Your Brain on Art’s Post

Recently, I submitted a research abstract on "The Transformative Power of  Music and Reading in Mental Well-Being." for #NeuroNovember. Music has shaped our socioemotional development for millennia. Recent  research highlights its impact on mood regulation and overall mental well-being. In my abstract, I explore how music therapy addresses mental health  issues, enhances resilience, and promotes inclusivity. Plus, adding 30 minutes  of reading alongside music can boost mental well-being. New research from Japan on "Forest Bathing" (Shinrin Yoku) shows that 15 minutes in nature significantly improves mood, reduces cortisol levels, and combats "techno-stress." Combining these activities—music, reading, and nature—could greatly enhance our well-being beyond just the neurological aspect. #healthcare #Nueroscience #UW #CenterforNeurotechnology #simplyneuroscience

Here’s the evidence you need to “take time to smell the roses”🌹!

Keep it simple… what would you add? My favourite research papers on this topic: ℹ️ Sunlight - Effect of sunlight and season on serotonin turnover in the brain (Lambert et al., 2002). ℹ️ Calm breathing - How Breath-Control Can Change Your Life: A Systematic Review on Psycho-Physiological Correlates of Slow Breathing (Zaccaro et al., 2018). ℹ️ Coffee - Coffee consumption and health: umbrella review of meta-analyses of multiple health outcomes (Poole et al., 2017). ℹ️ Focused work - Go with the flow: A neuroscientific view on being fully engaged (Linden et al., 2021). ℹ️ Healthy meal - The Gut-Brain Axis: Influence of Microbiota on Mood and Mental Health (Appleton., 2018).

Ignite your mind and watch it thrive... Did you know that over 60% of users report improved focus when incorporating CBD into their daily routine? [Source: Brightfield Group] CBD is changing the game for professionals by interacting with brain receptors that regulate mood and concentration. This natural compound can be a powerful tool for enhancing mental clarity and productivity. CBD may be the key to unlock your minds 🧠 full potential! Curious about how CBD could work for you? Check out this article to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eFdDDSPu #CBDCommunity #AlternativeMedicine #MentalHealth

Research articles A model linking emotional dysregulation in neurodivergent people to the proprioceptive impact of joint hypermobility Jessica A. Eccles†, Lisa Quadt, Sarah N. Garfinkel and Hugo D. Critchley Published:15 July 2024 https://lnkd.in/gNRr5YJT Abstract Emotional feelings are putatively ascribed to central representation of bodily states in the context of expectation and uncertainty in both internal state and external world. Neurodivergent people are more likely to experience co-occurring mental health challenges, although mechanistic insights underpinning this association are scarce. We therefore undertook a study to test whether imprecise processing of proprioceptive error signals may underlie the connection between neurodivergence and emotional dysregulation. In a cohort of people with complex chronic conditions, including chronic pain/fatigue, and complex trauma, and in a comparison group, we assessed presence of neurodivergence, variant connective tissue manifested through joint hypermobility, and emotional dysregulation. We present a data-informed conceptual model showing that variant connective tissue determines whether proprioceptive surprise is linked with emotional dysregulation in neurodivergent individuals. We suggest that future research in this area may have important clinical implications for the interaction of mental and physical wellbeing in neurodivergent people. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Sensing and feeling: an integrative approach to sensory processing and emotional experience’. https://lnkd.in/gi3HURVm #sensingandfeeling #neurodivergence

Life is hard. Unfair. It can suck. Sometimes overwhelmingly so. If you're feeling BIG, unpleasant feelings, don't stuff them down or put them on a shelf. This will only keep 'the story' around them alive. And, eventually, they will resurface - bigger and even scarier than they are right now. Allow yourself to feel them instead. Fully feel them. Then express what it feels like to feel them. Express your sadness, frustration, anger, and hurt fully. Whatever it is you're feeling, shout it onto paper. Write down what comes up as you imagine screaming at the perpetrator (or the situation) saying everything, EVERYTHING that you ever wanted them to know. How you feel. How it sucks. How they suck. How you hate it. How it hurts. How it's unfair. EVERYTHING!!! Shout it onto paper. Give your hurt a voice. Let it flow onto paper. And then rip it up. Let it go. According to Harvard neuroscientist Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, an emotion lasts 90 seconds or less when we feel it, label it, process it, and let it go. 90 seconds. Anything longer than that is due to the story we attach to it or thoughts we engage in that keeps the emotion alive. 90 seconds are doable. So, rage on, let it out, shout it onto paper. And set it down. New study: Emotional expression and awareness therapy has been shown to outperform cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in a groundbreaking study on chronic pain in older veterans that was just published in Jama Open Network. Link to the study: https://lnkd.in/gv68ru7C More about the 90-second rule: https://lnkd.in/g9yZjZKt

🌟 New Article Alert! 🌟 This week, I'm thrilled to unveil my latest article, "There’s No Such Thing as Mental Health: The Physical Costs of Psychological Distress," a deep dive into the seamless integration of mind and body in health. 🧠💪 For too long, western medicine has artificially separated mental and physical health, but the reality is far more interconnected. My article challenges traditional views and explores how psychological distress manifests not just in our minds but across various body systems—from cardiovascular to immune responses. And how, in return, our bodies play a large role in the tone of our thoughts and emotions. This piece is just the beginning of a week-long exploration into the neuroscience behind the mind-body connection, where we’ll discuss innovative approaches to healthcare that consider the entire spectrum of human health. Expect deep dives into how wearable technology is revolutionizing our understanding of stress, and discussions on specific conditions profoundly influenced by our mental state. 👀 Stay tuned for daily posts that expand on this topic, providing actionable insights and cutting-edge research aimed at transforming how we think about health and wellness. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gdYpYP7M Let's start this conversation about a truly holistic approach to health. Your thoughts and experiences are invaluable—join the discussion below and let’s rethink health together! #MentalHealth #PhysicalHealth #Neuroscience #HealthcareInnovation #MindBodyConnection

Abrazame Que Ayuda (Hug Me, It Helps) Healing through Tango? - Part 2 Touch in Health Care is a topic explored on PubMed, particularly focusing on the impact of touch in nursing. A meta-analysis published in Nature (June 2024) revealed that touch interventions, such as hugging, offer significant physical and mental health benefits, including reductions in pain, state anxiety, depression, and trait anxiety. There is also “Hugging Therapy,” which is distinct from Tango. I particularly liked the phrase, “If hugging therapy is the appetizer, cuddling therapy might just be the main course.” It is believed that hugging works by regulating hormones like oxytocin, serotonin, and cortisol, which in turn boosts immune function and positive emotions. Prolonged social touch and the associated increase in oxytocin levels have been suggested to induce a shift from sympathetic to parasympathetic activation in animal studies, lowering blood pressure and heart rate. Humans are thought to be naturally inclined to have their affective states regulated by social proximity and interaction. Social touch is an unmistakable signal of closeness to another person. According to Psychology Today, the renowned family therapist Virginia Satir once said, “We need four hugs a day to survive, eight hugs to maintain ourselves, and 12 hugs to grow.” Studies found that the more often a touch intervention is offered, the greater the impact. A quick hug could therefore be even more impactful than a massage if it is offered more frequently. One study found that a 20-second hug was effective in reducing stress levels. However, I wouldn’t conclude that a tanda is an overdose… In this case “More is More“ (Georgette Dee) https://lnkd.in/evbxPyX3 https://lnkd.in/ej87FAUG https://lnkd.in/e2X6pntq

1/1: Title: **The Impact of Digital Detox on Neurological and Psychological Health: Entropy and Brevity in Biological Processes** **Summary:** In the modern digital age, constant exposure to technology has become a significant factor affecting neurological and psychological health. The concept of digital detox refers to periods of intentional disconnection from digital devices, aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of prolonged technology use on the human brain and body. This practice can provide significant relief to the neurological systems and foster better psychological well-being by allowing the brain to reset and engage more effectively with natural biological processes. Digital detox can be understood through the lens of entropy and brevity in biological systems. Entropy, a measure of disorder within a system, increases with excessive and chaotic information input, as is common with constant digital engagement. This heightened entropy can lead to cognitive overload, stress, and diminished mental clarity. Digital detox helps reduce this entropy, providing a period of brevity—a focused, simplified state that allows the brain to restore order and optimize its functioning. Neurologically, constant interaction with digital devices leads to persistent stimulation of the brain's reward system, particularly the release of dopamine, which can create addictive patterns. This continual stimulation can disrupt natural cognitive processes, such as attention, memory consolidation, and executive function. By undertaking a digital detox, the brain can recalibrate its reward pathways, reducing dependency on digital stimuli and enhancing cognitive performance. Inspired by Priya Waller Media and Communications Expert

Abrazame Que Ayuda (Hug Me, It Helps) Healing through Tango? - Part 2 Touch in Health Care is a topic explored on PubMed, particularly focusing on the impact of touch in nursing. A meta-analysis published in Nature (June 2024) revealed that touch interventions, such as hugging, offer significant physical and mental health benefits, including reductions in pain, state anxiety, depression, and trait anxiety. There is also “Hugging Therapy,” which is distinct from Tango. I particularly liked the phrase, “If hugging therapy is the appetizer, cuddling therapy might just be the main course.” It is believed that hugging works by regulating hormones like oxytocin, serotonin, and cortisol, which in turn boosts immune function and positive emotions. Prolonged social touch and the associated increase in oxytocin levels have been suggested to induce a shift from sympathetic to parasympathetic activation in animal studies, lowering blood pressure and heart rate. Humans are thought to be naturally inclined to have their affective states regulated by social proximity and interaction. Social touch is an unmistakable signal of closeness to another person. According to Psychology Today, the renowned family therapist Virginia Satir once said, “We need four hugs a day to survive, eight hugs to maintain ourselves, and 12 hugs to grow.” Studies found that the more often a touch intervention is offered, the greater the impact. A quick hug could therefore be even more impactful than a massage if it is offered more frequently. One study found that a 20-second hug was effective in reducing stress levels. However, I wouldn’t conclude that a tanda is an overdose… In this case “More is More“ (Georgette Dee) https://lnkd.in/evbxPyX3 https://lnkd.in/ej87FAUG https://lnkd.in/e2X6pntq