Author:
Posit Science Corporation
Publication:
PSC Newsletter
Published Date:
Friday, March 20, 2015
Did you know we added two new exercises to the BrainHQ memory category this month? Hear, Hear is an auditory memory exercise that helps you learn to focus on and remember target sounds. Mind’s Eye is a visual version of the same task. The real-life goal of each exercise: to help you tune in to what’s important (for example, what a person is saying to you in a crowded place) while ignoring similar but unimportant information (all the background voices).
These exercises are only available to BrainHQ subscribers. If you’d like to subscribe, you can do so here. But there are always free exercises for people who haven’t subscribed, too!
Enjoy!
Best regards,
Jeff Zimman, Co-founder
Posit Science
Brain Sees Words as Pictures, Not Letters
They say “a picture is worth a thousand words” but to our brains, there may not be much difference. A new paper in the Journal of Neuroscience reports that we train our neurons to recognize whole words as pictures, not as a collection of ordered letters. The researchers call this a “visual dictionary.” Learn more.
Milk Antioxidant May Benefit the Brain
Got milk? If not, you may want to get some. A recent study has found that drinking milk can increase brain levels of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant. Glutathione may help prevent the oxidative stress in the brain that one of the study scientists described as “like the buildup of rust on your car.” Learn more.
Brain Chemical Curbs Binge Drinking
Scientists have identified a brain chemical called Neuropeptide-Y that takes away a person’s urge to binge drink. It works by acting on a set of cells in the amygdala that are “pro-drinking.” The team hopes that Neuropeptide-Y can someday be used as a treatment for alcoholism. Learn more.
Mitochondrial “Bomb” Can Blast a Brain Tumor
Exciting news about brain tumor treatments: a new drug that targets the mitochondria of tumor cells is showing promise in animal studies. The drug, which researchers say acts like a “smart bomb,” appears to leave the healthy brain cells untouched while specifically targeting the tumor cells. Find out why.
To Improve Fairness, Add Dopamine?
An interesting study from UC Berkeley found that giving people a drug that prolonged the effects of dopamine in the brain made them act in a way that was more egalitarian and fair-minded. The researchers point out that we tend to think of being fair-minded as part of personality, but this study shows that it can be affected or manipulated by targeting specific neurochemicals. Learn more.
For Better Sleep, Try Mindfulness Meditation
We all know that sleep is important for a whole slew of reasons, but that doesn’t always help us get there! A recent study has found that meditation practice may improve sleep. The study pitted mindfulness meditation against more standard “good sleep” practices and found that the meditators slept better and were less tired. Find out how.
Football, Neurotransmitters, and Healthy Fats: Check out these recent stories from the BrainHQ blog and On The Brain!
Chris Borland Chooses Brain Health Over NFL Career
Acetylcholine Release Amps Up Brain’s Plasticity
Omega-3 and Omega-6: It’s All About the Ratio
BrainHQ Tips and Tricks
Did you know we have a great Brain Resources section on our website? Whether you’re looking to learn more about memory, brain plasticity, or the brain, you want in-depth info on brain healthy foods and recipes, or you’re looking for a cool brain teaser, brain book, or everyday brain-healthy activity to do—we’ve got you covered! Check it out.
Book of the Month
Tales From Both Sides of the Brain: A Life in Neuroscience(2015)
Michael S. Gazzaniga
Michael Gazzaniga is one of the best known names in modern neuroscience. While he has written many other books, this is the first to weave his scientific achievements with his personal life. If you’ve ever wanted to know what it’s like to live and work as a neuroscientist, this excellent, relatable book is a good start. Buy it from Amazon.
Media Type:
Newsletter