4 Mind 4 Life: Health and Mental Health

“Mmm! This smoothie is so good, so refreshing, so … so cold! Aah!” If it tastes so good one minute, how can it feel like someone is prying my cranium apart? This horribly agonizing experience is commonly referred to as a brain freeze, or frozen brain syndrome. Nutritionists say at least a third of the planet fall prey to the brain freeze, usually as they try to scarf down a frosty snack on a hot day. Only lasting half a minute or so (thank God) is the brain freeze’s mind bending misery, perhaps close in comparison to the malady of a migraine.

What Causes Brain Freeze?

But do we even know how the brain freeze happens? Studies have shown that it can happen as a result of the body is stimulated by intense cold, nerve-ending in the roof of the mouth freeze up, and warm blood rapidly circulates to the brain. Too much coffee colatta or Popsicle consumption in a hurry can make things much worse. Your palate meeting the tasty frozen snack is actually the culprit that put your brain freeze into action.

Is Your Brain Really Frozen?

The hard palate (which is just to say the roof of your mouth) took on the massive amount of super cold slushy when you gulped it in. There’s a cluster of nerves just behind that plate that helps protect your brain from certain temperature changes. The primary nerve in this bundle is known as the sphenopalatine nerve, and it is able to detect and adapt to heat and cold. So, that means if you eat ice cream or any other cold food, then your sphenopalatine nerve will send out shockwaves to warn other nerves in its cluster. Your nerves have basically just told the rest of your brain to get ready for a major freeze.

When you get a brain freeze, your brain doesn’t actually freeze, but your sphenopalatine nerve can’t recognize the difference between extreme cold temperatures, and eating a spoonful of ice cream. It’s actually the shrinking of the blood vessels around the brain in reaction to the cold stimuli that cause you problems. This nerve shrinkage is behind your eyes (e.g. your nasal area) is what gives you the pounding headache that brain freezes are known for. Although, the pain isn’t necessarily caused by your blood vessels shrinking, more than the flow of blood that forces them to open up again.

Why You Feel “Brain Freeze”

In all the hullabaloo of shrinking and reopening blood vessels, your nerves are also causing you some pain. Pain receptors that are positioned closely to your sphenopalatine nerve will sense that the palate has encountered something frozen, but the pain it causes will be sent into an area deeper inside your skull. That’s why you think your brain is freezing instead of the top of your mouth and jaw area.

The fastest way to stop a brain freeze, or shorten it, is to stick your warm tongue to the roof of your mouth – it’ll warm your palate back up again. And once your palate’s all warmed up, your nerve clusters will call off the hounds, and your brain freeze will come to an end. You may also want to consider taking sips of warm water while you eat your frozen treats, and don’t allow them to come in contact with the top of your mouth; this should help you minimize the “brain frozen” feeling that you may have otherwise had to deal with.

2 Comments »

An individual’s quality of life is very dependent on the development of their brain – particularly their infant brain development. Beginning as a fetus, a human’s brain starts to develop. Mom has the huge responsibility of making sure her pregnancy diet is nutritious enough to support the baby’s development.  How come? Specific essential oils need to be received by the fetus for the best possible infant brain development- most importantly omega 3 fatty acids with DHA. A fetus’s brain begins to develop very early, as soon as three to six weeks after being conceived. Before a woman even conceives she can begin the foundation for this. All women of child bearing age are highly encouraged to include an abundance of omega 3 fatty acids with DHA in their diets.

What To Know About An Infants Brain Development

DHA consumption is now recognized, by scientists, to be what separates modern humans from our early ancestors. Many years ago our primitive ancestors began adding DHA into their diets, and the developing of our human brains was the product. This can begin to give you an impression of how closely brain growth is linked to omega 3 oils with DHA.

A diet that contained an inadequate amount of DHA, has been shown in our early cro-magnon ancestors to lead to a remarkable decline in brain capacity. A prompt growth in brain capacity took place when they relocated from desert areas to coastal areas, where they had access to an abundance of fish.

Infant Brain Development Research

The addition of DHA from fish oil is believed, by scientists, to be the basis of human brain evolution. Our astonishing ability to reason, communicate, learn, and create the wonderful things around us are all because of our large brains. The brain of the embryo is where this all starts. A baby begins to use its brain and nervous system to control many bodily functions before week 30 of pregnancy when many quick changes take place. In order for a pregnancy to be full term and the baby to be fully grown it needs to last another 10 weeks.

Understanding Infant Toddler Brain Development

Vital to ensuring a pregnancy goes full term, and for the brain and nervous system to grow are omega 3 fatty acids. We really have come a long way all thanks to ocean fish. Having them included in our diets has literally transformed out brains and helped keep us healthy.  There is are a lot of studies that are currently being conducted in the area of brain development in infant and toddler children.  In order to stay up to date, you can check out various psychological journals; they will talk more in depth about the subject.  Mothers who are insufficiently nourished during pregnancy tend to have babies with low birth weights, according to researchers at the Institute of Brain Chemistry and Human Nutrition in London. An inadequate amount of DHA has been observed in these infants.

A good pregnancy nutrition plan should include a vast amount of omega 3 oils with DHA because brain development disorders can be ever-lasting. To do this it is important to eat enough fatty fish or take high quality, pure fish oil capsules, or both. A mother needs to consume omega 3 fish oil every day for the highest levels of brain development. We all wish for our future children to be healthy and intelligent.  If you want more information on brain supplements and brain vitamins that you can be taking, be sure to do some research to make sure that they are healthy.

No comments »

Cell phones are utilized more and more each day by everyone on Earth. You can find people of any age who have cell phones. A lot of times, the presence of cell phones make a landline phone in a home obsolete. Due to the prevalence of cell phones in our culture, we start to rely on them more and more. Businesses such as record companies, Internet firms, and movie studios are using the cell phone as part of their new program.

Cell Phones and Brain Cancer

There are a lot of people who are concerned with how our health will be affected by cell phones. Since the cell phone is so convenient and easy to use, a lot of people have them. Sometimes, we use it to a fault, causing us to get into car accidents more and more often. This is an obvious health detriment that’s directly caused by cell phones. Most of us have seen people driving with cell phones in hand, and even been victim to it ourselves, and realize that once your attention is focused away from the road for whatever reason, it can be hard to avoid accidents.

There are frequent cases of people experiencing near-misses because one person wasn’t paying attention while on their cell phone. As a result, you should beware of cell phone-holding drivers. Whatever vehicle you drive, make sure that you have a functioning horn – you might need it when you least expect it. While there is a large threat from people not paying attention to the road as they talk on their cell phones, but that’s the only way in which cell phones can hurt you, right? On the contrary! The NCI, or National Cancer Institute, has a study that says otherwise.

Link Between Cell Phones and Brain Tumors

According to several scientists, cell phones can dramatically affect your health due to the RF radiation that it emits, which can cause cancer in a lot of people, making them quite dangerous. The amount of radiation that the human body can safely handle is a subject that’s still debatable. Wireless technology hasn’t been around for awhile, so there’s not a lot of research about the effect of cell phones on the body. In short, we haven’t had cell phones long enough to observe the long term effects on humans.

Studies Reporting Cell Phones and Brain Tumors Non-Conclusive

With that in mind, how is brain cancer connected to cell phones? You can find an explanation here. The NCI states that radio frequency radiation from Radio Frequency waves, are transmitted by cell phones, and that’s how they operate. When your RF exposure gets high enough, your body tissues can heat up – this is evidenced by the increase in heat that you experience when you talk on your phone for a long time. The NCI study claims, however, that a cell phone can’t produce enough RF radiation to damage your brain tissues sufficiently to cause cancer.

1 Comment »

Did you know that taking multivitamins in moderation is good for your mind? Macronutrients such as essential minerals and vitamins are found in them. The older we get, the less likely we are to keep active. This means our digestive system becomes more ineffective. As what we eat changes, our dietary needs may not be fully met, and our brain’s ability to reason properly can be affected. Due to nutritional limitations for medical reasons, spiritual beliefs, or other individual agendas, some people are not getting nourished adequately from the foods they are consuming. But whatever the reason may be for not getting enough nutrition, multivitamins can help give us the nutrients we need.

Brain Function Vitamins

To aid us in cleansing our neural networks, antioxidants have characteristics that protect us at a cellular level. They stimulate healthy development of brain cells, and have an active role in disease prevention, too. A diet rich in antioxidants (such that includes things like spinach, blueberries and eggs – read more about good brain foods and more brain food) can significantly improve memory function and increase balance and motor skills. One particular berry with tons of antioxidants that has great flavor is the Acai berry. Not only are they highest in antioxidants, but they have plenty of protein and are rich in essential fatty acids.

These omega-3′s also help reverse memory loss and generate a greater overall functioning of the brain. It has also been said that they may link neuron centers which make for a better mood and general brain function. Mackerel, walnuts, flax oils, salmon, sardines, and herring all are examples of foods that contain Omega-3 fatty acids. For healthy growth and development, it is necessary to get enough fatty acids. Also, they have anti-inflammatory traits to help make circulation of the blood easier, prevent depression, and even build up your mood.

Some of the Best Brain Vitamins

A mind also needs vitamin B to remain healthy. You must have vitamin B6 for the brain’s chemistry to be balanced. B6 is in foods such as beef, organ meats, bananas, broccoli, spinach, pork, and veal. It aids in the production of all amino acid neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, et al.). Adding to the management of nerve cells and red blood cells, along with DNA synthesis, is vitamin B12. Without it, impaired mental function and depression can result as time passes. Cereals you eat for breakfast contain B12. Poultry, shell fish, legumes and legume products also have it.

Other Brain Nutrition Vitamins Information

Also, for the body to sustain healthy life, it must have complex carbs. These carbohydrates can be found abundantly in various foods such as bran oats, most yogurts, breads, and types of nuts. A drastic and sudden increase in your blood sugar can be avoided by using more lemon juice or vinegar with the carbs you’re eating. Another essential mineral is selenium – in such foods as garlic, meats, grains, Brazil nuts, tuna, oysters, and swordfish. Lab tests reveal that people who have used selenium have experienced more fortitude, happiness, energy, and greater presence of mind.

Vitamin E has been show to be beneficial in promoting healthy blood circulation. When the mind gets enough blood circulation it simply performs better. Vegetable oils, leafy green veggies, and nuts are high in vitamin E. Many people have found that taking Ginkgo Biloba can slow the process of memory loss associated with aging. Ginkgo is also said to eliminate free radicals, and improve blood circulation, thereby adding to the brain more oxygen.  You should know that there is no “magic bullet” of a brain vitamin out there, so be sure to read research and don’t be afraid to try something new to see if it helps improve your overall mental functioning.

No comments »

Memory is one of the most difficult issues of aging with which people have to deal as changes will generate feelings of both fear and worry; thanks to brain training games, you can avoid it completely. But there is no reason to be overly concerned about your brain’s aging as keeping it active and aware will solve the problem of this bothersome issue. As they age, people are more prone to degenerative issues such as Alzheimer’s disease, but exercising your mind with activities such as word puzzles, board games and strategy games will be very helpful in staying in control. Numerous brain training games may be found on the Internet and the benefits will be equally advantageous to adults and seniors.

Free Brain Training Games

Regularly being involved in board games and working on computer puzzles which require concentrated effort and analytical skills have been shown to result in great benefit for adults and seniors. In addition, such brain training is known to have positive ramifications for mental health overall. Working out crossword puzzles or Sudoku or playing Scrabble all have positive impact in maintaining the cognitive ability of people as they get older. It has been estimated that playing games which are mind-stimulating may decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s disease in adults and seniors by as much as forty percent. That is a statistic which should ease your mind a bit.

Online Brain Training Games

Brain training games for adults and seniors have been structured in such a way as to compel the mind to think and to provoke it to resolve the matter at hand, thereby enhancing cognitive capacity and enhancing memory prowess. In essence, this brain training by such games stimulate to activity sections of the mind which may not have had much recent use. Action computer games assist adults and seniors in enhancing their attentiveness and in stimulating their thinking about strategies they can use in the course of the game.

Studies have indicated that approximately two seniors out of three are seriously worried about memory issues and that the most effective manner of coping is to be involved in memory games on a regular basis. The traditional crossword puzzles are a perfect method of both increasing your vocabulary and of remaining mentally sharp. Another method of stimulating your mind is to play games with your grandchildren and such activity will also benefit you by reducing stress.

Nintendo Brain Training Games

There can even be fun ways to train your brain, such as by playing Nintendo DS brain training games like Brain Age and Brain Age 2.  While a brain training game may be advantageous for adults and seniors by aiding in maintaining a vivacious mind, they also are helpful in keeping them occupied in a positive endeavor which wards off loneliness. So, brain training is an effective manner by which diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s may be addressed and countered. An active brain can decrease the deterioration of mental acuity.

New Brain Training Studies

Research studies have concluded that seniors and adults who took part in mental games a minimum of one time per week over the course of twenty years decreased the risk of dementia by almost ten percent and those who regularly became involved in such games cut the susceptibility to the disease by an amazing sixty percent. So, why are you procrastinating? Stimulate your mind’s activity and make it function. Luckily, many people indeed do take the improvement of their mental acumen to heart.

No comments »

It is impossible to emphasize the health of the brain and brain fitness too much. Your brain must be able to deal with the typical problems that you face all the time in your job, but it also must be sufficiently equipped to take on real life emergencies as they arise in your personal life.  Brain supplements can help promote a healthy and well conditioned thinking mechanism that might very well end up allowing you to avert disaster from a traffic accident, or enable you to succeed in the business world, both resulting from a high level of brain fitness.

Also, brain fitness ensures that you will be able to retain formidable retentive powers. Generally an individual gradually loses his memory as he gets older, or possibly from the heavy demands of day to day life on the nervous system. By maintaining good cerebral health and brain fitness, you will be able to function at a high level for an indefinite period. While getting older happens to all of us, we can mitigate this process to a large degree by challenging the brain constantly to keep it stimulated, and then making sure to eat properly to feed the mechanism.

Brain Fitness and Vitamin Brain Supplements

You can always put a program into place to improve brain fitness. So rather than procrastinate any further, get into a routine right now, which will deliver surprising benefits almost immediately if applied on a consistent basis. There are many innovations available today to enhance brain fitness, including eating programs, special brain stimulation techniques, thinking games, and mental gymnastic exercises which boost thinking prowess. Implementing any or all of these ideas will be a definite positive in your quest for improved brain fitness.

There are also health food supplements now available over the counter which are gaining acceptance among the general population for improving brain fitness. By themselves, these aids are very potent brain enhancers, but taken in proper combinations they are outstanding. There have been reports of improvements in the symptoms of memory related ailments, such as the dreaded Alzheimer’s disease.

There are numerous methods to raise your level of brain fitness. Eating properly and exercising to maintain a high fitness level will both contribute to improving your thinking abilities. Also, the challenge of acquiring knowledge will maintain good brain health. Researchers have discovered a link between an active, thinking lifestyle and a healthy mind and excellent brain fitness. For example, learning to play the piano or studying a foreign language are activities which are certainly beneficial.

Brain Supplements To Boost Brain Power

Taking vitamin or herbal supplements will also provide a boost to the cerebral process and brain fitness. For instance, Ginkgo Biloba enhances the blood flow to the brain, which increases the available amount of oxygen which can be used to think and function clearly. Another benefit of Ginkgo Biloba is the protection against damage from toxins in the system, and it also functions to retard the degenerative process from getting older by assisting in the rebuilding of brain cells (for more ways, read about neurogenesis).

Supplements for Brain Health

Numerous over the counter supplements are now available which target specifically the brain fitness area and memory enhancement. By combining these substances in the correct ratios, one can obtain immediate improvement to their powers of focus and concentration, resulting in a better quality of life and better brain fitness. The benefits of these marvelous supplements include better circulation to the brain, improved recall, a more consistent memory, high levels of focus and concentration, and a general feeling of well being associated with a healthy, active mind and a high level of brain fitness.

No comments »

A traumatic brain injury and brain stem damage can produce major changes in physical, cognitive, and psychological characteristics. Physical changes caused by brain damage may involve alterations in strength, endurance, balance, ambulation, coordination, and fine motor skills. Usual mental changes include errors in speech and conversation, recollection, understanding, and refining facts. There can also be alterations in the individual’s psychological behavior. People who have experienced brain stem injuries often have problems adjusting to the impairments resulting from the injury.

What Causes Brain Stem Damage?

There are several causes of a brain stem injury. The most common cause is an accident causing a hard blow to the head. These constitute the majority of traumatic brain injury cases. Insufficient oxygen, poisoning, or infections can also produce injuries to the brain that exhibit comparable characteristics. A mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) commonly causes any or all of the following: a short lapse of consciousness, memory loss from a point just before or after the injury, a variance in mental state, or focal neurological dysfunctions. An individual may appear normal after a mild brain injury, but can later develop persistent functional problems. Postconcussion syndrome (PCS) is an enduring condition caused by MTBI that inflicts a few individuals. PCS may produce major modifications in character and comprehension.

Traumatic brain injuries caused by a hard blow or hit to the head often result in extensive brain damage caused by the brain rebounding from the cranium. Neurons can also be sundered from each other, causing widespread damage to the nerve fibers. There can also be localized damaged caused by the blow to the brain. The frontal and temporal lobes and the brain stem are especially susceptible to damage because they are located close to bony outgrowths.

Effects of Damage to Brain Stem

The brain stem is situated at the foot of the brain. The brain stem controls basic regulatory and arousal activities and also affects short-term memory and attention. Brain stem damage can cause mood problems including feelings of being disorientated as well as irritability. The limbic system, a group of nerve structures below the cerebral cortex but above the brain stem, are concerned with emotional and motivation control.  As a result of damage to this particular area, people can kill brain cells.

The temporal lobes, large lobes of each cerebral hemisphere situated in front of the occipital lobe and attached to the limbic system, affect speech, recollection, and other mental skills. Temporal lobe injuries or seizures are connected to several behavioral disorders. The frontal lobe is especially prone to injury because of its large size and location at the front of the cranium. It is the epicenter controlling emotions and personality, as well as other cognitive functions. Impaired discrimination and heightened spontaneousness may be caused by injuries in this location.

No comments »

Brain memory loss is considered to have been caused by a number of factors: physical trauma such as an brain injury or concussion, wear and tear due to age, and emotional trauma, such as a life threatening experience. The brain is the command center for all mental data, and also manages the execution of every physical and mental activity on a perpetual basis. Also, memory by definition is simply a vast warehouse of everything an individual has ever seen or been involved in. The actual physical process taking place in the brain is a matter of interpreting various experiences and then filing them in the mind for future reference.

Causes of Memory Loss In The Brain

The brain is called on to fulfill a very complicated process of sifting through a myriad of perceptions and dealing with them immediately before moving on to further tasks. The picture of the brain would tend to emerge as a massive computer humming away on a perpetual basis. But the computer can deteriorate over time just like any other machine, and getting older is a major cause of brain memory loss. Yes, there are many other reasons for the deterioration of the brain and memory loss, including physical trauma and substance above. But age is by far the biggest reason for brain deterioration and loss of memory. Age can also be a cause of serious illness as an addition to memory loss, as in an insidious disease such as Alzheimer’s, which has life threatening ramifications.

Long term memory is defined as happenings from long ago, and short term memory is generally considered to encompass experiences loosely from the immediate time period, and can include anything that happened just yesterday all the way back to several years ago, depending on the individual. Memory also includes various other brain functions, such as motor skills and learned responses to stimuli. These activities cannot be performed without the ability to focus and concentrate. In effect, the brain needs periodic maintenance, just like any machine. Occasionally the brain will experience operational breakdowns, and this can result in memory loss and difficulty with short term memory lapses, which can be very alarming to someone when they occur.

How To Prevent Brain Memory Loss

Typically, you may lose your car keys, or forget things that you normally would not, such as a friend’s phone number, or you might not even recognize someone who is ordinarily very familiar to you. As we get older, these types of problems can happen to all of us, and the best way to preserve the efficiency and accuracy of the brain is to undertake new challenges which will force you to stay sharp, such as crossword puzzles or complex math exercises. Memory games are a terrific way to exercise the mind in the same manner as a fitness program serves to tone the body. Regular brain exercises and mental gymnastics by engaging in memory games is a very productive and proven method for heading off memory loss.  You can also consider adding some memory vitamins to your regimen to further improve your mental functions.

No comments »

You should really know that brain fog is a very ordinary predicament. Brain fog can happen to anyone, young or old, and is recognized by symptoms of disorientation, lack of mental accuracy, and forgetfulness. A person suffering from brain fog will begin to forget things and cut themselves off from the world. This isolation can easily lead to low spirits and feelings of despair.

Brain fog influences literally thousands of different people and can cause serious difficulties on the job, in the classroom, and at home. People suffering from brain fog often develop feelings of low dignity and low self-worth which can harm their personal relationships. Some people claim that brain fog can cause you to become so depressed that you begin engaging in illegal and destructive activities.

Brain Fog Causes

Although brain fog happens fairly often, the medical and psychology fields aren’t very quick to diagnose or admit that it occurs. There are a lot of people that have been affected by brain fog for many years and still can’t get a doctor to diagnose and treat them. It has been pointed out by certain groups, who believe it should be diagnosed as a medical problem, that some individuals have experienced it for so long that they believe it is a normal and healthy way of life.

Brain fog causes include a number of contributing factors such as physical problems, emotional issues, or chemical imbalances. Some believe that brain fog may even be caused by spiritual reasons. Being tired all of the time is the most frequently reported physical reason for brain fog. So that your brain can work appropriately, it needs a good supply of energy.  There are many causes of brain fog when the brain doesn’t get enough energy because the body is so fatigued.

Brain Fog Symptoms

Some, but not all, of the situations that can cause brain fog are adrenal exhaustion, bodily reactions to certain foods or chemicals, and nutritional deficiencies. Some brain fog causes are anxiety, despair, or refusal to believe you have a problem. Some people tend to deal with their anxiety and struggles by using their brain fog as a crutch. These individuals go into their own little shell in order to escape their depression, inner turmoil, and anger.

The sad fact is that a lot of people who have been suffering from brain fog for a long time actually believe that they are simply dumb and confused. This is absolutely not true! Experts in the area of brain fog maintain that brain fog is not caused by stupidity, but is a legitimate problem with its own causes, warning signs, and remedies.  There are even conditions like Fibromyalgia brain fog that are caused by certain diseases that are very difficult to remedy.

Your reasons for experiencing brain fog will be taken into account when deciding on a plan for treatment. Some people will stop experiencing brain fog once their physical or mental problems have been diagnosed and treated. Sometimes it is necessary for a person to undergo therapy and meditation to overcome brain fog. Others are thrilled when they are able to get rid of brain fog by simply sleeping more, eating right, and exercising regularly!

No comments »

As the number of people playing video games rises, the impact of video games on the human brain becomes a more intriguing research area. Video games are gaining popularity with both children and adults. There is concern among the public that the brutality portrayed on television as well as within video games encourages aggressive behavior within its spectators. Critics of this theory remind us that we lack adequate evidence to support this assertion. However, there are some studies demonstrating a connection between video games and a hostile demeanor as well as disturbed eruptions.

New Brain Studies on Effects of Video Games on Children

Additionally, they have been shown to lower internal restraint. Perusal of these studies and my own experiences with children while they play video games has led me to believe that video games do in fact influence the actions and thoughts of the person playing them. So far it’s proven difficult to discern whether or not the player is impacted after the game has been shut off, or what the magnitude will be or how long that change might endure. Based on the thousands of studies and news pieces on the impact of the violent nature of some television shows, we can assume that violent scenes in video games also aggravate violent behavior.

There is a source who calls the research preliminary, but one has only to look at the results of completed research to see that habitual players of brutal games become desensitized to violence. An increase in aggressive behavior was reported in players while playing a very violent game as well as in those players who were exposed to only a mildly violent game. Playing the game with high levels of violence raised anxiety levels within players much more than within subjects who played less aggressive games.

How Video Games Affect Brain Function

It’s widely known that for some people video games incite at least temporary mental imbalance. Look around at devoted players who even play video games on their mobile phones while babbling to themselves excitedly as though they are alone. Visit an arcade and observe irritated players, who have no concern with public opinion as they hit or knock machines in their anger. Video games seem to engulf players, who sit heedless to their environment. Habitual players are also less inclined to share their feelings. When a player is absorbed by their video game playing, are there changes in the brain? Are these changes initiated by some altered brain state?

One researcher distributed his three hundred participants into three separate groups: people who seldom play; players logging just a few hours each week and heavy gamers, who played several hours a day. Alpha waves appear when the brain is in repose. Beta brain waves, on the other hand, signal animation and stress in the prefrontal region of the brain. The study exposed a larger reduction in beta waves correlated with more time spent playing video games. The players in the heavy gamer group showed a near constant absence of beta brainwave activity.

Relationship Between Video Games and Mental Health

This persisted despite turning the game off. This demonstrates a habitual restraint of prefrontal regions of their brains. These people barely ever used this region. These players reported being easily brought to anger, experiencing difficulty concentrating, as well as having to strain to mix with friends. A hostile demeanor is thought to be associated with curtailed use of the prefrontal region of the brain as well as diminished beta wave activity. Another researcher’s results caused him to arrive at the conclusion that game devotees can experience chronic underuse of key portions of the frontal brain region. This leads to an altered emotional state. This research documented that video games cause a lack of frontal brain use, which alters your mood. This would certainly explain hostile behavior.

Understanding how the autonomic nervous system is impacted by video games gives us a clearer picture. Agitation and alarm are incited by the play of many video games. Many people are worried that this could impact the autonomic nerves over the long-term. Breathing and heart rate are internal involuntary organ processes linked to the autonomic nerves. Emotional centers in your brain emit electrical signals that can elevate or lower heart rate. Epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) and norepinephrine (also known as noradrenaline) are stress hormones in the body that act as message carriers within in the body.

Brain Activity During Video Games

These chemical gofers can also increase heart rate. Adrenal glands secrete these hormones in reaction to peril. There is ample research showing elevated blood pressure and heart rate as well as depletion of oxygen occurs while playing video games. This would indicate that the human brain believes the body is in actual jeopardy and is responding accordingly. Hence, the elevated heart rate. There are many reports of players disregarding their environment and instead viewing the game as the genuine experience.

This would signify that the players are impacted by the video games. Research has proven that an increase in heart rate and blood pressure occur while a person plays video games. Additionally, prefrontal lobe activity is lowered during game play. These increases could well be the cause for the shifts in attitude. The cause for the hostile behavior and emotionality can easily be explained by these physical changes. The research on the degree of the impact on the player after they stop playing is still in its infancy. Further analysis is still needed. There are a lot of new brain studies being conducted in this niche of psychology.  If you are interested more, consider reading the article that discusses the effects of video games on the brain – and how men are more likely to get addicted to playing than women.

No comments »

Brain exercises are a fun way to boost brain power, but they should test you and present a fresh new way of tackling problems. You can employ simple techniques to challenge your brain, like putting on your socks the opposite way you normally do or sit in a different chair at mealtime. If you utilize more than one of your senses to learn something, it is less difficult to retain that information because the brain is a mechanism which links one piece of information to another… explaining why you can remember the lyrics to “Puff the Magic Dragon” but you can’t remember your brother’s e-mail address!

Using Brain Exercises To Increase Brain Power

A fantastic way to begin is by subscribing to your daily newspaper. There is a variety of mental toggling from sports to classifieds to comics, and the games like crossword and Sudoku are excellent brain exercises. Boosting your brain power can also be accomplished with other types of brain exercises. Experiment with your memory. Commit to memory a record of items – be it a task list, inventory of your refrigerator, etc. Go back after a time and try to remember what was on that list. In order to make sure the exercise taxes your brain enough, the stuff on the list should be difficult to remember.

Exercise The Brain by Doing Something New

Envision a route and sketch a map. After coming back from each new adventure you take, mentally visualize the area and sketch it. Instead of using a calculator, use your brain to compute numbers. Put aside the tablet, writing utensils, and laptop and compute the riddle in your head – for more fun, do while walking to the corner! Dare to expand your flavor sensations. Some recipes contain many herbs and spices . . . can you taste them all? Pump up your cooking knowledge. There are many different ways to prepare a meal, so challenge yourself by taking a cooking class or learning a new technique.

Each sense that we have is controlled by a separate section of the brain, and since cooking utilizes all the senses we are using various sections of our brain. Develop symbolic sentences. Pick a word and form the image of the word in your mind, then ponder what other words begin or end with the same letters, have the same amount of letters, can be made from the letters rearranged, etc. Be taught a second (or third) language. You can arouse the brain by paying attention to the sounds of the different words and phrases. Feel the music.

More Brain and Mental Exercises

Analyze music or find out how to play a musical instrument. Develop your hand-eye coordination. Adopt a hobby like crocheting or needle-point, creating artwork with brushes or markers, putting together puzzles – things that utilize fine-motor functions; let your senses awaken. Find a way to occupy as many senses as you can with one endeavor, like gardening. Develop the athlete within – there are a a lot of different sports that require both physical strength and mental awareness, such as basketball or golf.

The world has been educated that you can avoid heart disease by doing heart-healthy things, and in the very near future they will understand that they can increase their brain power by doing brain exercises. Science has proven that conducting yourself in a brain-healthy manner works wonders to maintain your brain strength, and we are soon to see a new decade of people committing to a routine of brain exercises to keep their brain alive and well.

2 Comments »

As you get older, you have to keep your brain as fit as your body. Why is this? Aging doesn’t just have an effect on our muscles, but our minds as well. Over time, our brain’s ability to fight off the damage that aging does to our brains, which is known as the cognitive reserve – starts to fall off over time. Focusing and being able to perform actions can get harder as a result. Fortunately, you can make your brain stronger in much the same way as you strengthen your muscles – brain exercises are just like muscle exercises in that the more often you make use of them, the better your mental health will be.

Alzheimer’s Brain Exercises for Adults

If you can maintain the cognitive reserve of your brain, you can hold on to higher brain functions. With the help of these brain exercises, you can guard your memory and prevent neurological alterations that are caused by the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and other signs of aging. There was a recent study performed on retired Catholic nuns that revealed that, despite the fact that they didn’t show any symptoms of the disease, they still had the telltale lesions of the brain. However, since they devoted their lives to good diet, strong connections to their peers, and meditation, their cognitive reserve was in much better shape than most Alzheimer’s patients. Even though they had Alzheimer’s disease, their ability to function did not vary in the slightest.

New Brain Research for Alzheimer’s Disease

According to new research, you can make the appropriate alterations to your lifestyle and try to keep your brain entertained, thereby making you less susceptible to age-related brainpower loss. Until recently, doctors didn’t think you could reverse such a condition. However, researchers under the supervision of Dr. Bender held a six month study in which they introduced Alzheimer’s patients to drug therapy, healthier diets, improved meditation and study, and physical exercise. Bender has determined that the brain has enough elasticity to actually improve given the appropriate amount of effort. You can even find normal brain cells among the most severe Alzheimer’s patients, and this research indicates that new neural connections can be created.

It Takes A Conscious Effort To Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease

According to researchers, you can use several methods to get your cognitive reserve in good shape in a most effective way. Exercising your neurons every day and keeping your body in good condition through diet and exercise can help. When you want to keep your brain healthy, lower your cholesterol, take in more antioxidants, and cut down the fat. Don’t just eat better; guard your brain tissue by undergoing a regular exercise regimen. It’s also important to always be stimulated and never be bored. Always strive to learn every single day; as you start to let boredom and disinterest set in, you’ll begin to exacerbate the problem. Brains can start to atrophy if they don’t do a lot of work. As a result, you might want to limit the amount of sedentary activity you do each day, as that can affect the health of your brain as well.

No comments »

Many people understand the impact that diet can have on your mental health and overall physical health. The foods that you put into your system can have a positive or negative effect on your well being. Food contains the vital components that you must have to maintain a high quality of life on a day to day basis. Specifically, there are memory vitamins which will improve brain productivity, and they can be obtained either through regular foods or though vitamin supplementation. The following are the most important nutritional items which will improve your quality of life and enable you to think and function more clearly if they are included in your diet consistently. Antioxidants are generally regarded as being at the top of the list.

What Memory Vitamins Do

Certainly you are aware of the damage that toxins can do to the system. Antioxidants provide protection for the body by guarding us against these destructive agents, all of which can promote illness. Antioxidants stop these negative agents from accessing the brain area. In other words, they enable you to think more clearly and improve your retentive powers. In addition, they help to head off various circulatory problems. Efficient circulation of your blood indicates that the brain in receiving an ample amount of oxygen. The primary foods from which to obtain antioxidants are fruits and vegetables. Another vital nutritional item is Omega-3s.

Memory Vitamins To Prevent Memory Loss

The primary food sources for this essential fatty acid are fish and nuts. Essential fatty acids are critical to efficient communication with the brain. Women in the throes of pregnancy require extra feedings of Omega-3 to ensure that the infant’s brain is nourished properly. An additional piece of the puzzle is Ginkgo Biloba. This nutritional item is well known as a superior memory booster. Researchers have demonstrated that the use of ginkgo biloba on a regular basis enhances circulation to the brain. It also destroys dangerous toxins in the body. It is also useful in slowing the insidious effects of Alzheimer’s disease if implemented in the early stages; it is important to try to prevent Alzheimer’s disease in every way that you can before its onset.

Examples of Memory Vitamins and Brain Foods

Similarly, another component of good mental health is Folic Acid. You can readily secure large quantities of this nutrient from any leafy green vegetable. If you do not consume a sufficient amount of green vegetables, grains and eggs are also beneficial foods from which to obtain folic acid. Folic acid is particularly important in the early stages of brain formation. This explains the commonly heard suggestion that it should be eaten during pregnancy. It is vital to healthy tissue formation and the development of sufficient red blood cells. And then we have the B Vitamins. These promote general health and well being.

They control blood sugar and the development of red blood cells, in addition to supplying the system with surplus energy. Proteins such as meat and eggs readily supply an abundant amount of the vital B vitamins. A cautionary note would be to advise an individual presently being treated with any type of prescription medicine to clear the use of these supplements with a medical professional. Even though these foods are all natural, there is the possibility of a reaction when combined with certain medicines.

Eating Healthy for All Memory Vitamins

Eating a quality diet is the optimal and desirable way to obtain all of these beneficial ingredients. However, in the real world, almost everyone can name a specific food that they detest and refuse to eat, and this dietary void can be satisfied with vitamin supplements for memory loss. The essential vitamins mentioned in this article can assist your thinking process, take your memory up a notch, and allow greater focus in your everyday activities.  There are many more tricks and tips to improve memory out there, just do some research and you’ll find some that are effective.

No comments »

A groundbreaking study + video games on the brain + male brains vs. female brains

Allan Reiss and his fellow researchers have a good idea why your male counterpart can’t seem to put down his X-Box 360 controller. In a groundbreaking, imaging study, Stanford University School of Medicine scholars have found that part of the brain that generates rewarding feelings is more active in men than women while playing video games.

The differences between male and female brain-activity while playing video games may help us fully understand why males are actually much more likely to get addicted to Nintendo games than females. Over 100 million video games wer sold in 2005. According to a survey by Harris Interactive in 2007, younger males are at least 2 to 3 times more likely than females to feel addicted to playing video games!

Though video games are very popular, little research has been conducted in the area of neural processing and brain activity while people are actually playing the video games. And, to top things off, absolutely zero research has been conducted on gender-differences in the brain while playing video games. As you may have already eluded: this study is monumental.

This study was lead by Allan Reiss a Howard C. Robbins Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Allan has been interested in studying gender differences throughout his entire career. In 2005, Reiss published a study that was able to show how mens’ and womens’ brains process comedy differently. He then directed his research towards exploring territoriality. His team thought that the best way to study territoriality would be by using a simple computer game.

How the research worked

Brain researchers devised a game which involved a vertical line, which was referred to as “the wall.” This “wall” was located in the middle of a computer screen. When each game began, 10 balls appeared to the right of the wall and moved left directly towards the wall. Each time a participant clicked on the ball, the ball disappeared from the screen. If the balls were kept a certain distance away from “the wall,” the wall moved further to the right and the player gained extra space (territory) on the screen. If the balls hit the wall before they were clicked by the players, “the wall” moved further to the left and the player lost space (territory) on the screen.

Who were the participants?

While playing the computer game, 11 men and 11 women (a total of 22 young adults) were hooked up to an fMRI machine which allowed researchers to understand what was going on in each of the brains. Each of the participants played several 24-second games while hooked up to the fMRI machine. The fMRI machines were able to produce dynamic images showing activity in specific areas of the brain during the game playing.

How the study worked + the results

While playing the games, participants were told to attempt to click on as many balls as possible. They were not told that they would gain or lose space (territory) on the screen depending on how successful they were with clicking. All participants learned quickly how to play the game and the purpose of it. All of the male and female participants wound up clicking on roughly the same number of balls. Though they were relatively even in ball clicks, the male participants gained a greater amount of territory than the women. This was due to the fact that men identified which balls – [the balls closest to the wall] – would help them acquire the most territory when clicked.

The females fully understood the concept of the game and they moved the wall in the right direction. The difference between the male and female territory at the end of the game was summed up by study leader Allan Reiss: “They (the females) appeared motivated to succeed at the game. The males were just a lot more motivated to succeed.”

After thoroughly analyzing the MRI imagery and data of the entire group of players (11 men and 11 women), the researchers learned that the participants’ brains showed activation in the mesocorticolimbic center – a region commonly associated with addiction and reward. The difference between the male and female brains was in the amount of activation in the mesocorticolimbic center. The brains of the 11 male young adults showed much greater activity. And, to top things off, researchers discovered that the amount of activity closely correlated with how much space (territory) they gained during the game. (This correlation didn’t happen to occur in the women participants). Three more key brain structures involved in our reward circuitry: the amygdala, the orbitofrontal cortex, and the nucleus accumbens – were also shown to influence each other in men much more than women. The better connected this circuitry, the better the males performed at the computer game!

What these results suggest

The results of this study indicate that “acquiring territory” in a computer game is more rewarding for men than women. And researchers, especially lead researcher Allan Reiss, is of the least bit surprised. Reiss was quoted saying, “I think it’s fair to say that males tend to be more intrinsically territorial.” He later added the fact that, “It doesn’t take a genius to figure out who historically are the conquerors and tyrants of our species; they’re the males.”

Allan also thinks that this study suggests that men have neural circuitry in their brains that make them more liable than women to feel rewarded by playing computer or video games – especially those with territorial objectives. Reiss made the statement, “Based on this, it makes sense that males are more prone to getting hooked on video games than females.” Later, he added the fact that: “Most of the computer games that are really popular with males are territory and aggression-type games.” Researchers believe that the findings in this study may even apply to other types of video games. Though there are some questions that remain unanswered after this study, Reiss and his team are already working on further research in the area of the effects of video games on the brain niche; particularly in younger populations like children.

For more information note:
A report of this unique study has recently been published the Journal of Psychiatric Research online. http://med-www.stanford.edu

1 Comment »