Irritable Bowel Syndrome Pt.2: Mental Health and IBS: Promising Psychological Treatment Options
Now we’ve got an understanding of some of the key brain-based elements of irritable bowel syndrome, we’re going to unpick some of them in more detail. Last time, we touched on how stress can be a significant contributing factor to many common IBS symptoms. Today, we’re going to look deeper into the intricate connection between mental health and this complex gastrointestinal condition. We’ll also discuss some proven effective psychological interventions that can help address it.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Pt.1: Exploring the connection between IBS and the brain
Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a common gastrointestinal disorder that affects millions of people across the world. Traditional treatments for the uncomfortable symptoms it presents have often focused on a diet-based approach. However, increasing amounts of research reveal that the gut-brain axis plays an important part in the disorder. In the next few posts, we’ll be looking into the brain-IBS link, talking about the microbiome, and delving deep into how stress and emotions play their part.
Seasonal Affective Disorder Pt.2: Who suffers, why, and what can be done?
In our last post, we explained seasonal affective disorder and its key symptoms. We discussed what happens in the brain of someone experiencing the condition. Today, we’re going to investigate why some of us are more susceptible to SAD and give some useful tips on how to manage it.
Seasonal Affective Disorder Pt.1: What’s happening in the brain?
While a lot of us deal with mood shifts when the seasons change and winter creeps ever closer, some of us can feel them on a deeper level, leading to a more disruptive form of depression called SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder.
In previous posts, we’ve touched on the impact of various weather conditions on our cognition and mental well-being, but in our next two, we’ll be zooming into the specific science of SAD.
We’ll explore how the brain reacts to seasonal changes, explain why some are more susceptible, and offer advice on managing the condition.
Omega-6 Fatty Acids: The Other Essential Brain Fat
We’ve all heard about the brilliant benefits of getting enough omega-3 fatty acids in our diet, but omega-6 fatty acids don’t get as much coverage, and have even suffered negative press in the past. Why is that? Well, today we’re going to uncover the facts and balance the narrative on essential fats, shedding light on the true effects of omega-6s on our brain health.
Choline: The Underappreciated Brain Nutrient
Although it’s less frequently discussed than some of the more well-known vitamins and minerals, choline is an essential nutrient that profoundly affects our brains throughout our lives. That’s why in the next couple of posts, we’re looking at how exactly it affects the brain, all the way from early cognitive development to neuroprotection as we age.
Vitamin B12 and the Three M’s: Mind, Mood, and Memory
Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient for overall health, DNA synthesis, and red blood cell formation, but it also plays an often-overlooked role in sustaining optimal brain and nervous system function. So today, let’s talk about why B12 is crucial for cognitive function and helps maintain memory and mental health.
The memory-boosting nostalgia of country and folk music
In our final installment in this music and the brain series, we’re finding out about the multi-faceted effects of folk and country tunes on our cognitive health. Notably, we’ll be zoning in on how the long-standing cultural and storytelling aspects of the genre help to connect people through the ages, stimulating memory, empathy, and self-expression.
How Rock and Pop Music Help Us Discover Ourselves
In this series on the incredible impact of music on the brain, we’ve learned that it has a myriad of benefits for improved cognitive function as a whole. In today’s post, we zone in on some of the specifically exciting features of rock and pop music that help us to form our own identity, connect with others, process our feelings, and boost our brains to full capacity.
Get Jazzy: The Surprising Cognitive Effects of Jazz Music
So far in this series, we’ve found out that mixing up your playlist can be of great benefit to your brain. In today’s post, we’ll be shining a light on the impressive benefits that jazz music can have on our brain health, our imagination, our mental state, and even within a therapeutic setting.
Your Brain on Electronic Music
Our last post detailed how the refined, steady, and structured forms of classical music can boost our brain function. But what about ambient and electronic beats?
Interestingly, this genre of music has been shown in studies to impact our grey and white matter in a different way, specifically affecting our brain wave activity, but also influencing our moods and cognitive performance. Let’s learn more!
The Mozart Effect: How Classical Music Impacts the Brain
A while ago, we spoke about the healing power of music, and explored what happens in the brain when we listen to our favorite tunes. But did you know that the type of music we listen to can have a huge impact on the type of cognitive benefits it triggers? That’s why we’re diving deeper into this musical series about how different musical genres impact the brain. Today’s installment? Classical.
Cause for Celebration: Why it’s Good for Us
Forms of celebration are present in almost every human society and culture across the globe. They are a way to mark significant events, milestones, and achievements, creating moments of joy and togetherness. But what does science say about celebration? Today, we’re here to talk about all the incredible benefits of celebration, its impact on our brains, and why we should do it more!
The Importance of EI: Exploring Emotional Intelligence
Our ability to notice, understand, and process emotions effectively plays a crucial role in maintaining our brain health, relationships, and mental well-being. EI, or emotional intelligence varies from person to person, with some studies suggesting that those with higher levels of EI enjoy a whole host of brain-boosting benefits. Let’s delve in.
The Yerkes-Dodson Law Pt. 2: How to Find Balance in Your Life
Last time, we discussed what the Yerkes-Dodson Law is and how it relates to the brain. Today, we’ll be looking at the implications of low and high arousal levels and detailing how you can utilize the law within your life to achieve the ideal balance for a healthy, happy brain.
The Yerkes-Dodson Law: Optimizing Your Performance
In 1908, psychologists Robert M. Yerkes and John D. Dodson formulated what’s known as the Yerkes-Dodson Law. In essence, it refers to the relationship between performance and arousal levels. They argue that cognitive function and overall performance improve with increasing arousal levels up to a certain point. Beyond this point, they say, higher levels of arousal lead to a decline in performance.
Why are we covering this? Well, it offers great insight into the importance of finding the right balance when it comes to our mental health and brain health.
In today’s post, we’ll explain more about what the law is, what it refers to, and how it functions in the brain.
The Color Series Part 2: The Emotional Effects of Color
In our last post, we learned how the brain processes colors and how they impact our cognitive performance and physical body. And today, we’ll be talking about how the variety of colors affect our moods, and more deeply, our mental health. We’ll also be exploring the functional uses of certain colors in real-life settings, so let’s get into it.
The Color Series Part 1: The Physiological Effects of Color
Ever wondered how colors are processed by the brain, and indeed, how they affect the brain and the physical body? In today’s blog, we investigate what’s happening within the brain when we perceive color and explore what impact individual colors have on both our brain function and cognitive abilities.
The Importance of Empathy for Mental Health
Did you know that promoting empathy within both individuals and communities can result in better mental health outcomes? Last time, we dived into the intricate workings of the neural circuits and brain regions that make up our capacity for compassion. Today, we’re touching on just how fundamental empathy is when it comes to good mental health and a happier society.
Understanding Where Empathy Comes from in the Brain
When we see others suffering, whether it be on a small or large scale, it can sometimes feel like it’s happening to us. Some of us might even define colloquially ourselves as “empaths”. But what does it mean? And where does it come from?
Well, empathy is a complex aspect of human psychology that is underpinned by intricate brain mechanisms. In the next couple of posts, we’ll be breaking down the neurological basis of empathy into bitesize chunks.