Brain Awareness Week

March 17th

Brain Awareness Week is not just an effort taking place here in our own Charm City.  Activities are scheduled elsewhere in Maryland, the United States, and all around the globe. 
Here’s a sampling of events taking place around the world to help raise awareness about today’s advances in neuroscience!

National Week of Memory Training; The Czech and Slovak Republic:  There are 114 lectures organized in 58 communities throughout the Czech and Slovak Republics by the members of the Czech Society for Memory Training and Brain Jogging.  The intention of this nationwide event is to introduce memory training as an effective tool against mental decline to the ageing population, increasing the self-confidence of the elderly and empowering them for independent living.
Neuroscience Research Lectures; Nantes, France:  Lectures will be given by Ph.D. students on neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Huntington's as well as on intracerebral transplantation of stem cells to reduce damaged brain function in animal models of neurodegerative diseases. An open house will be held on 3/19 from 2-5 pm. The public will be able to visit a state-of-the-art research facility (INSERM U643 lab) at Nantes County Hospital/Nantes Univ Medical School.
Between the brain and the mind: young researchers discuss about the future of cognitive neuroscience; Padova, Italy:  Presentations provide the principles of the functioning of the human brain and mind, from a scientific perspective intended to fill the gap between the recent advances in cognitive neurosciences and the naive vision about mind and brain.
Brain Festival in Schools; Maracaibo, Venezuela:  Brain Festival in Area Schools, Workshops for Kids; 1th Brain-Knowledge Competition for High School Students, Sponsored by the Neuroscience Lab, University of Zulia

BRAIN BYTE:  Did you know?
Your brain only accounts for 2% of your total body mass, yet uses 20% of the body's energy!
Your brain needs massive amounts of energy, in comparison with the other organs in your body. Also, the brain needs the proper materials to build, heal and grow. Supply your brain well with the right foods and it will supply you with endless thoughts and functions. 

Omega-3 oils are important compounds that can stimulate brain power. These oils are found in particular fish and certain seeds and nuts. Your body cannot make Omega-3 oils from other compounds, so it's extremely important for you to eat food rich in them. Omega-3 oils work directly on the brain, nourishing cell membranes and increasing the strength of connections between brain cells. They help you to learn, and make you feel better emotionally. Any food with Omega-3 oils is a food to stimulate your brain.

Sugar is a required element for healthy brain function. The problem is not that we don't get enough. The problem that nowadays people are eating too much sugar in their diet and are suffering the negative consequences. Try finding foods that are composed of complex sugars or complex carbohydrates. These will last longer and dole out the sugar over a longer period of time. 

Herbs not only serve to make tastier meals but also can affect your thinking, literally! Herbs and brain function have long relationship. Herbs have a profound role in boosting many functions of the brain. In fact, for thousands of years, herbs have been used to improve memory, enhance mental abilities, increase concentration, raise mental alertness and increase attention spans. They act in a number of ways. They help blood circulation in the head, they contain healing anti-oxidants and other brain helping compounds.

Your body and brain are like a car. If they do not have the essential and components they cannot work properly. In addition to general good nutrition, your brain needs certain vitamins to function properly. Brain vitamins are chemicals that your body can not produce on its own and has to get from the foods you eat. These are essential for survival as well as properly functioning memory, concentration, emotions, mood and performing certain mental tasks. Make sure you get plenty of these vitamins with the best vitamin supplements out there.

A strong mind needs a strong diet. Bon Apetit!

 

NEED MORE NEUROSCIECE?
Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School by John Medina

Visit: http://www.brainrules.net/
Buy the Book: http://www.amazon.com/Brain-Rules-Principles-Surviving-Thriving/dp/0979777704 

Most of us have no idea what’s really going on inside our heads. Yet brain scientists have uncovered details every business leader, parent, and teacher should know.  How do we learn? What exactly do sleep and stress do to our brains? Why is multi-tasking a myth? Why is it so easy to forget—and so important to repeat new knowledge? Is it true that men and women have different brains? In each chapter, he describes a brain rule—what scientists know for sure about how our brains work—and then offers transformative ideas for our daily lives.  This book demonstrates the author’s lifelong interest in how the brain sciences might influence the way we teach our children and the way we work.   John Ratey, MD, author of Spark and A User's Guide to the Brain says:  "A marvelous job in simplifying the best ways to get the most out of our brains. He is funny, tender, and completely engaging. Everyone should read this book."
Dr. John Medina is a developmental molecular biologist and research consultant. He is an affiliate Professor of Bioengineering at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He is also the director of the Brain Center for Applied Learning Research at Seattle Pacific University

NEUROSCIENCE FOR KIDS
Braingle
For those that like to challenge their brain, check out:  http://www.braingle.com/
With over 17,000 brain teasers, riddles, logic problems, quizzes and mind puzzles submitted and ranked by users, Braingle has the largest collection anywhere on the internet. The large array of unique online multiplayer games will keep you entertained for hours, and if you want to improve your brain, check out the Mentalrobics section. Increase your creativity, boost learning and become a better person at Braingle. Get ready to have your brain tangled!