There is a new unified theory of the brain that is reported in NewScientist and introduced to me here (Reverendbayes’s weblog). Karl Friston, a neuroscientist, from University College London has come up with this new theory based on mathematics. The general idea behind the theory is that the brain is a probability calculator (machine) that…
free will, neuroeconomics
Do you make your own choices or does your brain?
by Ward • • 2 Comments
Do you choose healthy choices, do you even choose? Last week I blogged about a polymorphism in a gene that researchers argued that made you consume a larger amount of sugar. I countered the argument saying that despite whatever particular variation of gene you might have that equally or more important is you will power…
brain health, genetics
Your enriched enviroment today: DNA wrapping and replication.
by Ward • • 0 Comments
I have pointed out several times now how a enriched environment is good for your brain health. In reality an enriched environment entails exposure to new things, which means learning. So one of the best and easiest ways to brain health is keep on learning. In our modern day age we have no excuse for…
genetics
Who controls your eating your genes or you ?
by Ward • • 0 Comments
A gene for sugar consumption. Researchers have found a gene for sugar consumption. I previously wrote a post regarding nature vs nurture and argued that effort (which you have control over) is at least as important if not more important that nature. Now not everybody might agree with this statement, the real point is that…
brain health, exercise
What should you be eating after the big game?
by Ward • • 0 Comments
What should you be consuming/eating after you exercise, or the big game if you are Kevin Garnett? The dogma over the last 15 or so years is we should be consuming a large number of carbohydrates after exercise. Then they started telling us we should be doing it before, during and after. Next came the…
brain hack, brain health
Resveratrol for better brain health ?
by Ward • • 1 Comment
Image by Getty Images via Daylife A new study (freely available because it is published in PLOS one) published today demonstrates that resveratrol (found in wine), in small doses, fed to middle age mice appears to improve the health of the heart and potentially the brain. Previous studies used quite high doses (22 to 186…
brain hack
Viagra for reducing jet lag
by Ward • • 0 Comments
Image via Wikipedia In another post I mentioned that fasting for 16 hours may reduced jet lag, well there are also some other treatments which can help get over long flights. We are all very familiar with the famous blue pill Viagra (sildenafil), and other drugs that are treatment for erectile dysfunction. Research in rodents…
exercise
Nature vs Nuture
by Ward • • 0 Comments
Are you limited by the talent you are born with, be it intellectually or physical? We all want to be the best we can, but we wonder how good we can be and what are our limits. Is our ultimate limit dependent on genetics (nature) or effort (nurture)? Here are three perspectives on this subject;…
brain fitness
New neurons: video
by Ward • • 0 Comments
Here is a short video of an example of new neurons in adult mammals found on youtube. And you will find here an article on a new technique that allowed scientist to visualize new neurons in humans – impressive. What are you going to do today to promote neurogenesis and brain health?
brain fitness, brain health, exercise
New neurons for better brain health: neurogenesis
by Ward • • 0 Comments
Image via Wikipedia Now you might ask what good does all this exercise and enriched environment (novelty) really do for my brain health and fitness? One thing that these two brain hacks increases is the birth of new neurons. Yes, new neurons. The old dogma back when I started my undergraduate degree was that in…