The Magic And Power of Darkness – Part 1

Posted by: michael  :  Category: Factors affecting Brain Health

In this two-part series I want to explore the effect of darkness – as in a lack of light – on our senses. I’m not yet sure how it might unfold so while I gather my thoughts a bit of scene-setting might be in order.

And what better way than by using the lyrics to “The Music Of The Night” from “The Phantom Of The Opera” by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The song is about seduction. Read more…

Thirst, A Bottle of Water And Voluntary Drowning!

Posted by: michael  :  Category: Factors affecting Brain Health

Honestly, I’ve never seen so many people walking around water bottle in hand – it must be at pandemic proportions!

 If that’s you… do you know why?  Perhaps you’ve heard that it’s supposedly healthy to drink lots of water or maybe you’ve seen the slogan “drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day”. Read more…

The Great Taste Seduction: Not Just A Tongue-Job!

Posted by: michael  :  Category: DIY Brain Health

You have to admit that food and beverage manufacturers know a thing or two about designing foods and drinks… in fact, they know exactly how to tick all the right boxes! But we can’t really blame them… after all we are letting the seduction happen! Read more…

Martial Arts: How About A Damn Good Tantrum?

Posted by: michael  :  Category: DIY Brain Health

Regular readers of my posts will know I often make reference to primitive man and babies. I do so because I believe, for example, our DNA (genetic code) has changed very little over time and that babies provide a largely unconditioned behavioural expression of our primitive DNA.

As such, babies and toddlers can provide useful clues to basic patterns of behaviour that we adults have become so adept at not only suppressing but effectively deleting from our subconscious mind.

What’s all that got to do with martial arts? Read more…

The Whole Truth: But How Reliable Is Witness Evidence?

Posted by: michael  :  Category: Factors affecting Brain Health

You may be familiar with the phrase “the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth…”  It is used in court to swear in a witness and basically means don’t leave anything out and don’t tell lies.

No doubt most witnesses do their utmost to tell the truth but just how reliable is witness evidence and what has it got to do with the brain. Read more…

Homeland Security And Brain Health – An Odd Couple?

Posted by: michael  :  Category: Factors affecting Brain Health

On first thoughts you probably might agree Homeland Security and brain health do indeed make for an odd couple. However, all is not what it seems for, in at least one major aspect, they have much in common. Read more…

Brain Health: Are Nanoparticles Saints or Sinners?

Posted by: michael  :  Category: Factors affecting Brain Health

Nanoparticles hold enormous potential to change many aspects of our existence… some for the better, some for the worse. So what are nanoparticles; where do they come from; what have they got to do with brain health; and why have I referred to them as saints or sinners? Read more…

The Gut, The Brain And A Big Fat Belly!

Posted by: michael  :  Category: Factors affecting Brain Health

Hello Brain, this is Stomach calling to tell you I’ve had enough. Oh, shut up stomach, I’m watching TV… will somebody pass the fries please! Read more…

Ouch! See, You Should Have Watched The Ball

Posted by: michael  :  Category: DIY Brain Health

Tracking and catching or hitting objects are the key parts of many ball games as well as sports like martial arts and boxing. Such activities engage faculties like attention, focus, coordination, judgement, movement and visual acuity and so have potential to activate several parts of the brain. Read more…

Get Your Best Valentine’s Card Ever – Guaranteed!

Posted by: michael  :  Category: Uncategorized

What if I told you that I can get a fantastic Valentine’s card any year I choose. In fact, I can guarantee it!

So, this Valentine’s Day while you are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the mailman, I’ll be reading a beautiful card telling me how wonderful I am. Read more…

Can You Design Your Own Brain? Yes, You Can! – Part 2

Posted by: michael  :  Category: DIY Brain Health

In Part 1 we looked at how we might design our brain using music and language. If you found that a bit on the heavy side you may find these methods more appealing Read more…

Can You Design Your Own Brain? Yes, You Can! – Part 1

Posted by: michael  :  Category: DIY Brain Health

In this short series we’re going to look at how you can design your own brain. I bet you didn’t think you could do that, did you?

Well, you can… and why shouldn’t you. I mean we have designer clothes, designer houses, designer this… designer that, so why shouldn’t you have a designer brain too. Read more…

Have You Met A Physics?

Posted by: michael  :  Category: DIY Brain Health

Okay, so it’s a dreadful title… but I just couldn’t resist it! As you’ve probably worked out this post is about Metaphysics and its application in everyday life. Please don’t jump to the conclusion that it means a whole lot of spiritual stuff. It doesn’t!

Metaphysics opens up a whole new way of thinking and reveals the extent of the control you actually have over the reality you create for yourself. It’s both exciting and frightening because it puts you in control of your life… which some might find scary! Read more…

Cancer Tricks Immune System – Or Does It?

Posted by: michael  :  Category: Factors affecting Brain Health

I actually set out to write a post looking at Swine Flu ‘propaganda’ as an example of where we need to exercise critical thinking. However, my thoughts kept drifting to some research I read recently on the artificial stimulation of the immune system to recognise cancer cells. Read more…

Who Took The ‘Real’ Out Of Reality?

Posted by: michael  :  Category: Factors affecting Brain Health

When I’m struggling to explain things related to the workings of the body and mind I sometimes find it helpful to take a trip back to early-man (not literally as I don’t have Dr Who’s TARDIS) as it gives me a sense of where we were and where we now are.

In this post I want to look at the development of one’s personal ‘map of reality’ and how it can become distorted. By ‘map of reality’ I mean how an individual interprets the world around her/him, who they believe they are, how they think they fit into the world and where they believe they are going. Read more…