Dr. Howard Eisenberg M.Sc.(Psych), M.D.Founder & CEO of Syntrek Inc.

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Ramp Up Your Brain Power©The User’s Guide to Cognitive Enhancers

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The Human Brain

The most complex organizational structure in the Universe.

The Human Brain

Composed of more than 100 billion Neurons, and approximately 1,000 trillion

Synaptic connections.

The Human Brain

Weighing approximately 3 pounds, it is only about 2% of the total Body weight - but so active, that it disproportionately consumes 20% of the Body’s

oxygen and nutrients.

3 Key Principles:

What’s good for the Heart, !is also good for the Brain.

3 Key Principles:

Nutrients and Supplements can improve cognitive function.

3 Key Principles:‘Use it, or loose it’ is the underlying

reality, (because the Brain is constantly active - it must be

nourished and stimulated properly to both sustain and improve its

functioning).

Physical Aerobic Exercising

Provides the best general benefits in terms of both protecting and enhancing the Brain.

Physical Aerobic Exercising

It increases the secretion of Endorphins which improves Mood.

Physical Aerobic Exercising

Also increases Brain Derived Neurotropic Factor, (BDNF), which stimulates the growth of new nerve cells in key regions such as the Hippocampus and enhances

learning & memory.

Nutrients

‘We are what we eat’.

Nutrients

Best for the Heart & Brain is the Mediterranean-style Diet, (unprocessed vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, and non-saturated oils), which is rich in protective anti-oxidants and enhancing phytochemicals.

Nutraceuticals

Aside from the general benefits of a healthy diet,

specific types of foods can also selectively

enhance Brain functioning.

NutraceuticalsProteins increase the

stimulating neurotransmitters, Norepinephrine &

Dopamine, whereas complex Carbohydrates

increase the sedating neurotransmitter,

Serotonin.

Nutraceuticals

So, by intentionally eating Proteins or

Carbs, you can quickly modify your levels of

alertness or relaxation.

Natural ‘Supplements’

Sugar, (Glucose), a simple Carb, is the Brain’s fuel, so an extra amount can provide a temporary boost within

about 30 minutes for learning & memory.

Natural ‘Supplements’

Chocolate and Cola drinks containing both Sugar and Caffeine, provide a quick and even stronger boost for

cognitive function, (plus Chocolate also increases the level of the 'feel good' neurotransmitters such as Dopamine)

Chemicals

Nootropics, (neuro enhancers), are nutrient components such as Amino and Fatty Acids which occur naturally in foods, but are used selectively and in higher amounts as Supplements to enhance cognitive functions. (For example, Phosphatidylcholine, increases the neurotransmitter Acetylcholine for enhancing memory).

Chemicals

Traditional ‘Folk Medicine’ Remedies such as Panax Ginseng and Ginko Biloba, are reputed to increase energy and mental focus.

Chemicals

Medical Drugs such as Ritalin, Adderall, & Provigil, increase focus, learning & memory, (but their long-term safety in ‘normal’ people is still not known).

Nature

Provides both mental and physical stimulation to the

Brain. !

NaturePhytoncide are beneficial vapors

emitted by some plants.!For example, recent research has

shown that a short 50 minute walk in a forested environment improves Short-Term Memory by 20%, and it is not due to a simple reduction of stress, nor improvement of mood)!

NatureNegative Ion rich rural

environments like mountains, waterfalls, and beaches, modulate

levels of the neurotransmitter, Serotonin, boosting alertness and

mood. !

NatureNASA research additionally

confirmed that certain household plants, (like the Spider plant and

Asparagus ferns), can increase the Negative Ions for indoor environments, (and they

additionally cleanse the air of toxic chemical pollutants). !

!

Neuroplasticity

However, recent functional Brain imaging, (fMRI),

research revealed that our thoughts can also ‘re-wire’

our Brains! (Like a ‘Firmware update’)

Meditation

Meditation is the self-regulation of the Mind by

various techniques to enhance calmness and focus.!

!

Meditation

Particularly beneficial for Stress Management.!

MeditationfMRI research has discovered that it also

induces neuroplastic changes in the Brain by creating both new nerve cells

and connections – particularly enhancing the Pre-Frontal Cortex, (which

specializes in abstract thinking, planning & decision making), and downgrading

the Amygdala, (a lower & more primitive area of the Brain which is the emotional

& stress processing center).!!

Meditation

In sum, it facilitates the more desirable mental state

of calmness, clarity & wisdom.

MeditationCheck out the free Sampler

of Syntrek’s unique ‘Guided-Meditation’

recording at:! http://www.syntrek.com/tranquility

Stress ManagementChronically elevated levels of the stress hormones, Adrenaline and Cortisol, can actually cause the Brain to physically shrink and decrease intelligence.!

Stress ManagementStress is a result of our ‘response’ to our environment. However, you can learn to change your ‘perception’ of your environment to experience it as being less stressful, and also induce neuroplasticity to help restore Brain functions.!

Stress Management

By learning to conserve and focus your ‘energy’, you can become more effective in achieving your goals. !!

!

Stress Management

Basically - Stress Management can teach you how to be both healthier and smarter.

Stress Management

Check out Syntrek’s Stress Management Services at !!http://www.syntrek.com/services/stressmanagement/

Brain-based CoachingUncertainty and fear cause the relatively primitive Amygdala to hijack the more highly evolved Pre-frontal Cortex causing us to behave in a less intelligent and more emotionally reflexive manner.

Brain-based CoachingHowever, the recent development of ‘Brain-based Coaching’ can teach us how to enable the Prefrontal Cortex to come back online and override the Amygdala when overly stressed to enhance calmness, clarity & wisdom. !

Brain-based CoachingFor example, reframing words, (‘self-talk’), to your subconscious from “I am angry” to alternatively “I feel angry”, establishes some emotional detachment from the perspective of an ‘observer’; and this modified emotional introspection increases blood flow to the Prefrontal Cortex while decreasing it to the Amygdala.

Brain-based Coaching

Check out Syntrek’s Coaching services at: !!http://www.syntrek.com/services/coaching/!

Mental Calisthenics

‘Use it, or loose it’.

Mental Calisthenics

New stimulation and learning causes the Brain to grow by

developing new Brain cells and connections between them.

Mental CalisthenicsSo challenge yourself to do new

things, and in new ways, to build up your ‘mental muscle’. (For example, jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles,

Sudoku, chess, learning a new language or musical instrument,

exotic travel, using your non-dominant hand for various tasks).!

Mental CalisthenicsCheck out Syntrek’s free

instructional article, “Become a Creative Breakthrough Thinker”,

to learn how to increase your ability for creative thinking at:!

!http://www.syntrek.com/creative-

breakthrough-thinker-increase-value-to-organization/

NOTICE: None of the provided information is intended as medical advice. You should consult a properly qualified Health Professional for personalized recommendations.

!Copyright 2013, Syntrek® Inc., Newmarket, Ontario, Canada

!This educational video & the accompanying text transcript is the Intellectual Property of Syntrek® Inc.

!Sharing is only permitted provided that it is the whole educational program and that the

Syntrek® copyright notice and URL information is retained. !!!

Images licensed from ShutterStock !

Background Music "Easy Lemon", Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

ISRC: USUAN1200076  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

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