Brain Blast | Hypnotism for Your Health
The latest news on the brain and beyond.
What do hypnotherapy and Ketamine have in common? What about the brains of video gamers and sheep? The answer is that they're being studied by neuroscientists across the world to better understand how the human mind works. Continue below to read about these studies, plus research on dementia, loneliness, and more.
Improving mindfulness with hypnotherapy
When hypnotherapy meets mindfulness, stress relief follows. In a study at Baylor University, participants who underwent weekly hypnosis sessions that included suggestions for better mindfulness experienced substantial decreases in their stress levels. The use of hypnosis can reduce the time required for individuals to benefit from mindfulness, making it a more accessible intervention.
Story via Baylor University
Examining the effects of Ketamine on brain activity
Cambridge psychologists used EEG to study the effects of Ketamine on the sheep brain. After receiving high doses, the sheep exhibited no brain activity for several minutes. As the drug wore off, the sheep's brain activity shifted between high and low frequency oscillations. Researchers hope to use these findings to better understand how Ketamine may help people suffering from conditions like Huntington’s disease and depression.
Story via University of Cambridge
Assessing the mental skills of professional gamers
Whether it’s esports or Olympic games, the mental demands remain the same. Researchers found that the top-performing esports athletes had the same mental skills (stamina, emotion regulation) as traditional athletes. Therefore, aspiring professional esports athletes may benefit from sports psychology training focused on developing effective strategies for coping with stress.
Story via Queensland University of Technology
Uncovering the impact of negative thinking
Thinking negatively? Think again. UCL scientists are investigating repetitive negative thinking (RNT) as a possible risk factor for dementia. In a recent study, they found that RNT was correlated with a decline in cognition and an increase in brain proteins associated with Alzheimer’s. They hope to assess whether mindfulness and similar interventions could reduce a person’s risk of developing dementia in the future.
Story via University College London
Viewing loneliness in the brain
Activity patterns in the human brain look different when people think about themselves, their friends, and celebrities. Generally, when people think about others with whom they have close relationships, their brain activity is very similar to that when they think about themselves. However, when lonely people think about their friends, their brain activity looks different than when they think about themselves.
Story via Society for Neuroscience