Autism: Is There a Gut Connection?
Could there be a connection between autism and the gastrointestinal system? A team of researchers led by Elaine Y. Hsiao of the California Institute of Technology recently noted that a subset of...
View ArticleParkinson’s Disease and Dance
Could dancing the tango improve cognitive function? According to the non-profit organization Dance for PD® (Parkinson’s disease), the answer is yes. Because Parkinson’s is a brain disorder, some...
View ArticleNeuroplasticity and Trauma: Can Brain Science Give Us a New Perspective on...
The brain can be a powerful ally. Our brains are always looking out for us. They’re wired to help us survive – alerting us to threats and ramping up our amygdala to help us take action. But that same...
View Article10 Ways Dance Strengthens the Brain
The other day, we shared some brand-new studies that investigated the neural effects of dance on people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Dance has been shown to improve motor function, cognitive...
View ArticleCreativity and the Brain
Could it be time for you to get out your painter’s smock and brushes? A new study by the Mayo Clinic may be just the motivation you need. The clinic recently published findings of their four-year...
View ArticleHow the Brain Works with the Vagus: Empathy and More
When someone’s frowning, or beaming, or gaping in surprise, they’re wearing their heart on their face. That’s because the muscles that control facial expression are linked to the smart vagus, says...
View ArticleFear, Self-Esteem, and the Power of Touch
How crucial is the power of touch in developing a healthy sense of self-esteem . . . . . . and what role do these play in how people respond to fear? To answer these questions, Dr. Sander L. Koole and...
View ArticleTrauma and the Brain: Why Congress is Finally Helping Traumatized Veterans
On February 12, 2015, President Obama signed the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act. The purpose of this act is to provide help to US veterans suffering from PTSD. This legislation...
View ArticleCan Fear of Happiness Get in the Way of Healing?
Why is it so hard to get people to follow through on strategies that are good for them? Patient noncompliance can be one of the greatest roadblocks that keeps people from achieving their goals. And I...
View ArticleA Different Way to Handle Stress – Can Brain Science Help?
Stress – it’s often (if not always) a regular part of life. But everyone handles it differently, and many people are frequently on the search for ways to deal with it more effectively. Now, while...
View ArticleInjury, Illness, and PTSD
Does serious illness increase the risk of developing PTSD? We wrote about this topic back in 2011. At that time, a study in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons reported that...
View ArticleCan Traumatic Memories Be Changed?
Experiences that are distressing, painful and, perhaps, even traumatic are unavoidable in life. But are there ways we can work with people to prevent memories of traumatic events from developing into...
View ArticleGreater Empathy – In Just 3 Hours?
How attentive, empathetic, and caring was your physician the last time you had to go to the doctor’s office? Or, if you’re a physician, do you ever wonder how your patients perceive you? We recently...
View ArticleAn Exercise to Boost the Brain’s Natural Anti-Anxiety Drug?
Is there an exercise that can boost feel-good chemicals in your brain while reducing anxiety and improving your mood? The answer is yes – it’s yoga. Now yoga isn’t the only exercise that’s been shown...
View ArticleTreating Severe Trauma in Iraq
Trauma doesn’t discriminate. It can affect anyone, anywhere throughout the world and, unfortunately . . . . . . not everyone has similar access to resources for treating trauma or PTSD. So, what can...
View ArticleThree Ways Trauma Changes the Brain
The treatment of trauma can be some of the most complex work practitioners face. And for years, this challenge was complicated by not having a clear picture of the impact that trauma has on the brain....
View ArticleThe Impact of Mindfulness in the Lives of At-Risk Youth
Research is starting to show that mindfulness is impacting new populations. But can it help at-risk youth who are exposed to negative role models, experience unstable homes and are getting in trouble...
View ArticleHow Mindfulness Can Help Us Work through Grief
When a person experiences significant loss, it’s natural to want to offer comfort and relieve their pain. But according to Jack Kornfield, PhD, it’s crucial not to rush past difficult emotions in the...
View ArticleCan Traumatic Experience Strengthen Brain Function?
For years we’ve been able to see differences between a healthy brain and that of a person who’s been diagnosed with PTSD. But can we detect differences within a population, all of whom have...
View ArticleTwo Chemical Reactions That Happen in the Brain during Trauma
When a traumatic event triggers our internal alarm system, the body goes into fight, flight, or freeze . . . . . . but what happens in the brain during trauma? According to Dan Siegel, MD, there are...
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