Brain Flashcards
(36 cards)
Prefrontal Cortex (PFC)- “The Command Center” Functions:
- Attention
- Planning
- Impulse control
- Judgement
- Empathy
Prefrontal Cortex (PFC)- “The Command Center” Problems:
- Failure to see consequences.
- Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (which leads to difficulties in learning).
- Addictions: 60-80% of addicts have prefrontal lobe deficits.
- Lack of organization ability.
Prefrontal Cortex (PFC)- “The Command Center” Helping PFC effectivity work:
- Multivitamin
- Fish Oil
- Eliminate caffeine
- Exercise
- Eat higher protein diet
Prefrontal Cortex (PFC)- “The Command Center” Medications:
- Methylphenidate. (Ritalin)
- Dexmethylphenidate.
- Amphetamine-Dextroamphetamine. (Adderall)
Prefrontal Cortex (PFC)- “The Command Center” Supplements:
- L-tyrosine.
- Ginkgo Biloba.
- D-phenylalanine and L-phenylalanine.
- Protein Powder.
- EXERCISE.
Cingulate Gyrus- “The Gerbil Wheel”
Functions:
- Flexibility
- Forgiveness
- Ability to notice good
- See positive
- See options
Cingulate Gyrus- “The Gerbil Wheel”
Problems:
- Oppositional defiant disorder
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Eating disorders/some addictions
Cingulate Gyrus “the gerbil Wheel”
Helping Cingulate Gyrus effectively work:
- Pasta, potatoes, bread, candy—increase Seratonin (like grease on rusty hinge)
- Chicken, turkey, salmon, beef—-increase Seratonin
- Low carb diet—decreases Seratonin (equals Cranky)
Cingulate Gyrus “the gerbil Wheel”
Medications:
• Buspar, SSRI’s, Zoloft, Prozac.
Cingulate Gyrus “the gerbil Wheel”
Supplements:
• L-tryptophan,
5-HTP,
St. John’s Wort.
Basil Ganglia- “The Basement of Fears”
Functions:
- Sets body to relax
- Control smooth movement
- Sets anxiety level
- Helps predict what will happen
- Attunes us to our environment
Basil Ganglia- “The Basement of Fears”
Problems:
- Anxiety, panic and phobias
- Hyper-vigilance
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Predicting worst
- Excessive worry
Basil Ganglia- “The Basement of Fears”
Helping Basil Ganglia effectivity work:
- Complex carbs/ food with tryptophan increase serotonin.
- Cut the caffeine.
- Hydrate: dehydration can cause anxiety.
Basil Ganglia- “The Basement of Fears”
Supplements:
- Take a multivitamin
- Exercise
- Drink (water).
The Deep Limbic System- “The Depressed Low-Mood Space”
Functions:
- Hope feelings
- Restorative sleep
- Strong self-esteem
- Bonding and close connection to other.
- Optimism
The Deep Limbic System- “The Depressed Low-Mood Space”
Problems:
• Depression • Isolation • Difficulty sleeping and getting up • Lack of motivation • Low energy • Weight gain or loss False religion can make it worse- pretending*
The Deep Limbic System- “The Depressed Low-Mood Space”
Supplements:
- Fish oil, L-tyrosine, 5HTP, Tryptophan, SAMe, GABA
- Light therapy
- Exercise
The Temporal Lobes- “The Temper Lofts”
Functions:
- Language and hearing
- Emotional stability
- Reading information and faces
- Visual learning
- Spiritual experiences
The Temporal Lobes- “The Temper Lofts”
Problems:
- Mood instability
- Anxiety for no reason
- Learning problems
- Dark, evil or hopeless thoughts
- Aggression towards self or others
- Over-focused on religion
- Verbal and abusive problems such as belittling others, name calling and critical judgmental
The Temporal Lobes- “The Temper Lofts”
Medications:
- Lithium Carbonate
- Anticonvulsant Mood Stabilizers
- Antipsychotic Mood Stabilizers
The Temporal Lobes- “The Temper Lofts”
Supplements:
• GABA • Valerian • Omega-3 fish oil • Alpha Lipoic Acid • phosphatidylserine Ginkgo Bilbao Low dose ibuprofen
Rule #1: Exercise boosts brain power
• Exercise is better than antidepressants- may stave off Alzheimer’s.
• Exercise- grows your brain cells:
• Neurotransmitters balance with exercise
Exercise improves three things:
• Optimizes the brain for alertness, attention and motivation
• Prepares and encourages nerve cells to bind with each other
• Spurs development of new cells from stem cells to new cells in the hippocampus
BDNF
Brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF)- the miracle grow of the brain increases with exercise- BDNF- grows neurons connections- the more exercise, the more BDNF you get.
Neurotransmitters
Serotonin- mood, anger, aggressiveness
Norepinephrine- mood, attention, motivation, arousal
Dopamine- learning, reward, attention (Ritalin raises dopamine)
GABA- increased calm and relaxation
