Physical activity may leave the brain more open to change
December 7, 2015
Artistic representation of the take home messages in Lunghi and Sale:
"A cycling lane for brain rewiring," which is that physical activity
(such as cycling) is associated with increased brain plasticity. Credit:
Dafne Lunghi Art Learning, memory, and brain
repair depend on the ability of our neurons to change with experience.
Now, researchers reporting in the Cell Press journal Current Biology
on December 7 have evidence from a small study in people that exercise
may enhance this essential plasticity of the adult brain.
The findings focused on the visual cortex come as hopeful news for people with conditions including amblyopia (sometimes called lazy eye), traumatic brain injury, and more, the researchers say.
"We
provide the first demonstration that moderate levels of physical
activity enhance neuroplasticity in the visual cortex of adult humans,"
says Claudia Lunghi of the University of Pisa in Italy.
"By
showing that moderate levels of physical activity can boost the plastic
potential of the adult visual cortex, our results pave the way to the
development of non-invasive therapeutic strategies exploiting the
intrinsic brain plasticity in adult subjects," she adds.
The
plastic potential of the cerebral cortex is greatest early in life,
when the developing brain is molded by experience. Brain plasticity is
generally thought to decline with age. This decline in the brain's
flexibility over time is especially pronounced in the sensory brain,
which displays far less plasticity in adults than in younger people.
Ever
wonder why some scents make you feel relaxed or energized? It’s no
coincidence and we have our olfactory system to thank for its intimate
relationship with the brain, which affects both our memory and mood.
Here are 10 scents which will enhance this system with just one whiff.
1) Lemon Promotes concentration and allows the mind to calm especially when angry, anxious or very exhausted. Lemon boosts the body's immune system, improving circulation and is known to reduce anxiety and depression.
2) Cinnamon
The stimulating properties in cinnamon can help fight mental fatigue
and improve concentration and focus. Researchers from Wheeling Jesuit
University studied participants and found that those who took a whiff of cinnamon improved in cognitive functions like visual-motor response, working memory and attention span.
3) Lavender
Lavender helps calm the mind and body almost instantly. But perhaps its most useful benefit is its ability to help treat insomnia.
This essential oil has calming ands sedative properties that help
control emotional stress. Lavender has a soothing effect on nerves and
can relieve nervous tension and depression as well as treat headaches
and migraines.
4) Rain
After a rainstorm, especially a rain storm that breaks a long dry
spell, the world smells different. The clean scent after a rainfall is
partially caused by ozone cleaning away some of the scents we take for
granted. The smell of rain can literally relieve stress and improve your
mood by over 60%
5) Fresh Cut Grass
Scent researchers found that a chemical released by a newly-mowed lawn can make people feel joyful and relaxed. The smell apparently is so powerful that neuroscientists came up with a perfume and air fragrance that matches it so the lawnless can also reap the benefits of the feel-good scent.
6) Peppermint
Try peppermint when brainstorming. An energy booster, this scent
invigorates the mind, promotes concentration and stimulates clear
thinking. Smelling peppermint is linked to greater cognitive stamina, motivation and overall performance
7) Vanilla
In a study published in the Proceedings of ISOT/JASTS 2004,
researchers found that taking a whiff of vanilla bean elevated
participants' feelings of joy and relaxation. The results were measured
through mood mapping, which included emotions ranging from happiness and
stimulation to apathy and irritation.
8) Rosemary
The stimulating effect of rosemary may enhance certain aspects of
mental function. People who work in rosemary-scented cubicles have
better long-term memory than those who worked in unscented cubicles.
Rosemary improves long-term memory, alertness and has properties that
fight physical exhaustion, headaches and mental fatigue.
9) Pine
Pine decreases anxiety and alleviates stress. In one Japanese study,
participants who went on a walk through pine forests reported
significantly lower depression and stress levels. The research also
discovered that anxious subjects had a greater feeling of relaxation
after indulging in the scent.
10) Jasmine Like
lavender, jasmine it is also used to calm nerves, but this oil is also
commonly used as an anti-depressant because of its uplifting
capabilities that produce a feeling of confidence, optimism and
revitalized energy.
