Memory Helps Us Make ‘In the Moment’ Decisions
Razi Berry Scientists have long known the brain’s hippocampus is crucial for long-term memory. Now a new Northwestern Medicine study has found the hippocampus also plays a role in short-term memory and helps guide decision-making. The findings shed light on how the hippocampus contributes to memory and exploration, potentially leading to therapies that restore hippocampal […]
Is Your Brain Leaking?
Razi Berry As people age, changes in the tiniest blood vessels in the brain, a condition called cerebral small vessel disease, can lead to thinking and memory problems and stroke. These changes can also affect the blood-brain barrier, a layer of cells that protect the brain from toxins circulating in the blood. Now a new […]
Positive Mindset Can Slow Memory Loss Later in Life
Razi Berry We may wish some memories could last a lifetime, but many physical and emotional factors can negatively impact our ability to retain information throughout life. A new study published in the journal Psychological Science found that people who feel enthusiastic and cheerful — what psychologists call “positive affect” — are less likely to […]
Eating Mushrooms for Your Brain Health
Razi Berry A team from the Department of Psychological Medicine and Department of Biochemistry at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine has found that seniors who consume more than two standard portions of mushrooms weekly may have 50 percent reduced odds of having mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Seniors consuming more than two standard […]
Could Stress Be Affecting Memory and Shrinking the Brain?!
Razi Berry Is it stressful reading about the negative effects of stress? A recent study has found a strong association with chronic stress and physical damage to the brain.1 Researchers are suggesting that chronic stress may actually cause loss of memory as well as shrinkage of brain volume. Cortisol is the culprit The culprit, as […]
Ketamine Use in the Treatment of Resistant Depression
Razi Berry Many of you may follow the recent research in psychotropics, such as LSD, MDMA, and psilocybin for various mental health disorders. Ketamine, though used traditionally as an anesthetic, is commonly included in this group of drugs, and has some exciting new research for off-label use in the treatment of depression and also short-term […]