Category Archives: Brain Function

National Depression Screening Day is held during the Mental Illness Awareness Week every October. It is a time to promote mental health education and to connect with support services if you find yourself in need. To do our part, we here at Bel Marra want to make our readers aware of the impact that mental ...click here to read more

Everyone dreams of retirement; finally, the point in your life where you can stop clocking in day-in and day-out. A time where you can begin to enjoy your golden years, travel more, get in some necessary R&R, and spend more time with friends and family. Although there is much to look forward to in retirement, ...click here to read more

Dieting has always been the main component to weight loss and staying healthy. Unfortunately, with many of today’s modern conveniences and an overabundance of fast food, many Americans fall into the routine of eating much more than they actually need. While there are many reasons why people find themselves in a never-ending spiral of overeating ...click here to read more

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a condition that destroys a person’s memory and other vital mental functions. It is the most common form of dementia, a broad category of brain disease that leads those affected to gradually lose their ability to think and remember. An estimated five million Americans are affected by Alzheimer’s disease. This number ...click here to read more

Stress is a large contributing factor to sleepless nights. Many of us toss and turn every night because we are just too stressed out. Stress can result from anything and can vary in intensity. Many of us are stressed about money, relationships, work, or even our daily responsibilities. Because the effects of stress on sleep ...click here to read more

The food we eat not only provides us with the energy we need throughout the day, but also dictates our overall health. Those who eat fast food for the majority of their meals are likely to have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and be overweight. Those who adhere to a diet comprised of healthy foods, ...click here to read more

People with obsessive thoughts feel the need to check things repeatedly. This is their compulsion—they feel that they have to complete certain tasks or “rituals” in order to be comfortable. This feeling is characteristic of a condition called obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It is very difficult for these patients to get adequate treatment, as it can ...click here to read more

In previous e-mails, we told you about the benefits of sex, which include burning calories, reducing stress, improving sleep, increasing intimacy, and improving your mood. Well, you can now add boosting brain power to that list too, according to latest research findings. Researchers of the study published in The Journals of Gerontology found that regular ...click here to read more

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that affects the motor system of those affected. Nearly 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease each year, with thousands of cases going undetected. Common symptoms of Parkinson’s include tremors, stiffness, and rigidity. This causes patients to have slow movements throughout their lives, ...click here to read more

Getting older is not fun. We get tired more quickly and more often, we lose much of our strength, and we are slower mentally. While this can make us envy the young, our bodies have learned to cope with the unavoidable course that is the aging process. A new study finds that older brains have ...click here to read more

Dear friends, Do you have any phobias? If you’re unsure what a phobia is, it’s an irrational fear of a person, place, thing, or situation. Phobias are actually types of an anxiety disorder and a person with a phobia will do anything in their power to avoid whatever it is causing them this immense fear. ...click here to read more

It has been documented that hearing loss is associated with a higher risk of cognitive impairment. New research suggests that vision loss may share the same link. The study looked at data collected from two large American studies and the researchers found that seniors who had difficulties seeing objects from a distance were two to ...click here to read more

Marijuana use has seen a gradual acceptance by the general public in the last couple of decades as it has proven to have some beneficial medical properties. But it is it still regarded by many as being a harmful drug that can have negative side effects on users, especially in the very young. For the ...click here to read more

You know by now that drinking water is an integral part of good health. Sure, water keeps us hydrated, it keeps us alert, it helps removes toxins, and it helps promote the good health of all bodily functions. But did you know that it can also work to help protect you against memory loss? A ...click here to read more