In my previous blog, I covered the controversial topic of brain training and whether it really makes us smarter. A brief addition to that blog is whether these games and techniques can actually be harmful. Here are some of my thoughts on this issue: In general, I don’t think brain training games are…
We’ve all seen and heard the ads – brain training games will make you smarter! Partly fueled by the engagement, variety, and dynamic interaction that video games offer, various brain training games (e.g., Lumosity, NeuroActive, Big Brain Academy, Brain Age) and other software (e.g., CogMed) promise to (or suggest might) improve specific cognitive abilities such as…
I recently read an article in the January 18, 2010 issue of Time magazine concerning “Workouts for Your Brain” by Bonnie Rochman. She reviewed some of the recent software and tech devices designed to enhance cognitive functioning. She also briefly examined some of the research findings as to whether such software really does enhance…
As reported in a recent issue of Scientific American Mind, sleep deprivation can result in “power failures” in the brain. Study participants were deprived of sleep for one night and then received functional MRI scans while doing simple visual tasks. Researchers noted that the participants who stayed awake all night had periodic power failures…
As you can tell, I’ve really gotten into mindfulness as of late. Although I’ve been practicing mindfulness for about 10 years, a convergence of things have led me to become more focused on it. I can say with utmost confidence that mindfulness is not a fad or the latest craze. It’s a way of…