brain that are usually inactive. Mimicing others, if done in a fun, playful manner, can improve your brain power and the brain’s natural ability to adapt quickly when faced with new situations.

38) Solve Puzzles — Solving puzzles is a great way to stimulate your brains ability to critically think and process information. Puzzles are thought provoking, challenging, and a fun activity. The great thing about puzzles is that they require activity in the left-hemisphere of the brain to work with, and transfer information to, the right hemisphere’s visual center of the brain. Want a more integrated brain? Solve a puzzle!

39) Do Neurofeedback — Neurofeedback is a great way to learn to consciously control your brain wave patterns. Neurofeedback builds brain structure and helps promote flexibility within a brain’s neural network. Though neurofeedback is somewhat costly, if you’ve got enough money — it may very well be the best investment you can make for your brain!

40) Cut Alcohol Consumption — Alcohol in moderation isn’t terrible for the brain, too much alcohol is damaging to brain health and function. If you want to boost brain power, cutting alcohol is a great way to do it. Alcohol can cause memory problems and encourage “foggy,” disorganized thinking.

41) Live A Drug-Free Lifestyle — Everyone knows that drugs are bad for them. Drugs do not foster creativity, they kill creativity and deplete brain cells. Depending on the drug, effects can range from brain bleeding, to cell loss, to impairments in neural growth. Live drug free and keep your brain more powerful!

42) Drink Fruit Juice — Drinking fruit juice revitalizes the brain and provides cells with a refreshing jolt of nutrients. Great juices to drink include: grape juice, orange juice, cranberry juice, and apple juice. Most juices provide your brain with vital nutrients which in turn, provide you with more mental energy and focus.

43) Be Self-Aware — When you learn to let go of ego-driven and emotional aspects of life, rational thinking kicks in. Rational thinking will allow you to become self-aware, which in turn allows you to make better future decisions to achieve optimal brain health. Activities like meditation, self-hypnosis, and introspection allow us to increase our self-awareness.

44) Take Gingko Biloba — Gingko Biloba has been scientifically researched and documented to significantly increase blood-flow to the brain. Gingko Biloba is a farily inexpensive way to pump up your brain’s blood-flow. Increased bloodflow to the brain is correlated with an increase in focus and problem solving. Try some Gingko Biloba and allow your brain to reap the benefits!

45) Have Sex — Having sex is a great way to naturally release vital hormones in the brain. When involved in a loving relationship, having sex improves social connection as well as emotional intelligence. Sex is connecting, stress-relieving, and a great way to give your brain a boost. Chances are that sex will also improve your confidence and ability to think positively!

46) Drink Caffeine — Research shows that students that drink coffee before exams, have higher scores. Why? Caffeine seems to stimulate activity in the brain, speed up thinking, and improve focus. Too much caffeine is never good as it can cause stress or trigger anger. A little bit, however, may be the ticket to an “A” on your test. Drink some and find out how it affects your focus and thinking abilities!

47) Sniff Some Basil — I personally haven’t tried this method, but there seem to be many claims testifying for Basil’s effectiveness at improving overall brain function. Either way, certain fragrances actually change brain functioning. Taking a whiff of peppermint speeds up brain functioning, while other fragrances actually slow things down! Since scent is the strongest thing tied to memory, some good fragrances can definitely help out brain functioning.

48) Stay In School — If you are in school, chances are good that you will boost your brain power more than the average dropout! Keeping up with school work, means giving your brain a good workout in areas of self-discipline, learning, and mental processing. Stay in school, or do something to always be learning something new!

49) Ask Questions — Asking questions is a phenomenal way to keep your brain in shape. Get in the habit of questioning others and their thoughts. Questions can provoke new thoughts and ideas and asking them is a great way to build up brain power!

50) Re-Read This List – Want to boost your brain power? Start by re-reading this list and highlighting several methods that you can apply to your life. As a matter of fact, print this list out and staple it up someplace that you will view everyday. That way, when walking past the list, you can take a glance and randomly choose an activity to boost your brain power!

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Mostly because I haven’t given this range a valid shot for brainwave synchronization, I’ve decided to do a 2 week trial of listening to the 15 to 18 Hz beta brainwave range. The session I’m using is called “Energy / Motivation” and can be found in the program Mind Stereo‘s built in session library.

Why did I decide to try this?

I’ve decided to try this range for several reasons. The number one reason is that my verbal skills have declined lately. Though I’ve found 10 hz alpha to make a person calmer, beta can definitely make a person more talkative and focused in conversations. I have listened to several higher beta sessions before (up in the 20 – 30 hz range), but never a session around 18 hz. I am hoping that this session will increase my energy and focus on my website projects, and provide my readers with some valuable insight towards this brainwave range.

What’s my gameplan?

I plan on listening to each “15-18 hz session” through the program called Mind Stereo. This program can be found in my recommended products section of the website for purchase. This program allows me to listen to my favorite music while engaging my brain in “brainwave synchronization.” A nice feature of Mind Stereo is that isochronic tones automatically are embedded into your favorite songs [without doing any work] and you literally only hear your song (none of the brainwave tone)! After about 5 minutes of listening to a brainwave synchronization session, you begin to feel the brainwave effects and the fact that the isochronic tones are definitely synchronizing your brainwaves.

Hopefully I will be able to report back to the blog with some positive, brain boosting results!

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Note: you may also be interested in the original article 5 Ways To Make Your Brain Happier (as this article is part 2).

1. Brainwave entrainment

Though brainwave entrainment is not for everyone, it definitely can be used to create positive changes in brainwaves with tremendous results. I currently use the program Neuro-Programmer 2 Professional and have found it enhances the quality of my focus, deepness of my sleep, and heightens my awareness.

I have experimented with various brainwaves, each has their purpose. If you are stressed out, the alpha rhythm will definitely make your brain feel calmer, happier, and more relaxed. Where as a person with ADHD who has too many relaxing brain waves would benefit and feel better using the beta brainwave range in their training.

If you ever consider buying Neuro-Programmer 2 (an awesome program) or Mind Stereo (another awesome program), I’d appreciate if you do it through my “recommended products” section.

2. Neurofeedback

The aim of neurofeedback is to be consciously able to produce healthy brainwave patterns. If you don’t know about what neurofeedback could potentially do for your brain, I suggest checking out the Biocybernaut Institute and reading about the technology and testimonials. Neurofeedback is different from brainwave entrainment in the fact that you consciously learn to ‘shift’ your brainwaves where as brainwave entrainment causes your brainwave pattern to match that of a stimulus.

With brainwave entrainment you are forming new neural-pathways, but you aren’t learning to consciously control your brainwaves. It also promotes natural flexibility and strengthens existing brainwave patterns. Though neurofeedback may be quite expensive, if you’ve got the money, it could prove to be one of the best investments you’ve ever made.

3. Meditation

If you haven’t heard that meditation is good for your brain, it’s about time you crawled out from that rock. Proper meditation practices have been scientifically proven to make a person happier. Meditation increases brain activity in the left-prefrontal cortex which is associated with advanced thought processing and positive emotion.

Testimonials from experienced meditators say that the meditation practice “gives them more control over thoughts and emotional responses.” The great thing about meditation is that it’s totally free and will make your brain happier. Scientific testing in the United States reveal that areas of experienced meditator’s brains associated with good mood and positive feelings are MUCH more active than the rest of the population.

This is because they put forth the necessary effort via meditation to make their brains’ happier;) Experienced meditators really are happier and calmer than other people. Apparently, the amount of time spent meditating also has an effect on exactly how happy you become.

“We can’t rule out the possibility that there was a pre-existing difference in brain function between monks and novices,” says Prof. Davidson (a neuroscientist), “but the fact that the monks with the most hours of meditation showed the greatest brain changes gives us confidence that the changes are actually produced by mental training. Meditation opens up the possibility for the brain to be altered intentionally. Just as running and weight training shape the body, meditation shapes the gray matter.

4. Goal setting

Goal setting triggers mental activity in the brain’s left hemisphere which is associated with advanced thought processing and positive emotions. I don’t know about you, but just the process of goal setting gives me a huge jolt of energy and excitement. Though just setting goals will give you feelings of happiness, to make that happiness permanent, you must actually complete them.

It will keep a successful cycle going composed of: goal setting>>> happiness>>>completing the goal>>>feeling even happier & fulfilled>>>setting a new goal. When you set goals and accomplish them, feelings of happiness naturally follow. Setting goals gives your life a direction and purpose. Once you have set your goals, work toward achieving them consistently for a happier brain.

5. Learn to laugh, haha

Everyone loves a good comedy. Laughter releases brain hormones called “endorphins” which can be described as the brains natural anti-depressants. People that have the tendency to laugh a lot not only appear happier, but actually have happier brains! So, which came first the happy brains or the laughter? Well, that doesn’t really matter, as long as you keep laughing, you should have a happier predisposition.

Laughter lowers harmful chemicals such as cortisol and catecholamines, which are both released by the adrenal glands when feeling stressed. So do the math: lowered stress chemicals = lowered stress = happier mood. You could be even supercharging your happiness if you practice something like “Laughter Meditation” for which I included a link: laugh your brain into a better mood.

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1.  Fish

It’s definitely not a myth that fish is good for the body. But exactly how good is fish for the brain? Fish is actually one of the most healthy foods for keeping the brain at an optimal level of functioning. Eskimo’s and countries that are high in fish consumption tend to have slower aging rates, significantly lower percentages of “mental diseases” and “disorders” and an overall healthier population. High fish consumption has been linked to lowered rates of depression & neurosis and a stabilized mood.

Fish actually fights aging in the brain and significantly reduces cognitive decline in the elderly. “That rate of reduction is equivalent to being three to four years younger in age,” wrote researcher Martha Clare Morris, (ScD, of Rush University Medical Center, Chicago) in the Archives of Neurology. Eating fish high in Omega-3 fatty-acids is especially helpful for not only the brain, but the entire body.

That’s why I take the fish oil supplements daily, which have been proven as effective as actually eating fish.  If you are currently consuming plenty of fish or taking fish oil supplements, you are helping your brain reach a peak level of performance! If you aren’t, your brain is definitely missing out.

2.  Avocados

Avocados are almost as good as blueberries in enhancing brain health. While the avocodo is pretty fatty, the fat is monounsaturated; promoting increased circulation and bloodflow. The increased circulation from avocado nutrients is not only found in the body, but is highly prevalent in the brain.

So if you want increased oxygen and bloodflow to the brain, stock up and chow down on some avacados. Avocados also lower blood pressure levels — which is known to benefit the brain. Lower blood pressure is linked to an increase in cognitive abilities and I.Q.

3.  Blueberries

Compounds in blueberries have been proven to actually “reverse” short-term memory loss. Research compiled on blueberries effects on the brain found that they actually increase the number of cells in the hippocampus – the region of the brain which is responsible for memory.  So blueberries actually cause neurogenesis – the production of new brain cells.

This is a great finding for those who may have killed off a few too many cells from stress. Blueberries have also been known to prevent brain aging and actually trigger specific neural-pathways in the brain to enhance cognition and mental processing speed. I suggest keeping those blueberries around for a snack.  By eating them you are literally feeding your brain new neurons!

4.  Spinach

Spinach has been linked to preventing dementia in women. A study has proved that middle-aged women who ate spinach and other green vegetables, delayed cognitive decline by 2 entire years.  Spinach is literally brain food and feeds the brain vital nutrients and enzymes that it needs to strengthen synapses and produce healthy levels of neurotransmitters. Spinach also keeps up Folic acid – low levels of Folic acid have been linked to memory decline and heart disease.

To keep your Folic acid levels up, eat spinach! Spinach helps control the amount of water your body retains and helps eliminate bloating. Neurologists recommend eating spinach at least 3 times a week as brain food. It is now highly recommended by experts to find organic spinach because spinach is on the top ten list of insecticide-laden vegetables. But if you aren’t already eating spinach, it definitely wouldn’t hurt to incorporate a little bit of Popeye’s diet into your own!

5.  Eggs

Eggs are known to enhance many executive brain functions. Recently, the National Sciences Academy recognized the nutrient “cholin” in eggs as being “essential to one’s diet.” “Cholin” plays an essential role in the development of brain motor functioning and memory. At the University of North Carolina, research conducted by Steven H. Zeisel found that the brains of babies whose mothers were given “cholin supplements” showed increased memory functioning and capacity.

“The difference is so clear that we can differentiate between them even when they have reached adult age”, says Dr. Zeisel. Eggs have always remained high on the “brain-food” chain.  So, if you enjoy eating eggs, you are actually enjoying the associated benefits of enriched brain functioning.

Side note: An extensive study from the Harvard School of Public Health proved beyond any doubt that healthy people can eat eggs without any adverse effects on the incidence of cardiovascular diseases.

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Note: If you enjoy this article, consider reading 5 Ways To Make Your Brain Happier [Part 2].

1. Rigorous physical exercise

Challenging exercise changes the overall structure of your brain. Not only does it change the overall structure for the better, it increases the baseline level of helpful neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. It also causes the brain to release natural opiates. When your body is exercised, your brain benefits.

Exercise alone causes I.Q. increases. Contrary to popular belief, more natural geniuses engage in highly physical activity like rugby and football than non-geniuses. They are also more likely to exercise on a daily basis. Exercise increases the amount of oxygen in the brain and blood to the brain! It also simulates “neurogenesis” – a process of the brain which produces new neurons a.k.a. new brain cells.

By exercising, you are making your brain happier via the production of helpful neurotransmitters and hormones like endorphins, which ward off depression. If you aren’t already exercising, I recommend it – it will make your life better and brain happier. Lace up those running shoes and hit the treadmill!

2. Get proper sleep

Do you even realize what proper sleep can do for you? Proper sleep, and by that I mean at least 8 hours of “quality sleep,” causes the brain to recycle troubling thoughts and spark solutions to difficult problems. Deep sleep in the delta brainwave range causes Human Growth Hormone to be released as well as other anti-aging hormones.

Make sure you block out at least 8 hours a night and take whatever steps you feel are necessary to get that high-quality, deep sleep. If you need to get that Craftmatic adjustable or new Tempur-pedic to get “proper sleep,” then by all means, do it. You could be doing your brain a world of good.

3. Eat healthy foods

By eating fruits and vegetables, you are actually giving your brain more energy and more vital nutrients to work with than eating a double McThickBurger. Eating a double McThickBurger will give your brain and body some energy, but a very little amount. You don’t want to eat foods that take away more energy than your body produces (i.e. Chocolate Cake).

If you eat “lifeless” food, your brain will lack electrical activity and be “lifeless.” If you eat plentiful food that is full of vital nutrients, your brain will be “full of life.” For example: A chocolate cake contains 1-3 Mega Hz of electrical charges, while a big mac has 5 mega Hz of energy.

You need at least 72 to 78 mega Hz of food to meet your brains electrical requirements. So do the math: are you getting enough energy from the foods you eat? Green vegetables provide 70 to 90 mega Hz. Other foods high in energy are fruits, beans, raw almonds, and legumes. Start eating energizing foods & your brain will reward you immensely.

Note: For more information discussing brain foods, check out my article 5 Supercharged Brain Foods.

4. Be with your true friends

Being around others is proven to make a people happier for the long term. Being with friends gives you someone to share memories with and experience good times with. Life is generally more fun when you are with others and have someone to love, talk to, and even challenge to a stimulating debate.

Friends can help guide your life in the right direction. If you don’t already have some good, true friends, I suggest that you make some quickly because “true” friends are always around for moral and emotional support through the toughest of times. By being around others, your brain will reward you by creating happier emotions and will allow you to develop empathy — a great quality which allows you to understand & literally “feel” other’s emotions.

5. Live your purpose

By finding your purpose and living your purpose, you will be able to feel truly fulfilled in life. There isn’t really any feeling that can take the place of fulfillment. You will know when you feel fulfilled because your entire being will resonate with joy, power, and motivation.

Everyone has their own unique life-purpose and there are many ways to find it. If you do not yet know your life purpose, you can try this exercise to find your life purpose in about 20 minutes. Living your purpose keeps you happy, focused, and truly “living for the moment.” Your brain will reward you for being fulfilled by releasing joyful emotions and keeping you in an empowered state of mind!

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1) Take Fish Oil Supplements - Fish oil supplements are great for preventing virtually all mental diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. They stabilize mood and help promote maximum brain functioning. I take Nature’s Made supplements (3.6 grams daily). Fish oil supplements have been proven as effective as actually eating fish. They stabilize brainwave patterns and increase overall brain activity. In fact, there are currently many studies that show fish oil prevents A.D.D. from developing. For more information about fish oil, check out this article.

2) Exercise Daily – Exercising daily has been known to be good for the brain and studies have shown that it prevents Alzheimer’s. Exercise builds new neural connections in your brain and is one of the only activities that causes “Neurogenesis” – the production of new brain cells.

3) Do Sudoku’s & Crossword Puzzles – Sudoku’s and crossword puzzles cause people to critically think and naturally increase their brain activity.

4) Read Something Challenging Daily – Reading something challenging daily causes synapse growth and increases thinking ability. By challenging your brain and using it will help prevent you losing it!

5) Eat Healthy – Eating healthy is a huge factor in determining a healthy brain. The food you put in your body is what your brain is forced to work with. Eating a lot of McHardeesKing will cause your brain to function poorly. Eating a lot of fruits and vegetables will actually enhance your executive brain functions.

6) Engage In A Debate – By engaging in a debate, you are challenging your brain’s ability to generate a stimulating conversation which requires rapid thinking and high levels of focus. This is VERY good for you! To start one of these, just ask someone “who should be president?”

7) Turn Off The T.V. – T.V. promotes less mental activity and a lazy brain. Rip that T.V. chord out of the wall, take it to the street, get a baseball bat and beat the plasma and high-definition straight out the back of the cathode ray tube! …Or, just turn it off… and go do something else.

8) Control High Cholesterol – Eat properly, exercise, consider fish oil, consider taking a cholesterol medication if you need to…lower cholesterol correlates with a reduced risk to develop Alzheimer’s.

9) Get Enough Sleep – We all know that sleep is good for the brain, yet most people still do not get enough. Have some self-control and set aside at least 8 hours of sleep each night. As we age, we still need plenty of sleep. Sleep refreshes the brain and promotes relaxation and releases anti-aging hormones.

10) Practice Meditation – Meditation has been known to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, promote positive thinking, and reduce depression and anxiety. Meditation also increases memory, alertness and task-performance. Meditating increases the thickness of gray-matter and increases overall brain activity.

11) Think Positive Thoughts – Positive thinking reduces stress, makes people feel happier, and is a trait associated with longevity and a healthy brain. Set aside 10 minutes a day and focus only on thinking positive thoughts. It will make you naturally feel more energized and happy.

12) Get Adequate Vitamins (Especially Vitamin E) – Vitamin E has been studied in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease and is found to be somewhat helpful. I recommend getting adequate amounts of all vitamins. Pop that daily multi-vitamin and consider taking some extra Vitamin E…

13) Reduce Stress – It’s never a good idea to unnecessarily stress yourself out. Some stress is healthy, but too much actually kills brain cells with excess amounts of cortisol. Use techniques like deep breathing, self-hypnosis, and brainwave entrainment to reduce stress.

14) Write In A Daily Journal- Writing is a great activity to keep your mind stimulated and reflect on daily activities. Writing definitely stimulates the brain in profound ways that talking doesn’t. Go buy a journal to write your thoughts in each day, it will be a great investment!

15) Get Out Of The House! - Get out of your house, go do something outside. Get some sunshine on your skin, exchange smiles with a stranger, experience the beauty of nature! Just being outside can really have an significant impact on your mood and brain.

16) Do Some Neurofeedback – Neurofeedback promotes brainwave flexibility and the conscious control of mental activity to reduce stress, increase focus, and keep a healthy brain. If you can afford Neurofeedback, I recommend checking out the Biocybernaut institute and reading the book “Getting Started With Neurofeedback” by John N. Demos.

17) Listen To Music – Listining to music is severely underrated for keeping a healthy brain. Listening to music stimulates increases of activity in the right hemisphere of the brain. The right hemisphere is associated with emotions and creativity. If you bump some tunes while exercising, you could really give your brainpower a big energy jolt.

18) Play Nintendo – Contrary to popular belief, limited amounts of Nintendo is actually good for the brain. Nintendo promotes altered brainwave patterns in the visual cortex and overall brain flexibility. It is only when Nintendo playing time gets out of control that it isn’t good for overall brain function… About 30 – 60 minutes of Nintendo each day will actually benefit the player’s brain.

19) Drink Fruit Juice – A study has been done showing seniors who drink fruit & or vegetable juice at least 3 times a week have a lower risk of developing A.D. than those who don’t. The antioxidant action of “polyphenols” is well noted to help prevent A.D. is found in many other A.D. prevention studies.

20) Eat Curries – The consumption of curries have been studied in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. Apparently, people from India eat a lot of curries and have a significantly reduced Alzheimer’s disease rate than the United States. It has been found that eating “curries” actually prevents Alzheimer’s via an enzyme found in the curries. This enzyme reduces “free radicals” in the body and is great for the brain!

21) Don’t Do Drugs- (Drugs are bad for you…) Drugs kill brain cells, make you naturally more stressed out, and decrease healthy brain activity. Just stay away from them; common sense…

22) Cut Alcohol Consumption – Alcohol isn’t good for brain function. Either cut alcohol consumption or make a conscious effort to reduce your alcohol intake.

23) Play Brain Fitness Games (i.e. “Brain Age”) – Games like Brain Age for the Nintendo DS and “Big Brain Academy” do actually challenge your brain and promote quick thinking. The nice thing about these games is that they chart your progress.

24) Consider Taking “Statins” – A class of drugs created to lower cholesterol levels that includes: Lipitor, Crestor, & Zocor. Studies have shown that these drugs can aid in Alzheimer’s prevention.

25) Selective Estrogen Receptor Molecules (SERMs) – These drugs (i.e. Evista) were made to prevent bone-loss from Osteoperosis. These SERMs have also been proven to be effective at lowering the risk of developing “cognitive impairment” – a memory disease which often precedes Alzheimer’s.

26) Change It Up, Do Something Different! – Your brain grows new connections when it’s environment changes. Experience more in life, stop following the same daily routine. Your brain actually grows when it is exposed to a new atmosphere. Get out, get change!

27) Control High Blood Pressure – Know your blood pressure, get it checked regularly, avoid salty foods…you know what to do. Lowered blood pressure is associated with a reduced Alzheimer’s risk.

28) Plan Your Day – By planning at least a couple of activities in advance for each day, you will always have something to look forward to. This is good for your brain because it keeps you excited and wards off depression.

29) Hang Out With “True Friends”- Being with people that truly care for you and always love you benefits you emotionally and mentally. You will naturally be less stressed and always have someone to share a stimulating conversation with.

30) Live For The Moment – Take whatever action you need to “today” to make your dreams come true “tomorrow.” You never know what could happen to your life… Though this last one may not relate to preventing Alzheimer’s disease, I feel that it is generally a good rule for everyone to live by!

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Small doses of meditation daily significantly improves concentration and performance.

According to neuroscientist Amishi Jha, “meditation is an active and effortful process that literally changes the way the brain works.” A study was done to examine how meditation changes our: ability to prioritize (tasks & goals), ability to voluntarily focus (on specific information), and our ability to remain alert in our environment.

In this Pennsylvania study, a group of subjects was split into 2 categories. The first group of subjects was new to “mindfulness meditation,” while the second group was experienced in the practice. During the study, the second group attended a rigorous 1 month meditation retreat. The first group did not attend, but they did meditate.

Research results showed that even the group that was new to the “mindful meditation” significantly improved their overall task-performance and ability to focus. This study also showed that after only a few weeks of practicing meditation, the meditaton created drastic positive change within the meditator’s brains. This study is set to be published in the journal “Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience” to imply that the meditation practice is a new non-medical means for improving focus, cognition, and overall learning ability.

How were the results of the study determined?

Study participants performed certain tasks at a computer which measured their accuracy and speed. The first group of participants (new to meditation) had leaps of improvement in their abilities to quickly process information and to “focus their attention.” This is an awesome finding, I knew that meditation produced significant positive changes! The second group of participants (which attended the meditation retreat) showed enhanced ability to demonstrate functioning skills, voluntary focus, and managed to prioritize their goals extremely well. After the month retreat, participants improved their ability to keep their attention “ready.”

This study suggests that as little as 30 minutes of meditation daily can improve attention and focus for everyone, especially those who are extremely busy & active. The meditation practice may not feel restful or even relaxing, but the attention-performance improvement that comes from the practice may greatly improve your life. My advice to you: try a meditation routine.

References: University of Pennsylvania. “Meditate To Concentrate.” ScienceDaily 26 June 2007. 13 January 2008 <http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2007/06/070625193240.htm>.

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1) Get Some Exercise

Exercise always makes people feel better. Aerobic exercise boosts the body’s circulation, creativity, and the comprehension of new information! Research has proven that chronic exercisers are more creative and have a significantly better memory than non-exercisers. Exercise will make you more creative and boost your overall productivity & cognitive performance while “on the job.”

2) Ditch The Distractions

In more than 80 clinical trials, Dr. Glenn Wilson, a psychiatrist at King’s College London University found that workers distracted by phone calls, e-mails, and text messages suffered a greater loss of I.Q. than if they’d just smoked marijuana! The I.Q. of people distracted with technology while at work fell by an average of 10 points. This I.Q. loss is equivalent to that of missing an entire night’s sleep, falling 10 points. A 10 point drop is more than double the I.Q. loss seen after smoking pot. For some reason, the intelligence drop was even more significant in men. To keep your intelligence at it’s peak, don’t check your messages until you have a break!

3) Get Proper Nutrition

Many studies show that getting enough Antioxidants in your diet can have a significant affect on overall cognitive function. It is recommended to eat a high-protein breakfast to raise serotonin levels, which produce hormones that make you feel alert. If you are feeling a bit sluggish mid-day through work, eat an energy bar or some rich fruits to give you a boost! Keep that water bottle by your desk and stay well hydrated throughout the day. It is important to stay well hydrated to help prevent headaches and keep your body at an optimal overall level of functioning.

4) Exercise Your Brain

We all know that physical exercise makes us feel good, but what about mental exercise? Using your brain in new ways like learning a new language, doing a Sudoku, or engaging in a debate strengthens neural-pathways and neuronal synapses between nerve cells in the brain. Other ways to strengthen overall brain function include: word-puzzles, reading challenging vocabulary, brain training games (i.e. brain age), and doing activities with your non-dominant hand (i.e. eating with your left hand if you are a righty). By giving your brain a good hard work-out, it will strengthen new neural-pathways that involve problem-solving and intelligence.

5) Always Think Positive

Leading neuroscientist Richard Davidson conducted over a decade of research @ the W.M. Keck Laboratory for Functional Brain Imaging and Behavior. The research results showed that consciously choosing specific thoughts and emotions can change the structure and working of the brain. When participants practiced feeling “love and compassion,” their brains showed much more high-frequency 40 Hz gamma activity in the prefrontal cortex than the average person. Their brains went into action and literally “built” new connections and neural-pathways. Richard Davidson concluded that positive emotions are linked to increased intelligence. He also found that taking only 10 minutes of personal time each day to focus on positive, happy thoughts correlated with increased intelligence and a happy mood! This will help you feel positive throughout the workday and put you into a state of “flow” where time goes by quicker because you are happier, having more fun, and thinking positively!

6) Go To Sleep At Night

We all know that taking a short nap can significantly boost brain function, but so can getting a good night’s sleep. Experts recommend getting at least 8 hours of sleep in order to maintain peak-brain functioning throughout the workday. A National Sleep Foundation study found that half of U.S. workers say that lack of sleep “interferes with the amount of work they get done.” Twenty-percent (20%) of U.S. workers say that not getting enough sleep causes them to make more mistakes. Dr. William C. Dement, a sleep expert, says that “we all need to get at least 1 hour of sleep for every 2 hours we’re awake!” If you keep sleeping “one hour less each day,” you will acquire a “sleep debt.” This sleep debt can take a heavy toll on your emotions, I.Q., cognition, and overall mental abilities. Now that you have access to such great work-tips, I recommend that you utilize them to keep your brain and life on the right track! Recommend these to anyone that you think could benefit!

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Want a boosted brain? Ever consider just sitting down and eating a some dark chocolates to enhance brain function?

An expert at the University of Nottingham has found that eating chocolate gives the brain a powerful short-term boost to cognitive skills! A study lead by Professor Ian McDonald found that a cocoa drink rich in “flavanols” — a key ingredient in dark chocolate — boosts bloodflow to key cognitive areas of the brain for 2-3 hours after consumption.

Increased blood flow to these areas enhances overall alertness and task-performance for the short-term. These findings were released @ one of the biggest scientific conferences in America. Ingredients in chocolate are now being studied to treat dementia and strokes. The study also demonstrates that the “cocoa flavanols” could be used to help people fight fatigue, sleep deprivation, and to combat the effects of aging.

How do the “flavanols” work in the brain?

In the study, an MRI was used to show where and how the brain was able to produce increased blood flow due to the “flavanols.” The effect from a single drink of “flavanol-rich” cocoa is linked tothe dilation of cerebral blood-vessels, allowing more blood flow (therefore more oxygen) to reach the key areas of the brain. Professor MacDonald stated, “Acute consumption of this particular flavanol-rich cocoa beverage was associated with increased grey matter flow for two to three hours.”

The brain boosting ingredient, “flavanols” is also found to be rich in Green Tea, Red Wine, and Blueberries. Professor Nottingham emphasized that the level of “flavanols” used in the study was significantly formulated for the study and is not available for sale.

References: University of Nottingham. “Boosting Brain Power — With Chocolate.” ScienceDaily 22 February 2007. 10 January 2008.

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I always feel great after getting good workout. When I listen to music while working out, I feel even more energized and happier when the workout ends! Recently, a psychology professor @ Ohio State University, Charles Emery conducted a study to determine the effects of music and exercise on the brains of cardiac rehabilitation patients.

The study included 33 men and women and this was “the first study to look at the combined effects of music and short-term exercise on mental performance.” Most of the study’s participants had undergone bypass surgery, angioplasty or cardiac catheterization. Why did they do this study on cardiac rehab. patients? Coronary artery disease may compromise cognitive ability, Emery said; that’s why he and his colleagues chose cardiac rehabilitation patients for this study.

Researchers had participants complete a verbal fluency test before and after 2 sepearate sessions of exercsing on a treadmill. Workouts were scheduled 1 week apart and lasted 30 minutes. Participants in the study listened to classical music (“The Four Seasons” by Vivaldi) during one of their workouts. Why would they choose “The Four Seasons” by Vivaldi? “We used ‘The Four Seasons’ because of its moderate tempo and positive effects on medical patients in previous research,” Emery said. “But given the range of music preferences among patients, it’s especially important to evaluate the influence of other types of music on cognitive outcomes.”

As a way to measure anxiety and depression, participants completed a 30-item checklist before and after exercise. The list included adjectives to describe the patient’s current mood. The researchers also tested each person’s verbal fluency before and after each exercise session by asking participants to generate lists of words in specific categories. Why did they choose to test verbal fluency? “This kind of task challenges the part of the brain that handles planning and abstract thought as well as a person’s capacity for organized verbal processing,” Emery said.

When Exercising, Bump Some Of Your Favorite Tunes!

Participants reported feeling better emotionally and mentally after working out regardless of whether or not they listened to music. However, the improvement in verbal fluency test performance after listening to music was more than double that of the non-music condition. Exercise seems to cause positive changes in the nervous system, and these changes may have a direct effect on cognitive ability,” Emery said.

“Listening to music may influence cognitive function through different pathways in the brain. The combination of music and exercise may stimulate and increase cognitive arousal while helping to organize cognitive output,” said Emery. Music therefore can be used as a major catalyst for positive personal change and increased brainpower when used in conjunction with exercise!

References: Ohio State University. “A Little Music With Exercise Boosts Brain Power, Study Suggests.” ScienceDaily 24 March 2004. 10 January 2008.

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