Make Your Brain Smarter

Health

Unlock Brain Potential to Protect Against Decline

Sandra Bond Chapman Ph.D. on October 27, 2015

One of the leading causes of brain decline may not be what you think. A new institute is using science to help you "change your mind."

One of the leading causes of brain decline may not be what you think. A new institute is using science to help you "change your mind."

Decision-Making

The Potential of the Aging Mind

Sandra Bond Chapman Ph.D. on August 17, 2015

Why the a comprehensive perspective on the aging brain is key and how the latest neuroscience research combats commonly held beliefs about the aging brain's inevitable, progressive decline

Why the a comprehensive perspective on the aging brain is key and how the latest neuroscience research combats commonly held beliefs about the aging brain's inevitable, progressive decline

Health

7 Secrets to Turbocharging Your Brain

Sandra Bond Chapman Ph.D. on December 30, 2014

Consider that the brain is the most powerful, most staggeringly complex electro-biochemical machine ever created. Above and behind our eyes are 100 billion neurons in a small calcium shell, laced with organic pumps, channels and switches. Until recently, this complicated organ was thought to be static and unchangeable. Far from it.

Consider that the brain is the most powerful, most staggeringly complex electro-biochemical machine ever created. Above and behind our eyes are 100 billion neurons in a small calcium shell, laced with organic pumps, channels and switches. Until recently, this complicated organ was thought to be static and unchangeable. Far from it.

Matters of mental health all too often carry negative connotations and stigmata. These views are fueled by a lack of public awareness, knowledge, and understanding of the realities of mental health issues combined with both personal and societal fear. By addressing some myths surrounding traumatic brain injury and PTSD, we can impact the future of veterans.

A healthy brain is a financial asset, with an impact on the bottom line, for both individuals and corporations. Follow these five scientifically-proven tips to make your brain smarter and help your brain thrive from 9 to 5.

Do your brains–and yourselves–a favor this summer. Take a vacation. You will return to work or school reinvigorated and calm. And your brain will be tuned-up–ready to creatively tackle the most challenging problems with fresh new perspective and energy.

Through all stages of life, Americans can do much more to protect and enhance the health of their brains. That was the message of the inaugural Brain Health Summit, titled "The Human Brain: Resilience and Regeneration," that convened in Washington, D.C. and focused on improving brain health and performance through research, education and programs of action.

April is National Autism Awareness Month, a good time to put to rest some of the misconceptions about autism and to highlight exciting new brain research that will help more individuals with autism achieve productive life success.

Alzheimer's is a formidable foe. But research is leading to a better understanding of Alzheimer's and ultimately, to protocols to add longevity to brain performance in brain disease, health or injury.

But with all the buzz about brain games—such as crossword puzzles, Sudoku, and even brain training websites—it begs the question: Can brain games be beneficial to brain health?

After a holiday season that’s often marked by stress and overindulgence, we want to start fresh, do better. It’s no surprise that most of our New Year’s resolutions center on health: losing weight, exercising, quitting smoking. But this year, I challenge you to put something new at the top of your annual resolve: improving the health of your brain.

Mild Cognitive Impairment

Should You Be Concerned About Alzheimer's Disease?

Sandra Bond Chapman Ph.D. on November 20, 2013

Now more than ever, aging Americans are more concerned about Alzheimer’s disease than any other ailment—even cancer. Replace concern with a proactive commitment to adopt healthy habits that promote optimum brain performance. Follow these suggestions to make sure that your best brain years are ahead of you, not behind you.

Now more than ever, aging Americans are more concerned about Alzheimer’s disease than any other ailment—even cancer. Replace concern with a proactive commitment to adopt healthy habits that promote optimum brain performance. Follow these suggestions to make sure that your best brain years are ahead of you, not behind you.

Creativity

4 Dos and Don'ts to Inspire Innovation in the Workplace

Sandra Bond Chapman Ph.D. on September 20, 2013

The workplace can fuel creativity and imagination or stifle it. Empower the next generation of leaders by following these brain-based dos and don'ts. Maximize the cognitive potential of employees, enhance productivity, and boost your bottom-line. Don't let brain performance at your office go backwards.

The workplace can fuel creativity and imagination or stifle it. Empower the next generation of leaders by following these brain-based dos and don'ts. Maximize the cognitive potential of employees, enhance productivity, and boost your bottom-line. Don't let brain performance at your office go backwards.

Adolescence

Parents & Teachers: 6 Ways to Inspire the Teen Brain

Sandra Bond Chapman Ph.D. on August 5, 2013

The teen brain is in a vulnerable state and developmental crossroads. Untapped brain potential in adolescents exists, but in order to cultivate it, different strategies must be put in place.

The teen brain is in a vulnerable state and developmental crossroads. Untapped brain potential in adolescents exists, but in order to cultivate it, different strategies must be put in place.

Health

Five Facts About Brain Health

Sandra Bond Chapman Ph.D. on July 2, 2013

Thanks to medical advances, more of us will live to be 100 and beyond, but our peak brain performance comes, at best, at about half that age. These startling statistics beg the question: Are we destined to lose our ability to think for ourselves with years left to live? See five facts that should motivate you to adopt brain habits to make your brain smarter.

Thanks to medical advances, more of us will live to be 100 and beyond, but our peak brain performance comes, at best, at about half that age. These startling statistics beg the question: Are we destined to lose our ability to think for ourselves with years left to live? See five facts that should motivate you to adopt brain habits to make your brain smarter.

Attention

How Good Are You At Ditching Distractions?

Sandra Bond Chapman Ph.D. on March 7, 2013

We are constantly pushing our brain, overloading it with information and forcing it to complete many tasks at one time. What if we are using our brain’s frontal lobes in a detrimental way and to such a degree that we are actually making it less efficient, and, perhaps, even burning it out?

We are constantly pushing our brain, overloading it with information and forcing it to complete many tasks at one time. What if we are using our brain’s frontal lobes in a detrimental way and to such a degree that we are actually making it less efficient, and, perhaps, even burning it out?

Memory

Go Full Frontal to Be Smart

Sandra Bond Chapman Ph.D. on January 23, 2013

Your brain is wired to conduct your most important work each day, but how you conquer complexities relies on going full frontal.

Your brain is wired to conduct your most important work each day, but how you conquer complexities relies on going full frontal.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Addressing Head Injuries in Athletes of All Ages

Sandra Bond Chapman Ph.D. on December 14, 2012

Fear has been a common theme in the discussion of concussions in athletes – particularly in our youth. The conversation surrounding concussions must change from one of fear, doom and gloom to one of resilience, recovery, safety and hope.

Fear has been a common theme in the discussion of concussions in athletes – particularly in our youth. The conversation surrounding concussions must change from one of fear, doom and gloom to one of resilience, recovery, safety and hope.

Health

Your Brain, Your Productivity

Sandra Bond Chapman Ph.D. on December 4, 2012

The brain is often the most neglected, but most vital organ in the entire body. Recent advances in brain imaging technology reveal that the brain is uniquely designed to be one of the most adaptable, modifiable, and regenerative organs in the entire body. See why health starts and ends with brain health.

The brain is often the most neglected, but most vital organ in the entire body. Recent advances in brain imaging technology reveal that the brain is uniquely designed to be one of the most adaptable, modifiable, and regenerative organs in the entire body. See why health starts and ends with brain health.