Library

Your sleeping habits directly affect your wellness.  When it comes to your immune system, sleep is one of the drivers of your immune cells (1, 2). With sleep, your body’s melatonin levels rise. With your melatonin, your growth peptides are released. And these put your immune cells to work.   Good sleep leads to empowered immune cells.    4 ways to improve your snooze  Same time, every dayDon’t give in to the temptation to stay up or sleep in super late. The more consistent you are, the better. Reduce blue lightSet a screen time cut-off. Research shows exposure to blue light...

Start With Hydration Brain cells need two times more energy than other cells in the body. Water provides this energy more effectively than any other substance. Water is also needed for the brain's production of hormones and neurotransmitters. Nerve transmission requires one-half of all the brain’s energy (1). Studies have shown that if you are only 1% dehydrated, you will likely have a 5% decrease in cognitive function. If your brain drops 2% in body water, you may suffer from fuzzy short-term memory, experience problems with focusing, and have trouble with math. When your brain is functioning on a full reserve of...

When it comes to your brain health, eating the right foods, and avoiding the wrong ones should be a top priority. The right foods provide energy, optimize your physical health, and improve your body’s metabolism. Eating a diet rich in healthy fats, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other key nutrients is crucial for optimizing your brain health. These foods can positively affect your brain health and mood. There’s also a powerful connection between the gut and the brain. The network of neurons lining our guts is so extensive, some scientists call it the “second brain.” It plays a significant role in determining our mental state...

Getting good sleep is important for your mood and health. Supporting a healthy sleep pattern should be a priority. Promotes new brain cell production Repairs neurons Forms brain cell connections Replenishes the supply of mood-boosting chemicals It is important to develop Good Sleep Hygiene. These 10 steps are advocated by sleep neurologists and are essential for good sleep. 10 Steps of Good Sleep Hygiene Avoid caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and other chemicals that interfere with sleep. Caffeinated products decrease the quality of sleep. Avoid caffeine (found in coffee, tea, chocolate, cola, and some pain relievers) after 12pm. Turn your bedroom into a sleep-inducing...

  Sometimes it helps to have a few definitions under your belt, especially if the subject may be new. If you know these brain neuroanatomy terms already, feel free to skip these pages. But, if brain science terms are new to you, or you need a refresher, I've laid out some explanations that may be helpful.  Neuron - (also called a nerve cell) is a type of brain cell that receives, processes, and transmits information through electrical and chemical signals. These signals between neurons occur via specialized connections called synapses.  Cortex - (meaning "bark" in Latin) is the outer layer of the cerebrum...

Multitasking is problematic and brain-damaging. As parents and members of our modern society, it is sometimes necessary. But for your brain’s sake, it should be used only when absolutely needed. Let’s explore what you can do to heal the damage multitasking does to your brain. Having our brain constantly shift gears, pumps up stress and tires us out, leaving us feeling mentally exhausted. Working on a single task means both sides of your prefrontal cortex are working together in harmony. Adding another task forces the left and right sides of the brain to work independently. Scientists at the Institut National de la Santé et de la...

“Without methylation there would be no life as we know it.” - C. Cooney  What is methylation? Methylation is the production of methyl groups which your body needs for a vibrantly healthy life. It is the “central control dial of life.” Methyl groups turn your body systems on and off and help it function properly. Why methylation matters and how methylated vitamins support it Your body takes the food you eat and converts it into methyl groups. This takes time and energy and, sometimes, your body can’t do this properly, especially if you are under stress. But, you can support or...

When we feel stressed, it is so important for us to remember our immune system. But! Here’s one less thing to stress about. Neuro-nutritional vitamins can help with immunity.