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Top 10 Brain Supplements to Enhance the Functioning of Your Brain

A sharp mind combined with a fit body, work wonders in the world. A sound mind that is always on its toes is not only appreciated but also prized. However, not all of us are born with record-smashing intelligence. How do we then break the barriers that we are naturally confined to?

Top 10 Brain Supplements to Enhance the Functioning of Your Brain

Brain supplements stimulate mental activity resulting in more alertness, focus, motivation, concentration, better mood, memory, and an ability to process information at a faster rate than without them. They are considered vital in the fight against mental and neurological disorders like dementia, depression, anxiety, and mental decline. Brain supplements contain individual and compound nutrients like vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and phytonutrients, each one of which fulfills specific functions of the brain. Here’s a list of top 10 brain supplements to give your brain an extra edge:

Ginkgo leaves
Ginkgo is one of the oldest existing plant on the planet as well as one of the most widely used herbs to cure a range of diseases. Research shows that it is routinely prescribed as a medicine in Europe. It protects the brain from damage by free radicals, increases blood circulation in the brain, and balances brain chemistry. It is, colloquially, a brain tonic. This is the first and probably the oldest of the top 10 brain supplements.

DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
DHA contains Omega-3 fats which are essential for continual brain performance. Omega-3 fats are difficult to receive from our regular diets since the main dietary sources of Omega-3 fats are fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines, and herring. DHA helps and enhances brain cell communication, protects from depression, ADHD, and decrease in brain volume. Omega-3 deficiency has been linked to a host of physical and mental illnesses.

Citicoline
Citicoline performs the important function of brain protection and maintaining elasticity, thereby becoming a powerful weapon in the fight against brain damage. Citicoline is an active compound found in every cell of our body. Citicoline supplements help fire up an aging, decaying system, and boost brain capabilities. It can help improve memory, productivity, and aid protection against neurological diseases such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, and multiple sclerosis.

Curcumin
Curcumin is a bioactive compound that is extracted from turmeric. It occurs in abundance naturally and has profound effects on our physical and mental well-being when taken in small quantities over a period of time. It increases the levels of serotonin and dopamine in our blood which helps combat depression and OCD as efficiently as Prozac, without the addiction and side effects. It helps reduce inflammation in the brain that is traditionally associated with Alzheimer’s, helps combat mood swings, boosts energy, and maintains vitality. Many countries like India and Indonesia have kept this ingredient in their top 10 brain supplements since the beginning of natural sciences.

Bacopa
Bacopa is an ancient Ayurvedic herb that can be used to boost brain chemistry. It is an adaptogenic drug that can calm and energize at the same time without being stimulating or sedative. It delivers oxygen, nutrients, and glucose to the brain, increasing blood flow to the brain, and consequently maintaining optimum brain health. It was traditionally used as a tool to develop memory but it also has amazing healing properties against stress, anxiety, and depression.

American Ginseng
Ginseng, another traditional Asian herb comprising the top 10 brain supplements list, is used extensively for healing and consumption purposes. However, the American Ginseng has a higher concentration of ginsenosides which help improve memory, mental clarity, and concentration. American Ginseng is an adaptogen that has potent anxiety relieving properties.

Lion’s Mane
Lion’s Mane (Yamabushitake) is an edible mushroom native to Asia, North America, and Europe. Like Ginseng, it has medicinal and culinary uses that span centuries of experimentation. It is a naturally occurring Nootropic—a substance that improves memory and cognitive function to make you agile, sharp-minded, and smart. It stimulates nerve growth in the brain. Lion’s Mane is an effective treatment for anxiety, depression, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.

Huperzine A
The most exotic ingredient making the top 10 brain supplements list is the Chinese Club Moss. It is a small plant native only to Asia and contains an alkaloid called Huperzine A that improves learning memory, regulates sleep cycle, promotes new brain cell generation, and regulates brain functions.

L-Theanine
L-Theanine is an amino acid found in green and black teas. It alters brain wave patterns, thus helping you to relax. It sharpens focus, makes you resilient to stress and anxiety, improves the quality of sleep, and promotes recall and learning. This gives it every reason to be included as one of the top 10 brain supplements.

Vitamins
A deficiency of Vitamins in the body is the root cause of several mental disorders. About 40% Americans are deficient in Vitamin B12, 77% in Vitamin D, and 75% in the mineral Magnesium. Appropriate intake of multivitamins can also help shield the brain from damage and degeneration and slow the process of brain aging.

Now that we have reviewed the top 10 brain supplements, we are sure that you may find one that works best for you. However, before going for any of these, you should check for with a specialist to know the right one as per your body type.

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6 simple benefits of meditation
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6 simple benefits of meditation

A habitual process, mediation helps to train the mind to be more focussed by redirecting thoughts. Many people use meditation techniques to increase self-awareness. Some people use mediation as a way to alleviate stress and increase concentration levels. Whatever be the purpose of mediation, the process comes with a lot of benefits. Here are some of the well-known benefits of mediation and how it affects the brain. Improves sleep cycle Nearly everyone suffers from insomnia once in a while. Some experience a persistent lack of sleep. The reasons for a disrupted sleep cycle can be severe stress, anxiety, and worrying. Often racing thoughts and severe emotional distress can also cause insomnia. Medication helps in dealing with insomnia. However, by focusing all thoughts, meditation can be beneficial in controlling racing and runaway thoughts. Moreover, it will release the tension and help the mind and body relax, leading to improved sleep quality. Those who meditate often have better REM sleep and tend to fall asleep in a shorter time. Reduced perception of pain Everyone’s brain perceives pain with different intensities. However, when one is extremely stressed out or anxious, one’s perception of pain may be higher than usual. Pain receptors are directly linked to the emotional state of mind. When one incorporates regular meditation in their everyday routines, it can be effective in controlling pain sensations. With mindfulness meditation, pain can be alleviated. Moreover, the quality of life also improves. Those who suffer from chronic pain may find meditation useful as it lowers the risk of depression. Those who meditate have been known to develop higher tolerance towards physical pain. Improved concentration levels Mindfulness meditation increases the ability to focus on the present. It is similar to weight-lifting, but for the brain. This can improve concentration levels required for the other tasks in everyday life. According to research, mindfulness is linked to one’s ability to process new information. It gives a boost to emotional regulation, memory, and learning ability. Moreover, this can help in reversing patterns of worrying and wandering minds. All of this can give more clarity, allowing greater decision-making capability. Meta-awareness and attention can be trained through mindfulness meditation and focused-attention meditation. Lower risk of age-associated memory loss With meditation, there is improvement in attention. In addition, there is improved clarity of thought. A form of meditation that involves repeating a chant or mantra has been known to improve neuropsychological performance. Along with chanting, the meditating process also involves repetitive motions of the fingers. This helps to focus thoughts. Moreover, different forms of meditation have been known to boost memory, attention, and mental agility, especially in older adults. Along with slowing down age-related memory loss, meditating can help to control stress that is often a major contributor to memory loss. Better management of depression and anxiety Dwelling on anxious thoughts is one of the major factors contributing to depression. With mindfulness meditation, the mind can be trained to focus on the present. Practicing mindfulness over a longer duration can alleviate anxiety. It also helps in easing symptoms of depression. In many cases, meditation is often a part of comprehensive mental health treatment plans. From correcting troubled sleeping patterns, appetite loss, and moodiness, mindfulness-based mediation can go a long way in making it easier to manage anxiety and depression. Better self-esteem Mindfulness and meditation encourage a person to slow down. These practices help to follow deeper self-reflection. Along the way, a person gains the ability to discover positive attributes about themselves. A person is able to examine their feelings, emotions, and thoughts without any judgment. This boosts self-awareness. It also helps in improving social anxiety symptoms. All of these help in gaining a better sense of self-esteem.
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Important things to know about prayer beads
Tibetan prayer beads

Important things to know about prayer beads

If you have been practicing meditation or yoga for a long time, you probably have come across prayer beads. You can find these Buddhist beads, alternatively referred to as Tibetan prayer beads, in sculptures or paintings of Buddha where he is seen holding these beads. Although it is quite a common sight, few actually know about Tibetan prayer beads. This article elucidates on some important points related to prayer beads. Prayer beads have been used across the globe for thousands of years. They play a vital role in various cultures and countries for meditation purposes. Some records claim that beads were first noticed in Nepal and India. They have been used across different religions, such as Catholicism and Hinduism, among others. Advantages of prayer beads Prayer beads can help you with various aspects of meditation, a practice that provides numerous health benefits. Meditation can contribute to lowering blood pressure, improving sleep, and reducing stress levels. However, many people face difficulties while meditating, particularly at the start. This is when prayer beads prove to be useful, as they keep you focused while meditating. The constant movement of your fingers around the beads helps in grounding you. When you touch each bead, you say a chant so you can keep a count of the number of times you have repeated the chant. Composition of prayer beads Traditionally, they consist of 108 beads along with a guru bead, which has a tassel and is bigger than all the other beads. How significant is the number of beads Usually, traditional Tibetan prayer beads have 108 beads. This number is considered sacred in Buddhism and Hinduism. However, if you feel that 108 is a lot, you can purchase a necklace with 27 or 54 beads. Some necklaces have beads of different shapes after the 27 th bead. So, you can keep track of your repetitions efficiently. Such prayer beads also allow for shorter meditation periods. How can you use prayer beads for meditation? Breath control and repetition of the chant are two key starting points while using prayer beads during meditation. It is advisable to focus on your breathing while meditating. You can use prayer beads for managing your breath by: Holding the prayer beads in one hand Allowing the beads to drape around your fingers so that you may move them with ease Inhaling and exhaling one full breath Moving the fingers to the next bead; breath in and out once for each bead Concluding at the guru bead to finish 108 breaths Moving your fingers in the other direction until you again reach the guru bead if you wish to do another round. While following these steps, you may repeat a chant, which can be a sound, word, or phrase to be aware of during meditation.
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Healing Prayers and Their Health Benefits

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Help people cope with difficulties During difficult or stressful times, prayers can help one feel hopeful and resilient or release their sense of control, relinquishing it to a higher power or truth. This can provide a powerful framework for coping with stress or grief, reducing the risk of anxiety or depression. Enhance gratitude Prayers often involve practicing gratitude and compassion. This may help people let go of any ill or negative feelings they may be harboring, helping them feel lighter and boosting overall health. Promote mindfulness Some forms of prayer and spiritual practices, such as meditation, promote awareness of the present. This could help people control their thoughts and emotions, ground them in the current moment, create a connection between the mind, spirit, and body, and offer peace or mindfulness. According to a recent study published in Frontiers in Psychology, engaging in a daily 10-minute centering prayer significantly reduced stress levels among college students. Help support physical health Some studies also suggest that prayers may help support physical health in the following ways: Reduce stress: Healing prayers often induce a relaxation response, which can aid in reducing stress and anxiety levels and calming the cardiovascular system. This can have physiological benefits, such as lowered heart rates, blood pressure, and oxygen consumption. Praying can help reduce stress levels, boost immunity, and manage pain. Raise immunity: High stress levels may also lead to chronic inflammation. According to research, there is a strong correlation between chronic inflammation and aging. This may result from the negative impact of stress on the thyroid and adrenal glands. Over time, this may lead to low immune function and raise the risk of conditions such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s: Spiritual practices such as praying and meditation may also act as a natural buffer against age-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s and arthritis. While praying may not be enough to prevent the onset of these conditions, it may help delay them, reduce symptoms, or slow down their progress. Based on research and anecdotal evidence, prayers appear to have several healing qualities – both physical and emotional. To introduce this practice into one’s daily life, here are some tips that may help: Form a habit: Praying at the same time every day may help one establish some time apart for connecting with themselves and the powers they believe in. Set aside five to ten minutes daily to pray or meditate, and do it consistently. Keep it simple: Praying and meditation do not require significant investments. A calm, quiet space is enough. If interested, one may consider investing in plants, inspirational books, essential oils, etc., over time. Find a partner or community: Praying with others may help one feel more connected. This could be a spiritual teacher, healing prayer group, friend, family member, or partner. In these settings, one may devise creative ways to stay engaged and give back to society. Healing prayers and meditation practices can be a boon for one’s overall well-being, with benefits that transcend the physical realm. They may play an essential role in helping one stay grounded and healthy, promote good habits, cope with difficulties, reduce anxiety and stress, get in touch with their greater purpose, and stay connected with the community.
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Natural Remedies That Boost Sleep Quality
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Natural Remedies That Boost Sleep Quality

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Buy bean bag chairs to relax in style

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Natural Remedies for Depression
Health

Natural Remedies for Depression

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