Mind & Body Tools to Optimize Your Life

Category Archives: Improve Brain & Mind

Do Isochronic Tones Work?

Do Isochronic Tones Work?

Do isochronic tones work at all? Many results and benefits are being claimed from using isochronic tones (and brainwave entrainment in general). From stress reduction, relaxation, deeper meditation, over increased memory, better concentration and more creativity, to altered states of consciousness (including lucid dreaming). Many people however find it hard to believe that these results are possible. Is… Continue Reading

Isochronic Tones

Isochronic Tones

It’s night. A fire is blazing and flickering. There is chanting and drumming… Imagine a traditional tribe engaged in a ritual. People are entering into a trance state because of the repetitive rhythmic patterns. Various tribes all over the planet have, or have had, similar ceremonies, enabling people to reach such states. Isochronic tones are… Continue Reading

Photonic Beats that can influence heart & brain?

Photonic Beats that can influence heart & brain?

Light patterns generated by a computer were able to control the speed of the cardiac waves, their direction as well as the orientation of these spirals – in real time – and that is something that never been shown for waves in a living system before.This does involve some genetic manipulation – about which I am… Continue Reading

The test that predicts how well a child will be able to read

The test that predicts how well a child will be able to read

Sounds like science fiction, but in reality it does come really close to a crystal  ball: Neurobiologist Nina Kraus believes she and her team at Northwestern University have found a way — a half-hour test — to predict kids’ literacy skill long before they’re old enough to begin reading. When I first read the study… Continue Reading

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) works sometimes

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) works sometimes

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is quite the trend these days. That’s because it appears relatively safe as well as being cheap. You could even build a DIY device at your home if you wanted to tune up your neurons to get smarter on command. Or do you? A new study from the The Journal of Neuroscience… Continue Reading

How do Binaural Beats work? (The actual power behind Binaural Beats)

How do Binaural Beats work? (The actual power behind Binaural Beats)

How efficient are binaural beats really? It is uncertain that a lot of “entrainment” in the brain is being produced when you listen to binaural beats. The scientific research shows little evidence. Some studies find effects, other do not. And even if there is a actual physical effect on the brain, it’ll probably be small. Dave Siever… Continue Reading

Electrical Brain Stimulation Beats Caffeine

Electrical Brain Stimulation Beats Caffeine

Military analysts spend hours poring over images to identify enemy targets. Their task isn’t suited to automation, so that’s why it’s really important to find out if there are ways to help them focus for a longer period of time. Research is esssential Scientists at the Air Force Research Laboratory in New Carlisle, Ohio, U.S., have conducted… Continue Reading

Can You Ease Brain Fatigue With a Walk in the Park?

Can You Ease Brain Fatigue With a Walk in the Park?

The idea is not new. Many people have the feeling that in green spaces, such as parks or plazas filled with trees, we have calmer minds and that, afterwards, we leave the park with improved concentration. But even though we all “know” this, it’s hard to “prove” it. Not that most people need proof, but urban… Continue Reading

How Meditation Strengthens Your Willpower

  Procrastination. Resisting cravings and desires. Experiences that are all too common.   What really holds us back from reaching our goals? According to a 2010 survey “Stress in America”, the biggest barrier for americans to adopting healthier behavior is “lack of willpower”. Willpower can be defined as “having control over your mind”. It’s about resisting the pull… Continue Reading

Why Binaural Beats don’t Work as Well as These Alternatives

Why Binaural Beats don’t Work as Well as These Alternatives

Binaural beats are a popular way of training your brain to produce brainwaves of a certain frequency.     Each frequency comes with its own “brain state” For example: if you stimulate your brain with “alpha waves” (frequencies between 8 and 12 hz), the result would be that you feel more relaxed and less anxious/stressed. And if you… Continue Reading

What is Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and why is it important?

What is Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and why is it important?

How easily do you cope with challenges and stress in your life? No, in fact, don’t tell me. I can actually predict your answer. Well, I can predict your answer if I could take one specific and easy measurement from your body.   Your ‘adaptive reserves’ Your in-the-moment ability to handle physical, emotional and mental stress is also called your “adaptive… Continue Reading

The Best Activity to Increase your Heart Rate Variability (HRV)

The Best Activity to Increase your Heart Rate Variability (HRV)

Todd Becker of gettingstronger.org has his own view on what has the most impact on his Heart Rate Variability. He has experimented with different activities that lowered or increased HRV: “Based on a review of numerous studies and extensive personal experimentation, I’ve learned some surprising things about what tends to raise or lower HRV. And I’ve found… Continue Reading