The foods we eat can have a huge impact on our brain’s function. Neuroscientists show that rats fed junk foods struggle with memory tasks. We also know that memory function is impaired in people who eat junk foods, regardless of whether they are overweight or not. But aside from cutting out junk foods, is… Continue Reading
Is a diet where you can eat chocolate-dipped bacon AND lose weight too good to be true? Part 4 of our series on the gut-brain axis, diet and brain health. Ketogenic (keto) diets have become increasingly popular for achieving rapid weight loss by eating a high fat, very low carbohydrate diet. On a “normal” diet, glucose… Continue Reading
Today in Part 3 of our series on the gut-brain axis, Drs Amy Reichelt and Sarah McKay discuss mind-altering microbes and the emerging field of psychobiotics. The gut microbiome is a key node in the gut-brain axis. Scientists are only just uncovering how microbes in the gut influence physical, brain and even mental health. In 2004, a pivotal… Continue Reading
This is the second post in a series exploring the neurobiology of the gut-brain connection published in partnership with neuroscientist Dr Amy Reichelt. Our intestines are home to an ecosystem of trillions of microbes including bacteria, viruses, phages, fungi, protists, and nematodes. Dominant are bacteria from the families Firmicutes and Bacteriodetes. As I talked about in… Continue Reading
This is the first post in a series exploring the neurobiology of the gut-brain connection published in partnership with neuroscientist Dr Amy Reichelt. Our brain and gut are intrinsically connected. We have ‘gut feelings’ about a person or event, and feel ‘butterflies’ in our stomach when something exciting happens. Neuroscientists have become increasingly aware… Continue Reading
Interest in meditation and mindfulness as ways to reduce stress have exploded in popularity, and they’re great tools to have in your mental health toolkit. But what if these techniques don’t work for you? Here are some practical alternatives to switching off your stress response and finding peace of mind. Not all stress is bad. We… Continue Reading
I’ve written a book! Just one book. It may appear that I’ve written two, but, we’re publishing the same book under two different titles in Australia and the UK. In Australia and New Zealand, the book will be published by Hachette Australia under the title The Women’s Brain Book. The neuroscience of health, hormones… Continue Reading
Is waiting until the last minute an innocuous habit? Or does failure to act on your intentions have more serious health consequences? Here I take a look at procrastination and provide five evidence-based tips to help you stop putting things off until tomorrow. We’ve all been there. The deadline is looming and you know it’s finally… Continue Reading
Here I take a look at some of the evidence linking education and occupation with better cognitive function in older age. Rich lifetime experiences like higher education or engaging in mentally challenging occupations have a major influence on how you age cognitively. This is because mentally stimulating activities help build cognitive reserve. Cognitive… Continue Reading
Self Reflected in violets. The entire Self Reflected microetching under violet and white light (photo by Greg Dunn and Will Drinker) This is the most advanced artistic visualisation of the brain in the world. Dr Greg Dunn is an artist and neuroscientist and together with Dr Brian Edwards (artist and physicist) he created… Continue Reading
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