Category Archives: Brain Function

Sleep problems can be a huge burden on our overall mood and happiness. This includes disorders like snoring, sleep apnea, and insomnia. Getting adequate sleep is necessary for good health and can affect hormone levels, mood, and even our weight. It is concerning that doctors do not spot these sleep disorders quickly enough in the ...click here to read more

Living through a natural disaster can be a harrowing experience. Earthquakes, tornados, and floods can destroy homes, separate families, and can even be fatal. Surviving a natural disaster can leave a lasting impression as well. Researchers at Binghamton University have been studying disaster-related stress and the risk of depression. They believe that the presence of ...click here to read more

It is easy to recognize someone with Parkinson’s disease. They often have a noticeable tremor, a shuffling gait, and move very slowly. Parkinson’s is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects nearly one million Americans. The older demographic typically has Parkinson’s, with the average age of developing being 60. The disease has no cure, ...click here to read more

Having feelings of stress and anxiety from time to time is normal. Healthy stress and anxiety pop up as fleeting, temporary feelings. However, there are people who have ongoing anxiety and worries that interfere with their day to day life. This level of continuous stress can make it challenging for individuals to leave their homes ...click here to read more

Getting a good night’s sleep is important to all of us. If we don’t get it, our entire day ahead will feel like a grind. We all know that sleep can be a restorative practice, but it is also a cerebral one. While we sleep, our brains are continually working. It regulates our breathing, heart ...click here to read more

Getting a good night’s sleep not only makes us feel refreshed, but also makes us look noticeably healthier and attractive. We convince ourselves that no one will notice the bags under our eyes after a particularly sleepless night, but you’d be wrong. According to a new study, more than two consecutive nights of restricted sleep ...click here to read more

There are a few indulgences that we will never tire of, and chocolate is the best example. An age-old treat that’s exquisite in its simplicity, chocolate is definitely everyone’s favorite. A perfect complement to a cup of espresso… a nice token of appreciation… the ultimate antidepressant… the list of its versatile usages and praiseworthy qualities ...click here to read more

When cholesterol is discussed, we often think about the heart, heart disease, and stroke, but memory and cognitive function don’t generally cross our minds even though they should. New research from Heidelberg University in Germany found that having high cholesterol can negatively affect memory and cognitive decline in aging. Cholesterol is naturally produced by the ...click here to read more

Microvascular ischemic disease sounds ominous, and it can be. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options is important since it is one of the major causes of death worldwide. Microvascular ischemic disease is also known as small vessel disease. It’s the narrowing of the blood vessel leading to reduced supply of blood to brain tissue. ...click here to read more

The most common neurodegenerative disease and source of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. The condition is often associated with clumps of protein called beta amyloid that aggregate in the brain, leading to symptoms of memory loss and other cognitive deficits. These clumps are created due to misfolded proteins that have lost the elaborate shape that dictates ...click here to read more

Occasionally, rational people display symptoms of paranoia, delusional thoughts, and believe they hear voices, but these instances are generally one-offs and can be explained sensibly after the episode has passed. This isn’t the case for those who suffer from severe mental illness (SMI), as it encompasses a wide range of chronic mental health conditions that ...click here to read more

There is no better feeling than knowing you helped someone that really needed it. When this aid comes from the bottom of your heart, without the expectation of payment or reward, it can provide a deep sense of satisfaction that not only makes you happy, but inspires others to do the same. This notion of ...click here to read more

Sadness is something we all experience from time to time. It could be due to more acute circumstances, like a recent breakup, or even have a slow burn effect, slowly chipping away at your well-being. If left to propagate, this sadness may turn into its more clinical form called depression, leading to symptoms that may ...click here to read more

Ah, sleep, one of the simplest pleasures in life, yet sometimes so difficult to do… Looking at cats or babies, you’d think that all it takes is to lie down and close your eyes, but then the night comes and you’re anything but sleepy, and the night drags on and on. This scenario will resonate ...click here to read more