Myths And Misstatements Behind ADHD

Over the years, ADHD has become increasingly recognizable with more and more kids being diagnosed with the disorder. But as with any disorder, there is still a lot that is misunderstood about it that has led to countless myths and incorrect statements. It is important you understand the truth rather than the misconceptions that flood the disorder.

Perhaps the biggest myth behind ADHD is that only hyper children have the disorder. In no way, shape or form is this true as not all children are noisy and excessively energetic. On the contrary, there are some that are quiet and withdrawn. The three categories that make up children with the disorder is inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive and a combination of the two.

While it is true that more and more children have been diagnosed in recent years, it is incorrect to say it has become over-diagnosed. It is crucial to understand there is no evidence that shows over-diagnosed cases in the general population regardless of what parents, the media and even some physicians may claim.

One of the most disappointing claims behind children with ADHD is that they lack intelligence and will never succeed quite to the level as others their age. The truth of the matter is countless studies have proven data that show children with the disorder can be extremely bright, have strong cognitive skills with some even going on to win the Nobel Prize.

Going back to the hyperactive statement, some are led to believe children cannot sit still and pay attention for long periods of time. What you will find is children can pay attention remarkably easy if they find it interesting or challenging, and can even pay attention better than most. And unlike what some conclude, it is the combination of interest and challenge that leads to this; not that they are trying extra hard.

The final myth behind the disorder is that children will eventually outgrow it, which is what doctors used to tell parents and young patients. Sadly, long-term studies now show that children will not outgrow it at any time. Studies show that 60 percent of children with ADHD still battle the disorder as an adult.

ADHD is becoming more and more common with many thinking they understand everything there is to know about the disorder. The fact is there are a number of myths and misstatements that have taken over the disorder that need to be correctly understood to fully comprehend and realize what it is all about and what people with it can expect for the future.

The Mind Is Far More Powerful Than One Could Ever Imagine

There is no denying the fact that the brain is a complex and remarkable piece to the human body. It controls what we do, how we do it, and how we comprehend things in everyday life. But what is even more fascinating is the mind is far more powerful than we could ever imagine even with what is known today.

One of the many impressive features of the mind and brain is how it is capable of learning just about any task thrown our way. Whether it is learning a new dance at the company Christmas party or figuring out what is wrong with the broke down vehicle on the side of the road, the brain has flexibility incomparable to anything else within.

It is this flexibility that enables us to strive to bigger and better things throughout life. We can master the language we are born into while learning new ones along the way, pick up an instrument like the guitar and create masterpieces, or operate a space shuttle cockpit to learn about the unknown.

What is scary is only a minute fraction of the brain has been dedicated to conscious behavior. From there, the rest of the mind focuses on breathing, walking, identifying friends and enemies, and knowing what to eat and what not to eat. It is the unconscious workings of our brain that is ever so crucial to the function of our life on an everyday basis.

There is no explanation for what your brain knows and what the mind is actually capable of accessing. We as humans are rarely consciously aware of the many activities our brain and mind are consistently working out. By over-concentrating, we will actually mess up what the brain already knows. This is why people perform at the highest level when they do not over-think things, but just do them.

Consciousness is useful and important, but in small quantities for specific tasks. Knowing what is going on around you and being aware of your surroundings is important, and being consciously aware of this is even more important. But focusing on throwing a ball into the glove or putting the spoon full of peas in your mouth is something we do not need to be consciously aware of; just let the mind do what it knows how to do best.

This is precisely what is so fascinating about the mind and the fact that you can actually do brain training and mind exercise. We can do far more than we give ourselves credit for, and a majority of the time do not even realize it. It is the combination of the conscious and unconscious abilities of the brain that make the human species so remarkable.

The Death Of Neurons Could Result In The Decline Of Yourself

A neuron consists of a nerve cell that is the essential building block of the nervous system. Similar to that of other cells in the human body, these cells actually specialize in transmitting information throughout the body. They communicate information in both chemical and electrical forms. And researchers recently discovered the death of them can lead to the death of you.

Researchers at the Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center recently discovered a mechanism in which the most common form of brain cancer promotes the death of neurons. This process has become known as neurodegeneration. As a result of these findings, there is hope that it will lead to new therapies that can suppress neurodegeneration caused by the brain cancer.

The study reveals clear evidence of just how important neurons are and how detrimental and problematic they can become when hampered with. The research goes into great detail about how the oncogene, or the gene that has the ability to cause cancer, promotes neurodegeneration by increasing glutamate toxicity to neurons and impact brain fitness.

Glutamates are responsible for the transmission of signals between neurons and are crucial to the learning, development and memory of our brain. But if glutamates build up and create spaces between neurons, it can lead to neuron death.

As the first study of its kind, it shows researchers just how the link and the death of neurons could actually lead to a fatal kind of cancer for many. Gliomas is the most common brain tumor and the second leading cause of cancer death for adults between the ages of 20 to 39 years old. By identifying the importance of AEG-1 in brain cancer development, a new target for inhibiting this process can be found.

Scientists have equally identified the importance of understanding glutamate transport to better recognize other neurodegenerative diseases like glioma-induced neurodegeneration, Alzheimer’s and epilepsy as well.

The next step is to construct advanced animal models so researchers can further study the role of AEG-1 and glutamate in brain development and function. As soon as this is done, the models will allow the team to test the drugs identified in the small molecule screening process.

At the end of the day, the primary goal is to develop treatments for neurodegeneration that is caused by GBM and other diseases. And while it is a work in progress with much work to be done, the beginning steps are set up an extremely optimistic future.

Experts Continue To Divulge More And More About Neuroscience

In simplest terms, neuroscience consists of the study of the nervous system. Those who take part in the continuous research of the nervous system range everywhere from psychology to computer science. And while experts and specialists are constantly on tab with what is going on, countless educational institutions offer training within the subject matter.

It was not until the middle of the 20th Century that the neuroscientific and mental health topic became intriguing drawing attention from a vast amount of scientists. It was at this time that technology gave researchers the opportunity to illuminate the workings of the nervous system to truly see what they were looking at.

The brain was nothing more than a dark area within prior to the Magnetic Resonance Imaging machines. But thanks to developments in fields like molecular biology and computer science, the field of neuroscience really exploded with countless tools available to work with.

To understand this field you have to understand the nervous system, which breaks down to two main parts. First you have the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. The second part is the peripheral nervous system made up of a vast amount of nerve cells throughout the body. Basic neurons and glial cells are amongst the many structures that make up the nervous system today.

It truly is a remarkable system within the human body considering how significant it is to our everyday life. From transmitting and receiving information to the very survival of our body relies on the nervous system.

This is precisely why the study of neuroscience has become ever so important over the years to better understand how and why we act the way we do. Scientists will look at all aspects while studying the biochemical signals that nerves transmit, the effects of substances on the nervous system and the overall development of the system.

Then again, there are those who focus primarily on healthy nervous systems compared to those that have broken down. Pathology and how diseases can be prevented or treated is another wildly popular field to better help those who fall victim to a breakdown.

And because the nervous system has such a significant impact on the brain and how we act, psychologists and psychiatrists are constantly looking into neuroscience and human behavior. By focusing in on the brain and how it processes information, these professions can identify what has caused one person to act out versus another.

Neuroscience is a fascinating field that researchers and scientists have learned a great deal about over the years. But there is still much to identify and find out about the complex area of the nervous system.

The Causes And Effects Of Dyslexia

There are some diseases and disabilities that can drastically alter one’s life, and even lead to death. While dyslexia can have a negative impact on anyone, some wonder just how bad it really is? With varying degrees of severity, there is the potential for extreme interference in and away from the classroom for some.

You will find a number of misconceptions behind dyslexia within adults. Sadly, this is a condition that often finds the victim being scrutinized and even picked on for being slow. But no matter what kinds of negative impacts it can have on someone, it has been found that no creativity or imagination will be affected.

In fact, people with dyslexia often have vivid imagination and can excel in many areas. Of course, the brain of someone suffering is going to function differently with portions weakening in reading and comprehending simple things.


There are a number of fields that can be impacted through dyslexia including a poor memory, not being able to retain things and struggling with time management. Other areas that some do not realize include a poor concentration level, restlessness and the inability to take down notes.

But reading is the primary area where most struggle. Believe it or not, for some even recognizing the alphabets and putting them in order can be a challenge. Confusion settles in with similar looking words and those struggling will read words incorrectly by jumbling the words in their head.

It is a rather difficult disorder to diagnose as there are many factors that must be taken into consideration by a psychologist or health professional. And after several tests, it can still be unclear as to whether or not dyslexia is the true problem.

One thing is for certain; early treatment is of utmost importance in order to deter any further complications from arising. Upon identifying this as the true disorder, it is vital you seek the appropriate treatment method as soon as possible.

Currently, there are no actual definitive cures for dyslexia. But on a brighter note, there have been several theories suggesting successful treatments on patients. A lot of work should come from within the classroom, but there are alternative methods that can be practiced outside of the classroom as well.

Regardless, one of the keys to persevering and fighting through is sending positive affirmations to children suffering from dyslexia. Attitude is everything and it is up to you as a parent, sibling or friend to support whomever it may be that is dealing with the disorder

The Sad Truth Behind Dementia

In no way, shape or form is dementia a laughing matter. The disease is the result of a loss of mental functions like thinking, memory and reasoning that can easily interfere with a person's daily functioning. And while it is not necessarily a disease in itself, it is the collection of various diseases or conditions that sum up the horrific group of symptoms.

Dementia often develops as parts of the brain are affected by one or more of a variety of infections. The most common and recognizable form of dementia is Alzheimer's, but many people do not realize there are as many as 50 other known causes. So what exactly causes it to arise?

There are a number of things that can cause degeneration or loss of nerve cells in the brain, leading up to Alzheimer's, Parkinson's or Huntington's. There are diseases that affect the blood vessels and can actually cause a stroke. Then there are nutritional deficiencies like vitamin B12 that can bring on complications.

As mentioned, Alzheimer's is the leading cause of dementia with around 50% to 60% resulting in this. However, researchers have recently learned that two nervous diseases known as Lewy body disease and Pick's disease are major causes of concern as well and used to incorrectly be diagnosed as Alzheimer's.

Sadly, this is a problem that has become more and more common over the years; particularly with Alzheimer's. There is belief that as many as half of all people over 80 will develop Alzheimer's in their life. There is the increased incidence of AIDS dementia complex that comes from the HIV infection that has led to the increased numbers as well.

More times than not it is a late-life disease that only increases with age. Around 5 to 8% of people over the age of 65 have some form and the number doubles every five years above 65. So the question on many people's mind is what kinds are treatable, if any?

The good news is there are forms of dementia that can be treated to ensure you live a long and healthy life. Anything that is due to long-term substance abuse can be corrected. Sometimes tumors can be a result and can be removed. And if there is a metabolic disorder, hypothyroidism or hypoglycemia, it can be properly treated.

On the flipside, sadly the most common form is untreatable today, Alzheimer's disease. Along with this you will find that multi-infarct dementia, dementia associated with Parkinson's disease and any AIDS dementia complex is also untreatable.

All forms are sad and unfortunate events that can quickly take over a person's life. And while researchers have come up with a number of staggering findings, there is still much work to be done.

Keep Your Brain Sharp Using Mental Training

Our brain controls everything. It controls our thoughts, our memories, our movements and our emotions. However most people never think about what they should be doing to keep it healthy. Mental training is a great way to keep your brain sharp and productive. So what is mental training?

Mental training consists of activities specifically designed to keep your mind sharp. One of the easiest ways to do this is through computer brain games that give you short daily activities that will help strengthen your critical thinking skills and improve your cognitive memory. So what does all this mean to you? In a nutshell it means if you keep your brain healthy and active it will serve you for much longer and serve you much more efficiently.

So how do you go about mental training? There are many different ways you can accomplish this. The most important thing is keeping your mind sharp. You can do brain challenging activities such as puzzles or a game of chess. You can learn a new hobby or get a new skill. Anything that makes your brain be active and learn will help with your overall mental training and brain productivity.

If you don’t have enough time to add something new to your calendar with the mental training computer software programs available you only need a few minutes a day to keep your brain sharp. Each exercise or activity is scientifically designed to keep your brain active and do the kinds of activities that are going to make it sharper and more productive in the long run and avoid memory problems.

Many times when thinking about our health we don’t even consider the health of our brain. It should be something we consider and take good care of. The reality is as we age our brain starts a natural decline this decline is definitely staved off more if our brain is sharper. It is very simple if you think about it.

Imagine the brain is a sponge and all the information and connectivity you have going on is the water in the sponge. The onset of our older years would be similar to someone starting to very slowly squeeze the sponge and get some of the water out. The fuller the sponge is with water the longer it takes to squeeze it all out.

As kids in school our brains are always being challenged. As we grow older this may not be the case anymore. Real life responsibilities take over and we find less time to challenge ourselves. However this time is key in our brain health because it is the stage right before the natural decline. So when we have the least amount of time to focuses on growing ourselves is when we need it the most.

Mental Health Issues Explained

Many people in America are coping with mental health issues. Depression is one the most common mental health issues and can consume the people it affects. Statistics show that 8% of people under 18 suffer from some kind of depression. The most important thing about coping with mental health problems such as depression is to recognize you have a problem to begin with.

There is help available for pretty much any type of mental health issue. But if you don’t seek it out then things can spiral out of control quickly. If you feel like you might have a problem then you should seek help immediately. Having good mental health is necessary to live a productive life that truly fulfills you.

People with good mental health are happier and can get through life’s day to day issues without them turning into big emergencies. Your mental health can be a huge help or hindrance in your life depending on the condition of it. Which is why if you start to see signs or others mentions stuff they are seeing in you that they did not see before it is time to seek out professional help.

There are other types of mental health disorders that can make it hard to do the day to day activities. They include things such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism and Bipolar disorders. There are medicines to treat these disorders however especially with things like ADHD they are also exercise you can do to make your mind sharp and help you deal with some of the daily struggles associated with mental health disorders such as ADHD.

If these type of mental exercises help improve the symptoms you may be able to help your child without having to drug them. One of the most important things is getting the brain thinking and focusing again. When someone suffers from something like ADHD concentrating is next to impossible. However with regular brain training activities, this could be naturally improved and helped.

Clearly not all mental health problems can be solved so simply. However no one can get help without seeking it out. Our mental health affects everything we do on a daily basis and keeping it in top shape is very important. A healthy brain is far less likely to suffer from mental health issues in the first place. So start taking the time to find ways to make your brain stronger and more productive, you will be glad you did.

Recovering From A Brain Injury

Recovering from a brain injury is a long process in most cases. There are people who have miraculous and quick recoveries but this is more the exception that the rule. Most people have to work and fight very hard to get back functioning to the point they can comfortably do their day-to-day activities. Some people never return to that point at all.

After the initial crisis period of the brain injury there are a lot of pieces that need to be picked up and put back together. The crisis period includes the time period where you the person is initially injured and any hospital or ICU time that comes in the days or weeks thereafter.

Assuming the person is getting better and has a good prognosis at some point they will be ready to go home and then phase two which consists of various therapies start. The person may need help that they did not need before such as with shopping, cleaning and other day to day activities. For a certain amount of time there will likely be some unrest it figuring out how to get it all done and provide the person with the care they need.

This can become overwhelming and if you are caring for a loved one who has suffered from a brain injury you may want to consider joining a support group to avoid depression for example. The ability to talk to other people who are going through your same situation can really help a lot. You will need people to lean on during this time so do not be afraid to ask for help. If you are the now the primary caregiver for your love d one then you need to be in the best mental shape possible to deal with all of the issues that will arise.

You will likely have a whole list of therapies and follow up appointments that need to be tended to. Take it step by step and enlist help from your family and close friends. You will find that people are more than willing to lend a helping hand where they can but you have to be open to receiving that help to get it.

Assuming the therapies are working you may find that each day gets a little easier for your loved one. If you don’t see those changes quickly though don’t be discouraged. Keep walking the path and doing what you need to do for them and you will eventually find your light at the end of the tunnel.

Brain Health Improvements Are Possible

We are always looking for ways to be healthier. Whether it is eating right or getting more exercise there are plenty of things we think about when it comes to our health. Many people fail to think about brain health however. The brain is one of your most important organs and essential to almost all of life’s most important functions.

Our brain helps us remember the day to day stuff. It helps us keep track of our most precious memories. It makes our arms move and our feet walk. It helps us sing, dance and enjoy the world around us. Brain health should be on everyone’s radar if you really want to be in optimal health.

Keeping your brain healthy is simple all it really requires is keeping it active. Our brains work like sponges and the more you put into them the more productive them become. For a long time it was thought that you were born with X amount of brain cells and died with X amount of brain cells but that is simply not the case. Our brain grows and decreases in capacity based on what we put into it.

When we are younger and learning all the time our brains are soaking it up and expanding in capacity. As we become an adult and life tends to become more repetitive and we seem to challenge ourselves less because we are busy with work and families. Once we get into elder years the brain starts a natural decrease in capacity.

Knowing all this gives you an advantage to keep your brain sharp. When the natural decline of later life comes if your brain health is high you can keep at bay diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s. Brain health and brain fitness promote a more active brain that has better cognitive memory and makes critical thinking easier.

Brain health can consist of many different types of activities. It could include things like learning a new skill or taking on a new hobby to stimulate your brain. It can also mean eating foods that are good for your brain such as fish and avocados. You could also use a computer software program with activities designed to keep your mind sharp.

Regardless of what you choose to do to improve your brain health the most important thing is that you do something. The more you do to improve your brain capacity the more positive results you will see both short term and long term.

Different Brain Training Activities

Brain training may sounds like something really technical that requires lots of time and effort. However that is just not true. Brain training activities can consist of short bursts of exercises that are specifically designed to keep your mind sharp. These types of exercises can make it easier for you to process information and get through your day to day activities. These types of activities can also help with your cognitive memory.

One of the many ways you can find brain training activities is through computer programs that are specifically designed with these kinds of activities. They offer daily activities that you can do that only take a few minutes of your time and are proven to get your brain going. Most consist of short little puzzle type activities that are just meant to sharpen your mind in short bursts.

In addition to using brain training activities on your computer there are also other ways to keep a healthy mind. Learning a new skill is a great way to get your brain in shape. The brain is an ever evolving organ. The more time you do activities that stimulate it the better it works. Alternatively, if you don’t use it then it will start to deteriorate over time and become not as productive.

Games or activities that require skill or strategy are also great brain builders. The more you can do to keep your brain active the longer it will stay active. As we age there is a natural decline that happens with our brain activity. We can stave this off longer if our brain is sharp and used frequently.

Brain training is something everyone should be thinking about. We think about our weight and what foods we should be eating. We think about disease prevention and risk factors. Most people never take into consideration what they need to do to keep their brain functioning at peak condition.

You should include at least a few brain training activities a week. If you have the time do something like learning a new hobby or skill you should do that. If your time is short like many of us and you already have too many things packed into each day then find a scientifically validated brain training program you can do at your leisure. Your brain is one of the most important organs and one you want functioning in top condition. So take some time each week and devote a little bit of time to your brain and helping it function better.

The Power Of The Brain

The power of your brain is endless. The thoughts you think and how you process them can have a very powerful effect on everything in your life. It can make a difference on the simple things like keeping up with your car keys and it can also make a difference on the big things. The power of the brain may be endless but how you harness it and keep it in shape is up to you.

When we are younger we are always learning new stuff and getting our brain out for workout. During this stage our brain is constantly growing and becoming better at processing information. However when we get older and our lives become more stable we start to push ourselves to learn less.

It is not that we don’t want to learn anymore or have no interest. We simply don’t find the time anymore. There are so many daily tasks that must be completed between work and family obligations we are lucky when we get a whole night’s worth of sleep let alone time to learn a new skill.

The great thing about keeping your brain active is that it really only takes a few minutes a day. It’s something you can do anywhere. There are many things you can do to make your brain more productive that fit right into your daily life.

One of those ways includes eating brain foods. There are many foods that are high in the types of nutrients that are good for your brain. Fish is a great source of the omega 3 oils that are good for your brain. Getting out and doing a few minutes of exercise a day is also great for the brain. This is especially true if you are playing games that require skill and strategy such as basketball.

If you have the time you may want to consider taking on a new hobby. Learning a new skill is a great way to keep your brain active which will help it stay be more productive. There are also brain fitness software programs that are designed specifically to help you boost your brain and memory.

Your brain is one of the most valuable parts of your body it is what keeps you moving and being able to do what you need to do. So spend a few minutes each day helping your brain be more productive and see how great the results can be.

Alzheimer’s Disease And The Mind

It is almost surreal to think about all of the abilities that our minds are capable of. Most people don’t realize the true power that they have in their brains because they don’t understand that a simple mind quiz each day can help transform the brain into a massive knowledge holding machine.

Through proper mind training and exercises, it is possible to expand brain power and knowledge levels to unthinkable margins. Studies have shown that by challenging your brain constantly, you not only decrease the likelihood of developing brain diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia later on in life, but you can also increase the overall quality of your personal and professional life.

Needless to say, the brain is a very complex organ, one that we are only now just beginning to understand the true powers of what it is capable of. The brain has the power to heal your body, solve complex problems, and to create magnificent inventions.
It is also in charge of molding the way that we see and feel about our daily lives and environment. This is why it is so important to look after your brain and to train it to be as efficient as can be.

Using a mind quiz each and every day will help you make sure that you brain does what it is supposed to do. It will help dust away the cob webs so to speak. A complacent mind doesn’t react as fast or work as efficient as a mind that is challenged often.

There are plenty of things that you can do to ensure that you get proper brain training to ensure that your brain operates as efficient and as fluent as it was designed to do. In fact, thanks much in large part to the advent of the Internet, there are now many websites that you can use to expand your minds power through various online games and quizzes.
A mind quiz online is something that you can take that will force you to have to think in order to solve the quiz. The more you take these quizzes, the better your mind will begin to work. With time you will soon find that the quizzes will become easier and easier to do, even as you expand the difficult in quiz levels.

The best thing about taking a mind quiz each day is that it will also help you with your daily life as well. You will have in increased ability to remember things and you will be able to focus with a great clarity as well.

Mind Training Can Help Your Life

Many people don’t understand that in order to maintain good, positive health for our bodies that we need to stimulate our brains just like we stimulate our muscles. No, you won’t have to do any brain push-ups, but you should seek out certain mind training exercises to increase your knowledge and expand your brain’s learning capabilities.

Making sure that you keep your brain sharp and clear is just as important to your body as exercising in the gym. By training your mind, you will help improve your brain’s ability to work more efficiently and improve your mental health, have much clearer thought processes, and a healthy brain works hand in hand with your body to keep it healthy.

When you don’t allow yourself to challenge your mind daily, it slowly begins to lose its ability to fire on all cylinders the way it was designed to do. When you become complacent, your brain becomes complacent as well. You won’t be able to react and think as fast as you should, nor will you have the clarity and ability to focus on things for extended periods of time.

What exactly is mind training?

Now that we know what mind training can do, it’s time to let you in on what mind training really consists of.

Mind training is simply the act of challenging yourself mentally on a consistent basis. So, how do you challenge yourself mentally? There is a plethora of ways that this can be done.

You can read books that expand your knowledge. Play board games like chess, checkers or solve complex puzzles. You can participate in physical sporting activities like golf, basketball and dance. Or you can log on to the Internet and use real programs that are designed to help you train your mind through various challenging games.

It really just takes persistent effort on your part to make sure that you are getting the right amount of mind training each and every day. It is this persistence that will surely help you to start seeing real measurable results. Just doing a little each day to challenge yourself mentally is all it takes to maintain a goodmental health and brain health.

Since the brain is the motherboard, operating center of our entire body, it only makes sense to want to make sure that it stays as healthy as possible. Proper mind training will ensure you maintain its health and even grow it to be a more efficient and stronger organ to help you get more done with your life.

Focus Increased Through Memory Training

Losing your memory may not seem like a possibility at such a young age, but as you continue to get older, there exists a good possibility that you will lose the ability to recall things like you once could. Memory training is a great way to be able to stop and even reverse this memory loss process.

The good news is that memory loss doesn’t happen to everyone no matter how old you are. Memory loss does occur in some cases but isn’t going to be a 100% probability in all cases as people age. There are several variables that affect whether or not memory loss will happen to you or not. But it is proven that for those that use specific memory training exercises can lessen their risk for memory loss and other brain diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia.

No matter what age you are, if you are experiencing problems with remembering things, it would be wise to start training your mind in order to get it to wake up and start firing on all cylinders like it was designed to do.

Memory training can be as simple as playing a crossword puzzle or Sudoku out of your daily local newspaper, or as complex as taking specific brain training games through a program online.

The key to proper memory training is to make sure that you challenge yourself early and challenger yourself often. If you can constantly use these games to push yourself mentally and get your brain working to think hard each and every day, you will certainly start to see some much improved, and documented, progress.

With time and enough memory training, you will start to notice the ability to be able to remember things and recall certain things much easier than you are used to. You should be able to recall names of familiar faces, remember numbers like account numbers and phone numbers, and never have to worry about where you placed your keys or cell phone again!

One of the greatest benefits of going through proper memory training is the fact that your brain (thought process) will work much better with the greatest of ease and clarity. You can rest assured knowing that you will be in a sound mind position to make the best decisions in your life day in and day out and try to avoid illness such as dementia. You will be best prepared to be able to focus and never forget anything again.

How Brain Fitness Could Improve Your Memory

Stress it seems is just a natural part of today’s society. Everybody deals with stress due to all of the pressures put on us each and every day. We all have bills to pay, things that we have to do, and places that we have to be and these responsibilities never seem to cease or even slow down. All of this stress is not good and can lead to severe memory loss problems or even dementia some time down the road.

Stress triggers certain hormones in our bodies that help us cope with certain stressful situations. But too much of these hormones being released over a long period of time is what can give us memory loss problems and other brain disabilities later on in life. This is why it is extremely important to recognize just how much stress you are dealing with on a daily basis and do all you can do combat this stress.

Of course controlling stress is easier said than done, and most of us just naturally accept it as it is just a normal part of living today. But if you don’t recognize how severe your stress levels are and choose not to do anything about it, the repercussions can take a toll for the worse as you age.

If you feel like you are getting over stressed and you just can’t take it anymore, there are many professionals who can help. But there are also many things that you can do first to see if they can alleviate some of the stress that is a normal part of your life to keep a good brain fitness. That way you can go through your daily routines without having to feel like there is no end and no remedy to your stress.

Always recognize the true scope of the situation and learn to take many deep, relaxing breaths. Most situations we find ourselves in are not as bad as we make them out to be. The more we over think a situation, the more stressful it becomes. When you catch yourself over analyzing something, stop yourself and just concentrate instead on taking a deep breath.

Since memory loss is triggered from stress, learn to turn your stressful situations into a fun challenge instead. The way that we view things in life is exactly what creates the stress. So instead of viewing something as stressful and something that you don’t want to do, see it instead as a challenge that you will learn and grow from. Make it fun and keep a great brain fitness.

Memory Loss And Your Brain

One of the most fascinating things about a human brain is its unique ability to be able to learn fast and on the fly. It truly is an amazing organ and one that we still don’t know everything about. What we do know is that through a proper diet, regular exercise, and certain brain training, we can far improve our cognitive abilities over time.

As we age we naturally lose the ability to recall certain memories as easy as we did when we were younger. This memory loss can either be mild or severe depending on genetics and how well we took care of ourselves over the years. Luckily, we can avoid much of this memory loss and even reverse this process by using specific brain training techniques.
Who is at greatest risk for memory loss at an older age?

This is a question that many brain researchers deal with and the answer can vary depending on a multitude of variables. But many studies have shown that those who do live a responsible life growing up, eating and maintaining a healthy diet, exercising, and most of all challenging the brain often, have a far less likelihood of losing their memory as they age. These people also are less likely to develop any brain diseases like Alzheimer’s and/or dementia.

On the other hand, those that don’t take care of their bodies, alcoholics, drug addicts and obese people are at a far greater risk of losing their ability to remember things. Most importantly, the people that don’t challenge their minds constantly or consistently will notice a sharp decline in their cognitive abilities as they age.

The brain is much like the muscles in our body. You can train them to be physically strong and to endure tough athletic tasks. But if you don’t take care of them and choose not to train or look after your body, you may find it hard to perform even the easiest of daily routines.

Your brain can be trained to learn more and operate like a well oiled machine. With proper brain training you will be able to focus with the greatest of ease and clarity and be able to process information fast and efficiently and sharply increase cognitive abilities. If you don’t care for your brain, your brain will lose its abilities to fire on all cylinders and brain cells that don’t get used will simply die off.

Improve Cognitive Skills With Brain Training

Our brains have the capability to perform amazing things. It may just be the most important organ in our body because it has the ability to physically change in order to adapt and learn new things. There are many activities that we can participate in to improve our cognitive skills and even live longer, healthier lives.

The brain has a certain form of elasticity that gives it this very unique ability to physically transform as we learn new things and adapt to our surroundings and environment. Just like a professional athlete can train their muscles, lungs, and other parts of their body’s to perform super athletic tasks, we too can train our brains to learn more and improve our cognitive and mental skills.

Many people don’t realize that the brain is truly trainable to improve how fast it can process information. We can even make it better and more responsive to react to certain stimuli and be able to improve how fast we can learn new things.

This is certainly helpful for students who plan on being in school for some time and want to get good grades. It is also helpful for those working in studious professions like law and office holders that require their brain to come up with quick responses to questions, queries and other problems that arise with little or no warning.

But truthfully, improving your cognitive skills through brain training can help anyone. You can use this new found processing speed to think much clearer throughout the day with a unique ability to focus on the task at hand without getting sidetracked. Imagine how much more you can accomplish each day and what this new training can do for your life!


Memory is another area that will drastically improve through proper brain training. As we use this training systematically each day, with time you will also notice a great ability to be able to recall past events and you will be able to store things in your mind with much greater ease than before.

Never forget an important date, a person’s name, or where you placed your keys ever again!
Studies have also shown us that people who work to increase their cognitive skills through brain training exercises also have a less likelihood of obtaining brain diseases later on in life. Your risk of Alzheimer’s, dementia and other diseases could drop if you train your brain each day.

Neuroscience And Neurons

There are over 100 billion nerve cells in your body called neurons, but do you have any idea what they are or what they do? There are so many of them in your body it only makes sense to wonder what they are, so let’s take a look at these nerve cells to find out just what they are.

Neurons are similar to any other cell in your body in a number of ways, except they are specialized to transmit information throughout the body. Their primary responsibility is to communicate information, both chemically and electrically. There are different types of nerve cells that are each responsible for a different task.

Nerve cells that carry information from sensory receptor cells to the brain are called sensory neurons. Nerve cells that transmit information from the brain to your muscles are called motor neurons. Finally, nerve cells that communicate information between different neurons in your body are called interneurons.

Neurons are similar with other cells in many ways. They both contain a nucleus that holds genetic information, are surrounded by a membrane that protects the cell, and contain organelles, such as cytoplasm, Golgi bodies, and mitochondria, which support the life of the cell.

Just as there are similarities, there are also differences. First, neurons stop reproducing shortly after birth. This means that some areas of your brain will have less neurons then when you were born because the nerve cells die and are not replaced.

Another difference is neurons have a membrane that is designed to send information to other cells. There are specialized structures called axons and dendrites that were built to transmit and receive information. Neurons release chemicals called neurotransmitters between cells on connections called synapses. These chemicals are what create the communication between each neuron cell.

Just as an example, imagine that your computer is a sensory receptor cell. Now imagine you are posting something on the internet, this would be similar to a sensory neuron being sent to the brain. The sensory neuron, or internet post, travels through your Ethernet cord, or synapse, and arrives at the brain.

Neurons are truly amazing cells that essentially control our entire body thanks to their communication with receptor cells and our brain. Hopefully this article has allowed you to learn the basics of neurons, neuroscience and why they are important. Nerve cells and the future of brain research is a fascinating field that is starting to emerge and it is fascinating.

Cognition And The Stages Of Cognitive Development

As babies, our minds begin as empty slates ready to absorb information. As we grow, we go through cognitive development that enhances our cognition and brain parts. Developmental psychologist Jean Piaget created four stages of cognitive development which map out the progression of development a child experiences.

First, what is cognition? Cognition refers to all the mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating. Essentially, anything that involves your brain goes through cognition. Everything we see, hear, smell, touch, or think goes through cognition.

Also, who is Jean Piaget? Piaget was a developmental psychologist that spent his life researching the development of a child’s mind. He found that children’s minds went through a series of stages, developing from a newborn’s simple reflexes to an adult’s abstract reasoning. The four stages he identified are listed below.

Four Stages of Cognitive Development

Sensorimotor: This is the first stage of development and typically involves children aged birth to 2 years. In this stage children are experiencing the world through their senses and actions, by looking, hearing, and touching. Children also develop object permanence, the idea that even though you cannot see an object it still exists, and stranger anxiety, the fear of strangers.

Preoperational: This is the second stage of development and typically involves children aged 2 to 7 years. In this stage children begin representing things with words and images. Children in this stage also use intuitive rather than logical reasoning. Piaget believe that children in this age are egocentric, meaning the children have difficulty taking another’s point of view.

Concrete Operational: This is the third stage of development and typically involves children aged 7 to 11 years. In this stage children begin to think logically about concrete events. They are able to grasp concrete analogies and perform arithmetical operations. Conservation, the principle that properties remain the same despite changes in the forms of objects, is a key development in this stage.

Formal Operational: This is the final stage of development and typically involves children aged 12 and up. In this stage children begin to think using abstract reasoning. Children are able to solve hypothetical propositions and deduce consequences.

Although parts of Piaget’s theory are questioned, such as the age some of the development occurs, a majority of his theory of cognition and its development is still as true today as it was when he created it. By understanding the four stages of cognitive development you can ensure that children are developing at a normal rate.

Nice Ways To Prevent Your Cognitive Abilities From Declining

The one unfortunate truth with aging is the older you get the worse your memory becomes. It is a cycle that has plagued man since the beginning of time. While you cannot completely prevent the deterioration of your memory, there are certainly ways to slow the deterioration down. This article will give you 4 ways to prevent your cognitive abilities from declining.

1. Think of your mind like a muscle. Your muscle, like a brain, begins weak. With a little work you can strengthen your muscle, similar to a brain. Once you reach certain strength and stop working out though, your muscle becomes weak. The same happens to your brain when you reach a certain age; it no longer feels challenged and stops growing.

The key is to not allow your brain to stop growing and brain training. In order to do this, you need to continue to challenge your cognitive abilities. If you develop a routine in life, your brain learns the routine and does not have to put effort in. Break the routine. Learn a new language or develop a new talent, anything that is difficult for you.

2. Although it may surprise you, your overall health plays a direct role on your cognitive abilities. If you are living an unhealthy lifestyle then your brain will be affected. First, you need to examine your diet. Ensure that what you are putting into your body will be good for it.

Foods with too much sugar are not only bad for your waistline but are also bad for your brain. Eating healthy items like green leafy vegetables will provide your brain with the nutrients that it needs to adequately use its cognitive abilities.

3. With health comes the issue of physical fitness. Physical fitness is crucial for your overall cognition. Vital nutrients and fresh oxygen are able to reach your brain while performing physical fitness thanks to better circulation, both of which are good for a healthy brain. Your cognitive abilities need these things in order to function properly.

4. The last way to prevent your cognitive abilities from declining is to go and talk with a mental health professional. If you notice your cognition is declining with age, it may be a more serious problem. Dementia and Alzheimer’s are both common conditions for seniors.

A decline in your cognitive abilities can be a sign of both conditions. Seeking help can result in specific treatment that could improve your minds health. Medication may even be prescribed to further help.

The mind is a wonderful thing and it is always unfortunate when it begins to go. Keep your cognitive abilities from declining with the four ways listed in this article.

Learning Disabilities And Cognitive Skills

Odds are good that you know someone who is affected by a learning disability. There are many individuals that suffer from learning disabilities in many different ways, from dyslexia and dyscalculia to auditory and visual processing disorders. But, did you know that weak cognitive skills can cause learning disabilities?

Most people know that learning disabilities can be caused by genetic limits or poor and inadequate teaching. What most people do not know is that weak cognitive skills are widely involved in learning disabilities. They impact learning and brain fitness heavily because there are many processes going on when an individual is reading and trying to understand what they read.

The entire learning process can be thrown off course if an individual has a weakness in just one process. Reading involves the process of visual images, letters and words, while at the same time the process of recalling and associating those images with correct sounds. Next, you must make mental associations between those sounds to make the words they are associated with. Finally, you must comprehend what that word means and how to apply it to what you are reading.

When you think of reading like that, it can be easy to see just how one weak cognitive skill could make the whole process of learning difficult. Everything has to work perfectly or nothing will work how it is supposed to.

The good news about weak cognitive skills is that it is able to be tested and trained to strengthen the skill. If you believe you or someone you know suffers from weak cognitive skills it is important to be tested to uncover the specific skill weakness. Once tested, you will receive customized training to strengthen the weaknesses. There are testing centers across the nation you can visit.

Weak cognitive skills can have a negative effect on your life when there is no reason to suffer from it. The testing and customized training can remove or greatly improve a learning disability which can change your life. Remove the suffering and give yourself the best chance to learn at your highest capacity by being tested today.

Both genetics and poor and inadequate education can cause learning disabilities, but remember that weak cognitive skills play a huge role. Many learning disabilities are either worsen or entirely caused by weak cognitive skills, so be on the lookout and address any weakness that you may see because improvement could be just around the corner.

Brain Plasticity And Mental Health

Up until around the 1970s it was widely accepted that throughout adulthood our nervous system was fixed, meaning it was impossible for new neurons to develop after birth. However, a new theory of brain plasticity, also called neuroplasticity, has become he current accepted theory of how our brain ages.

So, what is brain plasticity? The broad definition is it is the lifelong ability of the brain to reorganize neural pathways based on new experiences. Basically, we continually acquire new knowledge and skills throughout our lives. In order for us to learn a new skill or fact our brain must undergo a functional change. When the brain changes to learn new things, which is brain plasticity.

One great example of how neuroplasticity works is to imagine making a footprint in a pile of snow. In order for your footprint to appear in the snow, a change must occur in the snow. The shape of the snow changes as you press your foot into the snow. The same situation occurs in your brain. Your neural circuitry reorganizes in response to experiences.

Plasticity plays a role in learning and memory. What research over the last two decades has proven is that there are two types of modifications that occur in the brain during learning. First, there is a change in the internal structure of neurons, primarily in the area of synapses. Second, there is an increase in the number of synapses between neurons.

While brain plasticity occurs throughout your entire life, there are actually different types of plasticity that occur during certain periods. One type of plasticity will be more relevant during one period of your life and will be less prevalent during another period.

There are two main conditions that neuroplasticity occurs in the brain. First, there is developmental and learning and memory plasticity. These occur during normal brain development when your brain is first beginning to process sensory information. Second, there is an adaptive plasticity that occurs to work for lost function or to maximize the remaining functions of the brain in the event of brain injury.

Finally, it is interesting to note that genetics are not the only factor that influences the brain. The environment that an individual is in shapes the brain. Also, an individual’s actions in that environment also play a role in brain plasticity.

Brain plasticity, or neuroplasticity, is a truly remarkable concept that has taken off in the last three decades as the agreed upon theory as to how our brain changes over time. It is an interesting concept and one that I hope you have enjoyed learning about.

Tips For Excellent Brain Health

Health tends to be on the thought of many Americans minds. However, the health of our minds typically is not thought about as much as it should be. Having a healthy mind should be thought about far more often than it is. This article will provide you 3 tips for excellent brain health.

1. Did you know that vitamin deficiency, which many Americans suffer from, can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, and depression? Let alone heart attacks, strokes, and several forms of cancer. Alcohol, coffee, cigarettes, sugar, and even meat can deplete us of critical B vitamins.

You first need to decrease your intake of these items. Next, increase your intake of beans and green leafy vegetables. It is also a good idea to talk to your doctor to find out your blood level of homocysteine. The doctor will most likely recommend supplements that can help ensure you are at the proper level.

2. It is common knowledge that sugar increase obesity, responsible for 2/3 of Americans with obesity, which also causes diabetes. However, did you know that diabetes increases your risk to suffer from dementia by four times? That is a staggering statistic, and one that is easy to address.

You should first go to a doctor and take a blood test called a glucose tolerance test. This test will decide if you are at risk from consuming sugar. If the test results are unfavorable you should quit sugar and start exercising more, which you should also do if the test results are favorable.

3. Brain function suffers over time due to sleep deprivation. If you do not get enough sleep, your brain hormones become imbalanced, causing higher cortisol, responsible for stress, and lower growth hormones, responsible for healing and repair.

It is important that you get at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night. It is best if you go to bed and wake up at the same time each day. If you have trouble sleeping, avoid any stimulating activity one hour before bedtime, such as watching TV or doing work. Also, take supplemental magnesium like magnesium glycinate because it is a relaxation mineral.

Your brain’s health is an issue that should be important to you. What you do in your young days will have a deep impact on how well your brain health is when you become older. Follow the 3 tips for excellent brain health listed in this article and you will begin to have a healthier brain.