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Poverty and decision fatigue and biscuits

Fascinating article in the New York Times suggesting we have only a finite amount of mental energy available to make difficult decisions or exert willpower. This issue may be particularly relevant to those living in poverty as they have to devote a lot...

Published 23 Aug 2011 4:55 PM by Mad World

Filed under: Human Brain, Mental Health, poverty, workforce
The benefits of distraction and learning to forget

We can train ourselves to repress memories, new research suggests . And that may turn out to be useful for people with depression or post traumatic stress disorder, who are troubled by repetitive thoughts. Meanwhile, choosing when to think over negative...

Published 6 Jul 2011 4:29 PM by Mad World

Filed under: adults, anxiety, depression, Human Brain, memory, Mental Health
Binge drinking, depression and stuttering

Teenagers who binge drink may be putting themselves at risk of depression or anxiety in later life, research suggests . Apparently rats exposed to binge drinking experienced a change in their brain chemistry which "might lead to behavioural disorders...

Published 18 Nov 2010 3:21 PM by Mad World

Filed under: alcohol, binge drinking, children, Human Brain, Mental Health, stuttering
Why don't you switch off your television set and go for a walk instead?

This post is a homage to 70s and 80s kids TV programme Why Don't You , which exhorted viewers to "switch off their television sets and do something less boring instead" (after the programme had finished obviously). I mention it because the...

Published 31 Aug 2010 4:06 PM by Mad World

Filed under: children, Human Brain, media, Mental Health, older people
The role of serotonin, psychodynamic therapy and mind-melding

Well, it turns out that the role played by serotonin in the brain is not as simple as was first supposed. Researchers have now discovered that depression and anxiety are associated with high levels of serotonin in certain parts of the brain. It had been...

Published 23 Aug 2010 2:32 PM by Mad World

Filed under: adults, antidepressants, armed forces, Human Brain, Mental Health, psychotherapy, serotonin, yoga
Flower arranging, video games and Twitter

Here's today's round-up of mental health items and other assorted stuff: Research Digest Blog reports on a very small-scale study which found possible benefits in the use of flower arranging to help with the cognitive deficits associated with...

Published 4 Aug 2010 3:00 PM by Mad World

Filed under: brain, culture, Human Brain, Mental Health, video games
Friday roundup: creativity, Alzheimer's and the importance of Noggin

Here is a triumvirate of items that have crossed my radar on this balmy Friday. Firstly, the Press Association reports on new research into a potential cure for Alzheimer's - positive but very early days. Read More...

Published 9 Jul 2010 3:37 PM by Mad World

Filed under: adults, dementia, Human Brain, Mental Health
Age brings great wisdom - it's official

Physical dexterity and speed of thought may wane as we age but we more than make up for it by developing greater wisdom, an international psychiatry event has been told. Read More...

Published 28 Jun 2010 4:47 PM by Mad World

Filed under: adults, Human Brain, Mental Health, older people
The monkey business illusion

Check out the video below - it is a simple test to see if you can keep track of the number of times a ball is passed in a game. Read More...

Published 28 Jun 2010 4:21 PM by Mad World

Filed under: adults, children, Human Brain, Mental Health
How iPads, iPhones and computers are rewiring our brain

There's an interesting piece in the New York Times about the way gadgets are making us think in different ways, which persist even when we're not using them. Read More...

Published 8 Jun 2010 1:04 PM by Mad World

Filed under: adults, Human Brain, Mental Health, technology
Can sleepless nights be used to treat depression

There's a fascinating article in the New York Times about the link between sleepless nights and relief from depression. Read More...

Published 8 Apr 2010 4:00 PM by Mad World

Filed under: depression, Human Brain, Mental Health, sleep, sleeplessness
Avatar update: why we long for fictional worlds

I posted last week about young people who were feeling depressed with the real world after seeing the science fiction film Avatar. The story seemed an interesting reflection of our times but I couldn't offer much analysis beyond that. Luckily someone...

Published 19 Jan 2010 12:40 PM by Mad World

Filed under: avatar, Human Brain, Mental Health
Is the web changing our brains?

The brain being a plasticy thing that changes over time it makes sense that it would change as a result of regular computer and internet use. But is it changing in a good or bad way? Read More...

Published 26 Nov 2009 3:42 PM by Mad World

Filed under: brain, Human Brain, internet
Faltering spacial skills may be first sign of Alzheimer's

The BBC reports on an interesting piece of research suggesting that a failing memory may not be the first problem to signal the onset of Alzheimer's disease. Read More...

Published 13 Oct 2009 2:19 PM by Mad World

Filed under: Alzheimer's, david blunkett, Human Brain
Bad environments suppress children's IQs

This seems to be the central message of some new research reported in the New York Times . Read More...

Published 17 Apr 2009 4:36 PM by Mad World

Filed under: children, Human Brain, IQ
Brain training and the biochemistry of the brain

Cognitive training can change the biochemistry of the brain, researchers have found. Read More...

Published 6 Feb 2009 4:39 PM by Mad World

Filed under: brain chemistry, brain training, Human Brain, Mental Health
Horizon on cannabis

By Keith Sellick Horizon took a toke on the great cannabis debate recently. And it came out in favour of its medicinal properties but for keeping it out of the way of the young Read More...

Published 5 Feb 2009 12:49 PM by Mad World

Filed under: cannabis, Drug use, horizon, Human Brain, Keith Sellick, neural transmitters
Edwyn Collins: Home Again

By Keith Sellick An uplifting look at one man's struggle to overcome severe brain injury and return to his previous life - of being a pop star (well, not quite star). Read More...

Published 21 May 2008 11:09 AM by Mad World

Filed under: brain heamorrhage, Edwyn Collins, Human Brain, Keith Sellick, Mental Health, MRSA
Horizon: How memory works

by Keith Sellick What's your earliest memory is a standard question in therapy. It can also help reveal the processes by which we recognise ourselves and develop a sense of self. BBC's Horizon examined memory and how important it is for making...

Published 27 Mar 2008 11:45 AM by Mad World

Filed under: Human Brain, Mental Health

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