“Mini Pleasures” Method BOOSTS Brain Power
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted December 1, 2023
Maybe it’s the midafternoon slump when your mind starts to wander…
Or perhaps it’s that fuzzy-headed feeling you get when burning the midnight oil.
Whatever the cause, your brain power is fading fast.
If you’re like many folks (including me), that’s when you head to the coffee machine.
But caffeine isn’t the only way to sharpen your mental abilities…
A recent study published in the journal Scientific Reports confirmed that coffee can give us a cognitive lift. No surprise there.
But it turns out you might not need that stimulant to get a brain boost.
Volunteers strapped on skin-monitoring wristbands and brain-monitoring headbands for the new study. Then they were tracked while listening to music, sipping coffee, and smelling perfume.
These “mini pleasures” triggered increased beta-band brain-wave activity, a state associated with peak cognitive performance.
And that boost translated to IMPROVED cognitive performance during tasks requiring concentration and memory.
In other words, rewarding yourself with a variety of little delights can literally sharpen your mental abilities.
Here’s how it works…
Anticipating pleasant things, like a favorite treat or leisure activity, fires up your body’s dopamine network, stimulating your brain’s reward system.
The resulting rush of feel-good neurotransmitters boosts your motivation, focus, and memory encoding.
The researchers used music and perfume for their experiment, but it can be anything you enjoy.
Minor indulgences like a dessert, a relaxing bath, a nice walk, or spending time with a friend can give your brain a lift while also lowering stress hormones that impair cognition.
Even planning an event like a future fun outing, meal, or get-together will do the trick.
Unhealthy vices provide short-lived highs.
But the good feelings derived from simple joys boost cognitive performance AND forge new neural pathways that can have an ongoing positive effect on your brain power.
So, the next time you find your focus getting fuzzy, reward yourself with a little pleasure. Your brain will thank you!
P.S. This surprisingly easy 10-minute hack doesn’t JUST pump the brakes on memory loss. It can also REVERSE existing decline!
Source:
Fekri Azgomi, et al. “Regulation of brain cognitive states through auditory, gustatory, and olfactory stimulation with wearable monitoring.” Sci Rep 13, 12399 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-37829-z
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
A New Reason to Ditch Processed Junk
If you’ve ever walked the inside aisles of your local grocery store and thought, “This is all just junk,” your instincts were spot on. A new study published in the journal Thorax just added another red flag to the list of dangers linked to ultra-processed food—a 41 percent higher risk of lung cancer. That’s right....
When Being Winded on Stairs Is Serious (And When It Isn’t)
I had an athlete visit me recently because he experienced shortness of breath while climbing stairs. He is in great shape, so he was worried about what it might mean. “Doc,” he said, “I run five miles three times a week. Why am I huffing and puffing after two flights of stairs?” His concern is...
Study EXPOSES Hidden Danger Lurking in Your Car
We think of our homes and cars as safe havens. But according to a startling new study, they may be flooding your lungs with microscopic plastic particles—every single day. Researchers in France recently found that adults inhale an average of 68,000 microplastic particles daily from indoor air alone. To put that in perspective, that’s about...
Mailbag: Is Modern Food Making You Snore?
“What can cause snoring, and is there a way to correct this issue?” —Seeking Silence Hi Seeking, Snoring happens when the soft tissues in your throat relax and vibrate as air passes through during sleep. While several factors can cause snoring—from sleep position to nasal congestion—I want to share one trigger that might surprise you....
Simple Food Swap SLASHES Dementia Risk 28%
Let’s be honest… who would jump at the chance to cut their dementia risk by 28 percent. And no, you don’t need to run marathons, survive on broccoli, or learn to play the zither (whatever that is) to make it happen. All it takes is one easy swap—something that’s probably already in your refrigerator. Researchers...
This SMART Floss Exposes Hidden Health Danger
Scientists have created dental floss that doesn’t just clean between your teeth—it also tracks your stress while you’re flossing. Now, I know what you’re thinking… “Great—now even flossing is going to stress me out by telling me how stressed I am.” But this fascinating new tool from Tufts University could be a game-changer for understanding...
Is This "Safe" Sweetener Damaging Your Brain?
The headlines are alarming… “Popular Sugar Substitute Linked to Brain Cell Damage” and “Erythritol Could Damage Critical Brain Barrier” are just two of the dozens I’ve spotted recently. But before you toss every sugar-free product in your pantry, let’s take a closer look at what this study actually shows—and what it doesn’t. The latest research...
This Summer Threat Could SPIKE Your Blood Sugar
Picture this… It’s another scorching hot summer day. You crank up the air conditioning while watching the weather forecast, which predicts yet another “record-breaking” heat wave. It’s starting to feel like just another miserably uncomfortable summer. But what you might not realize is that—if you have diabetes—those rising temps could do far more damage to...
Move Over Yogurt—5 Foods That Pack MORE Probiotics
Let’s talk about your gut. The microbiome is the collection of trillions of bacteria and other tiny organisms that live in and on your body—especially in your gut—and help keep you healthy. I’ve written often about how vital it is to maintain a healthy microbiome. And you might have dutifully added yogurt to your shopping...
Is Your Heart Older Than YOU?
Maybe you feel young for your age. Good energy, decent sleep, eating your veggies. But what if I told you your heart might be a decade older than the rest of you? That’s exactly what researchers at Northwestern University found in a new study published in JAMA Cardiology. The average American woman’s heart is about...