Think Tank: The Neuro Blog
Do Bugs Get Headaches?
The question of whether or not insects feel pain and related sensations has been the focus of many scientific studies in the past few decades. Though scientists have repeatedly tried to get closer to the truth, none of them can claim to have found firm, unbeatable proof to back up the notion that bugs are prone to sensation of pain. But just because something can’t be proved, it doesn’t mean that it isn’t true...
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The Effects of Chronic Stress on the Body and the Brain
It's not news: stress wears us down over time. But have you wondered exactly how? Compare the past century of human history to the past thousands of years: the difference is staggering. We've flung ourselves into a much faster paced modern world. We are communicating and working more than ever before, and in different ways. Our minds and bodies struggle to catch up with these increased pressures.While the right amount of stress is great to help get things done, too much stress over too much time has hidden effects that you're probably not aware of:
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The Sugar-Free Diet Diaries
As you can gather, I was told to give up sugar on health grounds. I had gone to see a complementary health therapist because I had been feeling sluggish and tired. After numerous kidney infections, digestive problems and a distinct lack of energy, I had decided that it was time to seek help. I wasn’t overweight, I just didn’t feel well. After a thorough examination, the therapist advised me to steer clear of all refined sugars and see if I would see any improvement. The decision to follow her guidance was an easy one, I guess I felt sufficiently badly to make the sacrifice and give up sugar.
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The Importance of Gratitude
Gratitude can be a part of a wider positive outlook on life that involves acknowledging and appreciating all of its positive aspects. Practicing gratitude can help us feel more positive emotions, as well as acknowledge and appreciate the positive aspects of our lives, while helping us cultivate better relationships with the people around us and even getting us through some difficult times. We all have the ability to feel and express gratitude. And, according to the results of many research studies that have revealed the numerous benefits of practicing gratitude, we should not reserve giving thanks for Thanksgiving season only.
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What Causes “Brain Fog”?
If you’re unfamiliar with the phrase, Brain Fog is a term used for those moments when your thoughts become suddenly unclear. You become unfocused. Simple math somehow becomes challenging. It’s a scary feeling for most people — a sudden loss of control of the most important part of their body. As we get older, these moments become more common, but dismissing them as a normal part of aging can be a mistake. People remain sharp well into their 90's. So what’s the cause? What makes the difference between that sharp-minded 90-something and the 30-something that gets recurring episodes of forgetfulness?
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Pursuing Productivity One Baby Step at a Time
The Zeigarnik Effect shows that "when we don’t finish a task, we experience discomfort and elusive thoughts because of it.” As humans, we cope with this discomfort by either escaping into a mode of complacency or taking action. If you're caught in between, take it one step at a time. Your brain and body will thank you. Taking a few nootropic compounds doesn’t suddenly lead to a better lifestyle. Healthy sleep schedules, diet, and exercise all contribute to a healthy brain, but there’s a few things you can do now to increase your productivity:
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How can I make my life “simpler”?
Recently, downshifting is becoming an increasingly popular phenomenon as more and more people attempt to escape the rat race of the modern life, thereby decreasing the amount of resources they consume and enjoying the added benefit of living a simpler and less stressful lifestyle. While extreme downshifting may involve living “off the grid” and is certainly not for everyone, there are certain steps we can take to make life simpler that can be beneficial in increasing our well-being and helping us attain more peace in our daily lives.
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Six Life-Changing Strategies to Build Resilience and Increase Happiness
Recently, the World Health Organization has identified stress as “the global health epidemic of the 21st century". We live and work in fast-paced environments, and the feelings of being overwhelmed and burned out are now quite common among us. We all desire to be happy, and yet happiness remains one of the most elusive of all human emotions. Since the fast-paced and highly demanding culture of our workplaces and daily lives is not likely to slow down anytime soon, this is a perfect time to find new ways to cultivate our resilience to stress and to maximize our happiness.
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Ten Lessons People Most Often Learn Too Late in Life
The thought of lying on your deathbed with a bucket full of regrets is anything but pleasant. Nor is the thought of getting to an age when it’s simply too late to put things right. But is there a list of top ten failings most people end up with? What if you could get that list in your early 20s? Wouldn’t it be great if you could read it, actually take it on board and go on to learn the lessons most people learn too late? Would you take note and make changes?
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