Navigating the world of brain health tactics can be challenging, especially with the abundance of options available. You want to maintain and enhance your cognitive function, but you’re inundated with claims promising miraculous results. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the world of brain health and provide you with a clear understanding of what truly works to support your cognitive well-being.
Understanding Brain Health: What You Should Know
In order to cut through all the noise, it’s essential to understand the current landscape of approaching brain health. The market is flooded with supplements, equipment, mind-training apps, and various other products, each claiming to boost memory, focus, and overall cognitive function.
To highlight this, Harvard recently published a blog post on August 8th this year, stressing the importance of not getting sold on various “supplements” that don’t have proper scientific backing [1].
What You Need to Know: Many brain health products lack the proper scientific validation and may overpromise results. It’s important to approach this field with skepticism and rely on evidence-based, reputable science.
Ways to Improve Cognitive Performance
Now, let’s explore the approaches that have shown promise in enhancing cognitive function.
1. NUTRITION AND BRAIN HEALTH: FEED YOUR MIND
A well-balanced diet rich in nutrients can play a significant role in maintaining cognitive function. Specifically, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and certain vitamins and minerals have been linked to brain health.
What Really Works: Incorporate brain-boosting foods into your diet, such as fatty fish, blueberries, and leafy greens. These foods provide essential nutrients that support brain function.
2. COGNITIVE TRAINING: EXERCISING YOUR BRAIN
Engaging in cognitive training exercises can help keep your mind sharp. These exercises involve tasks that challenge memory, problem-solving, and reasoning.
What Really Works: Brain-training apps and activities that offer structured exercises have shown promise in improving specific cognitive skills. Look for reputable programs backed by heavy scientific research.
3. LIGHT-BASED BRAIN STIMULATION: A NOVEL TECHNOLOGY
Brain stimulation is a new approach to assist your brain. Brain stimulation takes various forms, from electrical and magnetic methods to sound and light-based techniques. What they all have in common is that this stimulation activates the cells and different areas of the brain to better communicate with each other.
What makes brain stimulation remarkable is its potential to enhance the brain. Reported results of consistent brain stimulation include improved learning, memory, and focus.
Similar to how a workout routine helps the body, a brain stimulation workout routine helps the brain maintain its clarity and sharpness.
Rigorous clinical trials are being conducted around brain health. During these studies, it was found that one type of brain stimulation (in the form of 40 Hz flickering light) plays a vital role, particularly in addressing conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia. Ongoing clinical studies show that 1 hour of daily exposure to 40 Hz brain stimulation slows down the progression of cognitive decline.
What should you know? A study [2] conducted on 76 participants has shown brain-related improvements after six months of daily exposure to 40 Hz light-based brain stimulation:
- 84% slowing of functional decline,
- 83% slowing in memory decline and cognitive decline,
- and 61% reduction in loss of brain volume (whole brain atrophy and volumetric loss).
Often, 40 Hz light-based stimulation, comes in the form of regular strobe light. Strobe light is essentially a white light that turns ON and OFF 40 times per second – leading to a highly irritating and visible flickering. This may cause eye strain and make the experience uncomfortable, adding undesirable side effects, such as headaches, nausea, and seizures – at worst, for some.
Alternative to strobe light?
Now, let’s introduce you to EVY LIGHT® – a novel innovation in light-based brain stimulation.
What sets EVY LIGHT® apart is its utilization of a patented technique known as invisible spectral flicker, or ISF, which is different from a regular strobe light.
Instead of a white light switching between ON and OFF, ISF alternates between two carefully engineered colors to minimize the perceived flashing of the light.
Put simply, the computer installed within EVY LIGHT® runs the panel of the market’s highest-grade LEDs to create a much smoother and more pleasant light experience while maintaining the stimulation of the brain. This allows the user to apply the stimulation at any time and anywhere, with comfort and ease.
EVY LIGHT® is developed in collaboration with top universities and hospitals in the EU and the US, to make sure the device is tested and validated. A full overview of the research conducted by OptoCeutics and our partners can be found here.
4. SLEEP & BRAIN FUNCTION: THE RESTORATIVE POWER
You might have heard by now: quality sleep is essential for cognitive function... And it’s absolutely true! During sleep, your brain consolidates memories and clears out waste products, contributing to optimal brain health.
What Really Works: Prioritize sleep hygiene by maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, creating a comfortable sleep environment, and avoiding stimulants before bedtime.
Conclusion: Making Informed Choices
Navigating the complicated world of brain health and making informed choices is important. Focus on evidence-based tactics like a balanced diet, cognitive training, physical activity, quality sleep, and social engagement to support your cognitive well-being.
Remember that individual results may vary, and it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your lifestyle or starting any new supplements. However, taking a thoughtful and science-backed approach to brain health, can enhance your cognitive function and help you enjoy a sharper mind as you navigate life’s challenges.
References
Curious to learn more?
Take a look at some of our other blog posts to dive into the science of living a healthy and happy life.
We at OptoCeutics wish you a great reading journey beyond 💜
