What we get wrong about the mind
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Since the pandemic I’ve found myself particularly drawn to stories about the brain, the mind and neuroscience. The uptick in anxiety, depression and other mental-health conditions after covid was widely blamed on the breakdown of normal social connections—or even on the overuse of social media. But these explanations seemed overly simplistic. This drove me to explore the other factors that might be influencing mental well-being. This journey took me to the foods we eat and to the infections that take hold of our bodies, as well as to the reactions of our own immune systems.
The following selection includes some of the pieces I have been inspired to write, along with articles on similar themes by my colleagues. There is more to come. Every week I’m struck by stunning discoveries that change our view of how the brain and the mind work. Earlier in May it was shown that long-covid patients have neuroinflammation—something that may be contributing to symptoms such as brain fog or fatigue. Discoveries like this are part of an exciting scientific frontier. Watch this space.
Natasha Loder, Health editor
Editor’s picks
Many mental-health conditions have bodily triggers
And why many doctors do not realise it
Eight of the best books on brains and consciousness—human, octopus and other
It turns out you are what you eat after all
领英推荐
Among other things, Camilla Nord explains why some treatments work better than others
What the world could learn from Britain’s flawed approach
A round-up of studies finds no link with serotonin
Time to wean them off
Hospitalisation rates for self-harm have increased by 140% since 2010
RETIRED Electricity optimization consultant
10 个月8,pzs
Corporate/personal Trainer/coach: Leiderschap met Emotionele Intelligentie, en Effective Communicatie (Harvard-online getrained)
10 个月In an glance I notice a lot of emphasis on mind = brain. That is a Western approach. I have worked as a neurologist for twenty years, while at the same time picking up a lively interest in Buddhism. What Buddhishm has to say about mind, and mind training opens up avenues to balanced health, well being, and increase in quality of work and life. It adds a lot of value to the isolated Western approach. There is a rich body of research, conducted by quality professionals, that corroborates this. Later I became a trainer for mind, emotional intelligence and communication. I choose to work with scientifically proven methods that embrace both the Western and the Buddhist approach of mind. With really good results. But this includes methods that go outside the assumption that mind = brain. It would be great to include more of this information in your overview.
Agència de Residuos de Catalunya
10 个月I hope that brain/mind will be a big mistery for along time. I do agree that scientist know how to cure alzheimer... but nothing else.
The mind is both biology and psyche. For the biology, there are things which you can do to improve memory and mood. Regular exercise. Eat healthy and don’t fast more than 24 hours. Sleep at least 6, or even better, 7-8 hours a night. Try to relax if possible in stressful situations. Short term stress can be handled via adrenal response, but chronic stress with no break literally destroys a person’s health. It’s what causes depression, weight gains, and ultimately serious diseases like heart disease and diabetes. For the psyche, find a way to relax and “disappear”. Meditation, prayer, music, exercise, something that makes you feel really good inside. Avoid substances that reduce the flow of oxygen to your brain to get a high or buzz like alcohol, drugs, or supplements. Try to avoid substances that give you a push like steroids, cocaine, meth, etc. I know this can be hard, but try to be good to yourself.