6 replies to this topic

[NickCallaway]

Greetings.

A certain question with possible nootropic implications has been plaguing me, and I thought perhaps someone else out there may have had similar thoughts. Let me explain my situation:

I'm 30 years old, and my current goal is make a return to academia in order to finally earn the PhD I've always wanted. However, I've begun to notice subtle changes in my cognition since, say, 5-7 years ago. I certainly don't feel that my mental capacities have diminished, but my find somehow feels less "flexible". For example, learning languages seems a bit more difficult. I fear that certain modes of thought which I've deveopled over the past years are becoming "set."

In order for me to achieve my goal, I feel that it is very important I do whatever I can to maintain a youthful, flexible mind. "Spongy," if you will. Like a sponge, ready to absorb new information, adopt new modalities, etc.

Does anyone know of anyway to slow or reverse this trend? Doesn't have to be nootropic; could be meditation? entrainment? games? creative writing?

[Ghostrider]

Greetings.

A certain question with possible nootropic implications has been plaguing me, and I thought perhaps someone else out there may have had similar thoughts. Let me explain my situation:

I'm 30 years old, and my current goal is make a return to academia in order to finally earn the PhD I've always wanted. However, I've begun to notice subtle changes in my cognition since, say, 5-7 years ago. I certainly don't feel that my mental capacities have diminished, but my find somehow feels less "flexible". For example, learning languages seems a bit more difficult. I fear that certain modes of thought which I've deveopled over the past years are becoming "set."

In order for me to achieve my goal, I feel that it is very important I do whatever I can to maintain a youthful, flexible mind. "Spongy," if you will. Like a sponge, ready to absorb new information, adopt new modalities, etc.

Does anyone know of anyway to slow or reverse this trend? Doesn't have to be nootropic; could be meditation? entrainment? games? creative writing?

It's like weight lifting to gain muscle. The simplest and probably most effective way known to reverse the trend is to use your mind as much as possible. Anything involving problem solving will help.

[meursault]

You've pretty much spelled it out for yourself. Exercise, meditate, always read, and always look for diet improvements.

[mentatpsi]

Meditation practices have various health benefits including the possibility of preserving cognition and preventing dementia. While the mechanisms remain investigational, studies show that meditation may affect multiple pathways that could play a role in brain aging and mental fitness. For example, medication may reduce stress-induced cortisol secretion and this could have neuroprotective effects potentially via elevating levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Meditation may also potentially have beneficial effects on lipid profiles and lower oxidative stress, both of which could in turn reduce the risk for cerebrovascular disease and age-related neurodegeneration. Further, meditation may potentially strengthen neuronal circuits and enhance cognitive reserve capacity. These are the theoretical basis for how medication might enhance longevity and optimal health. Evidence to support a neuroprotective effect comes from cognitive, electroencephalogram (EEG), and structural neuroimaging studies. In one cross-sectional study, meditation practioners were found to have a lower age-related decline in thickness of specific cortical regions. However, the enthusiasm must be balanced by the inconsistency and preliminary nature of existing studies as well as the fact that meditation comprises a heterogenous group of practices. Key future challenges include the isolation of a potential common element in the different meditation modalities, replication of existing findings in larger randomized trials, determining the correct "dose," studying whether findings from expert practioners are generalizable to a wider population, and better control of confounding genetic, dietary and lifestyle influences.

http://www.annalsnya...nals.1393.002v1

Meditation

Edited by mysticpsi, 16 June 2008 - 06:22 AM.

[Rags847]

Piracetam

[Mind]

You already listed the best ways to keep your brain in top shape. In order to keep your creativity flowing you have to break out of routines. Take up some sort of problem solving that is new to you. If you do crosswords, try Sudoku instead. Learn to play a new musical instrument. If you have a dominant hand, try to learn to write with the "weak" hand. Even switching the hand you brush your teeth with will keep your mind more "plastic".

Good diet and exercise also work wonders.

[edward]

snip...
Even switching the hand you brush your teeth with will keep your mind more "plastic".
snip...

I've been doing this sort of thing for quite some time it really does seem to help (as evidenced by lateral thinking). Basically try to do everyday activities with your non dominant hand, eating, brushing your teeth, even things like opening doors, vacuuming etc.

If you play a sport try learning new techniques that use your non dominant side. I play tennis and when I practice with a ball machine or back board I will spend time playing with my left hand (non dominant for me). I have found doing this helps my over all game better than just normal practicing.

Also for me changing career paths in my late 20's after already working for many years has forced my brain to remain plastic, when previously I worked in the business of healthcare I am now studying the clinical side. While its not advisable for everyone just to switch careers, taking classes, learning a new language or skill is something that everyone can do. It helps if you make some goals for yourself and create some pressure, like say plan a trip a year from now to a foreign country and try to learn the language well enough to get around by the time the trip comes around.

Edited by edward, 16 June 2008 - 06:16 PM.