Brain, the Mind is the “Central control unit” of our body. Whatvever we do, we think, we feel, we experience it all controlled by brain. It is most beautiful and most complex organ of our body.
Human brain size varies widely depending on age, sex and overall body mass. On average male brain weight (1336 gms), Female (1198 gms).
Brain has about 86 billions neurons with inter neuron synaptic connections. It is this “synaptic connection” (not brain size) is important for memory, concentration, executive functions or other brain functions of power.
It is a common myth human being only used 10% of its brain power and only Einstein is genius enough to use 25% of his brain but this myth was proved false by a study publishes in Frontiers in Humanneuroscience. With recent advances, we now conclude that the majority of our brain is almost always active.
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (f MRI) is common brain imaging technique that can measures the activity in the brain and can show what part of brain is active in certain tasks
- MRI shows that our brain is active most of time even when we are resting or sleeping.
- So we concluded that we use 100% of our brain but which part is active depends on person to person and task he is doing or emotions he is feeling. Inter neuron synaptic connection is the important part of our brain ability and memory and not the brain size.
Now how a person can make his memory sharp and brain active here are few tips:
- Learn new things. When we keep on learning new things, new skills, inter neutrons synaptic connection increases. These all make our brain more active and neurons to live longer. So try to make new hobbies or learn new language or explore your potential.
- Drugs or alcohol damage brain receptors and brain cells and make permanent changes in brain. This decreases brain reflexes, concentration power, thought process and make a person more slow and dumb.
- 7-8 hours of good sleep is good for brain. So follow regular time table for sleep even on weekends. Avoid tea coffee or energy drink near sleep time. Avoid screen half hour before sleep time. During sleep brain cells get rest and get energy for next day.
- Long use of phone, screens and computers hampers brain cells and have negative effect on memory and concentrations specially in children so limits it use.
- Stress damage Brain cells. So stress management is must for good memory. For stress management time management is the key. Talk about your feelings to your near one and friends. Keep your work area cluster free. Deep breathing and positive outlook are few tips to manage stress.
- Yoga Pranayam calm your mind and increase concentration power.
- Colorful platter should be served with green, yellow vegetables (broccoli, spinach, lemon etc). Fresh fruits and vegetables that rich in anti oxidants helps to prevent damage of brain and improve concentration.
- Even 30 minutes brisk walk can do wonders. It increases the blood circulation in brain and removes oxidants (which may damage brain cells).
The author is a Consultant psychiatrist Gautam Hospital and Research Centre.
