Depression & Artificial Sweeteners

Hi Everyone...

Here is a good piece to keep in mind the difference between "Cause & Effect" (Experiment) vs "Related" (Correlation). Check this link out which discusses a longitudinal study where those who drank more than 4 cans of soda with artificial sweetener a day were 30% more likely to be depressed. Make sure you also look at the age range of those in the study and how many participants! Can you think of another variable which might be increasing both depression and diet soda drinking? Hmmm?

Now this is not saying there actually may be a cause & effect but an experiment would be needed to draw that conclusion. Am I saying, go ahead an consume artificial sweeteners? No! In fact, do make sure you look at the research on them by Dr. Susan Swithers (81/2 min NPR interview).

Blue Health

Hi Everyone...

How do you feel when you listen to the ocean? For most people, they say they feel relaxed but are they really? Are there real health benefits of experiencing the ocean? The European Union has brought together 72 researchers of various backgrounds from nine institutions to study what they call "Blue Health." They have a variety of projects looking at the link between the Environment, Climate & Health. Check out some podcasts discussing their mission which started in January 2016 and will run through 2020.

If you have not read Dr. Wallace J. Nichols book "Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under The Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, And Better At What You Do" I would also recommend you check out this link, the first 26 pages are FREE!

Here is a very nice article as well! You will also find quite a few videos on YouTube! Here is over 11 hrs of ocean waves if you would like to listen and relax! :-)

Movie: Jane

Hi Everyone...

Check out this interview with Jane Goodall on her new documentary about her and her life's work. Here is the list of theaters showing it currently.

Exercise for Better Memory!

Hi Everyone...

Well I hope you have heard you should not stop exercising during finals week as exercise will help your memory in various ways...it will help you sleep better and proper sleep is crucial for memory and as you will see in this video if you stop exercising it will reduce blood flow to the hippocampus. Lack of exercise long term will cause even more severe neurodegenerative diseases. It also does not take that much exercise per week, so as the slogan goes..."Just do it!"

The Benefits of Singing in a Choir!

Hi Everyone...

Would you like to increase your mood, lower your stress & improve your immune system in just one hour? If your answer is Yes...join a choir! Research looking at 193 cancer patients found even the most in need of great benefit from singing in a choir.

Is Human & Animal Depression the Same?

Hi Everyone...

Researchers are attempting to use rodents and non-human primates who they believe are suffering  from depression to actually help treat humans suffering from depression. The researchers have not found any useful insights thus far but are still hopeful. Part of difficulty is confirming whether the animals are really suffering from depression (mental illness) or are just sad. Check out the article to see how they are operationally defining depression in animals and what they used to treat they animals.

Get a Pet!

My current furbaby: Sterling

Hi Everyone...

Do you have a pet? If you don't, you just might want to head to your local shelter and pick out a sweetie to take home! :-) Here are 20 Things You Can Learn From Pets! Wonderful Benefits!

Artificially Sweeteners Not So 'Sweet For The Body!

Hi Everyone...

A few years ago I had the opportunity to listen to Dr. Susan Swithers, research from Purdue University, discuss her research on Artificial Sweeteners at the Midwest Psychological Association Annual Conference in Chicago. You probably have been hearing in the media about diet pop/soda actually being related to people gaining weight rather than losing weight. Here is a Podcast with an interview with Dr. Swithers from 2 days ago you might find very interesting!

Aaron Hernandez Severe CTE

Larger image: National Institute of Health

Hi Everyone...

If you have not already heard, the results are back on Aaron Hernandez' brain and he did in fact have Stage 3 CTE! It is the most severe case at such a young age (27 when he died, but then likely there much earlier!). This amount of damage is typical of those in their 60s. The picture above shows the devastation CTE does to the brain.

Mike Adamle Interview: CTE

Hi Everyone...

Those of you who were students of mine will likely recall, ever since Dave Duerson of the Chicago Bears committed suicide in February of 2011, I have been sharing what I have learned about CTE/TBI/Concussion Syndrome with you. I was in college when Dave Duerson and the Chicago Bears won the Superbowl and his suicide really hit me hard. Since Duerson's death, I have tried to read what I could, go to conferences and workshops on the subject and ask a lot of questions with neurologists and even football players.

When the Concussion movie came out, I was happy that you would have the background of having seen actual video footage in class of Dr. Julian Bailes and Dr. Bennet Omalu for a number of years by then.

Yesterday, NBC Chicago News started an interview with former NFL football player and NBC sports newscaster Mike Adamle. It saddens me to hear that Mike also appears to have CTE as well. It is hard to see him like this, but as he says, if it will help others then it is worth it.

Here is the link to yesterday's interview with more deeper questions when you scroll down. Tonight they will continue the interview and I will post that one here when it becomes available.

Click "Part 2" : Not too much more in 1st video from the videos further on yesterday's page other than his wife but again, if you scroll down on this page more short videos with more in depth questions!

Blue Mind: Online Live Book Club

I wanted to make you aware that Dr. Wallace J. Nichols is starting the Blue Mind Online Live Book Club. Chapter 1 started this past Monday but you can catch up real fast even if you do not or cannot get a book quickly.

First, Dr. Nichols is reading a few pages each night via Facebook. 8pm CST.

We are ending our 3rd week but you can catch up easily! All the nights videos are on his FB page! 

What is great is he discussing it a bit along the way. :-) If you "follow" the page then you will get announcements each night when he is starting for that night.

Second, Radio Hatteras is also streaming the audiobook each evening at 6pm and 12am CST.

Then each Sunday at 8pm CST...you go to his Facebook page and he will be live for discussion for that week's chapter. 

Looks like over 250 people so far. Here is a link to Dr. Nichols discussing the Online Live Book Club Discussion. 

Gender Revolution: Update: Fri 10th 9ET

Hi Everyone...

Sorry for the short notice but just became aware if it myself right now. Set your DVR if you have to but if you can watch tomorrow (Mon) at 8pm CST National Geographic has a 2 hour documentary on Gender.

UPDATE: Will be show Tomorrow at 9ET!