How to become smarter: 6 scientific ways to increase brain activity

Memory problems can arise at each: Forgotten keys, birthdays, meetings... It seems that it's all the little things. Really, who does not happen? But the farther the worse scare scientists.

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute warn that memory loss can start already with 35 yearsWhen Exactly Does Your Memory Start Declining?. Innocent hobby, such as crossword puzzles or learning a foreign language, will be just a waste of time. Scientific evidence of their positive impact on memory, not enoughDo "Brain-Training" Programs Work?. You can read Shakespeare in the original, or to become a real master to fill the empty cells, but that's all.

Put the English-Russian dictionary aside. In order to successfully develop memory and attention, you need to use other methods. Here are some of them.

1. exercise

It would seem, what is the relationship between a morning jog and a good memory? It turns out that the most direct. As a result of physical exercise to the brain receives blood flow, which activates his work. And this, in turn, leads to other pleasant consequences.

Scientists have found that people who are more likely to go on foot, creativity is more highly developed than those of their "sedentary" colleaguesStanford study finds walking improves creativity. Moreover, scientifically proven that exercise stimulates the growth of new nerve cellsHow Exercise May Help the Brain Grow Stronger. For several years, scientists have carefully studied the structure of the brain cells of humans and animals that are actively moving, and those that have been inactive. As a result it turned out that due to the exercise in part of the brain responsible for our memory and attention, new cells are formed.

By the way, the change of physical activity also helps the brain. Maybe it's time to change the diving to yoga?

2. Examine useful stress

Ian Robertson (Ian Robertson), a professor of Dallas, says that stress in moderate amounts can influence the work of our gray matterGet Smart: 6 Brain-Boosting Activities to Add to Your Day.

It turns out that the stress in the brain triggers a specific chemical process that increases the brain activity and enhances the neurons.

However, remember that stress is different. When short-term stress in the blood is thrown great amount of adrenaline hormone that mobilizes all body systems. But with long-term disorder prevails hormone cortisol, which, by contrast, depletes the body and stimulates the consumption of excess calories.

So crying over missed deadlines will only lead to a desire to eat a chocolate cake, but will not improve the functioning of the brain. But the flight of a parachute or a dialogue with a nice colleague and help improve brain activity, and strengthen self-confidence.

3. enough sleep

Shows up to three nights, dancing in the club late... Lack of sleep not only leads to a third cup of coffee, but also to more serious problems.

American scientists have found that sleepless nights can lead to Alzheimer's diseaseLack of Sleep May Lead to Dementia: New Research Finds It Makes Brain Vulnerable. It turns out that in the human brain that does not sleep, accumulated beta-amyloid, a special protein that causes memory loss. The more protein, the worse a person sleeps, and the worse a person sleeps, the more he had this insidious substance. Just a vicious circle! So try become larksDear owl, because a deep sleep - a pledge not only a good morning, but a good memory.

4. Follow a diet

Excess chocolate cake with cream and raise the spirits, but will lead to memory impairment. After all, our brain, like a car, needs fuel, and so is the food. Products in which large amounts of vitamins and minerals to improve brain functionNutritional psychiatry: Your brain on food, But the food with a high sugar content causes disturbances of brain activity and even depression.

Plus, in many fruits, vegetables and plants, there are special substances - flavonoids that can improve the functioning of the organism and affect different organ systems. Now, researchers from Columbia University (USA) have found that cocoa flavonoids in which the content is very high, a positive effect on the brain and improves memoryDietary Flavanols Reverse Age-Related Memory Decline.

The experiment found that people aged 50-69 years old who regularly drank cocoa, better coped with the memory test than the group that did not use cocoa, but was younger by almost two decades. Therefore food rich in vitamins and minerals, not only will benefit the whole body, but also help to improve memory and attention.

5. use neyrogadzhety

High technologies have replaced and caffeine tablets. improve memoryTranscranial Stimulation of the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex Prevents Stress-Induced Working Memory Deficits and attentionModulation of attention functions by anodal tDCS on right PPC It is now possible with the help of scientific inventions.

Scientists have for many years used in the practice of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). It sounds scary and it is not clear? But in fact, everything is very simple.

Smart device acts as follows: to certain areas of a human head attached to electrodes through which a weak direct current. This charge is very small - much firefly spends on it to illuminate - and absolutely safe.

Current acts on neurons, making them more or less excitable. The resulting change contacts between nerve cells.

This leads to the phenomenon of improved synaptic plasticity. It synaptic plasticity is responsible for the improvement of memory and attention.

Such cunning devices are used in leading European hospitals for several decades. However, in order to improve memory and develop the attention, it is not necessary to see a doctor. For home use create commercial devices in the United States and Russia. In America, it Foc.us and Apex, in Russia - Brainstorm. Perhaps in the near future to conduct transcranial brain stimulation will become as common as a cup of coffee.

6. More positive

Recipe for a good memory is simple: good sleep, healthy food, use neyrogadzhetov, exercise... What else? Professor Jon Krakauer (John Krakauer) at Johns Hopkins University (USA) states: "Spending the evening on the couch with a book, of course, good, but loneliness can lead to depression 'Get Smart: 6 Brain-Boosting Activities to Add to Your Day. Moreover, scientists say, the more friends you have, the longer your life! So chat with a friend over a glass of wine is not only pleasant but also useful.

Revision can not share the views of the author.