Our 24/7 society seems to be slowly robbing us of our slumber, but at what cost? Sleep expert, professor of neuroscience and author of Why We Sleep, Dr Matthew Walker, explores all the ways sleep can benefit our brains and our health. There is no major health system within your body or operation within your brain, …
breath in deeply: bring your mind home to your body
Breath is the gift of life - one we are used to and do not see it as such. It’s become an automatic experience on our part which, in many ways, it is. Have you ever thought about it? Do you breathe, or does the breathing happen without your conscious involvement? When you are focussed …
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effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on neurotransmitters
The authors of a recent review of research on the effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (EMR) exposure on the brain and nervous system say "With the rapid development of electronic information in the past 30 years, technical achievements based on electromagnetism have been widely used in various fields pertaining to human production and life. Consequently, …
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seven facts about the brain that incline the mind to joy
The mind and the brain are mainly (and perhaps entirely) a single unified system Almost every – and perhaps every – subjective state is correlated with an objective, material brain state. Other than a transcendental factor – call it God, Spirit, Energy, or by whatever name – by definition, what else could be going on …
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neurotransmitters and brain function (a really good summary)
Neurons (nerve cells) in the brain form elaborate networks, with each neuron having up to 15,000 connections with neighbouring neurons at contact points called synapses. While the nerve impulse travel through the neuron as an electrical impulse, it does not cross the gap known as the synaptic cleft but rather stimulates the release of a …
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the chemistry of emotions part 2
Neurotransmitters play a critical role in modulating emotions in the brain and serious problems can result if neurotransmitter levels are not optimally balanced. Depression, anxiety or mood swings can all be caused by a lack of a balance in neurotransmitters. Drug therapies given to individuals suffering from these disorders aim to restore that balance. For …
vagal pathways: portals to compassion
Contemplative practices are conceptualized as methods that function as neural exercises enhancing vagal regulation of the autonomic nervous system. The model presented proposes that specific voluntary behaviors (e.g., breath, vocalizations, and posture), which characterize ancient rituals and form the core of contemplative practices, can trigger a physiological state mediated by vagal pathways that fosters health …
wisdom of trauma
“Every human has a true authentic self. Trauma is the disconnection from it and healing is the reconnection to it.” Dr. Gabor Maté Trauma is the invisible force that shapes our lives. It shapes the way we live, the way we love and the way we make sense of the world. It is the root …
the chemistry of emotions part 1
Where two neurons meet, a very small gap (synapse) exists between them. The electrical impulse travelling along the axon of the neuron must convert into a chemical signal to bridge this gap. The chemicals that do this are called neurotransmitters. These so-called "chemical messengers" are involved in our different responses to situations. Your emotions depend …
