Think Tank: The Neuro Blog
Ways You Can Substantially Increase and Maintain Your Motivation
Motivation is the inner driving force needed to do whatever that needs to be done. Motivation is something within us, yet we constantly look for it without. In any event, finding the motivation to do something can be draining. If this struggle is all too familiar to you, this might be your time to implement a different approach. The tips you find below are going to help you increase your motivation and enjoy a more productive and rewarding life.
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The Effects of Processed Sugar on Your Brain
Effects of Processed Sugar on Your Brain Processed sugar, something we all crave and love, has become almost omnipresent in the Western diet. It is present in sodas, chewing gums, energy drinks, chocolates, mints, you name it. Besides, it is used in a staggering array of food products we wouldn’t normally associate with it. People love sugar because it tastes great, because it lifts their mood, and because it hits that reward center in the brain better than any other legal substance. Actually, it is better at it than a vast majority of illegal substances, as this 2007 study shows. In this article, we’ll take a deeper look into the effects of processed sugar on the human brain, how it keeps people addicted, and how to cope with it. Just One More Everyone`s got that one favorite sweet they can't get enough of or can't leave well enough alone. And everyone's heard themselves say, more times than they'd care to admit, "Just one more." Then, one more after that, then another, and another. Before long, and before they realize what happened, they'd be staring at an empty bag, feeling a mix of shame, nausea, and a sugar high. Sounds familiar? You bet it does. That’s how sugar addiction works. We get the munchies, we buy our favorite candy, and we get stuffed before we realize what we’re doing. We vow to never do it again, but we always do. So, you might wonder, why do we keep doing it to ourselves when we know that it’s bad for our health? When we know that it can cause systemic inflammation, diabetes, ulcers, some types of cancers, and a whole lot of other diseases. Why do we come back to it when it ruins our teeth, when it gives us new layers of belly fat and cellulite? High and Low The short answer is, because it tastes better than anything else. Just look at kids and babies when they’re eating. They might grimace at vegetables, meat, eggs, or anything else. But no baby frowns at the taste of sweet food. And you can’t find a kid that would choose a vegetable smoothie over a soda. At least, not in his or her own will. Sugar also rewards us better than any other food. It makes us feel good, enhances our mood, and kicks our brain into overdrive. When we’re on sugar, we feel motivated and happy. We’re full of energy and ready to tackle every obstacle in sight. This is because, as this study concludes, sugar releases opiates into the brain which increase the appetite for sucrose. The downside of sugar high happens when the excess sugar leaves our system and things go back to normal. Our mood drops, as well as our motivation and ability to focus. We’re grumpy and fussy, and we don’t know why we feel like that. If you’ve heard this before it’s because it functions like every other addiction. How Sugar Affects the Body It is very important to know that excessive sugar intake also has negative effects on the body. It is one of the leading causes of systemic inflammation, as this 2011 study points out. Systemic inflammation in turn can cause a host of other problems, such as insulin resistance, type-2 diabetes, and pre-diabetes. Also, wounds take longer to heel with systemic inflammation. Moreover, it ruins your teeth. It spoils them faster and more effectively than pretty much any food out there. It might create plague and cause bad breath, cavities, and a bunch of other problems. It does that by killing the healthy bacteria in your mouth. Rotten and bad teeth can cause other health problems down the line. Lastly, sugar has a less than flattering effect on your looks. A recent study conducted in Australia linked it to acne. Other studies found that it severely increased belly fat. Breast and colon cancer have also been linked to high sugar intake. It is among the leading causes of obesity, as well. What to do About it? The most obvious answer here would be to kick it. Ditch the sugar and sugar-rich foods altogether. Stop eating chocolate, drinking sodas, and adding sugar to your coffee and tea. It might sound severe and harsh, which it probably is, but it is the best way to get rid of the addiction. Here are some steps that you might take. Take up exercise. Healthy and balanced physical activity helps regulate insulin levels and balance out brain chemicals. It has positive effects on mood, motivation, and concentration. It helps with depression and anxiety, as well. Lastly, it is efficient at combating the physical manifestations of sugar addiction, such as unwanted fat. Ditch the sodas, energy drinks, and other sugars in liquid form. What happens when you consume such drinks is the intake of “empty” calories (calories with no nutritional value). They open up your appetite and make you crave more sugar and food in general. Replace them with bottled water, tea, coffee, or caffeine gum. Stop eating fast food, pizza, and hot dogs, and put healthy food on your menu. The best route here is to buy and prepare your own food, as much as possible. Of course, that might not always be possible, so find healthy alternatives for these situations. We’ve saved the hardest step for last. Stop eating candy. Without this step, you’ll never make it. Candy products (chocolate, ice creams, cakes, bonbons, etc.) are flooded with sugar, causing you to prolong the addiction. You might replace candy with fresh fruit. Fruit also contains sugar, so be careful not to overdo it, but at least it’s natural and not processed sugar. Conclusion More than just the brain, sugar can seriously harm your body, as well. The good effects last only a short while, whereas the negative ones accumulate over time, causing serious damage down the road. So, the next time you get that sweet tooth, remember what goes on behind the scenes and what sugar actually does to you and your health. Sure, it would give you immense pleasure and boost your mood in no time, but the trade-off is just not worth it.
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5 Tips to Improve Your Writing
There’s more to writing than just stringing random words together and inserting an occasional punctuation mark. Writing is hard work, no matter how easy it may look. It takes a lot of time, practice, and dedication. Being a natural born wordsmith is good, but sheer talent can only take you so far. To succeed as a writer, you must have a passion for the written word, the desire to learn and grow, and the strength to overcome creative challenges along the way. Sure, in this age of blogs, social media, and social journalism, everyone and their grandma can – and do – call themselves a writer. However, only few are truly great at what they do. If you want to join their ranks, these five tips could help you achieve that goal.
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How Stress Negatively Impacts the Body and What You Can Do About It
Think that your daily stress is just something you have to cope with? It’s a part of living, right? Unfortunately, chronic stress can take a toll on your body as well as your mind. And just because it seems to be a part of daily life doesn’t make it okay. The saying is true; stress really does kill. And its toxicity can seep into different parts of your body. But you aren’t helpless. Find out how stress may impact you and what you can do to get some control back in your life.
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What Are the Most Compelling Theories of Consciousness to Date?
Consciousness is the defining trait of humankind. It is the state of being aware of our surroundings and, more importantly, of ourselves. In short, we can categorize everything we experience and perceive under the umbrella term of consciousness. From the pain you feel when you stub your toe to the wonderful sensation that washes over you when you think about a fond event from the past. The plans you make are conscious, as are your efforts to follow through with them.
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What Are Some Interesting Psychological Facts That You Might Not Know?
Need a leg up in life? Don’t fight against your inherent nature. Instead, embrace it and arm yourself with how you and the world around you work. Check out these 8 interesting psychological facts to gain a better understanding of why you do the things you do, and how to do some things even better.
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The Surprising Impact Happiness Has on Health, Relationships and Even the Economy
“Happiness” is a term that is familiar worldwide, yet there is not a single definition for it. Is it a state of being? Can it be chased down and attained? Regardless of how you “get” happy, it has a trickle-down effect that starts within your own body and radiates to encompass the world around you.
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Benefits of Creative Thinking for the Logically Inclined
It’s doubtful you could find a person who hasn’t lamented their supposed lack of creativity at least a couple of times in their life. There is definite merit to the claim that people who are inclined toward logic would stand to benefit greatly if a creative spark were to be introduced into their line of thought every once in a while, but before we get to said benefits, we really need to get to the bottom of this whole “creative thinking” versus “logical thinking” issue. It is a debate that’s been raging for countless years and the scientific breakthroughs which have allowed us to glean information about the inner workings of the brain have only increased its intensity.
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5 Steps to Help You Finish What You Start
Failing to finish what you start can be a serious problem, one that can affect both work obligations and personal life. If it happens frequently or at a particularly inopportune time, it can take a serious toll on a person, which is why we’ve decided to use this text to try and lend a helping hand. Below you will find 5 steps which should help you come out on top the next time you find yourself in a situation where you absolutely need to get a lingering project done.
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