Better Brain Function
Mind Power Secrets - Lesson Four
This lesson covers the "outside influences" that
affect brain function. By outside influences, I mean things that
don't involve studying or heavy thinking. Those come later. It's
better to start with the easy stuff first. Time to tune up your
brain.
Try some of the tools below. The links lead to more information,
so you can spend hours reading about these things. You can also
just try them, if you want. None of the following are known to
be dangerous.
(When you tried the self motivation techniques (last
assignment), you hopefully found a couple favorites, and are
using them regularly.)
Brain Drugs
Piracetam. This one may not be
available by the time you read this, but it seems to work for
helping focus and maintaining mental efforts over time. The link
goes to a page about my own experience with this nootropic (brain-enhancing
substance).
Vinpocetine. A plant extract
that increases mental alertness and acuity. Research suggests
it may be the most powerful memory enhancer available to date.
The link goes to a page which details my own self-experimentation
with a brainpower supplement that happens to have vinpocetine
as one of the primary ingredients.
Ginkgo Biloba.
The leaves of this tree might increase blood flow to the
brain. Eat the leaves straight off the trees, or buy the capsules
at the health food store. The link goes to a page with some of
the latest research findings on Ginkgo.
Saint John's Wort. It's brainpower
effects are less documented, but it's used to treat depression,
and some swear it's a temporary mood-elevator. It's also a common
weed that may be in your yard. If not, it is a cheap supplement
available at health food stores.
Creatine. Recent evidence shows
that it helps your brain as well your muscles. Creatine is available
almost anywhere nutritional supplements are sold. I have used
creatine monohydrate, and though the brain-function effects are
harder to judge, I noticed that I had more energy - which always
helps me with mental tasks.
Caffeine. Studies have shown
that students who drink coffee before a test score higher. Long
term effects are less well known, but the page linked to has
some of the latest information.
Brain Function and Food
B vitamins are essential for brainpower. Sources include peas,
beans, liver, chicken and eggs. You also need your minerals.
Boron is essential for memory and attention. The following pages
cover brain foods and related topics if you want to learn more:
Brain Foods - Lists of foods
that are good and bad for the brain.
The Ultimate Brain Food? - DHA
and EPA and how they protect the brain.
The Best Brain Foods -
Five that are worth checking out.
Brain Nutrition Q & A
- Questions from Brainpower Newsletter subscribers, and my answers.
Brain Technologies
Self-hypnosis Tapes:
There's more evidence for the effectiveness of hypnosis than
for subliminal messages. It makes sense. Talking to yourself
can clearly affect you, so why wouldn't it be even more effective
to talk to your brain when it's in a suggestive state?
Brainwave Entrainment:
These products put me in a peaceful state unlike any meditation
I've done. I just listen, and when I'm done, my mind is refreshed.
Audio Books: Use the time in
your car to learn new things, which can prolong the life of brain
cells, according to the research. More knowledge means more mind
power too.
Music: Energizing
music can help you "wake up" your brain. Music creates
neural pathways in your brain that stimulate creativity. Studies
also show that music trains the brain for higher forms of thinking.
Environmental Factors in Brain Function
Clear space means clear thinking. Have an organized
area where you can do your serious thinking.
Eliminate distractions. Have quiet "thinking space"
without a television or other distractions.
Be comfortable. Too hot or too cold, and your brain
won't function as well.
Other Ways to Increase Brainpower
Aromatic oils. Brain energizers (for analytical work)
peppermint, cypress and lemon. Relaxants (for creative thought):
rose and geranium. Put a couple drops on a cotton ball and inhale.
Not much proof for these yet, but the anecdotal evidence is growing,
which may prompt studies. In any case sniffing a few essential
oils is cheap and relatively safe to try (though you could discover
that you have allergies to some of these).
Regular walks. The transmission speed of your neurons
actually speeds up with exercise, and the relaxing rhythm of
walking is great for clearing the mind too.
Stimulating discussions. Intelligent conversation improves
brain function. Make it regular, if possible, even if it has
to be with characters in your own imagination.
Assignment: Pick out three or more of the above tools
for better brain function, and start using them. For example,
you could find a good conversation partner, make afternoon tea
a regular practice, and get some non-fiction audio books from
the library.
Next Lesson: Hypnotic sales techniques,
controlling people with words, and other secret knowledge.
P.S. If you haven't subscribed to this
e-course, and you want to learn the other secrets of mind power,
you can go here to subscribe: Mind
Power Secrets
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