Boost Brain Performance Naturally
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One of the most powerful supercomputers in the world is the human brain. In this article, we will discuss the brain and how to boost the performance of this amazing organ naturally.
Brain Functions
The human brain controls practically all the activities in the body. It receives information from the five senses, which are hearing, taste, smell, sight, and touch. With this information, intelligence, creativity, memory, and emotion are created.
The brain has three main parts:
Cerebellum. The back part of the brain. This section of the brain is responsible for coordination, balance, muscle control, equilibrium, and posture.
Cerebrum. The large, outer part of the brain. Controls learning, speech, emotions, muscle movements, reading, and thinking.
Brain stem. Located at the bottom of the brain, the brainstem connects the cerebrum and spinal cord. Breathing, blood pressure, heartbeat, eye movements, swallowing and other fundamental functions are controlled by the brain stem.
Understanding how the brain works is key in determining how to boost its performance naturally.
Natural Ways To Boost Brain Performance
The following are all simple, yet effective ways to boost brain production naturally:
Physical Exercise
Exercise improves blood flow throughout the body and specifically to the brain. Aerobic exercise in particular has been shown to decrease the age-related loss of brain tissue during aging while enhancing cognitive functions 1. Aerobic exercises such as running and biking are effective while breathing exercises such as yoga helped improve the ability to focus and increase attention span.
Mental Exercise
Brain exercises require a person to focus on the task at hand, which can help boost memory, increase concentration, and keep a person mentally sharp. Popular mental exercises include the following:
- Completing jigsaw puzzles
- Playing cards
- Taking a new route to work
- Learning a new language
- Increasing your vocabulary
- Playing a musical instrument
Use All Your Senses
Also known as multisensory processing, using all the senses (sight, smell, touch, taste, and hearing) simultaneously may help strengthen the brain. Studies indicate using a variety of senses interact more with each other when multisensory processing is practiced. As a result, researchers concluded that “working memory” is multisensory, which helps to improve memory and strengthen the brain. 2
The Power of Repetition
Repeating something a person wants to remember helps to reinforce the connection and memory. For example, repeating a person’s name helps to remember their name. Another option is to write the information down. Repeating the information in the future (an hour or even a day later) could improve memory, as well as help, understand or master complicated information or material.
Writing by Hand
In addition to repeating things, writing them down can help improve learning, memory, and cognitive skills. Words written by hand may be remembered more than words that are typed.
Getting Adequate Rest/Sleep
Sleep is essential for problem-solving abilities and innovative thinking. When a person sleeps, information is transferred from short term to long term memories, brain cell connections are strengthened, and memories are reactivated. Sleep deprivation has been found to decrease attention span and decision making. Lack of sleep can also impair both working and short term memory. 3
Positive Thoughts
The brain releases chemicals with each thought a person thinks. For example, when a person thinks positive thoughts, the brain produces serotonin. Normal levels of serotonin in the brain often evoke feelings of calm, happiness, decreased anxiety, and increased ability to focus. On the other hand, negative thoughts could increase levels of glucocorticoids (GC’s), the primary class of stress hormones. Elevated GC levels have been linked to reduced memory performance and cognitive aging disorders. 4
Diet and Brain Performance
Food choices can have a direct impact on brain performance. The following foods and their ingredients are believed to improve brain performance:
Top Foods For Brain Performance |
Brain Boosting Ingredient |
Apples |
Quercetin: protects against cognitive decline |
Grape Juice |
Polyphenols: may improve memory and learning |
Chocolate |
Flavanols: Short term boost in cognitive skills |
Coffee |
Caffeine: improve short term memory and attention span |
Complex Carbs |
Provide energy |
Nuts & seeds |
Zinc: improve memory; Vitamin E: improve cognitive skills |
Green Leafy Veggies |
Antioxidants: Protect the brain from age-related diseases |
Fatty Fish |
Omega 3’s: Improve brain function |
Water |
Hydration: Keeps the brain working properly |
Chicken and Eggs |
Choline: may help improve memory and cognitive performance |
On the flip side, foods containing the following foods are believed to reduce brain performance:
Worst Ingredients For Brain Performance |
Examples of Worst Foods |
Sugary drinks |
· Soda · Energy drinks · Fruit juices · Sports drinks |
Aspartame |
· Artificial sweetener in sugar-free products |
Refined carbs |
· White bread · Pizza dough · White flour · Pasta · Pastries · White rice · Breakfast cereals · Sweet desserts |
Trans Fats |
· Margarine · Frosting · Pre-packaged cookies · Ready-made cakes · Snack foods |
Alcohol (in excess) |
· Beer · Wine · Hard liquor |
Processed Foods |
· Potato chips · Instant noodles · Microwave popcorn · Frozen dinners · Ready-made meals · Store-bought sauces |
Mercury |
· Found primarily in seafood |
Researchers have noted a possible link between nutrition, behavior, emotions, and cognitive behavior. A study on the general population in Asian and American countries found those suffering from mental disorders were often deficient in many vitamins, minerals, and omega 3 fatty acids. 5
Brain Boosting Supplements
In addition to the tips listed above, supplements are available to naturally boost brain performance as well.
TCF - CytoBrainSpark - 60 capsules (formerly Brain Vitale™)
TCF - CytoBrainSpark contains Ginkgo biloba extract, acetyl L-carnitine, phosphatidylserine (PS), inositol, and glycerophosphocholine (GPC), nutrients that play a pivotal role in brain function and health.
Systemic Formulas: #12 - B - BRAIN
Systemic Formulas: #12 - B – BRAIN is specifically designed to assist with the following:
- Promoting concentration
- Alertness
- Clarity of thought
- General memory functions
This unique product provides a bridge between the right and left hemispheres of the brain, providing increased mental power. This product has also been used by children who are hyperactive.
TCF - Brain DTX - 60 capsules
TCF - Brain DTX contains vitamin C and Ginkgo Biloba Alpha Lipoic Acid and Biotin. These natural products are key for metabolic, neurological, and mitochondrial enzyme functions, making it essential for brain health.
Conclusion
While there are many products available that claim to boost brain performance, they may contain artificial ingredients, only provide a short term boost, or cause health issues over time. By focusing on foods and activities that stimulate the brain naturally, a person may be one step closer to achieving the mental boost they wish to attain.
References:
1. Gomez-Pinilla F, Hillman C. The influence of exercise on cognitive abilities. Compr Physiol. 2013 Jan;3(1):403-28. doi: 10.1002/cphy.c110063. [PMID: 23720292]; PMCID: PMC3951958. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3951958/
2. Quak M, London RE, Talsma D. A Multisensory Perspective Of Working Memory. Front Hum Neurosci. 2015 Apr 21;9:197. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2015.00197. [PMID: 25954176]; PMCID: PMC4404829. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4404829/
3. Alhola P, Polo-Kantola P. Sleep Deprivation: Impact On Cognitive Performance. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2007;3(5):553-67. [PMID: 19300585]; PMCID: PMC2656292. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2656292/
4. de Souza-Talarico JN, Marin MF, Sindi S, (et al). Effects Of Stress Hormones On The Brain And Cognition: Evidence From Normal To Pathological Aging. Dement Neuropsychol. 2011 Jan-Mar;5(1):8-16. doi: 10.1590/S1980-57642011DN05010003. [PMID: 29213714]; PMCID: PMC5619133. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5619133/
5. Rao TS, Asha MR, Ramesh BN, (et al) Understanding Nutrition, Depression And Mental Illnesses. Indian J Psychiatry. 2008 Apr;50(2):77-82. doi: 10.4103/0019-5545.42391. [PMID: 19742217]; PMCID: PMC2738337. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2738337/