7/27 – “Brain Types, and the pursuit of happiness”
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Many of us really do not understand just how important it is to have a positive outlook on life.  Sure, we think it’s not a bad thing, as we all know depression can’t be good for you.  Yet, new research is showing that the story goes far deeper.  Scientists are now saying that a light-hearted attitude in life is actually anti-aging.  Dr. Stefanie Brassen, the study’s author, says that successful aging comes down to “the positivity effect”.   She says this was “a biased tendency towards and preference for positive, emotionally gratifying experiences”. By scanning the brains of participants while shown pictures of happy, sad, fearful, and neutral faces, they discovered increased activity in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex, the part of the brain that controls emotions.  “High levels of activity in this part of the brain are associated with good mental health.” The study also adds that exercise and even crossword puzzles are two more ways to keep your brain young.

Another interesting clip from the article reads, “Simply focusing your brain on positive thoughts, and living for the moment, rather than looking too far into the future, can help maintain good mental health.”

Of course we all need to think about the future (the connotation involves worrying about the future), but for most Americans (with Conceptuals/intuitives dominating the populace), “today” is as good as gone.  We are on to the next best thing, and we really do not have time to stop and smell the roses.  Yet, talk to most any #1 FEAR or #2 BEAR, and you will find a refreshing oasis.  Why?  Because, as dominant Empiricals, and Right brained, they do live for the moment (sometimes to their detriment), and do seek to enjoy life.  From our limited research in this specific realm, in fact, we have found that #2 men in particular often live to a ripe old age.  Though highly emotional beings, they usually do not worry excessively, tend not to harbor bitterness, and are liable to sleep well at night.  Since they live so much in the moment and despise unpleasant feelings, they’ll usually let go of and literally run from troubling situations.

A GREAT deal could be written about each of the individual 16 designs and their overall outlook in life.  One thing we will point out is that the Q3 region of the brain tends to be the most optimistic, which includes #3 FEALs, #7 FEILs, #11 FCALs, and #15 FCILs.  As Niednagel writes in Brain Types and Parenting: “This region can be the most critical region, especially when expressing itself to others about the differences in things and people.  Ironically, it can also be very positive and it loves to accomplish goals and pursue what it believes is right or best to do.” This is not to say that they can never or will never experience bouts of depression (as Animates, #3s and #11s will be more prone to this), but the “executive control region” of the brain will definitely be less likely to than, say, the Q2 region of the brain (Back-Right).  Q3s will rarely experience the high-highs and the low-lows that can oftentimes plague Q1s (Front-Right), despite the fact that you may find Q1s to be more outwardly boisterous.  To be even more specific, upon first meeting them, #1 FEARs and #9 FCARs seem to consistently be the most energetic and happy (even if they are experiencing major problems at home!).  Yet, do not be fooled.  While they may indeed be happy (especially on the outside), it does not necessarily mean they consistently are having a positive outlook on life.  It is a state of mind, not a feel-good feeling.  And let’s all not forget, #1s and #9s usually love to be with people.  Alone they are often despondent, but among others they bloom like a flower; energized by others, they move from the deeper, emotional posterior brain regions to the frontal higher areas.

The question really boils down to what is true optimism?  Is it happiness in the moment, or lasting, long-term inner joy?  Certainly the latter is what we all strive for, not letting our joy come from happiness, or “happen-stance,” but rather contentment with what life gives us, and the ability to positively accept it.  As Dr. John Krystal,  editor of Biological Psychiatry puts it, “When coping with extremely stressful life challenges, it is critical to appraise the situation realistically, but also to approach it with a positive attitude.” Every one of us, regardless of Brain Type, has the capacity to stop, enjoy the moment, and appreciate the here-and-now.

Lastly, lest we think happiness is something to be captured and kept, here is a wise quote from Nathaniel Hawthorn:  “Happiness is like a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.”

Written by: Staff
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5/18 – “Dance like no one’s watching”
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If you’re like most people, you’re just not a dancer.  It is a shame, truly, because dancing does wonders for both the brain and body.  Yes, instead we’d rather sit and watch others do it on TV rather than get up ourselves and give it a try.  “We’ve become a nation of armchair dancers, mesmerized by Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance,” says Lane Anderson, author of an article in Psychology Today,  “But research shows that getting your own groove on is more beneficial in improving social skills, lifting your spirits, even reversing depression.”

So, what does dancing do for us exactly?  To be sure, it isn’t rocket science to figure out that moving our bodies is a good thing.  In one recent study at the University of Derby, salsa-dancing improved the moods of “depressed patients” significantly by the end of the 9-week trial period.  In another study coming from Germany, 22 tango dancers had lower levels of stress hormones and higher levels of testosterone, feeling more relaxed and sexually healthier.

One key is that our brains become distracted when engaged in rhythmic, focused movements, whereby negative thought patters that lead to anxiety and depression are interrupted.  Also, “Depressed patients tend to have a curved back, which brings the head down so it’s facing the ground,” says Donna Newman-Bluestain, a dance therapist with the American Dance Therapy Association.  “Dancing lifts the body to an open, optimistic posture.”

When we bring Brain Types into the equation, we must remember that Right brain dominant individuals tend to not only dance more (as they more commonly enjoy spontaneous, unrestricted, “fun” activities), but they are naturally more gifted in fluid, rhythmic motions, allowing them to dance better to begin with.  This often leaves Left brain dominant individuals uninterested, not even giving it a chance.  Being more self-conscience also doesn’t help matters, especially Left brain Empiricals.  In short, they must learn to shut out their naturally restrictive bent, and act, or dance, “as if no one’s watching.”

Written by: Staff
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1/20 – “Music … Your natural dopamine booster”
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You have often heard us speak of dopamine, the brain chemical involved in both motivation and addiction.  Those familiar with Brain Typing further know that Front brain dominant individuals produce more of it.  Combine this with Right brain dominance (FR) and you make for a person who has a tendency in life to be more outgoing, more in-the-moment, and an overall inborn tendency to “just do it”.  For Back brainers, life comes a little more slowly.  Granted, there are plenty of ‘B’s out there who have energy and drive (especially with better diet and exercise), while you will find plenty of Front brainers out there who do not, but in the end this is the overall tendency.  You have also heard us speak of the dangers of coffee and other agents that can temporarily increase your dopamine levels, but how about the flip side?  Can anything naturally increase my levels?  We have mentioned in previous articles the benefits of exercise and proper diet, but here is another one for you.  Music.

Yes, music.  People are drawn to music largely for the same reasons they are drawn to drugs, gambling, and even romance … it causes your brain to release dopamine (we highly recommend staying away from the first two options!).  In a recent study headed by Valorie Salimpoor, a neuroscientist at McGill University in Montreal, he and his colleagues recruited eight music-lovers who brought to the lab samples of music that gave them chills of pleasure.  The musical genres included classical, jazz, rock and popular music.  After 15 minutes of listening, scientists then injected each person with a radioactive substance that binds to dopamine receptors.  ‘With a machine called a PET scanner, the scientists were then able to see if that substance simply circulated through listeners’ blood, which would indicate that they had already released a lot of dopamine, and that the dopamine was tying up all available receptors.  If most of their dopamine receptors were free, on the other hand, the radioactive substance would bind to them.’ (http://news.discovery.com/human/music-dopamine-happiness-brain-110110.html)

The results were conclusive.  Each participant’s brain released large amounts of dopamine when they listened to music that gave them chills, while their dopamine receptors remained wide open when listening to less moving music.  Not only that, just the anticipation before hearing a part of a song caused the brain to produce dopamine!  Yep, you know that wonderful feeling you get right before hearing a particular chorus?  That, in part, has to do with dopamine.  Be careful, though, as music can also become mildly addictive, and the wrong kinds can negatively affect heart-rate and blood pressure.

Interestingly, the most popular selection was Barber’s Adagio For Strings.  For a possible dopamine boost (depending on your taste in music), turn up the volume and click the play button below.

Written by: Staff

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12/3 – “Think twice before taking up the cup”
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If we may be so bold, please don’t censure us as we gingerly address the “holy grail” of morning delights.

Are you a coffee drinker?  Thinking of becoming one for increased energy and a clearer mind in the mornings?  Stop for a moment and think about this.  Coffee’s secret weapon, of course, is caffeine, and caffeine blocks the receptors for a brain chemical called “adenosine.”  This chemical’s function is to stop the release of dopamine and adrenaline (both motivating neurotransmitters).  So what’s wrong with that?  Isn’t it a good thing to have more dopamine and adrenaline?

No, it’s not.  Keep drinking and over time your body will slowly become dull to its own natural stimulants, making you completely dependent on, yes, your coffee.  You will then need more of it to feel normal as your body keeps pushing itself to produce more and more dopamine and adrenaline.  The result?  Your body gives out, and you experience “Adrenal Exhaustion.”  Depression sets in, anxiety increases, and you are worse off than before you began your Columbian cruise.

Some studies have even shown that coffee drinkers do not feel any better than non-coffee drinkers.  It is only the symptoms of withdrawal from coffee that causes people to think coffee makes them feel better.  The irony is almost humorous if it wasn’t so tragic.  In short, drinking coffee relieves the unpleasant sensations of withdrawal from coffee.

Though there are benefits from coffee consumption, there are also many liabilities, and some very health depleting.  Research has shown that coffee restricts blood flow in the brain, especially affecting gray matter.  When this occurs, cognitive function decreases while emotions increase.  Coffee can also have a negative effect on common psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety, and even ADD.

Lastly, coffee can even disturb your normal sleeping patterns, thanks to the stimulant “theophylline.”  If you are a coffee drinker and experience troubles with insomnia, this perhaps may be the culprit.

If you are highly dependent on coffee already, there are wise alternatives that can match its benefits, and more, while eliminating its negative effects. For starters, try vigorous aerobic exercise, dopamine boosting foods and supplements, and perhaps green tea.

Just another suggestion from your friendly i-Health blog.  Thanks for stopping by.

Written by: Staff

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