In part III of our article on vagus physiology, we look at the treatment for these, until recently, little-known but critically important and widespread conditions of the vagus nerve which are the root cause of many illnesses for millions of people worldwide. In parts I and II of this article, we have laid a basic …
in sync brainwaves predict learning
Students whose brainwaves are more in sync with their classmates and teacher are likely to learn better than those lacking this โbrain-to-brain synchrony,โ shows a new study by a team of psychology and education researchers. The findings, which appear in the journalย Psychological Science, offer new insights into the learning process.ย โThis is the first study …
software of life: bioelectric controls in a unique reprogrammable medium
How does the developing embryo know where to put the features of the face, the limbs, fingers, organs, bones and all those other amazing facets of our physiology? It has to do with the bodyโs innate bioelectrical system, says Professor Michael Levin from Tufts University in the US. In a fascinating experiment, Levin showed that …
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ADHD and the brain: no one size fits all
If you live with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), your brain, not your willpower, may play a role in your symptoms. Living with ADHD can be frustrating. You may want to concentrate more, follow conversations better, or be more organized. But if you live with ADHD, doing these things can be challenging. People around you …
vagus physiology: answers to critical questions you didn’t know you had – part II
Can different pathophysiological mechanisms and risk factors leading to various diseases be linked with altered nerve transmission via one common pathway? The authors of a 2012 scientific article published in the journal,ย Clinical Science,ย (3) hypothesized that adequate vagal nerve activity reduces the risk of major diseases through common basic mechanisms.. There are 3 basic mechanisms that …
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managing emotions better could prevent pathological aging
Negative emotions, anxiety and depression are thought to promote the onset of neurodegenerative diseases and dementia. But what is their impact on the brain and can their deleterious effects be limited? Neuroscientists at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) observed the activation of the brains of young and older adults when confronted with the psychological suffering of others. …
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vagus physiology: answers to critical questions you didn’t know you had – part I
The vagus nerves are the nerves of life. They keep us alive by their innervation of the internal organs of the body and their interactions with the brain, spinal cord, cranial nerves, upper cervical spinal nerves, and sympathetic nervous system. Sensory functions of the vagus nerve are critical for conscious perception and for monitoring visceral …
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experiences shape how we learn
We know instinctively that our experiences shape the way we learn. If we are highly familiar with a particular task, like cooking for example, learning a new recipe is much easier than it was when we were a novice. New research from the University of California, Davis, shows that experience also changes the way our …
the science of flow: heart brain coherence
Many contemporary scientists believe it is the underlying state of our physiological processes that determines the quality and stability of the feelings and emotions we experience. The feelings we label as positive actually reflect body states that are coherent, meaning "the regulation of life processes becomes efficient, or even optimal, free-flowing and easy,"[160] and the feelings …
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when fear gets stuck: an epigenetic mechanism
Fear-based mental health conditions are common, impacting millions of people worldwide. Previous research has shown that specific regions and pathways in the brain may be responsible for processing fear. A new study from Linkรถping University in Sweden has revealed a biological mechanism that impacts fear pathways and how fear memories are stored in the brain. …
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