Melatonin is a hormone secreted at night by the pineal gland. It regulates the sleep-wake cycle, but it also exists, though in smaller quantity, in the gastrointestinal tract as well as in bone marrow cells. Melatonin is primarily known as a...
The white matter of the brain contains nerve fibers (axons), interstitial space and supporting cells. Most of these nerve fibers--specifically, axons--are covered with myelin, a type of fat that insulates nerve fibers and increases the speed of...
Herpes Simplex Virus, Type 1, HSV-1, is one of two herpes simplex infections that can infect humans. The other is Herpes Simplex Virus, Type 2, HSV-2. A general rule of thumb is that HSV-1 causes viral outbreaks above the waist, while HSV-2...
ADD (attention deficit disorder) and ADHD (attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder) are characterized by difficulty staying focused, being easily distracted and, in the case of ADHD, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. These disorders are...
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain accompanied by fatigue. Because the pain is not always localized to a specific area, and because the origin of the pain is not always apparent, you may mistakenly assume that...
Vicodin is a powerful prescription narcotic used for temporary relief of severe pain. Because it is highly addictive, drug addiction recovery programs such as the Spencer Recovery Center in Laguna Beach, California, now specialize in treating...
Scientific discussion regarding a possible link between vitamin D deficiency and autism arose out of studies examining the role of vitamin D in the development of rat brains. Discovery of the essential status of adequate vitamin D in normal rat...
Gelsemium sempervirens, also known as yellow jasmine, is used in homeopathy, a form of alternative medicine, to treat people with anxiety-related symptoms. It is a vine native to warm temperate and tropical areas in America, from Guatemala north...
Bragg Amino Acids, also known as Bragg's Liquid Aminos, is a non-fermented soy sauce used to season foods. Bragg, the manufacturer of this product, has trademarked this seasoning. Further, Bragg claims that this product is a good source of amino...
Fish oil is a source of the omega-3 essential fatty acids EPA and DHA, which the body uses to create hormone-like substances that are associated with many health benefits. If you eat a lot of meat, milk and fatty foods, your diet is probably low...
It is commonly known that exercise provides physical benefits. For Alzheimer's patients, exercise may provide mental benefits as well. An exercise program for Alzheimer's patients should be aimed at not just preventing physical and mental decline,...
Performance-enhancing drugs have changed the sports world. Illegal substances like anabolic steroids give athletes an edge on their competitors. Cognitive enhancers are less controversial, but they're also less well developed. Most nootropics, or...
If you or someone in your family has attention deficit disorder, or ADD, your health-care provider may prescribe medication that can help with the associated symptoms, such as inattention and impulsiveness. In many cases, ADD medications,...
Technology has made brain surgery a somewhat routine operation. However, neurosurgery places you at risk for a range of medical complications, according to an October 2011 article in the “Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.”...
Good fats are the single most lacking nutrient in the standard American diet. It is estimated that 99 percent of us are deficient in the single most important ingredient in our bodies for normal cell and brain functioning, hormone production,...
Epilepsy is generally caused by electrical impulses in the brain firing too fast. Therefore, one approach to treating epilepsy is the use of substances which have a relaxing effect upon the brain and central nervous system. Lavender is one such...
