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7 Big Neuroscience Breakthroughs in 2022

December 3, 2022

7 discoveries which show the potential of neuroscience to transform our lives and even our definitions of life itself.

Although neuroscience research has been flourishing over the last decade or so, 2022 proved to be an exceptional year with some for the biggest neuroscience breakthroughs for years. Here are 7 discoveries which show the potential of neuroscience to transform our lives and even our definitions of life itself.

1. Human Brains Use Quantum Computing

These heartbeat-style EEG signatures are the first indirect evidence that the human brain uses quantum computing. The EEG evoked potentials were detected via a specific MRI technique designed to seek entangled spins from human brains.

They are currently only explainable as nuclear proton spins in the brain that are quantum entangled. The lead physicist of finding summarized,

"𝙒𝙚 𝙖𝙙𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙖, 𝙙𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙭𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙦𝙪𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙪𝙢 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙩𝙮, 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙗𝙮 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙦𝙪𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙪𝙢 𝙨𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙨, 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙝 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖𝙣 𝙪𝙣𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙨𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢. 𝙄𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙨𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙨 𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙚, 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙪𝙣𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙢𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙗𝙚 𝙖 𝙦𝙪𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙪𝙢 𝙨𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢, 𝙩𝙤𝙤.''

In this case the known system was brain water (cerebral fluid), and the unknown system was the brain.

Additionally the levels of entanglement correlated with short-term memory performance and conscious awareness, so it is likely that they form an important part of our higher order cognitive functions.

Quantum processes have been well established in non-human biology. For example without quantum tunneling, photosynthesis, and accordingly most life on earth, might not have come to exist.

This study is also not the first evidence of human quantum biology.

Cryptochromes found in bird's eye's that leverage triplet-state quantum entanglement have been established as a mechanism which allows them read the earth's magnetic field like a map. Human eyes also possess crytopchromes, but at some point in our evolution they became deactivated.

The findings of this study could mark the beginning of a paradigm shift in neuroscience, as well as reveal keys ways to evolve machine-based quantum computing and artificial general intelligence.

Study: Experimental indications of non-classical brain functions, Christian Matthias Kerskens and David López Pérez.

2. Human-Animal Brain Synthesis

For the first time in history, animals may be acquiring some aspects of human intelligence via integrative brain transplants.

Organoids (or assembloids) are functioning clusters of neurons grown in vitro, usually from skin-based stem cells. These relatively complex living brain formations, which can be animal or human, are used to study neural mechanics in the lab, outside of an actual brain.

However, their research value is quite limited by the size and complexity they can grow into. To overcome this issue, a new approach published in Nature, has transplanted human cortex organoids into living rat brains (in the picture above).

6 months after integration, the human neurons reached a new order of maturation, growing 6 times large than what was possible in vitro. Their activity better emulated some of the more sophisticated behaviors found when observed in human brains.

In a follow-up experiment, the researchers specifically fired-up the genetically altered human neurons using optogenetics, and were successfully able to influence how often the rats sought out a reward.

Although fascinating, this new domain of biological research, and even biology itself, may be fraught with ethical complications, even including how to classify such a hybrid organism.

Study: Maturation and circuit integration of transplanted human cortical organoids, Omer Revah et al.Stu

3. Silicon-Biological Sentience

This video is more than meets the eye - it's actually the first successful hybridization of biological neurons and silicon chips learning to play a simulated game.

As we've just seen, organoids are currently one of the fastest evolving domains of science. This research goes in a different, yet equally mind-boggling direction, by synthesizing a mix of human/rodent organoids with computers chips.

Dubbed 'synthetic biological intelligence' (SBI), the goal is to synergistically merge these once divergent forms of intelligence.

In particular, researchers sought to bring the power of third-order complexity found in organoids, which has never been achievable in traditional computing. And in addition, to achieve the formal definition of sentience in neural cultures, effectively demonstrating sensory feedback learning.

In this study the in vitro organoids were integrated with 'in silico' computing via a high-density multielectrode array. Using closed-loop structured feedback through electrophysiological stimulation, the experiment named 'BrainDish' was embedded into a simulation of the iconic computer game Pong.

The ability of neurons in assemblies to respond to external stimuli adaptively is the basis for all animal learning. Although this initial experiment is a very basic simulation, it has demonstrated intelligent and sentient behavior in a simulated game-world through goal-directed behavior.

This approach provides a promising new research avenue to support or challenge theories explaining how the brain interacts with the world, and for studying intelligence in general.

Study: In vitro neurons learn and exhibit sentience when embodied in a simulated game-world, Brett J. Kagan et al.

4. Soleus Push-Ups

Researchers have made a potentially ground-breaking discovery for human health in 2022. Muscles are the largest lean mass in our bodies, yet in terms of whole body oxidative metabolism, they only burn 15% of glucose at rest. This is associated with the health risks of too much sitting.

The soleus is a minor calf muscle weighing just one kilo, however it has a special in-built mechanism, unknown until now. A new study at the University of Houston showed that when this specific muscle is precisely activated, whole body glucose metabolism is dramatically raised to between 30-45%. This occurs with negligible energy expenditure of actually contracting the soleus.

The exercise is a simple repetitive heel lift while keeping the ball of the foot on the floor, which can be done while seated on the floor, or on a chair. It has been dubbed the 'soleus push-up', which triggers the use of a previously undiscovered fuel mixture.

Interestingly, this type of soleus contraction is deactivated while walking or running. Accordingly, lower limb energy muscle expenditure was also tested on a treadmill.

Remarkably, the soleus push-up burned more than twice as much oxygen than running, and tens times as much as walking. The effects were seen across adults aged 22–82 years of age.

The takeaway is that systemic metabolic regulation can be greatly improved by activating a minor calf muscle. These research findings reveal a widely accessible and practical way to counter the significant health risks of prolonged sitting, including for people who exercise regularly.

Study: A potent physiological method to magnify and sustain soleus oxidative metabolism improves glucose and lipid regulation, Marc T. Hamiliton, et al.

5. Breakthrough in Latent Neuroplasticity

An accidental new discovery published in Nature revealed a major new feature of neuroplasticity in adult mammalian brains.

A team of MTI neuroscientists were studying mouse brains to show how neuron dendrites process synaptic inputs in different ways, depending on their location. As this requires very high-resolution techniques, they incidentally discovered an abundance of microscopic silent synapses, known as filopodia, at the tips of dendrites.

The lead researcher commented,

“𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙬, 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙝 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙞𝙯𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩, 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙡𝙤𝙥𝙤𝙙𝙞𝙖 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚.”

Synapses are the neural mechanisms which allow the brain to flexibly wire itself in near-infinite configurations. However, already functionally wired synapses require a high threshold of stimulation in order to decouple and rewire.

Silent synapses have a very low threshold and are essentially ready to wire with other neurons. Though it was previously believed that filopodia only existed in very young brains. This left many questions about the mechanisms as to how adult brains are still capable of high levels of neuroplasicity.

The adult filopodia were also found to be very sensitive to Hebbian plasticity, where one neuron can directly influence the synaptic plasticity of another.

The finding offers a new understanding on how functional connectivity can be driven by this new mechanism, allowing for flexible control of synaptic wiring that expands the learning capabilities of the mature brain.

It also offers explanation of how new memories can be formed.

“𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙨𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙨𝙮𝙣𝙖𝙥𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙞𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙨 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙, 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙣𝙚𝙪𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙙. 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙬𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙮𝙣𝙖𝙥𝙨𝙚𝙨, 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙝 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚.”

A key takeaway from this research is that our brains are neuroanotomically primed in a way that allows them to remain highly adaptive throughout adulthood, potentially ready to undergo transformative change.

Study: Filopodia are a structural substrate for silent synapses in adult neocortex, Dimitra Vardalaki, Kwanghun Chung & Mark T. Harnett

6. Enhanced Cognition Through Electrical Stimulation

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) involves applying weak electrical stimulation to the scalp to potentially heighten brain activity, also known less scientifically as 'brain zapping'. It's been around for a while, for example DARPA researched it around a decade ago. Most of the research focused on healthy or high performing populations, but little convincing evidence surfaced.

A study just published now suggests the benefits of this method may actually be specific to elders with memory issues.

The researchers evaluated memory training effects as an overall composite assessment of working memory capacity, comparing older adults to elderly adults with memory issues.

They found that, whereas all individuals improved their performance during training, tDCS with working memory training selectively benefited elderly individuals (OO) with lower working memory capacity.

Interestingly, they also found that performance with tDCS stimulation was worse in younger old adults, who actually showed significantly higher working memory scores with sham stimulation.

More research is needed, but this may be rare evidence that neurostimulation or neuromodulation benefits may be highly neurologically specific.

In addition, a similar electrical stimulation technique called transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) using low level electrical AC currents to trigger heightened brain activity showed for the first time that it can trigger meaningful changes in cognition.

In a study published in Nature 150 people aged between 65 and 88 carried out a word list memory recall task lasting 20 minutes while having their brain zapped. This was repeated over 4 days.

In contrast to sham stimulation, the results showed that memory performance improved over the four days, and that these gains persisted even a month later.

Perhaps more convincingly, when prefrontal cortex regions associated with long term memory were targeted for stimulation, performance improved on recall of words at beginning of the list. When parietal lobe regions involved with working memory were targeted, recall was boosted for words near the end of the list.

The results are much more compelling than other studies in this domain. This may be because the zapping was done over several days versus a single session. Either way it now looks like tACS can play a positive role for improving brain functions.

Study 1: Older adults with lower working memory capacity benefit from transcranial direct current stimulation when combined with working memory training, Sara Assecondi et al.

Study 2: Long-lasting, dissociable improvement in working memory and long-term memory in older adults with repetitive neuromodulation, Shey Grover, et al.

7. Cognitive Training Boosts Growth Mindset

Though there has been much scientific debate over the efficiacy brain training applications, new research robustly demonstrated that a 4-week cognitive training intervention can significantly enhance growth mindset in children 7-10 yrs old.

Growth mindset is based on the belief that one’s intelligence can change with effort that is associated with:-

- increased desire to learn

- positive views of effort

- willingness to take on challenges

As well as using pre and post assessments of growth mindset, detailed fMRI scans were performed before and after training. Alongside direct transfer in the assessments, scans revealed positive neurological changes in multiple brain regions crucial for cognitive control, motivation, and memory.

Plasticity of cortico-striatal circuitry emerged as strong predictor of which children experienced the most benefits from training.

Measures of growth mindset prior to training was also associated with higher post-training math skills, suggesting that higher levels of growth mindset led to better math performance with training. Yet interestingly children with lower math skills prior to training show greater gains in growth mindset in response to training.

As positive influences on growth mindset at a young age can grossly influence a child's development trajectory, the results show that cognitive training interventions have the potential to enhance overall life outcomes.

Study: Cognitive training enhances growth mindset in children through plasticity of cortico-striatal circuits, Lang Chen, et al.

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NeuroTracker

9 Interviews with NeuroTracker Experts in Different Fields of Human Performance

November 24, 2022

Check out insights from 9 video interviews with bonafide experts across a variety of human performance domains.

Originally used exclusively by the world's top sports teams, over the last decade applications of NeuroTracker have spread across diverse fields of human performance and wellness. Fortunately, champions of this neurotechnology are usually more than happy to share their experiences, insights and best practices. We hope you enjoy this selection of video interviews with 9 bonafide experts across a variety of human performance domains.

1. Zac Bourgeois - Professional Rodeo Athlete

Transitioning from US Junior champion into full professional rodeo, Zac Bourgeois is a young and fast-rising rodeo athlete. In this video special he gives unique insights into the demanding world of rodeo performance, his rehab journey from a severe brain injury, and reveals his goal of using technologies like NeuroTracker to take the sport to new levels.

2. Katie Mitchell - Neuroscientist and Sports Medicine Practitioner

Katie Mitchell PhD(c) is founder of Thrive Neurosport, a specialist rehab center dedicated to taking athletes all the way from injury through to peak performance.

Having setup her center during COVID lockdown, she covers how she found the NeuroTrackerX platform invaluable as a way to remotely manage her clients through a hybrid model of telehealth-based services.

3. Kristen Campbell - Team Canada Hockey Goal Tender

Kristen Campbell is one of the earliest adopters of NeuroTracker for personal use. Having trained with the neurotech daily for more than 6 years, she had the privilege of being selected for the national team and was part of the team that won the gold medal for Canada in last winter Olympics.

Here Kristen talks about the benefits she has found from training, as well as some of the advanced training methodologies she has developed out of her own experience.

4. Pete Palmer - Brigadier General of the US Army

In this exclusive interview General Pete Palmer (retired) explains how neurotechnologies like NeuroTracker will boost the operational readiness of military personnel by accurately assessing cognitive state.

His concept is simple, the US military needs to reliably assess the performance readiness of human personnel to the same rigorous checks and standards that military equipment like fighter jets undergo before deployed on the battlefield.

5. Erin McLeod - Canadian Sports Hall of Fame Soccer Goalkeeper

Erin McLeod is a Canadian Olympic Bronze medalist, 4x FIFA World Cup goalkeeper, as well as an influencer in the practice of mindfulness.

Here Erin gives her 2 cents on just how valuable NeuroTracker has been for both her performance on the pitch and how it synergizes with her mastery of mindfulness.

6. Dr. Armando Bertone and Dr. Domenico Tullo - Researchers at the Perceptual Neuroscience Lab

Based at McGill University, Dr. Armando Bertone and Dr. Domenico Tullo are scientific leaders in neurodevelopmental research.

Here they provide a rare look behind the scenes of a landmark study using NeuroTracker to enhance the attention of young students with major learning difficulties. In particular they highlight the benefits of improved attention for learning outcomes and share some anecdotes on the students' and teachers' experience of the training benefits.

7. Kyla Demers - Founder of Vertex Concussion

Kyla Demers is a concussion researcher, was part of the Canadian medical team for the Vancouver Olympics, and is founder of Vertex Concussion where she pioneers new rehab therapies.

Here Kyla introduces what is special about her approach and outlines the true value of applying neurotechnologies for both rehab and performance, adding some compelling success stories of the work she has done with clients.

8. James Wingfield - Mercedes F1 Engineer Team Leader and Race Driver in Formula BMW

James Wingfield is a person who has been instrumental behind the scenes of the most successful team in modern motorsports. An avid competitor on the racetrack himself, he discovered NeuroTracker as a potential way to take his performance to the next level.

James talks candidly about the benefits he has experienced alongside specific ways in which NeuroTracking transfers to the track, including a direct reduction in lap times. He also shares how he adapted the neurotechnology to integrate it into his race simulator training. After this interview he had his most successful race season ever with an unprecedented series of podium finishes.

9. Maxime Chevrier - Clinical Psychologist and Founder of Synapse Plus

Last but certainly not least on our list, Maxime Chevrier is probably the world's most experienced NeuroTracker expert. Having founded his Montreal chain of AXiO Sport Medicine Clinics and Synapse Plus performance centers around NeuroTracker almost a decade ago, he has worked extensively with clients across a plethora of human performance and wellness domains.

Here Maxime provides deep insights on his long running success evolving the application of NeuroTracker training with his diverse client base.

We hope you gleaned useful insights or inspiration from the best practices shared by these various experts. If you are interested in learning further, then there are many more interviews and testimonials with experts on our YouTube channel here.

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4 of the Most Fascinating Illusions Discovered in Neuroscience

November 18, 2022

Both see and learn about remarkable illusions that have furthered our understanding of vision science.

While people commonly think of illusions as misperceptions, they are actually examples of how sophisticated how our perceptual systems are. Without conscious thought, we are deftly efficient at extrapolating sensory cues, which in turn allows us to take huge neural processing shortcuts. Interestingly, getting AI to be able to also see illusions, just like we do, would be a key Turing Test step in achieving Artificial General Vision Intelligence. Here are four of the most fascinating illusions born out of neuroscience discoveries investigating how we visually perceive reality.

1. The Leviant Traffic Illusion

This scientifically crafted image is called 'The Leviant Traffic Illusion'. If you look closely at the center you will likely perceive rapid motion in the circular sections.

Although there are specialized regions of the visual cortex dedicated to processing perceived motion, regions which process static contrasting light patterns can also come into play. This effect occurs because the rings are 'isoluminant', that is, they match the mean brightness of the black and white rays. If the luminance level varies from the mid-range, the motion effect quickly fades away.

A particularly interesting thing about this illusion is that the perceived motion is multistable, allowing it to appear as a global rotation either clockwise or counterclockwise.

It can also be seen as local bidirectional motion, with the alternating circles moving in opposite directions.

These alternating effects represent your brain working hard to leverage subtle visual cues - what would usually be meaningful information about real motion in the world around you.

2. Simultaneous Brightness Contrast

This very simple image with two circles exactly the same shade of grey mystified vision scientists for over a century. It reveals our capacity to process what's known as 'simultaneous brightness contrast', which Chinese ceramic painters discovered and worked into their craft over 800 years ago.

This effect was long believed to be a high-level brain process tapping into past learning experiences of how the world works. That was until recently, when MIT researchers studied blind children in India and found that they were susceptible to this illusion the moment their sight was initiated after surgery.

Through further experiments they revealed that this innate brightness estimation actually takes place before visual information reaches the brain’s visual cortex (likely pre-processed via retinal neurons). The Müller-Lyer and Ponzo illusions were then also found to have the same underlying mechanisms.

These discovery was made possible by 'Project Prakash', whose mission is to save children from preventable blindness while answering deep scientific questions.

3. Chaz Firestone Balls

This is a particularly strong illusory effect, making us see different colored balls. This 3D illusion was created by David Novick, Professor of Engineering Education and Leadership at the University of Texas. In his own words,

“A three-colour confetti illusion with spheres, which appear to be yellowish, reddish, and purpleish, but in fact have exactly the same light-brown base colour (RGB 255,188,144). Shrinking the image increases the effect.”‍

4. Expanding Black Hole

This perceptual illusion of an expanding black hole (spoiler - it's a static image), was used to probe a new discovery in neuroscience this summer.

The illusory effect isn't simply a perceptual interpretation, it literally evokes a biological response - your pupils actually dilate to let in more light (in 86% of people). This also imparts an impression of visual optic flow - like the feeling of moving into a tunnel.

This collaborative research by scientists in Oslo and Japan, shows that the pupillary light reflex can depend on the perceived environment, rather than physical reality. Which is surprising, because our pupils do not change aperture while dreaming, regardless of the dream.

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Wellness

Guest Writers

November 5, 2022

How Does HHC Affect Your Body?

Most people have heard of THC as form of cannabis, learn here why HHC is a psychoactively lighter and longer lasting compound of this medical plant.

A close examination of the cannabis plant reveals various fascinating properties, applications, and components. Each day, scientists and researchers discover something new about plants, allowing them to advance in their respective fields continually. The current consensus is that there are more than 150 cannabinoids in cannabis. Regarding cannabinoids, HHC is slowly but surely expanding its consumer base. The article gives you some pointers if you want to learn more about HHC and what you experience when you consume it.

What Exactly Is HHC?

Discussing HHC without knowing what it is would be moot. Hexahydrocannabinol, also known as HHC, is a version of the component of the plant known as THC that has been hydrogenated. Therefore, it is a version of THC that is slightly similar to THC but operates slightly differently regarding its impacts and how the cannabinoid functions. Only very minute levels of HHC may be found in the plant. Consequently, scientists have concluded that actively removing the component from the plant is not economically viable.

Hydrogen is added to the easily extracted THC from the plant to get levels of HHC that may be used in manufacturing operations. While HHC maintains many of THC's natural properties after hydrogenation, its distinguishing characteristics make it a preferable choice for many product consumers. For example, HHC is stable, but THC is susceptible to oxidation, which diminishes its quality and potency. Moreover, the stability of HHC's chemical structure increases its affinity for the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system.

Adding hydrogen to THC is comparable to the fat hydrogenation method used in the margarine industry. Simply put, producers utilize a palladium or nickel catalyst and, under high pressure, break down the chemical bonds in the THC cannabinoid. They then introduce hydrogen to one of the bonds after breaking the existing double bond.

Effects of HHC On the Body

You may be asking, now that you know what HHC is and how it is made, what effects of HHC you should be aware of HHC effects on the body include the intended and possible side effects. The following are the direct effects of the cannabinoid on consumers.

Direct Effects of HHC On The Body

Psychoactivity is among the most prominent potential direct effects of HHC. As mentioned above, HHC is a variant of THC that has been hydrogenated and subjected to other chemical procedures. As a result, it retains some of THC's psychoactive effects.

The psychotropic effects of HHC and, by extension, the strength of the substance fall between those of Delta 8 THC and Delta 9 THC. To put it another way, the high won't be very potent, but you will still feel it. The sensation is soothing rather than energizing and modifies how we usually experience the world around us. Unlike HHC, the effects of THC's isomers quickly fade with exposure to air since THC degrades upon exposure to oxygen. HHC's psychoactivity lasts longer than THC's because of its excellent stability.

Side Effects of HHC

You should get informed about the potential adverse effects of taking HHC and what you could go through as a result of using it before you start using it. According to some users of the cannabinoid, anxiety, red eyes, paranoia, sleeplessness, dizziness, weight gain due to excessive eating, high heart rate, and dry or cotton mouth are some notable adverse effects. If you or a loved one ever suffer any of these adverse reactions after drinking HHC, it's best to stop immediately and seek the advice of a doctor.

It is crucial to note that not everyone who takes HHC will have these side effects. Instead, these are isolated instances that some individuals have experienced after eating cannabis and its various cannabinoids, indicating that they are not common. Furthermore, since HHC has not been the subject of substantial research like CBD and THC, most of its adverse effects are based on anecdotal information rather than solid research.

Types of Products to Try Out if You Want to Experience HHC

There is a wide variety of HHC consumption methods, just as with Delta 8 THC. To begin, several businesses produce vapes with HHC as the active component. Products like gummies, biscuits, and brownies fortified with HHC are also available. That being said, the HHC market is so vast that you will never have a lack of options. Your choices are entirely up to you and your preferences.

Wrapping Up

To sum it up, the effects of HHC on the body are similar to those of delta 8 THC, only that with HHC, you are likely to enjoy a relaxing effect rather than uplifting and energizing. This is slightly similar to Delta 10, depending on how you look at it. The side effects above should provide you with guidance on what to expect. However, as noted above, these are not common to all users.

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Wellness

Stanley Clark

October 25, 2022

Mental Training Activities That Help Reduce the Effects of "Chemo Brain"

Cognitive issues are a common side effect of cancer treatments, here is an overview of the benefits of mental training.

Cancer survivors or those undergoing chemotherapy can develop cognitive changes impacting their everyday functioning. Some people have termed this condition chemo brain, which mental training activities may improve. Here we will cover research on the types of cognitive training showing promise for patients.

About Cancer Treatments

Surgery, radiation treatment, and chemotherapy are currently the only conventional options to help individuals with rare cancers. The National Cancer Institute defines rare cancers as affecting 40,000 people or less annually. Some rare cancers involve the head and neck, bone and soft tissue sarcomas, thyroid, neuroendocrine, lymphoma, and mesothelioma, a cancer type caused by exposure to asbestos.

In cases like mesothelioma, chemotherapy is a standard treatment. There are stages of mesothelioma where chemotherapy has a higher chance of success. However, it depends entirely on the doctors' prognosis and the patient's actual physiological state.

Some individuals may also experience decreased mental sharpness (chemo brain) during and after the procedure. So it's crucial to get more information about specific cancer treatments and mental-training activities that can help reduce their effects.

This article answers crucial questions like how can mental training activities help reduce the effects of the chemo brain? And what are the current studies about chemotherapy's effects on an individual's cognitive performance? This short read also explains why mental training is crucial in reducing the effects of chemo brain. It includes examples of mental activities experts recommend to individuals experiencing mental cloudiness.

Different Types of Mental Training to Reduce the Effects of Chemotherapy

Chemo brain is a condition experienced by cancer survivors or those who have undergone chemotherapy. The mind is no longer as sharp as it used to be. Here are some symptoms that usually characterize chemo brain:

● Becoming disorganized

● Confusion

● Difficulty in learning new skills

● Visual and verbal memory lapses

These are some side effects of chemotherapy in people with rare and advanced cancer cases.

But through mental training, these side effects may be reduced, allowing cancer survivors and individuals undergoing chemo to strengthen their cognitive skills and prevent the onset of chemo brain. Here are the following cognitive needs that require focus and training to reduce the mental side effects of chemotherapy:

● Complex attention: This is a person's ability to multitask or focus on multiple things at once.

● Executive function: This is a person’s ability to make sound decisions, plans, and priorities in response to the environment.

● Learning and memory: This is a person’s ability to retain and remember information.

● Perception-motor control: This is a person’s ability to respond to environmental stimuli using motor skills and the senses, like vision and touch.

● Language: The person’s ability to communicate with others.

● Social cognition: This domain pertains to a person's ability to remember social behavior and norms.

Suppose you’re undergoing chemotherapy or are a cancer survivor. In that case, you should enroll yourself in programs that target these cognitive needs to ensure your mental flexibility and elasticity.

Cancer is a significant phase in life that can dramatically affect one’s future, but it doesn’t mean all hope is lost. Being in a good cognitive state to deal with the situation is vital for you to live a happy and content life no matter what condition you are in at the moment.

Recent Studies About Chemo Brain and How to Further Manage Its Effects

The fight to find the cure for cancer is an uphill battle, and the entire medical world is slowly climbing. But, despite the steep climb, breakthroughs are slowly inching us toward that elusive goal.

Researchers at UCLA have shown that mental training is one of the best ways to improve the daily lives of people with chemo brain.

According to their study, women who have undergone chemotherapy to halt the progression of breast cancer resulted in mental fogginess. These women are having difficulty concentrating, becoming disorganized, and failing to attend to daily routines and activities.

Early intervention in these cases resulted in improved memory and better results for respondents after a two-month rehabilitation program.

Another study done in 2013 focused on the effectiveness of online cognitive programs on people undergoing breast cancer treatments. The respondents were subjected to a novel online executive functions program that rehabilitates working memory, multitasking, cognitive flexibility, attention, and planning skills.

The study revealed that cancer survivors who underwent 48 sessions online over 12 weeks showed improvements in the fields of focus. The test determined that computerized programs focused on cognitive or mental training might produce positive results, especially in rehabilitating people who have gone through chemotherapy.

Because of these early successes in this field of study, more research has been done to determine the effectiveness of computer-based cognitive programs in improving cancer survivors' mental abilities.

In 2020, pilot research investigated the effects of video game-based cognitive training to reduce mental impairment due to breast cancer treatment.

A group of respondents was subjected to an online cognitive training program focused on five cognitive domains: attention, working memory, episodic memory, executive function, and processing speed.

The study showed that online cognitive training programs improve cognitive functioning. However, the exact role of video games in the result of this study is still uncertain.

References

1. About Rare Cancers

2. Mental-training Exercises Help Mitigate Effects of “Chemo Brain”

3. Cognitive Training for Improving Executive Function in Chemotherapy-Treated Breast Cancer Survivors

4. A video-game based cognitive training for breast cancer survivors with cognitive impairment: A prospective randomized pilot trial

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Pushing the Limits with Mental Training

Miller Consulting

October 21, 2022

Learn how applying cognitive training for athletic performance is just the beginning.

In modern sports serious athletes are willing to go to the Nth degree to improve their physical performance to gain an edge of just 1%. At Miller Consulting, we believe that cognitive abilities and mental skills training are key components to reaching the next level. It’s not simply being strong physically but being strong mentally that leads to success. This feature will introduce how we leverage NeuroTracker to push the limits of sports performance and benefit non-athletes.

Going ‘All In’

Our goal is to try to help as many individuals as we can, and the philosophy we try to instill in our clients is developing the mentality of being “all in” while working on their mental training to really reap the benefits. We always ask, ‘Where do you want take your current skills?’, and we figure out the best plan for the individual in question.

With the tools available today, everyone has the potential to actualize their potential cognitively. We are aware of a handful of selected neurotechnologies like Fit Light, Visual Edge, Dynavision, Mendi, but the core of our assessment and conditioning is centered around NeuroTracker. We’ve believed in this tool for years and really see all the benefits it has to offer.

Training Athletic Performance

Our work has been focused on athletes and student-athletes. In particular, we work with a lot of players in team sports, partly due to their popularity, but largely because of their cognitive and mental demands on vision, situational awareness and complex decision-making.

Surprisingly, we see impressive differences from one athlete to the next through their NeuroTracker baselines. These scores are measured in Speed Thresholds, so from the scores of each session we get a nice marker to see where an individual is at cognitively. This also helps us determine the optimal training program moving forward.

For example, we sometimes have athletes whose scores are under 1.0 speed – which is the equivalent of tracking multiple objects moving at less than 68cm/second. At the other end of the spectrum, players can consistently achieve around 3.0 speed, which is a significant difference.

Pushing the Comfort Zone

Once an athlete has reached a certain level, we adjust the program to include progressively more complex dual-tasks while completing a NeuroTracker session. For instance, for a hockey player, we start with standing and introducing them to holding their stick and just being in position. It’s significantly more difficult at first, but they adapt quickly. Then we get more technical with drills like stick handling without looking at the puck.

NeuroTracker combined with Optic Flow training

For basketball players, we like to integrate skills like dribbling, jab steps, and triple threat positions. However, this methodology is flexible, so we might use a purely perceptual-task like Optic Flow to train motion processing skills needed in fast-paced competition. Or alternatively, we can add a physical component like strength work which can increase resilience to the cognitive effects of physical stress.

Whatever the approach, the focus is always on taking each athlete outside of their comfort zone. This is the main design of NeuroTracker even without dual tasks, Optic Flow, or sport specific training programs. In fact, some athletes just get obsessed with their chart and stay focused on raising their speed thresholds as high as possible. If NeuroTracker can train our users’ competitivity, we are not against that!

Alternative Sports Rehab

With the pressures of today’s ultra-competitive sports, injuries are inevitable. At the outset of a prolonged injury, an athlete worries about the loss of physical fitness and muscle atrophy. However, the main concern remains game sharpness and readiness. Although, with the recent breakthrough in cognitive training, this is exactly where mental training should be implemented into a athletes’ rehabilitation. Mental training can make a huge difference overtime.

One of our success stories happened with a basketball player. He knew he needed to take several months off and that he was going to be unable to train for a whole summer. He came to work with us at the outset. After a few months on the platform, instead of the typical feeling of struggling to keep up with the game mentally, he found that his vision on the court had improved beyond his peak fitness levels. He was more aware of the game action with more attention to details and was reacting to opponents faster. He’s now been using NeuroTracker religiously with MILLER Consulting for the past two years.

Additionally, there are athletes struggling with the after-effects of concussions. They’ve been through all their rehab with osteopaths, physios and so on in hope to be cleared for return-to-play. Once they are clear to return, most of them feel like they're still not where they used to be. It takes them much more time to process information, they’re lacking confidence, and generally they just feel desperate to get back to where they were.

With these athletes we start very low, with just one ball tracking for four seconds (1T 4S), then when ready, we move to two targets for six seconds (2T 6S), and upwards until they are getting decent speed thresholds at 4 targets tracking over 8 seconds. We trained boxers in similar situations, and they really notice the difference after just a few weeks on the platform.

Beyond Sports

We’re very interested in the benefits of cognitive training for non-athletes. One population we are currently working with is with older adults and the elderly. Both populations feel like they are less able to do what they used to do in their day-to-day activities, such as driving or just reading speed.

The challenge here is that cognitive decline typically continues to progress with age. More so if the effects lead to being less active and the brain is just getting less overall stimulation. Since several research studies have solidified the benefits of NeuroTracker in measuring and improving driving skills for older populations, we feel like there is a lot to offer.

Another more specific population we are aiming to start working with is a group of post-pregnancy mothers with the help of Julie Bertrand at Jab Santé. There’s little awareness of the challenges mothers face in the first six months, but they are significant.

Following the pregnancy there is a risk of depression, the sudden adjustment to a new lifestyle, stress, fatigue, and loss of sleep. This is followed by the pressures of returning to work, with little sympathy in a typical male dominated workplace. We’re really hoping mental training can make a difference here and increase resilience to all these factors.

Lastly, we’re keen to introduce our training to elementary school students. qEEG brain mapping research with NeuroTracker indicates that the training sustainably boosts neuroplasticity, which represents a significant feature in our learning process. If we can improve a young child’s fundamental learning capacities at a young age, this could have life positive effects on their whole learning trajectory.

From our experience so far, young kids love NeuroTracker like it’s a game, they understand it, and they’re motivated to do well at it. Research has also demonstrated that it’s well suited for children at any intellectual level, and it significantly improves their attention. A current study with McGill University is investigating if it can directly enhance math and language abilities.

Going Forward

We’ve known about NeuroTracker for more than 10 years already, it represents a platform that we have used in the past during our sport career. Back then, pretty much only the world’s top tier sports teams had access to it. Now it’s affordable and the new remote training platform through NeuroTrackerX has been a game changer for accessibility, opening to different populations to work with and much more.

One of our goals is to create a mental training community without boundaries, so people can share their path to improvement and support each other along this journey.

We’re genuinely excited about the direction we are taking with cognitive training and are currently developing a new mental training room where athletes will be able to sharpen their cognitive abilities. We are working alongside Dr. Jean-Michel Pelletier (www.psysportif.com), a renowned sport psychologist and an expert in sports trauma. There we’ll look to expand our neurotechnologies with tools like EEG brain mapping, Neurofeedback, and a lot more!

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If you'd like to learn more about our work, here is our website.

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New Research: Perceptual-Cognitive Training Improves Motor Skills in Aging

October 14, 2022

Find out how a 90-minute NeuroTracker intervention could improve quality of life in age-related neurodegeneration.

A recently published study conducted at Mexico General Hospital has demonstrated that NeuroTracker’s perceptual-cognitive training provides far transfer to improved motor skills. Here we’ll give an overview of the new research findings.

Fine Motor Skills in Aging

Grasping and handling objects with hands and fingers while making coordinated movements is referred to as manual dexterity, or fine motor skills. These are the most sophisticated motor skills we can execute (think of an expert pianist), as well as a fundamental part of the skills we require in daily life.

As part of the normal cognitive effects associated with aging, manual dexterity typically declines along with other functions such as attention, memory, and information processing speed. In healthy aging the decline isn’t very significant. However, for common cognitive impairments caused by age-related neurodegeneration, such as dementia, loss of fine motor control can affect daily quality of life.

The degree of loss of hand dexterity has also been established in research to differentiate between mild, moderate, and severe dementia. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is common in older aged adults, and is a precursor to the onset of dementia, which is also associated with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). The amount of people with MCI and dementia are increasing year on year, affecting around 22% of people over the age of 65. 50% people over 85 years old typically experience mild to severe forms dementia and AD.

One of the most pressing challenges to improve the quality of life of older adults is to find interventions that can reduce both physical and mental disabilities.

What Was Studied

38 hospital patients over 65 years of age volunteered for the study. Half of the participants were diagnosed with mild dementia due to the onset of AD, and the other half were diagnosed with MCI and associated memory difficulties.

All participants completed a NeuroTracker training intervention consisting of 36 sessions (approximately 3.5 hours of training), carried out over several weeks. Due to their cognitive impairments, the number of targets tracked was reduced to 2 (the standard being 4 targets). The NeuroTracker scores and learning rates were also used an independent measure of cognitive functions.

Before and after the intervention, the following assessments were completed.

Grooved Pegboard Test (GPT) - assesses psychomotor speed and fine motor control through accurate placement of 25 pegs into differently orientated keyholes.

Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test (MMDT) - evaluates fine and coarse manual dexterity, performed with one and two hands, as well manual motor speed and speed in hand–eye coordination.

What Was Found

NeuroTracker scores were expectedly much lower than healthy older people, even at the level of 2 target tracking. However initial learning was significantly higher than expected over the first 10 to 20 sessions. For these participants, overall performance was lower in the MCI group with memory impairments, than in the mild dementia group (DM).

Overall, the NeuroTracker data showed that age-related cognitive impairment can be clearly differentiated from healthy aging, and that there is a significant learning response.

The pre-post manual dexterity assessments both showed strong far transfer effects from the NeuroTracker intervention, also with similar effects for both groups. Participants could execute the tests significantly more quickly and accurately following the training.

These consistent improvements in fine motor skills suggests that the benefits of cognitive training are both robust and reliable. Additionally, the researchers of the study advise that the findings show only 15 sessions (or 90 minutes) of training is likely to be sufficient for such transfer, based on the high initial NeuroTracker learning responses.

The results support other research in older populations with subjective memory complaints, which showed far transfer in motor skills on the Trail Making Test and the Stroop test of psychomotor speed. Also related, another clinical study showed that NeuroTracker training significantly reduced fall-risk with elderlies in care homes, due to positive far transfer across 5 assessments of gross motor skills.

Improving Body and Mind in Aging

Along with previous studies showing significant benefits across a range of high-level cognitive functions for older adults completing NeuroTracker interventions, this research points towards 3D multiple object tracking being an accessible and efficient way to counter the physical and cognitive effects of both healthy aging and age-related neurodegeneration.

Little research in neuroscience exists for improving neurophysical abilities later in life, but it seems to be a promising research avenue that could be very helpful for maintaining a higher quality of life into old age.

Reference

‘Effect of 3D-Multiple Object Tracking Training on Manual Dexterity in Elderly Adults with Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment’, Ángel Daniel Santana-Vargas, et al.

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Soleus Push-ups - the Biggest Ever Breakthrough for Human Fitness?

October 8, 2022

Discover how a simple muscle exercise can dramatically boost your metabolism.

If there was a magic pill that can provide the benefits of intense exercise, but without any of the sweat, would you take it? Neuroscientists at the University of Houston have made a potentially ground-breaking discovery for human health. In a new study they showed for the first time that a very light and focused muscle exercise, dubbed the 'soleus push-up', can dramatically boost the body's metabolism and rate of oxygen consumption. Here we'll cover why this finding might just be one of the biggest ever breakthroughs in modern human biology.

What is the Soleus?

The soleus is a slim minor calf muscle that sits behind the main calf (gastrocnemius) and Achilles tendon, running from the heel to the back of the knee. The muscle is generally activated when the calf is stretched, that is, when the foot is raised above flat and pushing down. Walking or running up a steep hill (but not steps), is an example of when they come into play.

Muscles are the largest lean mass in our bodies, yet in terms of whole-body oxidative metabolism, they only burn 15% of glucose at rest. This lack of muscular metabolism when at rest is associated with the now well-established health risks of too much sitting too much. Surprising to most people, this risk is still high even for people who participate in regular exercise or do workouts, such as going to the gym or running.

What's So Special About the Soleus?

This muscle has a special in-built mechanism, unknown until now. The researchers showed that when this specific muscle is activated in a very specific way, whole body glucose metabolism is increased by 30-45%. This occurs with negligible energy expenditure of actually contracting the soleus, and also triggers the use of a previously undiscovered fuel mixture.

The exercise is a simple repetitive heel lift while keeping the ball of the foot on the floor, which can be done while seated on the floor or on a chair. Interestingly, this precise type of soleus contraction is deactivated while walking or running. Accordingly, lower limb energy muscle expenditure was also tested on a treadmill.

Burn More Energy Than Running - While Sitting?!

Remarkably, the soleus push-up burned more than twice as much oxygen across all the leg muscles than running. The same metabolic effects were also found to be ten times greater than walking. This huge boost in energy consumption was seen across adults aged 22–82 years of age.

The takeaway is that systemic metabolic regulation can be greatly improved by activating this minor calf muscle, and without resistance or added weights. These research findings reveal a widely accessible and practical way to counter the significant health risks of prolonged sitting, including for people who exercise regularly.

Here is an overview of the study findings by the lead research Marc Hamiliton.

There could also be many more benefits, such as preventing deep vein thrombosis (DBT) on long haul flights. This is caused by the build-up of blood clots due to restricted blood circulation in the legs, which in turn can travel around the cardiovascular system and can cause fatal heart attacks.

In particular, soleus push-ups could be ideal therapy for people who have limited movement, due to injuries, disease, or the physiological effects of natural aging. More research is needed to investigate such benefits.

Another Biohack?

Though the study findings seem hard to believe, there are similar biological mechanisms that have been discovered, which likewise initiate the body to go beyond normal human activity. One example that has been well established in sports science, is plyometric muscle contractions, where muscles are briefly eccentrically stretched beyond their normal range, then rapidly contracted. This causes a significant increase is muscle power. As such it is a training technique used in many sports to build up power.

Other examples are the release of energy reserves in completely fatigued endurance athletes when simply tasting sugars, and boosts in all sensory processing when receiving a very specific pattern of sensory stimulation termed 'stochastic resonance'.

It's tempting to label these phenomena as biohacks, but this is open to debate, as these natural responses are built into our fundamental biology through evolution. The soleus push-up breakthrough does however raise an important question - what else can be discovered about our bodies' hidden in-built abilities? Hopefully science will tell.

The open-access paper can be read here.

'A potent physiological method to magnify and sustain soleus oxidative metabolism improves glucose and lipid regulation'

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Guest Blogs

Guest Writers

September 29, 2022

6 Major Health Benefits of Kratom Leaves

From pain relief to energy boosts, check out the numerous benefits of this increasingly popular natural supplement.

Natives in South Asian countries have talked about the healing wonders of Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa), a tropical evergreen tree in the coffee family, for years. They believe the tree leaves and leaf extracts have stimulant and sedative properties. It has reportedly been used to treat chronic pain, opium dependence withdrawal, and digestive problems.

Unfortunately, there aren't enough research and clinical trials available to back up these claims, and it hasn't been approved for medical use. But that's not to disclaim the health effects of Kratom. This article will review the potential health benefits that Kratom may offer and highlight the risk associated with using Kratom. Let's start by discussing why people use Kratom, the methods of usage, and the dosage.

Why And How Do People Use Kratom?

People use Kratom for different reasons. Kratom has been observed to function like a stimulant at low doses. Low-dose users usually report experiencing the feeling of being energized, alert, and friendly after using the drug. It's also reported euphoric effects and dulling emotions and sensations at larger doses.

Kratom is mainly used in the United States as a tea that can help relieve pain and narcotic withdrawal. As for the intake method, the plant's dark green leaves are usually dried and crushed or powdered. In addition, there are also paste, pill, and tablet forms of Kratom, whichever suits you best.

Health Benefits of Kratom

The physiological effects of Kratom are linked to the presence of two main alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine, that can be found in the leaves. There are various potential health benefits of using red vein kratom and other kratom strains, according to available research, which includes:

1. Pain Relief and Anti-inflammatory Effects

A 2017 study on Kratom revealed some exciting details about its anti-inflammatory and immune system booster properties. This discovery backs up the stories of many kratom users that testified to its ability to relieve chronic pains and aches. In addition, Kratom's pain-relieving properties have been compared with HCG injections and reviewed as a natural remedy to comfort patients with fibromyalgia and chronic pain.

While there's a possibility that Kratom might present a more natural alternative to relieve pain and inflammation, there's still not enough evidence presented for the drug to be widely accepted — anecdotal evidence is growing daily.

2. Can Provide Relief from Anxiety

Based on an ancient tradition among people from southern Asia, they usually chew a few of the plant's leaves before going to social gatherings or events. This is because Kratom would help them stay calmer, less worried, more at ease, and more outgoing.

This practice is still much alive today as people still use Kratom for its alleged ability to regulate mind flow and calm nerves. Some people say Kratom makes them feel friendlier and chattier.

3. Can Help with Depression

The mechanism by which Kratom interacts with and affects the body is similar to that of opioids like morphine and codeine, even though it's not an opioid drug.

Mitragynine, an active alkaloid found in Kratom, attaches itself to opioid receptors to produce similar effects to antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. However, there's little scientific evidence to prove Kratom's effect on anxiety and mood.

Also, note that the proverbial anti-anxiety properties Kratom have are only present in specific kratom strains and product types. Users who want the anti-anxiety properties kratom offers would need to research to identify the correct strain and product. It's also crucial to establish a suitable personal dosage for optimal effects.

4. Might Assist in Overcoming Certain Addictions

The International Journal of Drug Policy released a study in May 2019 to find answers to some frequently asked questions about Kratom and its use. An exciting find was Kratom's use in addiction recovery.

Many believe using Kratom can help reduce withdrawal symptoms from opioids and other addictive habits. A small-scale study was also conducted in Malaysia in 2009 to show how Kratom reduced withdrawal symptoms. Many researchers have also published papers, online reports, and data on the same topic.

However, regulatory agencies like the FDA still require more controlled clinical trials on the drug to ascertain it's a safe and reliable treatment for treating addiction.

5. Can Act As an Energy Booster

As discussed above, there are different strains of Kratom, each with a peculiar attribute. While some can produce effects similar to coffee, others may make you feel dull. Some strains — White vein kratom, Maeng Da, and Thai Kratom — are believed to make the user feel more energized and determined to do daily tasks more quickly. This common knowledge makes many look towards a cup of kratom tea as an alternative to their morning brew.

Studies about Kratom's energy-boosting effects reveal that the drug affects specific metabolic systems to improve circulation and increase the amount of oxygenated blood, hence the pumped-up feeling effects.

6. Libido Enhancement

Another possible benefit of kratom is that it can be a potential supplement for sexual enhancement. Some researchers have reviewed Kratom's aphrodisiac properties with several clinical trials and published data claiming it works well as a plant-based sexual enhancer.

Possible Side Effects

The most common side effects users of Kratom usually complain about are constipation and nausea. However, there are also harmful effects linked to Kratom use. They include:

● Sweating

● Itching

● Dizziness

● Dry mouth

● Hallucinations

● Seizures

● Liver damage

Long-Term Effects

Not much is known about the long-term effects of prolonged kratom use. However, a survey of some users shows that anorexia, recurrent weight loss, darker facial skin, dry lips, frequent urination, and constipation are the potential long-term effects of prolonged kratom use.

Bottom Line

Before using Kratom for any medical properties, consult your doctor first. As much as there are some benefits the drug offers, there is equally some risk involved, especially in cases of overdose or product quality issues.

There has been a lot of research that has proven that Kratom has medical uses, including pain relief, treating the symptoms of mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression, stopping or reducing opioid or other substance use, and managing opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Some drugs reported to react with Kratom include benzodiazepines, barbiturates, alcohol, opioids, antidepressants, anxiolytics, and other CNS-active medications. Further studies will also be needed to ascertain that Kratom offers more benefits than harm.

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How to Become Unstoppable in Sports

September 23, 2022

Discover how integrated neurophysical training is being used to frame the brains of tomorrow's sports champions.

The athletic brain is an efficient brain. Whether it is a last-minute game winner or a breakout performance, training athletes to enhance their ability to thrive in the moment is the difference between good and great. Here we’ll share our approach at NeuroAthletes, where we specialize in providing robust cognitive training using the latest neurotechnologies.

The Missing Link in Modern Performance Enhancement

We first created NeuroAthletes because we noticed something missing in the youth sports market while coaching our own children. As previous athletes ourselves, we became aware of some of the challenges youth athletes face in the 21st century world competitive sports.

These include factors such as travelling with teams at much younger ages, an increase in general anxiety, and particularly less focus and attention and social confidence from growing up in the digital age.

Looking for solutions for these challenges, we researched and tried a variety of modern training options. We found that the domain that stood head and shoulders above the rest was cognitive training, and we loved the results we got. Although a relatively new approach, this makes perfect sense. Many experts claim that sports is 80% mental, yet traditionally, brain functions have rarely been trained under a sports science methodology. Instead, most training is dominantly physical fitness or skills based.

From discovering this missing link in athletic performance conditioning, we now specialize in combining physical and mental training to help athletes go from good to great.

Framing the Brains of Tomorrow’s Champions

The difference between an average athlete and an elite athlete lies in their mental performance capacities. Research even shows that heighted cognitive abilities are likely the best predictive measure of world-class athletes, compared to sub-elite athletes.

The great news is that the brain is far more adaptable and responsive to focused training than what the body is. Through harnessing our in-built neuroplasticity, the brain can literally rewire itself overnight

So, the key takeaway is that mental performance is a skill set you can train and develop just like any other fundamental sports skill, and the benefits can be reaped surprisingly rapidly. For example, a soccer study showed that just a 3-hour intervention of distributed cognitive training reduced passing-decision making errors by a massive 40%.

Just like strength and conditioning or sports science revolutionized athletic performance, cognitive training will become the go-to tool for framing the brain of tomorrow’s champion.

The Mental Skills Athletes Need to Develop in Order to Excel

Most athletes and coaches underestimat just how much sports rely on high-level visual and cognitive skills. For instance, in team sports like hockey and soccer, players spend only a tiny fraction of game time actually in possession of the puck or ball. Most of their performance is dictated by having the situational awareness and rapid processing skills to know where to be, at the right moment. Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky summed up it perfectly.

I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.

When we tie it all together specific to performance in a team sport, we know that player decisions rely heavily on rapidly changing scenes, and players must be able to process and recognize situations in order to find out the most effective play among all conceivable choices, often on extremely short timescales.

This ability can be broken down into a 4-stage process.

This perception-to-action loop requires mental muscle like working memory, planning, reasoning, and creativity. Additionally, this process needs to be flexible enough to be dynamic. Players will often need to make a rapid decision to cancel an intended play, to instead decide on a new play based on changing information and cues. This requires inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility and problem solving.

Next we’ll cover some of the equipment and neurotechnologies we utilize to take this human performance domain to the next level.

Applied Cognitive Training Techniques

At NeuroAthletes our first step is always an extensive assessment of each individuals’ spectrum of visual capacities. Rather than asking the question will vision training work for a given individual, we ask ''how do we make it work the best for the individual?''

Just as the physical demands of different sports vary, likewise do the visual and cognitive demands (though most coaches rarely take this into account). For this reason, we give athletes complete insight into the visual and cognitive skills we assess, which allows us to optimize our performance programs according to very specific needs.

Although we are regularly scouting the latest innovations on the market, here are some tried and tested technologies we have had great success with.

NeuroTracker

NeuroTracker uses 3D multiple object tracking to rapidly train-up visual processing skills and situational awareness. In addition it provides scientific baselines to assess each player's on-going cognitive abilities.

Switchedon® Pro

A tool for Perceptual Cognitive Motor (PCM) training, Switchedon is designed to improve physical and cognitive performance simultaneously, in ways that transfer to competition.

SMARTfit® Strike Pods

This system of visual-cognitive-motor training helps athletes to compete in an elevated state of physical performance and mental concentration, which can be used to target sport specific hand-eye or foot-eye skills.

TRX RIP Trainer

The TRX system allows full body movement and strengthening using relative body weight to build-up core stability, balance, power and flexibility through rotational and asymmetrical movements.

KBands Training

This plyometric workout equipment effectively builds dynamic power to increase an athlete's verticals, explosiveness, and reaction time.

Of these tools, NeuroTracker has become core in all our training. Not only does it allow us to boost visual skills and train 3D depth perception, the cognitive metrics it delivers mean we can track how our athletes are developing at the level of the brain. As such it used by many elite performance teams such as Redbull F1, Boston Red Soxs, and Washington Capitols to name a few.

The Benefits of Training the Neurophysical Dimension of Sports

We help train the brain, improve reaction time, improve focus, mental accuracy, sensory processing and other neurocognitive attributes. Here are some of the performance gains we see from our overall training programs.

• Processing information faster

• Recovering quickly from mistakes

• Improved situational awareness

• Increased attention span

• Maintaining composure under pressure

• Better motor accuracy skills

• Faster footwork, ball speed and control

• Heightened speed and agility

• Reduced reaction times

• More efficient action execution

• Enhanced core balance

In addition, the skills we improve are also a first line of defense against injury on the field. Athletes become more adept at recognizing and avoiding injury threats such as as aggressive tackles, particularly through expanded peripheral vision.

Takeaways

Just like you can train your body to develop the proper technique to dribble a basketball or throw a pitch, you can train your mind to become more focused, resilient, and confident. This won’t happen by accident, but as we’ve found at NeuroAthletes, training your mind intentionally with consistency and structure is a great recipe for success.

Applying neurotechnologies and equipment already on the market today, athletes can be empowered to become both physically and mentally ready to perform. Maximize training to think faster, react smarter and perform better under pressure is achievable with neurophysical conditioning.

If you’d like to learn more about our approach and the specific performance programs we offer, check out our website.

NeuroAthletes

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Performance

Is Blood Flow Restriction Training the Future of Rehab?

September 16, 2022

Discover how blood flow restriction training what is all about and how it's transforming clinical and sports rehabilitation.

A fast-rising rehab tool used by physical therapists, athletic trainers and bodybuilders, blood flow restriction (BFR) training has been gaining increasing awareness over the past few years. It holds promise for building muscle strength without lifting heavy weights, and potentially even aiding rehabilitation while resting. Here we will cover the fundamentals of BFR and some science of how it works, to reveal why this technique might become the future of rehab.

What is BFR?

BFR was originally a novel training method developed in Japan by Dr. Yoshiaki Sato in 1966, dubbed as KAATSU (now a BFR product brand). Today BFR is also referred to more scientifically as Occlusion Training, referring to lack of blood flow. The core concept involves using a cuff or band tied tightly around the major arteries in the upper legs or arms. Some of the latest products on the market also embed cuffs into sports clothing for ease of use.

The goal is to temporarily restrict both incoming and outgoing blood flow to the muscle groups (or only outgoing blood flow with KAATSU), essentially to trick the body’s physiological systems into a heightened rehabilitation state. It depends on the protocol, but the typical timeframe for BFR is up to 20-minutes per session. Although it sounds potentially harmful, BFR has been studied extensively and deemed to be safe when used properly.

The most important effect of BFR is that it allows low levels of physical activity to have similar effects to high-intensity exercise. For this reason, low-level resistance exercise, aerobic exercise or physical therapy movements are performed while blood flow is minimized. For resistance exercise, 30% of a person’s maximum load at one rep is the upper limit for triggering the benefits of BFR.

Here is a short practical introduction.

How Does BFR Work?

Although the methodology is relatively straight-forward, the physiological mechanisms of how it works are multifaceted. This is because the body to reacts to the stimulus by kick-starting repairs at a cellular level.

Here are three cellular response mechanisms which aid rehabilitation.

1. Recovery hormones

When the BFR straps are applied, blood begins to pool in the muscles causing them to swell and become stressed. This triggers the body to produce recovery hormones in the muscle, and when the straps are released, these hormones flood the whole body providing a systemic impact. Every muscle, organ, or structure in the body with a blood supply can potentially benefit from these recovery hormones.

2. Flushing

When the BFR straps are removed after a period of application, the build-up of pressure in the limbs is released, causing a relatively sudden flush that removes waste materials from the joints and muscles. This process is immediate and would typically take the body 48 hours or more to achieve unassisted.

3. Reperfusion

When the BFR straps are removed, fresh nutrient rich blood is driven into the muscles and structural tissues, helping them recover in a process called reperfusion.

Who Uses BFR and What For?

Traditionally the most common application of BFR is to accelerate rehab following severe injuries or operations. In these situations, muscle atrophy is a common problem which can make recovery difficult. When muscles are significantly weakened, biomechanical stress is transferred to the associated joints, which are very easily overloaded. This leads to high-risk of reinjury when trying to get back on the long road to normal activity.

By minimizing muscle loss when unable to deal with load, injury recovery can transition to the next stage of rehabilitation program earlier, from a position of greater strength. BFR can also be used passively (while resting) to harness some of the physiological benefits. This is particularly useful in the first few days following operations, when atrophy begins, but inflammation makes even light training loads infeasible.

Similarly, people who have compromised cardiovascular systems or weak hearts, can use BFR without the obvious risks of high-intensity exercise.

Body builders also find BFR appealing, due to extreme ratio of muscle mass compared to skeletal, joint and tendon mass. As such, performing at maximal loads presents a higher risk injury, with BFR offering a workaround.

Lastly, BFR has recently been making its way from professional sports rehab into performance enhancement of healthy athletes, for both strength and endurance conditioning. A couple of examples of recent adoption are English Premier League clubs and F1 teams.

Overall BFR has been seeing a trend of use growing from practicing physical therapists, orthopedic surgeons, and chiropractors, into the hands of trainers, coaches and elite athletes. Due to the need to control and monitor blood flow precisely, it’s recommended that this technique is used under the supervision of professionally trained personnel.

Takeaway

Although BFR is new to many people, this rehabilitation technique leverages natural biological responses and has been around for decades, with sound science behind it. It can be a valuable method for injury recovery, as well as an aid to performance training. Accordingly, the applied benefits found in clinical applications are now making their way into the human performance domain.

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Guest Blogs

Guest Writers

September 9, 2022

Soy Nutrition Facts: 5 Things You Need to Know

Discover the multi-dimensional nutritional benefits of the simple soya bean.

Soybeans or soya beans (Glycine max) are a legume native to Eastern Asia. They have been eaten for thousands of years and are an essential part of the Asian diet. Most of them are grown in Asia, South America, and North America. Soybeans are often eaten whole in Asia, but heavily processed soy products are much more common in the West.

Soy products like soy flour, protein, tofu, soy milk, soy sauce, and soybean oil are all available. Soybeans contain potent antioxidants and phytonutrients that offer many health benefits.

This article will highlight five vital nutritional facts you should know about soybeans. Keep reading to discover more about this unique legume.

What is Soybean and its Uses?

Soybeans are part of the pea (legume) family of plants and have been a mainstay of Asian cuisines for thousands of years. Soy and soy foods are popular, especially among vegetarians and vegans, because of their high protein content and ability to be used as milk and meat replacements. Certain producers use us soy to manufacture protein powder and isoflavone supplements. Isoflavones are plant chemicals with an estrogen-like structure.

Soybeans contain phytoestrogens, which are hormone-like compounds that mimic the action of the hormone estrogen and have been linked to health benefits. Eating soybean-based foods may lower the risk of various health problems, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, and coronary heart disease (CHD). These legumes also enhance bone health.

Soy may also be helpful for perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, resulting in fewer and less severe hot flushes.

Soybeans are high-protein plant food that you can prepare and consume in numerous ways. They are from the pea family.

Soybeans come in a variety of colors, including:

• Green soybeans. Often known as edamame, these are young green soybeans. You can steam them and eat them as an appetizer right out of the pod. You can also find shelled edamame in salads, stir-fries, and soups.

• Yellow soybeans. Yellow soybeans are commonly used in producing soy milk, tofu, tempeh, and tamari. They also contribute to the manufacture of soy flour for baking.

• Black soybeans. In traditional Asian cuisines, black soybeans are boiled or fermented.

If you’d like to substitute dairy in your diet, consider soy milk and cheese as potential options.

Soybeans also provide soy oil, which can be used for cooking or as an ingredient. After extracting the oil from soybeans, the residual is used to make feed for farm animals and pets.

5 Key Nutrition Facts about Soy

Soybeans are mostly protein but also have a lot of carbohydrates and fat. Here are the key nutritional facts about soy.

1. Proteins

Soybeans are one of the most significant sources of plant-based protein.

They have a protein content of 36-56% by dry weight.

One cup (172 g) of cooked soybeans has approximately 31g of protein.

Soy protein has excellent nutritional value, although it is not as high in quality as other animal proteins.

Glycinin and conglycinin are the two primary forms of protein found in soybeans, accounting for around 80% of the total protein content. It’s important to note that some people may develop allergic responses to these proteins.

Soy protein consumption also leads to a slight reduction in a person’s cholesterol levels.

2. Fat

Soybeans are oilseeds that can be used to produce soybean oil.

Their fat content is around 18% of the dry weight – primarily polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids and traces of saturated fat.

Linoleic acid is soybean’s most common fat, accounting for around half of the total fat content.

3. Carbs

Whole soybeans are very low on the glycemic index (GI), which measures how meals impact blood sugar levels after meals.

Because of their low GI, soybeans are appropriate for people with diabetes.

4. Fiber

Soybeans are high in both soluble and insoluble fiber.

The insoluble fibers are mostly alpha-galactosidase, which might induce gas and diarrhea in people who are sensitive to them.

FODMAPs, which include alpha-galactosidase, is a kind of fiber that may aggravate the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Soybean soluble fibers are considered healthful, despite eliciting unpleasant side effects in some people.

They are fermented in your colon by bacteria, resulting in the synthesis of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which enhance gut health and lower the risk of colon cancer.

5. Minerals and vitamins

Soybeans are rich in several vitamins and minerals, including:

• Molybdenum. Molybdenum, an essential trace element mainly found in seeds, grains, and legumes, is abundant in soybeans.

• Vitamin K1. Phylloquinone is the type of vitamin K available in legumes. It aids in the formation of blood clots.

• Folate. Folate, often known as vitamin B9, serves several roles in your body and is especially crucial during pregnancy.

• Copper. Copper consumption is not prevalent in people from Western nations. Lacking this vital nutrient can negatively impact your heart health.

• Thiamine. Thiamine, often referred to as B1, is vital for multiple body activities.

The Bottom Line

Soybeans are rich in protein and an excellent source of fats and carbs. They are high in vitamins, minerals, and beneficial plant components, including isoflavones. Therefore, frequent soybean consumption can relieve menopausal symptoms and lower your risk of breast and prostate cancer. Use this guide to understand the nutritional facts of soy and what you can benefit from this legume.

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22 Amazing Breakthroughs in Neuroscience

September 2, 2022

Here are 22 genuinely mind-blowing neuroscience studies that challenge our preconceptions of who we are, or who we could be.

With breakthroughs coming faster than in any other field of science, a lot has been going on in neuroscience in recent years. Here are 22 genuinely mind-blowing neuroscience studies that challenge our preconceptions of who we are, or who we could be.

1. Live 3D Brain Function Mapping

Earlier this year MIT scientists developed a new technique to pair structural mapping (brain anatomy) with functional mapping (how the brain behaves) - the first time this has been properly achieved. In addition, this has been done in live mice, with the mapping performed across mouse brain regions in real-time. This video gives an idea of how fascinating it is to see the coupling of brain structures and live activity changing in response to a mouse being shown different images.

The vanguard technique combines third-harmonic generation (THG) three-photon microscopy with retinotopic mapping, allowing activity to be observed through deep brain tissue via electrical signatures.

It also delivers stunning resolution, allowing individual neurons and their substructures to be studied, as well as fine blood vessels and myelin – a kind of insulator known to be a critical factor in brain processing speed.

This study focused on the visual centers of the brain, but the same method can be used to study other regions. It promises to be a powerful tool for understanding differences in healthy and diseased brain states, as well as how the brain responds to environmental stimulation.

2. Seeing Decisions Being Made in the Brain

Stanford University made a key breakthrough with a new bifocal microscopy technique called COSMOS. Their work captured movies of neural activity across the whole of the cerebral cortex of a mouse brain.

These signals were recorded by essentially filming the brain from three different angles, then computationally extracting signals to provide a live video of macroscopic activity over the left and right hemispheres. Here is a sample where you literally see the remarkable electrical storm of a real brain in action.

As the cortex handles complex higher-level cognitive functions, more mysterious behaviors like decision-making processes can now start to be unraveled in a global way. For example for understanding of the relationship of decisions dependent on sensory perception and motor function (think about what’s involved in deciding which way to dodge an oncoming car).

The researchers also expect COSMOS to be a low-cost method for screening the effects of psychiatric drugs, so that they can be developed to be more functionally effective.

3. Sleep Breakthrough for Artificial Brains

As we’ve covered in a previous blog, a major breakthrough for Google’s Deep Mind artificial intelligence program came through mimicking the neo-cortical columns of the human mind. This led to vastly increased intelligence using a fraction of the computing power. As a result this human-modelled AI has now surpassed the world’s best chess, Go and then eSports players at their own games.

Though not fully understood, sleep provides a critical function for mammalian and human brains, with serious problems occurring whenever sleep deprivation is endured. This year Los Alamos National Laboratory discovered that the spiking computational networks of AI systems also suffer a kind of sleep deprivation, becoming unstable when performing for long periods without rests. Yet, when put into a network state similar to the brainwaves we experience during sleep, optimal performance was restored.

This may not sound like such a big deal, but advancements in AI are likely to transform the way we all our lives. The findings also hint that the merging disciplines of neuroscience and AI field could yield a new era of super smart computers.

4. Tiny Implant Allows Paralyzed Patients to Control a Computer

A minuscule brain device has been used to improve quality of life patients with severe upper limb paralysis caused by motor neuron disease. Carried out at the University of Melbourne, this trial implanted the new micro technology inside the brains of the participants.

The device called Stentrode™ was inserted through keyhole surgery into the neck, and from there moved into the motor cortex via blood vessels. This minimally invasive method avoids the associated risks and recovery complications of open brain surgery.

The implant uses wireless technology to relay specific neuronal activity into a computer, where it is converted in actions based off the intentions of the patients. Amazingly, this tiny chip allowed the patients to perform actions like click and zoom, and write with 93% accuracy, helping them do things we take for granted like text, email and shop online.

It's very early days still, but the minimally invasive nature of the treatment shows the great potential for micro neurotechnologies to help aid people with all kinds of cognitive impairments.

5. Neuroscientists Turn Normal Neurons Into Regenerating Ones

In 2018 we reported that scientists learned how to reprogram stem cells into specific neurons. This year researchers from four different US universities have taken a bigger step towards the holy grail of life extension. By identifying genes networks that regulate cellular regeneration, they have been able to manipulate normal cells to turn into progenitor cells, which can morph into any cell type to replace dying cells.

Their proof of concept was carried out with the glial cells of Zebra fish, effectively converting them into stem cells which then detected and restored damaged retinal cells to recover impaired vision.

Cell death, or apoptosis, is a plays a big role in the inevitably of natural aging in humans. The researchers believe that the process for regenerating neurons in the brain will be similar. If successful it will have vast implications for conditions such as Alzheimer’s Disease, where large regions of the brain can be lost to the death of neurons. It may also play a role in preventing the many side-effects of natural aging in the brain, for longer and healthier living in peak shape into old age.

6. Preventing Neurodegeneration

Rather than replaced dying cells, scientists at Heidelberg University have identified key processes involved in the death of brain cells, called neurodegeneration. It involved uncovering the process by which cellular glutamate uptake prevents cell death in healthy people, yet becomes inactive in diseased state like stroke, where oxygen supply to brain cells becomes restricted.

In effect this leads to cell killing themselves off simply because they are not getting the correct chemical signals to tell them to stay alive. The researchers then developed a special class of inhibitors that can step in and deactivate the cellular ‘death complex’ before it occurs.

The inhibitors showed to be highly effective at protecting nerve cells, hopefully leading to a new class of treatments options for neurodegenerative diseases.

7. Parkinson’s Disease is One of Two Different Diseases

Aarhus University researchers have used advanced PET and MRI imaging techniques to reveal Parkinson’s disease to actually be either of two different variants of the disease.

In one variant the disease starts in the intestines, going on to spread to the brain through neural connections. In the other, it starts in the brain and then moves into the intestines and other organs. This video gives a great overview.

Though not curative, it’s a major step in the right direction for being able to identify early stage onset for preventative measures. For example, it may lead to treatments which prevent the disease from even making it into the brain altogether, where the effects then become debilitating over time. It is also another key piece in the puzzle of the powerful symbioses between our intestines and our mind, known scientifically as the gut-brain axis.

8. AI Advances the Challenging Diagnoses of Brain Injuries

Scientists at the University of Cambridge and Imperial College London have developed a new type of AI algorithm that can detect, differentiate and identify different types of brain injuries from topographical CT scan data.

CT scans collect a huge amount of data which can take experts hours to analyze, and this needs to include the collective evaluation of multiple scans over time in order to track recovery trajectories or disease progression. This new AI tool appears to better than human experts at detecting such changes, as well as being far quicker and cheaper.

For example, their research showed the software to be highly effective at automatically quantifying the progression of multiple types of brain lesions, helping predict which lesions would get larger. The innovative application of this type of AI to assist human analysis is likely to be first of many that will transform medical diagnostics in cost-effective ways.

9. Secret of Super-Agers Discovered

Super-agers are individuals whose cognitive skills are way past their peers in old age, retaining youthful mental abilities well into their 70s and 80s. Until now the secret to retaining their peak shape has been little understood.

University Hospital Cologne and the Research Center Juelich have discovered a key difference in their biology. Using PET scans they revealed that super-agers have markedly increased resistance to tau and amyloid proteins. Until recent years these proteins have proven difficult to study.

Super-agers also have lower levels of tau and amyloid pathology, which in turns leads to various kinds of neurodegeneration in most people in their later years. It’s now been identified that reduced resistance to tau and amyloid accumulation is a primary biological factor for the loss of peak cognitive shape.

New research can be focused on these processes to find ways to possibly cure mental decline generally, as well as help develop therapeutics to protect against forms of dementia that are already occurring.

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10. Treating Severe Depression with Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation

A research team at the University of California San Francisco have successfully developed a method using deep brain stimulation (DBS) to adaptively treat depressive symptoms only when they appear. Deep brain stimulation involves implanting electrodes within the brain to deliver electrical currents to alter brain activity.

Previous studies have had limited success for treating depression with DBS because devices could only deliver constant electrical stimulation in one area of the brain. However depression can affect various areas of the brain, and the neural signatures of depression can rise and fall unpredictably.

With the aim of essentially creating a pacemaker for the brain, the scientists decoded a new neural biomarker. This specific pattern of brain activity effectively predicts the onset of symptoms. With this knowledge the team customized a new DBS technology that only activates when and where it recognizes that pattern.

The type of automatic on-demand therapy is impressive because it's functional responses are unique to both the patient’s brain and the neural circuit causing the illness. In it’s first trial, this custom DBS method was tested with a patient suffering from severe depression and passed with flying colors. Almost immediately, the patient’s symptoms were alleviated, and this continued to be the case long term.

In the COVID era, where anxiety and mental health problems are becoming rife, this approach could prove an invaluable drug-free therapy for hundreds of millions of people.

11. Beyond Human Hearing

Similar to light waves, humans can only perceive a relatively small spectrum of the sound waves that travel around us. Typically we can only pick up on frequencies between 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz, beyond this is considered ultrasonic. This is the frequency range that animals like bats operate in, and also what is put to use in ultra sound medical scans.

A new method utilizing sophisticated technology has been pioneered by scientists at Aalto University, and has led to a device that basically gives humans bat-level hearing. This includes not only the ability to hear frequencies well beyond 20,000 Hz, but also to discern the direction and distance of the sound sources. For biologists for example, it allows people to track otherwise stealthy bats in flight, and locate their positions.

It works by recording ultrasound via a spherical microphone array, which detects ultrasonic sounds and uses a computer to translate the pitch to audible frequencies. It then plays the converted sound waves through headphones in real-time. Being able to perceive normally inaudible sounds could have valuable industrial applications, for example being able to hear and locate otherwise silent gas leaks.

Imagecredit: Ville Pulkki/Aalto University

12. AI Independently Learns to Smell in the Same Way Humans Do

Although neuroscience is a relatively young and fast-growing domain of science, artificial intelligence (AI) is both much newer and growing faster. The potential of combining these two fields of science has been revealed by researchers at MIT.

Using machine learning, they have discovered that artificial neural networks can self-learn how to smell in just a few minutes, actually mimicking the olfactory circuits in mammalian brains. This is profound because the algorithm put to work had no knowledge of the millions of years evolution required to develop smell biologically.

Yet amazingly, the artificial neural network replicated the biological activity of smell so closely that it revealed the brain’s olfactory network is mathematically optimized for its function.

This precise mimicking of the natural structure of circuits in the brain by independent machine learning may herald a new era, whereby AI teaches us the inner secrets of biological evolution. Sense of smell is the starting point in 2021, but who knows where this could lead…

13. Neuroprosthesis Converts Thoughts into Sentences in Severely Paralyzed Patient

Researchers at UC San Francisco developed a new kind of a speech neuroprosthesis for patients with paralyses that prevents them for speaking. The method was demonstrated successfully on a man with a severely damaged brain stem, causing whole body paralysis.

Somewhat remarkably it works by detecting speech-related brain signals that control the vocal cords. When we speak, the vocal cords require complex motor-function instructions in order to articulate the wide variety of sounds we use when conversing. Even when unable to move, these signals can still get sent from the brain.

Using brain recordings from epilepsy patients, the scientists developed a method for real-time decoding of instructions to vocal muscles, into words. From these neural patterns, they were able to reliably discern 50 different common words whenever the patient was thinking them.

All that was required was for the patient to wear a high-density electrode array to capture and record neural activity, which recorded signals from the speech motor cortex. This allowed up 18 words per minute to be translated with 93% accuracy. The advantage for the patient was that he simply had to act like he was really speaking and he could communicate hundreds of different sentences from the 50 words vocabulary.

Although this breakthrough seems limited to paralyzed patients, we undergo paralysis every night when we dream (unless we sleep walk). If evolved sufficiently, this approach could, for example, pave the way to translating our very thoughts while sleeping!

14. Human Mini-Brains Developed with Complex Neural Activity

Technically termed ‘brain organoids’, mini-brains can be grown from induced pluripotent stem cells. These stem cells can be taken from a person’s skin or blood, and the the potential to be morph into any type of cells. The benefit is that cell structures normally very difficult to access, can in principle, be grown and isolated for study. This is especially relevant for the brain, however previous mini-brains had limited functional structures.

This year’s breakthrough by scientists at UCLA has catapulted the structural complexity by growing aggregates of organoids to form complex three-dimensional brain structures. The researchers took stem cells from patients with Rett syndrome (a condition with seizures), and were able to grow mini-brains with functional activity similar to parts of human brains. This meant they were able to safely and successfully observe patterns of electrical activity that resemble the onset of seizures.

This research shows for the first time that some aspects of brain function can be isolated and studied in the lab down to the level of individual living cells. The key advantage is that these mini-brains can be grown to replicate aspects of both normal and diseased brain functions, as well as to test drugs and treatments with no risks to human or animals.

The scale of the human brain is enormous, so there are still clear limitations in terms of the complexity of brain structures that can be studied, but clearly this emerging neuroscience domain has sci-fi like potential.

Image credit: UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center/Nature Neuroscience

15. ‘Neurograins’ Used to Develop Next-Generation Brain-Computer Interface

With the exponential growth in growth in computing power in recent decades, microchips have been getting increasingly smaller each year. Tech focused neuroscientists at Brown University have now developed a wireless computer so small it can be easily missed by the human eye. Dubbed ‘neurograins’ - because they are about the size of a grain of salt - they were developed to track and monitor brain activity.

These ultra-tiny computers are able to record electrical activity from nearby neurons, and transmit their data wirelessly. The goal was to develop a new type of brain-computer interface (BCI) system, where a network of the mini-sensors can collectively track meaningful aspects of brain activity, and send the information to a nearby hub.

In a proof-of-concept experiment, the researchers deployed a network to successfully record a rodent’s neural activity with much greater accuracy than ever achieved before. This recording of brain signals in unprecedented detail it’s still in it’s early stages, but the technological breakthrough holds much promise for being able to convert brain waves into useful real-world actions without any physical effort.

16. Restoring Functional Vision for Completely Blind People

This year a new type of microelectrode array has been used to create a form of artificial vision via a visual prosthesis. University of Utah scientists at the John A. Moran Eye Center built the device to record and stimulate neuronal activity within the visual cortex.

Implanted within the eye, the array receives visual information through glasses containing a small video camera, with the data processed by specialized software. The device then activates retinal neurons to produce phosphenes, as if they are receiving points of light. In turn allowing basic images of lines and shapes to be percieved by the mind.

Trialed with a completely blind patient, this method proved to be effective, and involved no complications from the surgery or the neuronal stimulation. In this first test, only a single array was used. However, the next goal is to use 7 to 10 arrays to deliver more detailed images that will allow blind people to actually navigate the world visually.

Image credit: John A. Moran Eye Center/University of Utah

17. New Injectable Molecular Therapy Repairs Severe Spinal Cord Injuries

A new class of ‘dancing molecules’ has been applied by researchers at Northwestern University to repair tissue in severe spinal cord injuries and successfully reverse paralysis. The dancing part involves manipulating the motion of these molecules to that they can wiggle their way into normally impossible to reach cellular receptors, in order to prompt them to get into gear repairing nerve tissues.

These seemingly magic molecules work by setting-off cascading signals, triggering axons to regenerate and helping neurons to survive after injury by encouraging a variety of new cell types to be born. This is in turn supports the regrowth of lost blood vessels necessary for cellular healing.

Tested in mice, just a single injection of the molecular therapy led to the paralyzed mice being able to walk again in under four weeks. Somewhat conveniently, 12 weeks later (well after recovery is complete), the materials biodegrade into nutrients for the cells without any side effects, effectively disappearing from the body naturally.

Dancing molecules triggering nerve tissue repair. Illustration by Mark Seniw.

18. VR Delivers Therapy to Overcome Fear of Heights

Virtual Reality (VR) has been used by psychophysicists for decades to investigate how we perceive sensory information. This year researchers from the University of Basel, the oldest university in Switzerland, developed a virtual reality application to actually treat height phobias.

Called Easyheights, the smartphone compatible software provides exposure therapy using 360° images of real locations. Wearing a VR headset, users stand on a platform that starts one meter above the ground, and then progressively rises as the users acclimatizes to each stage of height. It works by increasing sensory exposure to height with without increasingly the level of fear.

A clinical trial demonstrated the efficacy of this immersive form of treatment, producing significant reductions in phobia in real height situations. The benefits were experienced with just four hours of home-based training. This discovery shows how combining neuroscience knowledge with today’s technologies, can clinically improve peoples’ quality of life in ways that are easily accessible.

Image credit: Bentz et al., NPJ Digital Medicine 2021

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19. Reincarnating Neanderthal Brains

As we speak, neuroscientists at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology are literally building “miniature brains” genetically grafted with multiple versions of Neanderthal DNA. Using the bottom-up futuristic biotech known as CRISPR, these lentil-sized mini-brains will contain clusters of live neurons grown from stem cells, performing real brain activity.

Although they will be too small to involve any complex behavior like communication, it is expected that they will reveal differences in fundamental brain activity that Neanderthals may have had. In this way genetics is providing a kind of historical telescope for neuroscience, allowing it to peer into the workings of ancient brains. All this from DNA preserved in bone fragments for tens of thousands of years.

And if you think this is something as simple as a few cells in a petri dish…think again. The German researchers are planning to hook-up the Neanderthal mini-brains to robots, in order to observe behavioral outputs. Even more ambitious than the plot a futurist sci-fi movie, if successful the mind simply boggles at what will be possible in the coming years – Neanderthal robot house maids anyone?!

20. Zombie Pigs

One of the biggest challenges neuroscientists face is that it is very difficult to study live brains. Even with brains recently deceased, neurons rapidly decompose in the hours after death, literally disintegrating. To tackle this challenge gung-ho neuroscientists at Yale University created a vanguard biotech called BrainEx. This high-tech support system was designed to keep brain cells alive in the way that hair and finger nails keep growing post-mortem.

Putting the tech to the test, the researchers used BrainEx to restore synaptic activity and circulation to a pig brain that had been dead for four hours. The brain had been removed from the pig and revived with an artificial blood supply using a proprietary mixture of protective, stabilizing and contrast agents. This took place just before the destruction of cellular and molecular functions started to take place. The image below shows the difference between a normally disintegrating pig brain 10 hours after death (left), and health looking cells on the revived pig brain (right).

Here comes the zombie part. Although the neurons were being kept alive and kicking, there was no higher-level functional activity in the brain circuits – so alive and dead at the same time. This flip from Frankenstein-like fiction to non-fiction, shows how neuroscience can change big ethical questions from the philosophical to the practical.

The biotech isn’t limited to zombie pigs though, in principle it will work with any kind of mammalian brains…including humans! The breakthrough has huge potential for improving our working knowledge of how our own minds operate. At the same time, it does looks unnervingly close to bringing the dead back to life.

22. Voice Telepathy

On a more inspiring note, 2019 also saw the development of a computer system capable of translating brain activity into synthesized speech. It works by decoding the movements of muscles involved in speech via nerve impulses analyzed through electrophysiological activity. The results of an experiment at the at the University of California San Francisco showed that a prototype version could successfully interpret language through muscular nerve signals, if speaking slowly.

The researchers expect to improve the biotech to natural speech speeds, which are around 150 words per minute. Still, it is already quite remarkable considering that only brain signals are measured. Here is a video demonstrating how patterns of brain activity from the speaker’s somatosensory cortex, decoded into vocal tract movements, can then be interpreted as language.

Many scientists have tried to solve this problem before and failed. These researchers took a fresh approach by creating artificial intelligence models for building simulations of vocal tracts. In effect the AI then taught itself from a library of speech experiments data and trained its neural networks to be able to decode language from vocal movements. These developments could be important steps in simulating human biology in computer programs for research purposes.

From a medical perspective, many patients with throat or neurological conditions, such as strokes or paralysis, can completely lose their abilities for speech. This neurotechnology paired with a smartphone could allow the voiceless to talk normally in real-time, on an everyday basis, simply by thinking about speaking.

However, as the simulated voice only requires reading a small region of brain activity, and the speech could be sent to virtually any computer, then potentially anyone could silently and covertly communicate to anyone with a smartphone and headphones. As that system could be two-way, it represents a literal neurotech solution for human telepathy. The possibilities are endless.

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7 Top Blogs on Vision Performance

August 26, 2022

Discover how our visual systems function and how they can be trained to improve real-world performance in sports and beyond.

Human vision is an amazing result of our evolutionary biology, as well as the most powerful way we can perceive the world around us. Here are our list of 7 top blogs covering the fundamentals of how our visual systems function, through to how vision can be trained to improve real-world performance in sports and beyond.

1. 5 Answers to the Speed Limits of Human Visual Perception

Discover why human visual performance is genuinely remarkable. From perceiving light photons in quadrillionths of a second, to identifying 75 different scenes in a single second, explore 5 different aspects of perception speed.

Read the blog here‍

2. How Good is Your Stereo Vision?

Pretty much every animal in nature has at least two eyes, which allows them to accurately perceive depth through binocular stereo vision. However, when it comes to modern humans, new research shows that our stereo vision capacities can vary significantly from one person to the next.

Read the blog here‍

3. 5 Ways mTBIs Disrupt Vision

Concussions can affect literally any brain function. However, because our dominant sense is vision, visual capacities are commonly impacted by head injuries. Learn about the 5 different ways in which mTBIs often impair our ability to perceive the visual world around us.

Read the blog here‍

The Rise of Sports Vision Training

Across pro sports, vision training is fast-becoming the latest way to get an edge over the competition. In the same way that an athlete improves sports performance by training the body for strength and endurance, visual skills can be improved and enhanced through a wide range of conditioning techniques. Learn how the latest vision trainers are putting this approach to use.

Read the blog here‍

Sports Vision for Situational Awareness - Part 1

As most athletes know, good situational awareness is critical for making game-winning decisions under pressure. In this first part of a two-part blog, discover why our preconceptions of vision can be illusory, and why that matters when it comes to performing on the field.

Read the blog here‍

Sports Vision for Situational Awareness - Part 2

Part 2 covers how peripheral vision techniques and training tools can be used to acquire greater situational awareness. In particular, learn how NeuroTracker 3D multiple object tracking training can be used to progressively overload the brain's situational awareness capacities, in the same way weight-training is used to build up strength.

Read the blog here‍

Sports Vision Training Isn’t Just for Athletes

Last but not least on our list, find out from a neurovision expert how sports vision training techniques can be applied across many different domains of human performance and wellness.

Read the blog here‍

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5 Answers to the Speed Limits of Human Visual Perception

August 20, 2022

Human vision is quite remarkable. Discover the amazing speeds at which we can perceive the world around us!

The speed of human visual perception is a surprisingly tricky subject, with no single answer. It depends on what type of speed you want to look at. Here we will break down 5 fascinating facets of vision and give answers to the current known speed limits of what we can see – enjoy!

1. What Is the Shortest Amount of Time in Which We Can Perceive a Flash of Light?

Like many interesting answers in science, this came incidentally and turned out to be way beyond what anyone would have imagined.

Multiple astronauts in outer space reported seeing unexplained anomalies of extremely brief spots and fleeting streaks of light, even with their eyes closed. These would occur every few minutes. It turned out they were seeing a recently discovered phenomena called high energy cosmic particles. These are by far the fastest moving mass in the known universe.

The exotic particles come from somewhere in our Milky Way galaxy, but can travel so close to the speed of light, that the energy required to accelerate them is beyond anything known in astrophysics – not even two super massive black holes colliding would get close! When they hit the earth’s atmosphere, their energy is transformed into myriads of new particles (E = mc²).

The point here is that at this extreme speed, the time needed to perceive such high energy particles via human vision is on the order of femtoseconds - literally quadrillionths of a second!

The brighter the flash the less time is needed to detect it. In outer space there is negligible light pollution, so contrast between light and dark is close to its possible maximum.

However currently there is no understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms of seeing high energy particles. It likely involves the fact that millions of different neurons can potentially pick up on a sensory input, but the less that do, the less accurate the perception is. Some research shows that our eyes can potentially detect a single photon, but this is a probabilistic event.

2. How Many ‘FPS’ Do We Need to Perceive Fluid Motion?

‘Frames per second’, commonly known as ‘FPS’, is the common benchmark for our visual technologies like computer screens, TVs and cameras. It turns out to be a useful measure for humans too.

The answer to this question was discovered at the end of the 19th century following the invention of cinema. Early cinema companies found that 16 FPS was the bare minimum that could trick the brain into seeing movement on-screen as continuous. Here we can get an idea of how of our brain glues together separate images into motion at the speeds of movies (24 FPS) and typical computer displays (60FPS).

This is surprisingly low, for example many animals, such as birds, require at least 75 FPS just to perceive motion. For them, looking at a TV is the same as seeing a sequence of separate static images.

This human ability actually represents something deep about how little visual information our brain needs to extrapolate sensory information. Here is an example from psychophysics study.

As you can see, we can build an internal model of motion from a surprisingly small amount of cues – our visual centers do the heavy lifting for us!

3. How Many Flashes of Light per Second Are Needed See Light as Continuous.

The answer here is called the Flicker Fusion Threshold, and also comes from early pioneers of cinema. Even though motion could be perceived at 16 FPS, the flashing of the screen at this rate was considered unbearable. Here is an example from the first film ever made.

To solve this problem new shutter technology was developed to actually flash each individual image frame multiple times in succession. The rate at which the flashing became comfortable and relatively unnoticeable, was around 46 flashes per second.

Therefore, our ability to consciously perceive pulses of light operates at roughly three times speed of our ability to motion in terms of FPS. In short, we are much more sensitive to luminance than motion.

4. How Quickly Can We Perceive an Absence of Light?

In others words, how fast can we detect a flash of black among continuous light? Research with younger and older people was done in this area to investigate the degeneration of vision with aging. Detection was found to be on the timescale of 18 milliseconds for younger adults, and 22 milliseconds for older adults.

This translates to between 45 and 55 FPS, when 1 dark frame becomes unnoticeable, or flicker free. The caveat here is that this was the average, but individual results varied significantly.

Even in a small study group, some participants were able to spot a single black flash among 500 FPS of light flashes (or 2 milliseconds). Again, this is extremely fast. In comparison it takes 100-400 milliseconds to blink, which is commonly discounted from conscious experience.

5. How Long Do We Need to See a Scene in Order to Be Able to Identify It?

Research from 2014 into rapid image recognition discovered that we can detect specific scenes on much shorter timescales than previously thought. In experiments where different randomized images (e.g. a house, a dog, a forest etc.) are flashed in rapid succession, subjects could recognize or recall a specific scene in as little time as 13 milliseconds.

This translates to being shown 75 different images in a single second, and being able to say with some reliability if a specific image was there, or not. You can see for yourself just how remarkably speedy this really is.

Interestingly this wasn’t found to be the limit, it was simply the fastest the researchers could display images at the time.

Well there we have it, hopefully you learned that human vision is deeper and more mysterious than you once thought, and that it is genuinely remarkable. If you’d like to delve deeper, then this great YouTube video by TechLaboratories goes into more depth.

Wellness

Kartika Kanishka

August 11, 2022

Harnessing the Benefits of Hormesis Through Exercise

Learn how a Goldilocks approach to physiological stress may help your body reap greater benefits from exercise.

Hormesis may be an unfamiliar term, but it influences our day-to-day wellbeing throughout our lives. Research is showing that it may be an effective way to boost our overall health and resilience, so let’s take a look how it works and how to tap into it.

What is Hormesis?

We generally think of stress on our bodies as a bad thing. However, if we want to be resilient to stress, we need to actually be exposed to stressors. Here the science of hormesis shows that dosage is a critical factor as to whether our biological systems adapt positively or negatively.

Hormetic type responses have been reported in diverse fields of study, including aging, exercise physiology, immunology, medicine, and nutrition. The general principle is that built into your biology is the ability to sense and respond to environmental stressors to be become stronger and healthier. Vice versa, a lack of stressors over time can actually make us weaker.

A well-researched practice of this effect is fasting. Even though starvation is usually harmful for the body, in short dosages it is now well-known to produce significant long term health benefits for both the body and brain.

Exercise and Hormesis

Intensive exercise actually damages the body through generating mild oxidative stress. However growing evidence suggests that oxidative stress is very important for upregulating the signaling pathways that are required to promote overall adaptations through increased physical fitness.

Furthermore, it appears to play a more general role in helping create a shield for the body to become more resilient to factors like illnesses and accelerated aging.

Understanding Stress Loads

Achieving a balance of healthy stressors has been dubbed eustress. The key point, is that it is not simply the type of stress that matters, but also the load and duration of how much stress we induce.

Chronic exposure to stress commonly results in negative effects, which may partly be because the effects of stress are cumulative over time, and also because our bodies are not getting enough breathing room to respond and adapt.

Achieving a balanced exposure is referred to as ‘stress inoculation’, leading to increased resilience. The strategy is to systematically expose ourselves to a controlled dose of the stressor.

Leveraging Hormesis Through HITT

HITT (High Intensity Interval Training) is an exercise technique which has garnered much sports science credibility in recent years. The principle is based on working out extremely intensely but in very short doses, in order to achieve the equivalent fitness benefits of much larger amounts of training.

One of the proposed mechanisms for this is a strong biphasic hormetic response on mitochondria - the powerhouses which drive energy release in every cell in our body. Consequently HITT training has also been found to be beneficial for cognitive functions.

Fortunately, the training loads to stimulate optimal hormesis responses via HITT have been well studied. Although it will vary depending on the individual, just 3 x 20 minutes per week of intensive cardio and/or resistance training will yield significant physiological benefits for most people.

Takeaways

Hormesis is our in-built biological ability to respond positively to physiological stressors, in order to become more resilient. Exposure to acute doses of exercise is one way to harness positive stress. HITT training is a well-established and effective way to promote overall health and wellbeing.

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The Evolution of Chiropractic Care – From Pain to Brain!

Dr. Clint Steele

August 4, 2022

Founder of Truchiro, Dr. Clint Steele reveals why chiropractic adjustments should be more about the brain than the body.

Chiropractic care has long been stigmatized as simply a treatment for joint or muscular pain. However, the latest medical science and progressive applications of this practice tell a very different story. Here I will introduce why modern chiropractic treatments are effective at treating the body via the brain and central nervous system, and how this evolution ‘from pain to brain’ can yield transformative benefits in many aspects of healthcare.

The Birth of Chiropractic

The first school of chiropractic was opened in 1897, born out of the philosophy that the body can be thought of as a "machine". The founder, Daniel David Palmer, treated a man who had partially lost his hearing after a spinal dislocation, which with correction restored his ability to hear.

Ahead of its time, the concept was that joints and subluxations (dislocations) could be manipulated in sync with the central nervous system to treat a wide range of physical conditions. In contrast today, the overwhelming majority of the public believes that chiropractic care is only good for neck and/or low back pain. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Chiropractic in Modern Medicine

The dramatic rise of neuroscience and medical knowledge over the last several decades has revealed the intimate symbioses between brain and body, particularly through the complexity of the central nervous system. This has paved the way for a more holistic approach to healthcare, which goes beyond treating symptoms in an isolated fashion.

For example in sports medicine, research is now demonstrating that ACL injuries impair cognitive functions, which in turn impair motor-skills, significantly prolonging recovery time. Research has also shown that cognitive issues such as micro concussions, can also be the root cause of ACL injuries. This has led to some scientists to redefine ACL injuries as primarily brain injuries.

The latest science is showing that cognitive issues, or the brain’s inability to adapt to, and recover from, mental or physiological stresses, lies at the heart of the majority of chronic health problems.

Progressive chiropractic care today epitomizes this new paradigm. Research shows that chiropractic adjustments can directly and positively influence brain functions, for example boosting activity in the prefrontal cortex (the command centers of the brain). It is now recognized that there is a plethora of different types of medical conditions that can benefit from adjustments, and that these should be focused on influencing the brain and central nervous system.

Our ‘From Pain to Brain’ Approach at Truchiro

Ask anyone what controls every function in your entire body and they will surely answer…your brain! This begs an important question - if we know the brain controls and coordinates our entire body, why do so many medical treatments focus on aspects other than brain function?

Just over 7 years ago I transitioned my chiropractic services out of the narrow musculoskeletal paradigm into treating the brain and central nervous system. I founded Truchiro - committed to ‘true’ brain-based chiropractic treatment.

Exploding Practice with Brain-Based Chiropractic

The response was remarkable, leading to successful treatments of over 500 patients per week, with a need to rapidly expand Truchiro services. Today I help countless chiropractors transition their own services to the brain-based approach, including making use of the latest neurotechnologies like EEG and NeuroTracker.

The goal is to break out of the constricting neck/back pain mindset, to bring chiropractic care to a far broader range of people. This is why I phrased the term ‘from pain, to brain’, to move on from treating specific joint or muscle symptoms, to instead treating the person’s overall health.

Patient Success Stories With Truchiro

Using brain-based chiropractic corrective care we have successfully treated a diverse range of medical issues. There are countless success stories, but here are a three which highlight what this kind of approach can offer.

1. Libby with Anxiety and Depression

Libby had been suffering from headaches, low back pain, hip pain, shoulders spasms, anxiety, fatigue, depression and gastric reflux for years. During her initial assessment Libby was found to have severe stress on her brain and nervous system via a brain-based chiropractic examination.

Libby accepted a brain-based care plan and committed to it. She saw remarkable results. Following just 6 weeks of care she noticed marked improvement in all the above areas.

2. Michael with Acid Reflux and Sleep Problems

Michael came into the office with low back pain, acid reflux (GERD), trouble sleeping and high blood pressure. He had been treated by his primary care physician with prescription drugs, which hadn’t help him at all.

After starting brain-based chiropractic care his lower back was functioning properly again without pain. He no longer needed his sleeping medication and found relief from his acid reflux. Michael followed our brain-based chiropractic corrective plan and never missed an appointment - he continues to maintain his progress and overall health with ongoing visits.

3. Lori with Fibromyalgia

Lori came into the office because she was suffering with severe pain in her neck, shoulders, back and legs. She had been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. On a scale of 1 to 10 that pain was a 10 when she first came into the office. She had been seeing a rheumatologist and was getting treated with anesthesia shots in her shoulders and low back every 4 months, as well as taking anti-inflammatories, but without relief.

After approximately 12 months of brain-based chiropractic care and getting her specific, scientific chiropractic adjustments, Lori hasn’t needed a shot or any drugs in over 8 months. Lori said, “The care is a gentle and less intrusive way to help my body feel and function better. It’s helped me more than any of my drugs did.”

Join the Truchiro Movement!

Here are some of the key benefits for chiropractic services when shifting from pain to brain.

- Chiropractic adjustments are much more effective, leading to better results.

- Patients learn that the chiropractic adjustment is about the brain and not just pain.

- Patient progress can be objectively measure and tracked from a brain-based standpoint.

If you are a chiropractor interested in integrating brain-based chiropractic care and the latest neurotechnologies into your services, you can find out how to become a Truchiro practitioner here.

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3 Neuroscience Brain Facts That Will Blow Your Amazing Mind!

July 28, 2022

Three remarkable facts about your brain which reveal just why it is so amazing.

Perhaps the most fascinating domain of science, neuroscience is making breakthrough discoveries year-on-year at the speed of light. Here we bring you three remarkable facts about your brain which reveal just why it is so amazing - enjoy!

1. Your Brain Can Compete With the World’s Fastest Supercomputer

Information travels to through your brain at 268mph (431kmh) via electrically charged chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. Right now, your approximately 90 billion neurons are all active, even when we sleep, in order to keep your brain functioning.

Although it is impossible to know accurately, it is estimated that the human brain operates at 1 exaFLOP, which is the equivalent to a staggering quintillion (1,000,000,000,000,000,000) calculations per second.

The world’s fastest supercomputer at the time of writing is called ‘Frontier’, run by the US Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Just recently it achieved the long awaited exaFLOP milestone, approximately matching the computational speed of the human mind. That said, go back just a year ago and your grey matter would have out-competed any supercomputer by a long, long way.

2. Your Brain is Hyper-Plastic

Unlike a computer, the brain is both hardware and software in one single system. Maintained by trillions of glial cells, neurons are extremely flexible in the roles they can carry out. This includes both restructuring the brain neuroanatomically, and redefining it's actual operating system in response to environmental stimulation.

Through a phenomenon known as neuroplasticity, the human brain can essentially rewire itself. Though most people are aware of this, just how flexible your grey matter is at readapting itself is uncommon knowledge. Neurons are able to disconnect and reconnect with others, reform their basic structure, and transform to carry out completely new types of cognitive roles.

In young age this process is super active. Not only do human brains double in size by age one, at just three years old, our brains develop to 80 percent of their full adult size. They also undergo ‘neural pruning’, essentially deconstructing neural networks not being sufficiently activated.

Still baffling neuroscientists today, perhaps the most remarkable evidence of total neuroplasticity comes out of a type of surgery called a hemispherectomy. Only operable on children with life threatening brain conditions, this drastic procedure involves literally cutting out one half of the human brain.

Amazingly, the other half of the brain then completely rewires itself into a new left/right brain. Once recovered, patients of this surgery usually go on to live a normal life. This demonstrates that there is no single center of the brain in control of itself - it's ability to adapt is truly emergent!

3. Your Brain Could Exist as Two Different Minds

The two sides of the brain are connected by a narrow bundle of neurons called the corpus collosum. This is essentially a superhighway of communication, constantly relaying vast amounts of information between each of the two, otherwise physically separate, halves of the brain.

In rare medical cases it is necessary to completely sever the corpus callosum, disconnecting each half from directly talking with the other. Neuroscientists have confirmed through various experiments, that in this condition, there are two separate cognitions in the same individual - referred to as split-brain syndrome.

That said, it is not something you would want to experiment with. Somewhat scarily, it can actually lead to conflict with the self. As each side of the brain controls one side of the body, such conflict can result in a person physically fighting with themselves. In extreme cases, patients have even had to fight against self-strangulation!

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Performance

Kartika Kanishka

July 22, 2022

Body Tempering Techniques for Physical High Performance

Body tempering may be one of the best emerging ways to assist with improvements in strength and reducing injury risks - get the lowdown here.

With the evolution of the latest science and technology-backed tips, there are new ways emerging to protect your physical body from stress, inflammation and injury. In this blog we will introduce the emerging sports performance concept of body tempering (aka fortifying techniques). It can also be referred to as soft tissue mobilization, using techniques such as placing heavy weight cylinders or foam rollers across the body's muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia. This technique is reputed to help in preparing muscle for activity and also to improve muscular recovery. Let's get into the details.

How Body Tempering Can Increase Your Body Strength

‍Donnie Thompson, record holding powerlifter and leading proponent, says that body tempering helps in reducing muscle soreness or discomfort, and assists in boosting overall body performance.

“Tempering is a method in which pressure is imposed to increase strength and toughness, and this essentially serves to bring out the intrinsic properties of the material under stress. When we apply this to human beings, especially athletes, the severe testing conditions may be rendered highly resilient to future challenges and stressors.”

Donnie Thompson - the only man to ever total 3,000 pounds in powerlifting

Tempering can potentially increase your body strength, which in turn is known to reduce risk of injury. Tempering rethinks sports injuries through the 'antifragility' lens and the general notion of how sports injuries linger. With this comes the concept of making athletes 'future proof', in terms of being robust enough to withstand various physical sports risks and scenarios that are often difficult to foresee.

When athletes do body tempering before a workout, it can potentially help in reducing the risk of hernias, muscle rupture, ligament tear and other injuries related to strength training. This technique also reduces the risk of trauma that is caused by breaking tissue out of the adhesive state, and also increasing an athlete's range of motion.

One of the key points to remember while doing body tempering is that one always does the active movement after the passive movement technique. This aids in locking in mobility changes during stretching actions.

How does Body Tempering Work?

It has been observed that body tempering is beneficial for athletes by assisting in the improvement of muscle condition, and as an alternative for the traditional form of stretching. Body tempering techniques work by strengthening the body from inside out. For someone who seeks gains in strength, their body must work together in order to act like an efficient machine. For this one needs to condition the nervous system and the body to work in synchrony.

Tempering or fortifying your body can also be done via controlled exposure to cold, to bolster the immune system, build resilience, stimulate the CNS (Central Nervous System), and increase muscle tone.

As seven-time Mr. Olympia Arnold Schwarzenegger noted, gaining an extra edge in muscle development makes all the difference.

The last three or four reps is what makes the muscle grow. This area of pain divides the champion from someone else who is not a champion.

Body Tempering Routines

There are various muscular focal points and methods that coaches can work on using body tempering:

- Hamstrings: here the athlete needs to work on belly muscle by pushing back and forth.

- Frontside & Backside Work: the best posture for the body tempering is to start at the interior of the body and then work on the posterior of the body.

Targeted areas that are commonly treated with body tempering:

- Back

- Quads

- Hamstrings

- Calves

- Chest

- Abs

- Triceps

- Biceps

In the above-mentioned areas, body tempering techniques can be applied to increase resilience to muscle strains. When practiced over the the long term, it may offer a reliable way to sustainably increase overall body strength and physical robustness for high physical performance.

Consequently, this approach can play a significant role in injury prevention and in the rehabilitation of joint risks or movement range, such as with ankle strain or hamstring flexibility, to protect against the inevitable physical traumas that come with sports.

Takeaway

When we speak about the safeguarding measures and interventions to protect our body, body tempering appears promising. Adopting this perspective and general strategy for managing injury risk may offer of the best emerging methodologies to help athletes to overcome injuries, improve physical power, and enhance bodily kinaesthetic intelligence through stimulation of the nervous system.

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Guest Blogs

Kartika Kanishka

July 14, 2022

Winning Mantra of Super-Elite Athletes

When we speak about athletic performance, it includes super concentration, as elite athletes have an uncanny ability to get into the transition zone quickly. The ability of super-elite athletes to believe they will win is shaped by a strong sense of motivation and optimism. Various personality traits and inbuilt talents assist in overcoming challenges during competition. Research analysis of various sorts of pressure and challenges were examined in super-elite athletes and how they overcome pessimism and negativity. Here we will cover insights on the characteristics of those who are destined to rise to the top of their game.

5 Key Traits of Super-Elite Athletes

Based on multidisciplinary skills that athletes develop during their careers, the first point is to recognize the pattern of performance of athletes who excel. Champions outperform not due to a single factor but due to a multitude of factors. It is the developed characteristics of the performer rather than what they are born with that matters most. For example, nurturing of self-confidence is a key factor for elite performance in the field. Elite athletes brim with self-confidence and this includes self-development of mental aspects of performance across many levels. Here are key traits which are consistently found in truly great performers.

1. Stress Management

A key factor is to manage stress during tough situations. Along with that, several characteristics differentiate athletes and elite athletes. For instance there is commonly a high level of perfectionism, dispositional optimism and the ability to manage high-stress situations.

During high-pressure situations, when one can see two different outcomes, initially athletes will struggle to withstand the pressure through fear of failure. Here, the optimistic approach steps-in for super elites, and eradicates such creeping doubts. To conquer such fear, many coaches push their athletes to perform in the spotlight under high pressure. This helps assist the athletes to develop and nurture their skills to the next level.

2. Teamwork

Another key component is teamwork, which also determines the athlete and coach relationship. Cooperation with co-athletes, friends and family support, and with support staff, is another aspect that yields high-value results for successful athletes.

This also extends to competition performance in team sports. In soccer for example, players need to utilize teamwork in several ways, such as highly orchestrated passing of the ball, cheering each other on, and achieving winning plays or goals in a tightly coordinated manner.

3. Aiming for Performance-Oriented Goals

Super elite athletes set both short and long-term performance goals that help in handling inevitable adversity. Performance goals are also more than winning competitions. Committed athletes set goals across multiple levels, including how they intend to perform in each individual training session, how they want to raise the mental side of their game, psychological development, and day-to-day elements such as diet management and recovery methods.

Coaches play a key role in helping set an athlete's goals, doing so with a challenging but realistic approach, as unrealistic goals tend to create disbelief in the athlete over time.

4. Quickness and Reflexes

Super elite athletes are accompanied by an infiniteness of quickness and a plethora of reflexes that make them stand apart from the crowd. Although most people think of speed and agility as physical abilities, athletes with superfast reflexes also need to develop their cognitive processing speed. The ability to interpret sensory cues, generate situational awareness, determine the best decisions, and then execute, is highly demanding on the brain.

This study with stars from the NFL, NHL and EPL showed that mental processing speed, and the ability to quickly adapt and improve cognitive resources, are a clear predictor of elite athlete potential. The takeaway is that great athletes develop both their bodies and brains in order to process, decide and execute at speeds beyond their lessor contemporaries.

5. Positive Personality

Every athlete has a hard day, but one needs can overcome it through sheer determination. On optimism, PGA golfer and coach Travis Howser underlines the importance of encouraging junior golfers, whenever they are a tough situation that would normally be negative. Instead helping them to laugh a things off and see the bigger picture.

No matter how great the athlete, no one can perform perfectly all the time, losing is an inevitable part of almost every sport. The key thing is being able to flip perspective on a situation to have a positive mindset on what follows.

Super focus and concentration is extremely important when it comes to winning against the odds. This helps to differentiate elite athletes from super-elite athletes. Through this method, they can easily get into the zone and see opportunities no matter how slim the odds.

The inner desire to succeed and to win also includes a high level of EI (Emotional Intelligence). This creates an innate desire not just to succeed and win, but also take pleasure in the process.

As per Micheal Phelps,

You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get

Take Away

Awareness and extreme concentration are a major factors in sports performance that help remove the limits to self-development. This can extend to usage of mental imaginary techniques like multi-sensory reproduction of actual sports plays, and can be a powerful mental tool for athletes in modern sports.

Determination or 'grit' go hand-in hand here, being determined enough to have faith in outperforming others despite the odds. As the saying goes, 'winners focus on winning and losers focus on winners'. Coping with stress, tapping into the support others can provide, and fostering positive expectations all go into the recipe that shapes exceptional sports performers.

The Secrets to Dominating in Your Sport Part 5 – Concentration

Pedro Gormaz

June 30, 2022

International coach Pedro Gormaz covers just how essential mental focus and concentration are for becoming a champion.

Champions have the ability to concentrate and use all their attention in the most demanding moments. When everything is else is in place, it is these moments that will mark the highlights in your sports career. If you've competed before, you'll know that I'm talking about competition. In those instances of high pressure to perform, you need all your concentration and attention to succeed. Here we will cover why training your attention and concentration is key to a strategy of winning.

Training Concentration – the Missing Link

Most athletes have very defined strategies. They improve technique, tactics, strength, fitness and other specific aspects of performance. But when it comes down to it, the brain dominates all of these processes. Cognitively speaking, we can do much more to improve our performance. Attention and concentration can be increased with the right methods.

Since we all have the capacity to improve our performance, our brain can be stimulated and prepared for the different situations that await us in competition. This is how we leverage our brain’s remarkable neuroplasticity. If you are a coach or an athlete, think about where you could have gotten to with more attention and concentration. Toni Nadal says that his nephew Rafael Nadal accepted the demands of competition, and repeated to him over and over again: "If you are not able to beat your rival, at least don't help him to beat you."

Rafael leverages every ounce of his attention and concentration in every point, with the result of morally defeating opponents who face him through his relentless commitment. The incredible shots made with 100% focus in this video are for real.

Competition – a War of Focus

When you increase your focus you dominate the situation. Dominating the situation leads to success, because you are in control. This control stems from a solid focus and a committed approach. To control your competitors and out tempo them, you need to be in a zone of pure concentration without distraction. Making the best decisions under pressure is what differentiates the champions from the losers. As Sir Alex Ferguson said before the 2011 Champions League final: "Concentration will be the key to winning the final."

In the end they lost 3-1 against FC Barcelona. It is clear that they did not find the key to defeat their rival. As soon as the English pressure dropped half a point, Barcelona took control of the final and turned the tables because their focus didn’t lapse.

Champions dominate the situation under pressure because their attention is at maximum level. Executing your technique perfectly in situations of maximum demand, where the pressure is extremely high, can only be achieved when you are able to sustain a high level of concentration.

Champions master these situations under pressure because they are able to find the best solutions, getting into a state of flow so they can channel every action with clear focus. All they need to do is log in with their username: ‘attention’, and password: ‘concentration’!

Total Concentration – Overcome the Odds

The prediction of competition results through data analysis is sometimes thrown off because of the complexities of emotional and mental factors that come into play under serious pressure. For example, if we look at the 2022 Champions League semi-final match between Real Madrid and Manchester City, Real Madrid reached the 87th minute of play with a 1% chance of going through to the final.

However, the pressure of the Bernabéu Stadium and the conviction of the white team to never give up, ended up reversing the pressure from Real Madrid onto Manchester City. This commitment in the face of adversity caused Manchester City players to buckle and lose their focus on winning, instead becoming distracted by the fear of losing. Real Madrid scored 2 goals within just 1 minute of play. The match would then go to extra time, with Real Madrid advancing to the final.

Train the Cognitive Dimension of Performance

To succeed in today’s hyper-competitive sports culture, you have to ask yourself ‘What do I want to achieve - success or failure?’

If it is success, then committing to training like a champion should be your goal. One of the most effective methods to increasing your overall performance is to maximize your focus and concentration as much as possible, as this will impact all aspects of your training. Become more competitive in your sport in this way, and it will help you to reach your next level: the level of the champions.

At the International Center we help athletes start competing like champions by training the cognitive dimension of performance. When our athletes train visually, perceptually and cognitively, they increase their performance at the attentional level, processing information more accurately and efficiently, to make faster and better decisions with high levels of concentration.

In the following video you will see an Olympic Shooting athlete (Alvaro G.) preparing for his Spanish Championship through one of our custom NeuroTracker programs.

We accompany the athlete to his training area to see what needs he has, in order to specifically adapt his training in the best ways to simulate performing under pressure. This training approach uses a dual-task with 1 ball tracking to generalize an increase in his attention and processing speed at the exit of the plate. We also add an additional passive perceptual load called Optic Flow (the black and white tunnel).

With these combined modes we significantly improved the athlete’s visual cognitive processes and balance. The result led to Alvaro outperforming his past abilities to win silver in the Spanish Championship.

You can read the first 4 parts of this 6-part blog series here.

‍The Secrets to Dominating in Your Sport Part 1 - Execution

The Secrets to Dominating in Your Sport Part 2 – Injuries

‍The Secrets to Dominating in Your Sport Part 3 – Pressure

The Secrets to Dominating in Your Sport Part 4 – Preparation

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NeuroTracker

6 Experts Reveal 6 Different Ways to Apply NeuroTracker

June 24, 2022

Checkout fascinating insights from 6 thought leaders in different fields on vanguard applications of NeuroTracker.

One of the things that makes NeuroTracker unique is the diversity of ways in which it is applied across the whole human performance and wellness spectrum. In our Experts Corner, professionals and thought leaders in different fields regularly volunteer articles to share best practices and reveal new ways to apply this neurotechnology. Here are 6 of our favorite expert's blogs of 2022 so far - enjoy!

Neurofeedback and NeuroTracker – an Ideal Synergy

Brendan Parsons is the protégé of NeuroTracker inventor Professor Faubert. As a scientist with deep expertise in Neurofeedback paired with extensive experience as a clinical practitioner, he is an individual at the forefront of his field. In this in-depth blog Brendan shares the research journey that lead to the world's first 'closed-loop' NeuroTracker training directly integrated with EEG. This scientifically validated approach dramatically increased the efficiency of training, opening up new ways to combine Neurofeedback with functional cognitive training.

Read the blog here

Boosting Off-the-Block Reactions in Swimming – Cognitively!

Taylor Snowden is a PhD student at the University of Victoria whose research focuses on using NeuroTracker to assess perceptual-cognitive capacities. Here she shares the insights on a fascinating study to see if visual attention training can lead to far transfer effects on auditory attention. To put this to the test she focused on measuring off-the-block dive reactions of elite swimmers using the latest measurement technologies. The results are quire remarkable!

Read the blog here

Sports Vision Training Isn’t Just for Athletes

Richard Hoctin Boes O.D. is an experienced sports vision specialist from the Netherlands and the director of eye4vision Neuro Optometry centers. Through his centers he has worked extensively with NeuroTracker with great success across a plethora of different populations. In this blog he lays out the concepts why sports vision training can benefit almost anybody with the right kind of customized training.

Read the blog here

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The Secrets to Dominating in Your Sport Part 1 – Execution

Pedro Gormaz is a National Coach of the Royal Spanish Taekwondo Federation and an International Coach under the World Taekwondo Federation. As an experienced high-performance coach, he is also director of the International Mental Coaching Center based in Madrid. In this first part of a 6-part series on how to excel in sports, Pedro highlights how crucial mental skills like anticipation, decision-making and execution need to come together to reach peak performance.

Read the blog here

Why F1 eSports is Transforming Athletic Potential

Julien Southon is a specialist in visual, cognitive and motor performance based on his expertise in biology, human movement and psychology. Here Julien takes us down the rabbit hole into the emerging phenomenon of F1 eSports and why these cyber athletes train just as seriously as real F1 drivers. In particular, he shares insights on how he helped one of the newest teams in the field achieve remarkable success through neurovisual assessments and training.

Read the blog here

Can Children with Severe Cognitive Challenges Perform Cognitive Training?

Catherine Archambault is a PhD candidate in Applied Child Psychology at McGill University in Montreal. Her research specializes in cognitive and academic functioning, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Here Catherine gives an overview of the latest research with NeuroTracker investigating if children with extremely low IQ are capable of performing cognitive training, using NeuroTracker as the benchmark. The results are surprising and will hopefully lead to inclusion of cognitive enhancement programs for students who can benefit from them the most.

Read the blog here

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NeuroTracker