Now, you first might think I’m an alarmist, but I can assure you that I don’t tend to be. I’ve had a cell phone of some kind since about…1997? I posted about how I love my iPhone, which I acquired in November of 2009. Of course, now that I bought it, a newer version is …Read More
That Mind-Body Connection
Mar 1, 2010
I listened to an NPR story today from Michelle Trudeau entitled “The Aging Brain Is Less Quick, But More Shrewd”: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124118077 In one part of the story, Trudeau cited some research from neuroscientist Art Kramer of the University of Illinois that caught my attention. In a study, Dr. Kramer found that “aging couch potatoes” who …Read More
The Brady Bunch, Football, and Head Injuries
Feb 21, 2010
You are probably saying to yourself, “I see how the last two things are tied together, but what about the Brady Bunch?” I will tie these together – I promise! Now, I probably date myself by bringing up the Brady Bunch, but alas, I must admit…I did watch the Brady Bunch when I was young …Read More
“Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain” by Sharon Begley (book recommendation)
Feb 11, 2010
In this fascinating book, Sharon Begley (a science writer for Newsweek and previously for the Wall Street Journal) goes through some of the history of neuroscience and summarizes some of the latest findings in the field. There was a time when scientists viewed the adult brain as rather static and that no new neurons could …Read More
Health Benefits of Fish Oil
Feb 8, 2010
Studies have shown that omega-3 essential fatty acids as found in fish oil have many health benefits. Fish oil has been shown to help improve heart health, alleviate pain and inflammation, suppress autoimmune disorders, and lower the risk of cancer. These omega-3’s also have been shown to improve mental health. Regular fish oil consumption may …Read More
Tech Workouts to Build Brain "Muscle"?
Jan 20, 2010
I recently read an article in the January 18, 2010 issue of Time magazine concerning “Workouts for Your Brain” by Bonnie Rochman. She reviewed some of the recent software and tech devices designed to enhance cognitive functioning. She also briefly examined some of the research findings as to whether such software really does enhance cognitive …Read More
My Stroke of Insight by Jill Bolte Taylor, Ph.D. (YouTube video recommendation)
Dec 30, 2009
Technology, Entertainment, Design (TED) Convention In this inspiring TED presentation, Dr. Taylor, who is a Harvard-trained neuroanatomist, describes her experience of having a stroke in 1996. I cannot due her presentation justice in this description, but basically Dr. Taylor’s left hemisphere of the brain was silenced during this stroke and throughout some of her recovery …Read More
Keep on (Day) Dreamin'
May 12, 2009
Daydreaming can sometimes be an effective way to solve problems, despite conventional wisdom to the contrary. Recent research published in the May 2009 journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences details these findings in a study by Kalina Christoff and her colleagues of the University of British Columbia in Canada . In this study, …Read More
Step Outside to Recharge Your Brain
Apr 27, 2009
I’m summarizing (and adding my own thoughts) to a recent article on MSNBC’s website entitled, “Need to Recharge Your Brain? Step Outside” by Andrea Thompson. In 2007, for the first time in human history, more people in the world lived in urban rather than rural areas. These urban areas tend to be fast paced with …Read More
The Importance of Play
Apr 18, 2009
The importance of play is underrated. Kids and adults both need it, as detailed in the Feb/Mar 2009 cover story in Scientific American Mind. The kind of play I’m talking about here is unstructured, creative play. Yes, board, card, and video games have their place as well, but free play is too often getting squeezed …Read More