Alzheimer's

Brainpower Newsletter

Most drugs used to treat Alzeimer's are primarily meant to treat symptoms. They do little to undo the damage that is already done, and at best delay the progression of the disease. For this reason many researchers believe that the best hope for treatment of Alzeimer's is to find ways to prevent the damage in the first place.

Recent research, reported on in Scientific American, shows that the active ingredient in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), may do just that. It appears that it works better than the cholinesterase inhibitors that are currently used. Kim Janda, at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, found that THC prevents the degradation of acetylcholine, which is how the drugs Cognex and Aricept work.

The good news is that THC seems to work better than these drugs. Furthermore, it may prevent toxic proteins from forming plaques. The bad news? Janda believes that many research journals are not publishing his results because they don't want to be seen as promoting an illegal "drug." Perhaps it is time that we get past categorizing plants in moral terms and change the laws so that we can use any and all plants that offer real benefit to our health.

Sometimes a subscriber sends in an idea I just don't want to pass along, and other times I get ideas that I've already covered in previous newsletters. Once in a while, though, someone send me a new brainpower technique that is worth a try, like the following:

"Listen to a sporting event on the radio. But, as the announcer describes the action, don't just hear the play-by-play and process what it means for the outcome of the game, but visualize what is happening. Watch the game in your head. Not only does it make the broadcast more exciting, it can be a great way to develop your brain power and imagination.

"A slower paced sport like baseball allows you more time to process the action in your head, while basketball games can be a bit more difficult. At times, there is so much continuous action on the court that it's hard to keep up in your head. However, it forces your brain to paint the picture quickly and I find that these long stretches of rapid fire action get me into a sort of visualization groove."

He did warn not to try this while driving. Otherwise, it seems safe to try, obviously low (no) cost, and likely to be of some value, so it meets my three criteria for self-experimentation.

- The Coriolis force causes hurricanes and tornadoes to go clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere. It has to do with the rotation of the Earth.

- Postage rates were not always determined by weight. "Candling," a technique used over 300 years ago, involved holding letters in front of a candle to determine the rate. Less light shining through meant a higher rate.

- In 1939, as part of a scientific facility on the sea bed off the Bahamas, a post office was set up - the worlds only underwater post office.

What do the following words have in common?

Fast - Through - Down - Away - Water - Neck

(Answer is below)

Clear space equals clear thinking. You may work better in clutter, but it's rare, so try straightening up your office or home. Alternately, you could go somewhere neat and clean to do your mental work. If you really do your best work in a cluttered office, stick with that, but at least experiment with neatness before deciding it isn't for you.

There are many famous people with learning disabilities. The reason for the following list is to demonstrate that even learning disabilities don't have to prevent you from developing your brain power. Albert Einstein is on this list, and clearly he had something to contribute to science despite his problems. Billionaire Richard Branson says he still couldn't read at age eight, yet went on to found Virgin Airlines and many other businesses. So don't get too discouraged if you have a few problems learning.

Some People With Learning Disabilities
(Or Attention Deficit Disorder)

Albert Einstein
Nelson Rockefeller
Galileo
Thomas Edison...

Continued here:
www.increasebrainpower.com/famouspeoplewithlearningdisabilities.html

The same debate topics are used again and again. Why not liven up your next debate with some new ideas? Here are some more unusual and fundamental questions to debate.

Happiness shouldn't be pursued. The pro side of this could start with the obvious pain that people face when their expectations are not met. Maybe it is better to just relax and stop thinking about happiness. On the other hand, the fact that the pursuit of happiness sometimes leads to pain doesn't mean it is without success too. What better thing is there to pursue?

Political Debate Topics

Taxation for non-essential programs is stealing. The pro side can start with the idea that a consensus or majority makes it different, and morally acceptable. The con side can point out that it's wrong to forcibly take your neighbors money to pay for an art program you like, and voting with others to have the government do it for you is no different morally.
It is morally okay to break laws you don't agree with. The pro side might say...

Continued here:
http://www.999ideas.com/debate-topics.html

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Until next time,

Steve

www.IncreaseBrainpower.com

Riddle Answer: "Break" can be added to each to form a new word.

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