Neuroplasticity research shows we have the ability to slow the onset of even fatal inherited disorders such as Huntington’s disease. Professor Anthony Hannan is head of the Neural Plasticity Laboratory at The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne. We first met in the Physiology Department of Oxford University […]
Category: Mind
What is brain plasticity and why is it so important?
What is brain plasticity and why is it so important? Duncan Banks, The Open University Neuroplasticity – or brain plasticity – is the ability of the brain to modify its connections or re-wire itself. Without this ability, any brain, not just the human brain, would be unable to develop from […]
This is your brain on empathy.
Creating a meaningful and purposeful life is an essential ingredient of human wellbeing. But how do you discover who you are and why you’re here? Pick up any self-help book written in the past 50 years and you’ll be told that the best way to learn about yourself is to […]
Uncovering the secrets to successful ageing with Dr Charlene Levitan
Dr Charlene Levitan from the University of New South Wales heads the Sydney Centenarian Study. She studies that exceptional group of people in our community who live to be 100 years or older. Dr Levitan’s work hopes to uncover the genetic and environmental determinants to successful ageing. I spoke to Dr […]
Can berries, grapes and red wine prevent memory loss?
Last week I wrote about why berries may not be the brain-boosting super food we’ve all been lead to believe. And I made a case for adding chicken liver to smoothies instead. Time will tell if this idea takes off! This week, I wanted to speak a little more about […]
The emerging field of psychobiotics (Part 3)
Today in Part 3 of our series on the gut-brain axis, Drs Amy Reichelt and Sarah McKay discuss mind-altering microbes and the emerging field of psychobiotics. The gut microbiome is a key node in the gut-brain axis. Scientists are only just uncovering how microbes in the gut influence physical, brain and even […]
AARP, TINA.org and the National Consumers League join forces to challenge Prevagen memory improvement claims
Credit: TINA.org _____ Prevagen Memory Study Falls Short (Truth in Advertising): “In 2011, four years after launching Prevagen, Wisconsin-based Quincy Bioscience embarked on a study to prove that the active ingredient in the supplement — apoaequorin — improves memory. It did not yield the results Quincy was hoping for. In […]
Meditation app Calm said to be raising $25M to become the “Nike of the mind”
___ This meditation app is now worth $250 million and has Trump-related stress to thank (CNBC): “Meditation start-up Calm was so successful during a chaotic and stressful 2017 that Apple recognized it as the app of the year. “Well done, Calm,” Apple said in December. Now the San Francisco-based company, […]
A conversation with Dr. Elkhonon Goldberg on Creativity, Neuroscience, and Technological Innovation
___ Dear Elkhonon, a pleasure to have you with us. Let’s get out the gate by discussing how are new ideas born — for example, how exactly did you first think about writing your new book, Creativity: The Human Brain in the Age of Innovation? Originally, I set out to […]
Why berries may not be a brain-boosting super food (part 1)
Early October and the mulberry tree over my back fence is laden down with fruit. I picked three kilos to freeze in less than half an hour over the weekend … I’ll be heading out again this afternoon to pick more. And, once the crop is finished, it should be […]
