Brain “Farts”; Optimizing Memory

http://mashable.com/2015/01/27/brain-fart-science/?utm_cid=mash-com-fb-main-link

I don’t know of anyone who has not been in the situation when they know what they want to say but they are unable to produce the word(s). Often it will occur to them later once they are less pressured. This article gives part of the picture.

The more that I am in the field of brain health, the more that I realize that the most important factors in having good memory in an otherwise healthy brain is lifestyle related. The brain needs to be well-rested in order to process, store, and retrieve memories well. Having a calm and focused brain is also essential.

Neurofeedback can help the brain to find appropriate activation levels for good information processing and retrieval. The tips in the article are also helpful.

Environmental Factors Influence Brain Function

There is some more experimental validation for those who feel that adverse factors in their environment are affecting their brain function. This study on mice, https://www.sciencenews.org/article/mold-may-mean-bad-news-brain, found slowing of new cell growth in the hippocampus (memory center) in mice exposed regularly to the toxic mold Stachybotrys. The mice were observed to have increased anxiety and decreased memory function. I have witnessed these symptoms in people who have been exposed to environmental mold, and I believe that these experimental results can be extrapolated to humans.

The simple, but time-consuming, step of getting a good environmental exposure history is essential for those who suffer symptoms beyond the usual and do not seem to respond to conventional treatments.