Through our interactions with our students, there is this one question that always comes back: ‘How do I improve my brain’.
This course is our answer to that one question. Because, as much as we would’ve liked to reveal the one magical trick to significantly enhance our brain, it simply doesn’t work that way. As we will see, there is no scientific evidence to back up the claims of brain games and other programs, even though they claim they do.
One of my all time favourite quotes about the brain is from Emmerson Pugh, an American Scientist, who said
“If the human brain were so simple that we could understand it, we would be so simple that we couldn’t.”
I guess, that says it all.
So what are we going to do? What is this course all about?
The two vital elements behind improving our brain are Neurogenesis and Neuroplasticity. Neurogenesis is about the creation of new brain cells. And Neuroplasticity about putting those new brain cells to a good use.
Now what follows is key to everything we will see in this course. You see, depending on our life style choices, we see a huge variation in the rate of neurogenesis. We’re talking 3 to 5 times more new brain cells being created… or not. And again, depending on those life style choices, we will see 60 to 70% of these new brain cells die off… or not.
So basically, the quality of our life has a direct influence on the quality of our brain.
Some choices will boost the creation and wiring of brain cells, and other choices will drastically lower this same creation and wiring.
The place where it all starts is the hippocampus. It’s been known for a long time that the hippocampus is involved in forming new memories, and remembering them. Damage to the hippocampus will lead to cognitive deficits and memory problems. scientists have established this over and over again, with research into injuries and illnesses. Alzheimer for example, massively attacks the hippocampus, with the unfortunate results we know.
But the hippocampus does more than that. It is one of two places in the brain where we keep growing new brain cells during our entire life. Yes, our entire adult life. It doesn’t stop in our early twenties as previously thought. It just goes on, and on, and on …
Now, for most people, the rate of neurogenesis decreases once they reach age 30 to 35. Sometimes, this decrease is so dramatic that by age 40 the first noticeable mental effects are already observable: We’re talking memory loss, cognitive impairment, anxiety and depression, loss of vitality, and so on.
But this is no fatality. Whatever our age, whatever the current state of our brain, This can change. Our brain can renew itself at any age. And depending on our lifestyle choices, we can increase that neurogenesis rate again.
And that’s exactly what we aim to do with this program.
Introduction
General introduction to the course
For sure you must have heard about 'brain games'. You might even have tried some. Spoiler alert: here's the truth about why they don't work...
There is no one magic trick to improve our brain. What we can do is stimulate new brain cell creation (Neurogenesis), and here you'll find out how.
Get up
Introduction to this first section of the course
Find out the surprising results of a study showing the the elements that most influence our brain age.
Our brain has evolved to thrive in a complex and rich environment
Find out which exercises contribute the most to the creation of new brain cells.
Finding balance
Introduction to the second section of this course. It's all about finding balance.
Creating new brain cells is one thing... Putting them to good use is another.
Our comfort zone exists in the physical world as well. And you know what they say: "Life begins at the end of our comfort zone"
Find out about this incredible nun study and how they helped us gain a better understanding of our brain.
No (wo)man is an island
Introduction to the third section of this course
Find out the beneficial influence of oxytocin on neurogenesis, and a cool way to benefit from it.
... When the rain starts to fall.
Ever seen those people offering free hugs to strangers. Yeah, no, that's not going to work. Well,... depends.
Don't you sometimes wish you could just act out crazy and wild, without having to worry about what people will think? Well, here's a free pass.
Some people Will actually harm your neurogenesis. Here's what to do.
Time out
Introduction to this fourth part of the course
Even our brain needs to cool off
Here we share one little trick to quickly recharge your brain batteries
Here we share a surprising study about sound and neurogenesis
Sleep is vital to our brain. But do you also know why?
Building blocks for your brain
In the end, our brain is no more than an ugly fatty blob
So what is the impact of our drinks (including alcohol) on our brain? There's good news, and then there's bad news...
Ever heard about superfoods? This is one of them
And this is another superfood!
This concept, that will increase our neurogenesis, is harder to put into practice.
Brain Boosters
Introduction to what will boost our brain
We've known this for thousands of years... And it all starts here.
Life quite wouldn't be the same without it
Brain Killers
Introduction to what will kill our brain
About the effects of cortisol on our brain
About the effects of dopamine on our brain
Learn about this important study on a major cause of mental health problems
Conclusion
Summary of the course
Action plan for your next 30 days