Displaying items by tag: brain diseases

Mental health looks different for everyone because we’re all unique. The approach to mental health treatment has been complex and fraught with stigma and ineffective methods for many years. However, in the past decade, the scientific community has made significant advances in treating mental illness and removing the stigma associated with getting proper treatment. Fortunately, there is now a highly effective drug-free treatment to improve mental health called brain mapping. Why is brain mapping important as one of these leading remedies to manage your mental health?

Let's first learn more about what this treatment is all about.

What is the history of mental health treatments?

The mental illness epidemic has not been addressed properly until very recently. The first recorded mental health treatment dates back to ancient Egypt where herbs were used to treat depression.

Mental health treatments have come a long way since then and has gone through several transformations to get to the modern, patient-centered treatments available today. We now have modern therapies like biofeedback and brain mapping that effectively and humanely treat patients that suffer from mental health disorders.

What is brain mapping?

Quantitative Electroencephalogram (qEEG) brain mapping is a procedure used to measure electrical activity in the brain. This allows mental health clinicians to evaluate how different parts of the brain function, independently and together. Through this process, brain mapping specialists are able to pinpoint which frequencies in the brain are out of balance. And from there, they can create personalized programming to help you overcome struggles and achieve your mental health goals.

The process uses a number of neuroimaging techniques, which include functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), electroencephalography (EEG), or magnetoencephalography (MEG). Each technique serves a specific purpose. For instance, fMRI uses MRI scans to identify which parts of the brain are active during specific tasks such as reading words aloud or playing video games. EEG measures electrical activity on the surface of the scalp while MEG detects changes in the magnetic field around the head. All three methods can be combined to create more accurate results than just a single method alone.

What is the history of brain mapping?

Brain mapping began when the experimental strategies of cognitive psychology were combined with modern brain imaging techniques. The first was positron emission tomography (PET) followed by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), to examine how brain function supports mental activities.

The first studies involving brain mapping were conducted by Paul Broca in the late 1800s who was interested in learning how language works in the brain. He found that he could map out where certain areas of the brain worked based on his observations of stroke victims whose speech centers had been damaged. This led him to believe that distinct regions within the brain existed which were responsible for particular functions.

Brain imaging techniques have become increasingly sophisticated over time. Today, researchers can study not only which parts of the brain light up during specific tasks but also their activity patterns at different times or under various conditions. These advances have led to new insights into normal human cognition and behavior as well as disorders such as ADHD, schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder.

What psychiatric disorders does brain mapping treat?

Many types of mental illness can benefit from brain mapping. These include:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety Disorder
  • ADHD
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Schizophrenia
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
  • Autistic Spectrum Disorder
  • Attachment Disorder
  • And more...

How does brain mapping work?

It’s impossible to treat a condition unless you first know the root cause. By using brain mapping, we can pinpoint exactly where in the brain a problem lies. Once we know this, we can start to treat the problem right at the source.

The human brain is an amazing organ. It’s responsible for everything we do, think, feel, and remember. It’s also incredibly complex, so when something goes wrong, it can take months or even years to figure out the issue. That’s why brain mapping is so important.

Brain mapping measures electrical brain activity from a series of brain images. By doing this, we can see your brain patterns and brain functionality. This allows us to identify which areas of the brain are causing dysfunction.

Why is brain mapping important for treating anxiety and depression?

Research shows that the brain mapping process may be able to help calm anxiety and restore anxious brains to optimal health ( Schedule a free consultation to get started and learn first-hand why brain mapping is important for your mental health.

Published in qEEG Brain Mapping

Top New Year’s Resolutions

  • Eat Healthier
  • Exercise More
  • Quit Smoking
  • Drink Less
  • Learn A New Skill

Do any of these New Year’s resolutions sound familiar? These resolutions seem to be popular year after year. However, when individuals set these goals to eat better food, join the gym, stop unhealthy habits, and pursue new skills and hobbies, their brain health is most likely not their main motivator — but it is a great advantage. Keep reading to learn how each of these resolutions impacts your brain health.

Eating Healthier

The types of food you eat have a significant effect on your brain — both mentally and physically. Some foods, such as blueberries and dark green vegetables, help protect your brain from damage, while others, such as nuts and eggs, provide your brain with nutrients for optimal development and functionality. Overall, eating healthier has been proven to enhance your mood and mental health.

Exercising More

While many people get gym memberships and amp up their workouts in January in hopes of shedding the pounds they gained over the holidays, increased exercise also has proven effects on brain health. Exercise, especially aerobic exercise, pumps more oxygen to your brain, stimulates new brain cells, releases hormones, and ultimately improves the way your brain functions.

Quitting Smoking

Did you know that nicotine actually changes your brain? Nicotine activates receptors in your brain that make you feel good, which is the main cause for nicotine dependence. The more you smoke, the more these receptors grow, which can make quitting smoking very difficult. Nicotine also affects the brain by increasing adrenaline. This can cause increased heart rate, blood pressure, and restricted blood flow to the heart. Once you stop smoking, however, your nicotine receptors will decrease and your brain will eventually return to normal.

Drinking Less

While an alcoholic beverage can be a nice treat at the end of a long day, a wonderful meal pairing, and a great social experience, drinking too much regularly can have a significant negative effect on your brain health. Drinking heavily on a regular basis can actually shrink your brain, speed up memory loss, and cause brain damage. Drinking in moderation, if at all, is key for good brain health.

Learning A New Skill

Learning something new is fun and it’s great for your brain health. When you continuously learn new skills, you increase the amount of myelin (white matter) in your brain, which helps improve your performance and helps you learn things faster. Learning new skills also prevents your brain from demyelinating, which has been linked to dementia. Learning new skills will keep your brain sharp!

Are you interested in learning more about how your brain functions? Schedule a qEEG brain mapping consultation at one of our Denver, Boulder, or Fort Collins Braincode Centers locations.

Published in Mental Health Care
Thursday, 08 November 2018 14:22

Best Brain Food: What To Eat This Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is right around the corner — everyone is sharing all they have to be thankful for on social media, family and friends are making plans to travel near and far in order spend the day together, and grocery lists are starting to be made in an effort to prepare for a day of feasting on slow-cooked turkey, honey-roasted ham, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy, and of course — pumpkin pie. Are you ready?

Published in Mental Health Care