It’s a sad fact that we lose brain matter as we enter old age. This loss, while measurable, is not linear or even predictable. Through analyzing brain MRI scans of thousands of elderly people, we know that the average sixty-five-year-old is shedding brain matter at the rate of about 0.5Continue Reading
Just like an ocean, life has rhythmic tides. Over various time periods, our body and mind fluctuates. These biological rhythms – biorhythms are controlled by our “internal clocks” and include long and short cycles: Annual cycles – Typical annual cycles influence most animals and plant life. Cycles influence the migrationContinue Reading
Our magnificent brain is an extraordinarily complex organ. Minor damage to the brain’s frontal lobes can cause one’s personality and emotional life to change dramatically. Reasoning or planning may also be affected (Goel & Dolan, 2004). Drug abuse can also damage this important part of the brain (Liu et al,Continue Reading
Feeding babies and small children a low cholesterol, low fat diet meant to protect adults at risk for heart dsease can actually cause serious harm to their small, delicate brains. The average adult brain uses nearly twenty percent of the calories we consume every day to power the more thanContinue Reading
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in the mesolimbic system of our brain that controls all natural reinforcing behaviors such as learning, eating, drinking, pleasure, motivation and sexual activity. It is also the primary neurotransmitter that most addictive drugs are known to release. Dopamine plays an important role in reinforcement andContinue Reading
The connection between what you eat and why it affects how you feel has long been established. It is unfortunate that people suffering with depression, anxiety, panic attacks, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or addiction rarely have the energy or enthusiasm to prepare healthy meals. It is just easier toContinue Reading
The forebrain is the largest region of your brain and the highest of the three regions. It sits above the midbrain and is the most complex of the three major sections. Accordingly it has more subregions with more sophisticated capacities. The forebrain contains the entire cerebrum and several structures directlyContinue Reading
Medulla – The Hindbrain is located close to the spinal cord. Its primary job is to keep us alive and to coordinate movement. It has three subdivisions. At the base of the brain where it meets the spinal cord is the deepest part of the hindbrain. This is the subdivisionContinue Reading
Studies have shown that people have a personality, thinking style, and a method of doing things that is either left-brain or right-brain. What is meant by this theory? The theory is that people predominantly utilize one side of their brain more than the other side. People who are analytical, methodical,Continue Reading
The Midbrain and Hindbrain together form the brainstem. The Midbrain is subdivided into two parts whose subspecialties are critical for sensory-motor integration, neurotransmitter production and body movement. Tectum The roof of the Midbrain is known as the Tectum and has two bumps which are the sensory-motor integration centers. These twoContinue Reading