The book "In Search of Memory" describes nerve cells or neurons that represent the basic signaling components in the brain. A synapse is the space between two nerve cells. Chemicals called neurotransmitters leave one nerve cell at the synapse...
Hemp seeds come from a plant that is similar to the marijuana plant, but has lower levels of psychoactive cannabinoid compounds. The seeds and seed oil are used in cooking and for food. Typically, the seed’s hard shell is removed before it...
The student athlete benefits in a variety of ways from using a weight room. Improvements in learning may be seen through the increase in all levels of interpersonal development. Direct supervision and attendance requirements may also have a direct...
The brain begins creating neurons -- the brain cells that communicate with each other -- before birth at a rate of 16 billion per hour. These neurons are designed to help you organize and make sense of your surroundings regardless of culture,...
Through the first three years of life, your child's brain is hard at work, making more connections than it ever will again. In fact, a 3-year-old's brain is more active than the brain of a young adult, according to a webpage about development...
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter associated with many physiological functions in the central nervous system. It is synthesized from l–tryptophan, an essential amino acid found in many protein foods. Deficient levels of serotonin in the brain...
Lexapro is the brand name for a chemical called escitalopram. Escitalopram is a member of a class of drugs for depression called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medications work by affecting the levels of a chemical in the...
Similar to other parts of your body, your brain and memory strength can be improved by performing a few simple exercises on a daily basis. These exercises can be especially helpful in improving short-term memory, which refers to recalling...
An infant's environment provides the infant with the stimulation that helps his brain develop synapses that become the foundation for future social and emotional growth. Any type of stimulation that an infant experiences from his environment,...
Memory is the process by which the information is encoded, stored and later retrieved. The brain areas involved with memory include the hippocampus, amygdala, cerebellum, cerebral cortex and striatum. Damage or malfunction in any of these brain...
Development of the nervous system is an essential part of embryonic and infant development, with immature and embryonic tissues eventually developing into a fully functional brain, spinal cord, and thousands of nerves distributed throughout the...
Interactive puzzles and games keep the connections you have working and continue to make new and better connections, even into your golden years. Something as simple as putting together a jigsaw puzzle or working through a crossword puzzle works...
Healthy, optimal brain function doesn't just rely on keeping your mind active and engaged, but can be enhanced by physical exercise as well. The Franklin Institute has studied the benefits of both mental and physical exercise as it relates to the...
Magnesium chloride is a common chemical compound found primarily in the form of salt in many areas of the world . While used commercially for many different reasons, including snow removal and as a de-icing agent, magnesium chloride also has...
The supplement 5-hydroxytryptophan, also known as 5-HTP, can be used to help treat psychiatric and neurological problems. This supplement is a form of an amino acid, tryptophan, which can be converted into other molecules that affect the way...
You can never be too young or old to exercise your brain. Every day we stimulate our brain by doing simple things such as having conversations with others or reading a magazine. Such stimuli can help you improve your long-term memory and brain...
While you can't actually exercise the brain like you can the muscles in the body, you can work out the brain through games and activities that encourage memory, reasoning and memorization, according to the Alzheimer's Association. Brain health and...
Attention-deficit hyperactive disorder, also known as ADHD, is a common psychological ailment that typically manifests during childhood. Children with this condition have problems with hyperactive behavior and with staying focused, which can lead...
The foods you eat can help boost your ability to learn, according to Howard Stephen Berg and Marcus Conyers, authors of "Speed Reading the Easy Way." Adding the right combination of protein and carbohydrates can help increase your energy so you...
Chemicals in the brain, called neurotransmitters, play a role in depression. Sometimes, the chemicals become imbalanced, causing depressive symptoms to arise. Although there are several reasons a person can become depressed, this is the biological...
There are many dangers associated with substance abuse that run the gamut from work and relationship issues to physical, legal, emotional and financial dangers. Although drugs often are used to escape from troubles, more often than not more...
Just like their children and grandchildren, seniors need to stay in shape. Exercise brings various benefits to seniors, such as keeping their bones healthy, reducing various afflictions and helping them stay flexible and more mobile. Whether you...
Diet and exercise not only are beneficial to your body, they also are an asset to your brain. By eating a healthy diet and participating in a daily fitness routine, you can enhance your brain's ability to learn and remember. Alone, a healthy...
SSRIs are the most common form of medication used to treat OCD. They are a family of antidepressants that include Paxil (paroxetine hydrochloride), Prozac (fluoxetine hydrochloride), Zoloft (sertraline hydrochloride) and Luvox (fluvoxamine)....
Teen years are definitely tough and scientists, who have tracked the physical changes that take place in the teen brain, with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology conducted over a child's life, can prove it. Genes and environment play a...
Alcoholism affects more than 9 million people in the United States and costs about $185 billion dollars annually. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines alcohol abuse as excessive alcohol consumption; alcohol dependence,...
Time is a precious commodity, and there never seems to be enough of it. People grab meals on the run, look for easy meal options and want the best value for their money. Fast food has become part of everyday life for many individuals, with...
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive condition that affects the brain. For reasons that are not well understood, cells within the brain are destroyed. It tends to get worse with time and it is fatal. Alzheimer's causes a loss of memory, behavioral...
If you've ever wondered why you usually feel better after drinking a cup of coffee, the answer might surprise you. Caffeine increases your brain's production of one of the "feel-good" neurotransmitters known as dopamine. Among its other functions,...
