What does the study "study?"

It is important to be clear about what any study is ‘studying’ and what the results actually mean. While ice cream may be better than nothing for the brain, you may want to look at the big picture before choosing ice cream for breakfast. One source of nutritional data on ice cream described a typical scoop this way: one 3.5-ounce serving of vanilla ice cream contains 125 calories, 7 grams of fat, and 14 grams of sugar. Fourteen grams of sugar is likely to trigger a blood-sugar high in the brain followed by a corresponding blood-sugar low—because what goes up must come down. This pushes the brain to try and reverse the blood-sugar low. It may grab a snack (e.g., donut, sweet roll, sugary drink, or candy bar). A roller-coaster of blood sugar levels are not unhelpful for overall and long-term brain function. By all means eat breakfast and boot up your brain. Choose healthier carbs for your brain. More tomorrow. 

What is breakfast?

Most likely the teenagers perceived the study as implying that ice cream improves brain function. Period. Hang on a minute. During sleep your brain is “fasting,” unless you are hooked up to some type of nutritional source. Upon awakening, it needs some nutrition first thing in the morning to help it “boot up,” and function well. That is the definition of breakfast after all: giving the brain some food to break the fast. Studies also suggest that the brain need carbs for its neurons. Ice cream involves simple carbs—but that does not mean they are quality carbs. According to Katie Barfoot, a Nutritional Psychology Doctoral Researcher at Reading University, a possible explanation for the increased alertness observed in the study may simply show the difference between eating breakfast versus not eating breakfast. More tomorrow. 

Ice Cream for Breakfast

My teenagers said they heard about a study touting ice cream for breakfast. That can’t be true!

Your teenagers may have heard about a study at Kyorin University in Tokyo, Japan. A professor studied the impact of ice cream—first thing in the morning—and the brain. According to the Abstract, researchers gave participants three spoonful’s (it did not specify the size of the spoons) first thing in the morning. The participants then were asked to do a series of exercises on a computer. Those who ate the ice cream were better able to process the information and had a faster reaction time as compared with those who had not eaten anything in the morning. My brain’s opinion is the key relates to three spoonful’s of ice cream versus nothing. More tomorrow.

Lexophilia Laughs

 

1.    I thought I saw an eye-doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian.

2.    She was only a whiskey maker, but he loved her still.

3.    No matter how much you push the envelope, it'll still be stationery.

4.    Atheism is a non-prophet organization.

5.    A dog gave birth to puppies beside the road and was cited for littering.

6.    A grenade thrown into a kitchen in France would result in Linoleum Blownapart.

7.    Two silkworms had a race. They ended up in a tie.

8.    I used to be a banker, but then I lost interest.

9.    Two hats were hanging on a rack. One hat said to the other, "You stay here; I'll go on ahead."

"Virtual Hugs"

In studying the impact of “hugs” in helping to protect individuals from getting sick and/or the severity of illness symptoms, Dr. Sheldon Cohen reported that the apparent protective effect of hugs may be attributable to the physical contact itself and/or to hugging being a behavioral indicator of support and affection. “Well,” I can hear you say, “big deal about that research since we are supposed to keep 6-feet physical distancing from others—forget about hugging.” Yes, currently, physical distancing is advised. But you and your brain can still be benefited by “virtual hugs” in my brain’s opinion. Studies have shown that when you think of something in the past that triggered laughter and you choose to laugh in the present reliving that memory, the same chemicals that were released during the actual event or episode are released again. Think of the best hug you ever had or a person who you really love to hug. Now rehearse that hug in your mind’s eye. Close your eyes and “feel” again in memory the sensation of being enveloped in a safe, secure, affectionate hug. . . 

Hugs & the Brain

I am a “hugger” and going a bit nuts with this physical distancing. Am I right that hugs are good for the brain? Are you a “hugger?”

 The human brain is a relational organ. That is the good news and the bad news. Bad news if the brain’s relationships are dysfunctional. Good news if the relationships are positive and contribute to one’s wellbeing. Not everyone is a “hugger” by any stretch of the imagination. However, for those who are huggers or for those who are very “selective huggers” (as I am), there is some positive news. Researchers led by Sheldon Cohen studied the impact of “hugs” in helping to protect individuals from getting sick and/or level of symptoms. Study participants were exposed to a common cold virus and then sequestered. Researchers monitored infection rates and symptoms of illness. They found that perceived social support reduced the risk of infection associated with experiencing conflicts—with hugs being responsible for one third of the protective effect. Among those who did become infected, greater perceived social support and more frequent hugs both resulted in less severe symptoms of illness. More tomorrow. 

Anxiety's Antidote

Thanksgiving is over and now I’m facing Christmas. This year it feels overwhelming. What can I do to dampen down the anxiety?

 Everything begins in the brain. Anxiety as well as its antidote. Anxiety is a type of fear. Gratitude is the antidote. Fear and thankfulness cannot simultaneously coexist in the brain. Studies have shown that there is a link between one’s behaviors and how the brain “feels.” Here are three examples.

 1.    Curve your lips into a smile. This alters the brain’s neurochemistry. If you can think of something about which to laugh, even better.

 2.    Say aloud, (Your name) ______, you are happy today because _______________.

 3.    Use the survivor stance. Stand with your feet flat on the floor about a foot apart. Hands on hips, pull your shoulders back, and hold your head up high. Hold this pose while you take 2-3 brain breaths. (Inhale through your hose for a count of 4, hold your breath for a count of 12, breath out through pursed lips to a count of 8.)