The human brain is a fascinating device with an embedded self-regeneratory mechanism, allowing us to recover from almost any injury, innate or otherwise. Hippocampus is the cognitive center, responsible for learning, memory, and orientation. In this article, I'll introduce you to the common causes of an impaired hippocampus and a simple solution to the problem.
Neurogenesis is a process of developing new neurons. According to Mrs. Sandrine Thuret, the Deputy Head of the Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience and the Chair of King’s Research Degrees Examination Board, neurogenesis is an ongoing process that, if halted, leads to mental aging, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Neurogenesis is stimulated by BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor). The BDNF is similar to the growth hormone. It can grow new brain cells, increase the protective pathways (of the nervous system), build up synapses & dendrites, enhance cognitive functions, elevate the mood, and increase the protection against oxidative damage. As already mentioned, the self-regeneratory system is embedded into the core of the human organism. It can restore all tissue, including brain tissue, but we must follow the proper steps. Some old harmful habits must get replaced with new, healthy choices.
The human body produces around 700 new neurons daily (in the hippocampus). That process can get sped up or halted, depending on the lifestyle choices we make. Naturally, stress, sleep deprivation, and aging cause a decrease in neurogenesis. The healthier the hippocampus, the greater the neurogenesis, and the greater the cognitive abilities of an individual. Problems with learning, memory, depression, and spatial recognition start when the production of new neurons slows down to a minimum or gets stopped entirely. According to Mr. Eric Berg DC, losing the function of the hippocampus may result in developing Alzheimer's and dementia. You might as well want to know what causes the decrease in the production of new neurons: endocrine disruptors (such as pesticides, chemicals found in personal care products, cleaning products & drinking water, canned food, plastic containers, and non-stick cookware), high-carbohydrate diet, pornography, lack of physical activity, alcohol, tobacco, stress, sleep deprivation, drugs, high insulin, vitamin B1 deficiency, vitamin D deficiency, zinc deficiency, high omega-6 to omega-3 ratio.
One may increase the production by fasting, following a KETO-genic diet, enjoying a healthy monogamous relationship, consuming flavonoids from dark chocolate and blueberries, consuming foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, consuming MCT oil (I recommend a cold-pressed organic extra-virgin coconut oil), resveratrol (from the red vine). Exercising (especially aerobic) and continuous learning also increase the blood flow in the brain and enhances the production of new neurons. If you're out of shape, take long walks. That is an excellent low-stress aerobic exercise that I highly recommend. Gradually increase the intensity of training sessions. Once ready, start sprinting! Only 60 seconds of sprinting works wonders for the BDNF and the human growth hormone. Combine it with fasting because it increases both neuroplasticity and neurogenesis. Generally speaking, the best exercise for the brain is the one that provides it with the most oxygen while imposing the least amount of stress. Such activities increase brain volume, speed up the production of new brain cells, improve spatial memory, and normalize dopamine receptors.
The neurogenesis rate decreases as we age. We need to do our best to maintain the health of the most vital organ. There are many culprits behind the lowered IQ. The two most common culprits are injuries and deficiency in essential nutrients (which I discussed in the first part of this series: @emstone/increase-your-iq-part-1 ) Many newborns suffer from lower IQ because their mothers have been deficient in crucial nutrients during pregnancy - read my article on the importance of iodine to learn more: @emstone/the-importance-of-iodine ! Either way, we have a self-regeneratory mechanism that can restore all tissues, including brain tissue. However, that ability is of no use to most people whose financial situation forces them to opt for the cheapest foods which are (needless to say) in most cases not very IQ-friendly. The bottom line is that everything counts and everything matters. Once you grasp just how detrimental snacks and sweets are, you begin to see them for what they really are! Restraining from consumption will save you money and brain cells.
Most people have never tried being sober. They got intoxicated by sugar in the early stage of development and kept on micro-dosing ever since. Sugar is nowadays found in everything, from meat to baby formula. Deterioration of mental health and cognitive functions is a vicious cycle. It leads to lower income, poorer quality of life, and premature death.
You could benefit from reading the following article: A Proper Way To Start Your Day
Sources:
The Brain-in-Motion Study: Effect of a 6-Month Aerobic Exercise Intervention on Cerebrovascular Regulation and Cognitive Function in Older Adults: https://bmcgeriatr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2318-13-21
Exercise, Brain, and Cognition Across The Life Span: https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/japplphysiol.00210.2011
Studies of The Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Human Striatal Dopamine Release: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/12374319_PET_studies_of_the_effects_of_aerobic_exercise_on_human_striatal_dopamine_release
Aerobic Exercise Training Increases Brain Volume in Aging Humans: https://academic.oup.com/biomedgerontology/article/61/11/1166/630432
Aerobic Exercise Intervention, Cognitive Performance, and Brain Structure: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2016.00336/full
