Brain Awareness Week – March 15-21, 2010
Brain Awareness Week, an educational outreach program designed to “increase public awareness of the progress and benefits of brain research,” runs March 15-21. Founded by the Dana Alliance For Brain Initiatives, the cerebral celebration is now in its 15th year. In honor of the event, I’ve rounded up some brain focused resources to give your mind a bit of exercise and stimulation. Popular Articles Nine Reasons Golf Is Good For Your Brain How I Increased My IQ Score By 12... [Read more]
Can You Solve This Brain Teaser?
Last night I spent the evening with some of my family who live nearby. I cooked a big pot of chicken and sausage gumbo, and we had a fantastic time catching up. As I sat down on the couch after devouring a sugar cookie for dessert, my uncle handed me one of those big legal note pads. On it was a brain teaser that a friend had sent him via email. In my sugared brain fog, I worked through it and thought I would share it with you. Look at the following series of numbers and determine which number goes... [Read more]
Do You Use Computer Based Brain Training Programs?
Over 400 of you voted in our last poll, and today we have a new poll up! Do you currently use computer based brain training programs for your brain exercise? Some examples are Lumosity, MindSparke, Posit Science programs, Cognifit etc. Simply choose yes or no and let us know. [Read more] Read More →
Brain Focused Websites From Our Readers
A short while back, I asked the readers of our newsletter if they had a brain focused website or blog. I thought it would be nice to highlight their work here so you could take a look and see what they’re up to. The sites are in no particular order, and many thanks go out to the group for being active members of the Brain Training 101 community. Brain Injury Survival Kit Cheryle Sullivan, MD runs this informative and welcoming site on Traumatic Brain Injury. “If you or someone... [Read more]
Do You Have Love On The Brain?
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, many of us are walking around with love (or chocolate) on the brain. In celebration of the sugary sweet holiday, I’ve gathered some love inspired articles and videos I think you’ll enjoy. What Happens To Your Brain When You Fall In Love? The chemical steps that lead to love. Just Thinking Of A Loved One Can Reduce Physical Pain Next time you are in pain, think of a loved one – or at least look at a photo of them. Why You Blush Dutch... [Read more]
Watch Live Brain Surgery On The Today Show
This morning I watched an inspiring and deceptively simplified video of brain surgery broadcast live via the Today Show. The patient is 81 year old Ben Colbert who suffers from Essential Tremor, a progressive neurological condition which can cause trembling in the hands, head or legs. Simply keeping his food on a plate became a task he could not complete, so he underwent neurosurgery on the left part of his brain which stopped the trembling in his right hand. While regaining control of his... [Read more]
The Moon Illusion – Photos From Last Night
The Moon Illusion, January 2010, Phoenix, AZ. ©Erin Matlock Last night I headed out for a hike around sunset to catch The Moon Illusion. This phenomenon occurs once or twice a year when the moon is at its closest point to us – and is full. Doing a search on the web turns up quite a few different explanations for the illusion – and a great deal of debate. There is one agreement, though. It is a fantastic sight! The following is background information provided by Nasa with links... [Read more]
Take The Brain Training Poll
We’re starting a new feature here at Brain Training 101 – Polls! Periodically we’ll have a new poll up on the homepage and would love to see your answers. Here’s our first one. What Are Your Brain Concerns? Memory Improvement (76%, 315 Votes) Increase IQ (50%, 209 Votes) Alzheimer's Prevention (38%, 158 Votes) Depression And Other Mental Illness (31%, 129 Votes) Gain An Advantage At Work (30%, 123 Votes) Better School Performance (22%, 92 Votes) ADHD (16%,... [Read more]
The Human Spark – Brain Matters
In Brain Matters, the third installment of the PBS special, The Human Spark, host Alan Alda looks within his own brain in order to give us insight as to just what makes humans unique. After some three and a half billion years of life’s evolution on this planet – and after almost two million years since people recognizable as human first walked its surface – a new human burst upon the scene, apparently unannounced. It was us. – from the website The series aims to answer three questions. What... [Read more]
Brain Test Britain – Does Brain Training Really Work?
Last week I was contacted by Brain Test Britain, the BBC sponsored brain training experiment looking to further document the effects of actively training our brains. They were looking for some insight as to what it is we do here at Brain Training 101, and what types of people are currently doing some sort of brain training. If you haven’t heard of Brain Test Britain, you’ll want to check it out. The study is currently open and looking for new participants. You’ll be asked to register... [Read more]
