Category Archives: Brain Function

You may not have ever stopped to think about it, but you’re constantly engaged in inner speech. As you read this right now, you are using your inner voice. This process is largely unexplored; however, two recent experiments published in the journal Psychology Science have revealed a brain signal, called corollary discharge, that plays an important ...click here to read more

Stress can impact our lives in various ways, and most people have reported experiencing that feeling of pressure at one point or another – whether at home with the kids, or at work, or juggling the day-to-day responsibilities of everyday life . Few will deny that stress is an unhealthy state of body, mind or ...click here to read more

While we are constantly told how important it is to drink water to stay hydrated for physical health, here’s a new reason why you should drink it regularly:  studies show that water intake has a significant effect on mental performance as well. Whether you’re taking an exam, or simply sitting down to read a newspaper, ...click here to read more

Have you ever heard of the term “bread madness”?  It was coined about 50 years ago – “bread madness” referred to patients whose schizophrenic symptoms spontaneously vanished when they were denied the consumption of gluten-containing bread products. Since then, many people have questioned the potential link between gluten and psychiatric disorders. While some theorists propose ...click here to read more

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are words that the Baby Boomer generation likely feel they’ve heard enough of, and wish would just go away. Our memories – and clarity of mind –  are precious to us. So it’s no wonder that these diseases invoke fear, often causing people to avoid facing them. Recent statistics found that ...click here to read more

Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. It is a form of progressive dementia that profoundly affects a person’s memory, thinking and behavior. Approximately 5.2 million people are currently suffering with Alzheimer’s disease in the U.S., and that number is projected to triple by 2050. Like all diseases, Alzheimer’s ...click here to read more

With all of the fierce anti-smoking campaigns that have been sweeping across North America in the past twenty years, most of us are aware of the harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine. Nicotine is a chemical produced in the roots and leaves of plants in the nightshade family (such as eggplants, potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, cauliflower, ...click here to read more

In 2011, over 700,000 Canadians were living with some form of cognitive impairment, which includes Alzheimer’s disease.  Even more disturbing is the fact that this number is expected to reach 1.4 million by 2031, according to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada.  It is widely accepted that engaging in regular exercise has many health benefits, including ...click here to read more

If you’ve ever felt like your husband just doesn’t understand you, you’re not alone. For years, women have been saying that men are clueless when it comes to understanding them and their emotions – and now, they finally have the research to back it. A new study reveals that, not only are men less successful ...click here to read more

Certainly, we would like to believe that we are all capable of making objective choices in our lives, and are responsible for our own actions. But it is no secret that some people are just more prone to getting caught up in addictive behaviors than others, making it more difficult to fight cravings and make ...click here to read more

We know that physical fitness is good for the heart, and a growing body of evidence is showing that it’s good for the brain as well. Several studies have already linked exercise to better mental functioning, but now research is showing that sports directly impact your attention span. Testing Mental Performance Researchers at the University ...click here to read more

If you suffer from insomnia, you know how torturous the sleepless nights can be with the constant tossing and turning and nervous glances at the alarm clock.  And when you finally do manage to fall asleep, your alarm clock goes off, leaving you exhausted, cranky and unmotivated to start your day. The good news is ...click here to read more

There have been many studies outlining the importance of sleep for learning. However, until now no research has been able to show that humans can learn new information while they sleep. Brain function during sleep Although sleep appears to be a passive activity, it involves an active interplay of brain circuits; an activity that scientists ...click here to read more

Prescription memory drugs are often given to Alzheimer’s patients, and they are also prescribed ‘off-label’ to people with memory problems and disturbed brain function. Like all prescription medications, drugs that target the memory can cause a plethora of side-effects and health risks. Which begs the question: Are prescription memory drugs even effective for non-Alzheimer’s patients ...click here to read more