Archive for October, 2009

One person’s idea of stress relief is another person’s idea of stress. The only way to get stress relief is to back off and give ourselves a break to introduce margin into our lives. When stress relief is an absolute must, many people find that learning how to refocus thoughts can very much help.

However, people who own pets usually have made their decision to get a dog, cat or other pet because they enjoy animals and the stress relief is just an added bonus. Stress Relief is a process that helps the stressed individuals to relax and enable you to keep balance in your life. Stress Gum is an innovative gum that provides you with most effective way to calm stressed nerves and promote a sense of well-being naturally.

Stress Gum

Chewing Gum just to freshen your breath is a thing of the past. The use of chewing gum as a delivery system vastly improves the rate of absorption of the product into the body, as compared to capsules or tablets which have to enter the digestive system before they can be absorbed into the body. Stress Gum is a chewing gum that has been uniquely formulated with a variety of natural herbal ingredients known to help relieve stress.

Being superior to a pill, Stress Gum is absorbed into the bloodstream immediately to give the powerful results you want. Stress Gum also helps fight tooth decay and cleans teeth after meals, provides a no-calorie snack, improves concentration, relaxes and eases tension, freshens breath, and improves digestion. Chew Stress Gum the next time you’re on a plane to counteract the effect of air pressure changes on your ears.

Each piece of gum contains a revolutionary sustained release system that orally delivers the 120-mg proprietary blend of active ingredients that are absorbed directly into the bloodstream. This delivery system relies on micro-sized beads that are released by chewing the gum and are immediately absorbed into the tissue of the lining in the mouth through the capillaries that lie close to the surface. Over four safe, carefully chosen herbs are used to manufacture this gum. Stress Gum comes to the rescue with a completely NATURAL herbal formula that REDUCES the symptoms associated with stress, anxiety and depression.

Stress Gum is safe and effective thanks to a scientific blend of old-world herbs. Best of all, Stress Gum leads to none of the harsh side-effects associated with expensive prescription drugs. The gum requires no prescription and is easily affordable for everyone. It is an innovative gum that provides you with most effectiveway to calm stressed nerves and promote a sense of well-being naturally.

Conclusion

Everyone knows that stress relief is becoming more important as our world becomes increasingly stressful. Paying close attention to body signals, recognizing the prodrome of an outbreak and immediately beginning anti-viral treatment, cool baths, pain relievers and stress relief is the start of control. Finding ways to provide stress relief is important and vital to our long-term health. Stress Gum is an all natural supplement that effectively addresses the diverse and debilitating symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression.

Paul Rodgers
http://www.articlesbase.com/mental-health-articles/stress-relief-includes-chewing-stress-gum-826780.html

Improving overall cognitive capability is becoming as simple as consuming a pill…

An interesting paradox has been the axis of much attention in the fields of pharmacy, brain research and ethics in the last few years. The advent of new technologies, particularly in the field of brain research, has induced scientists to improve the treatment of several conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, sleep disorders and dementia. However, what was primarily intentioned to provide solutions for patients with cognitive deficits has also proven functional for healthy people – not only functional, but quite efficient.

The human brain consists of 100 billion neurons linked in around 100 trillion connections. This large number is possibly due to the parallel nature of brain connections, and the multi-layered strucuture in which our most notable organ is organised. New classes of drugs – particularly ‘Ampakines’ – are exploring ways to achieve cognitive improvements whilst moderating the incidence of side effects. Albeit designed for combating the effects of degenerative diseases, these cognitive enhancers have increasingly gained popularity as a competitive advantage for students, executives and people who simply want to exceed their own limitations.

Ampakines

Ampakines are a class of drugs which name is originated from the AMPA receptor (protein). These receptors play a major role in the encoding of many types of memory and in inducing excitatory communication in the brain (which increases levels of glutamate-mediated communication). Because glutamate is our predominant neurotransmitter, drugs which manipulate the levels of glutamate can considerably improve cognitive skills by improving neural communication.

“Nerve cells (neurons) in the brain communicate with each other by releasing small molecules know as neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters bind to proteins, called receptors, located on the surface of the receiving neurons. This binding then triggers subsequent cellular events in these neurons” (Cortex Research (www.cortexpharm.com/html/research/tech.html)).

Ampakines can provide a variety of results, often improving cognitive functions such as attention, alertness and memory.

No Need for Disease

The potential for improving memory, concentration and other important cognitive skills has been initially observed by pharmaceutical companies and military research. Nowadays, most large drug producers in the world are on their way to test Ampakines, and other ‘cognitive enhancing’ drug types. The military has performed several trials and it is particularly interested in the alertness effects of Ampakines, such as CX717 (developed by Cortex Pharmaceuticals). This drug could be a solution for jet pilots or special operation forces to remain alert for several days during combats – no need for much sleep, and apparently very few side effects (unlike amphetamines, caffeine and other substances which were commonly used for such purpose).

At this stage, the general public has also become aware of the ‘wonders’ of such drugs, and the popularity among students, executives and other professionals has increased immensely – such that many are diagnosed with some ‘broad-diagnosing’ diseases in order to obtain medical scripts for purchase. Consumers also use diagnosed friends to access the medicines, buy it from the internet under false allegations, or simply opt for the black market.

Other drug types, such as Mem compounds, are also being developed and undertaking trials. Although the pharmaceutical companies are producing these drugs for the treatment of varied mental conditions, it is increasingly noticeable that their popularity among superman-aspirants is producing a significant raise in revenue for major producers. Along with the expected advances in technology, ethical issues are stirring among specialists – are these drug cocktails really a good option to achieve better performance?

Future or Science Fiction?

This question is multi-faceted and particularly interesting. However, there may not be a long-term need for such discussion. Progressive development in brain research over the last few years is inducing many experts and scientists to reach for new paradigms. The exponential growth of technology is allowing brain scanning techniques to become quite powerful, and this has been used to initiate a series of cross-discipline experiments – such as the use of nanotechnology and reverse engineering in brain research.

But it does not stop there. Currently, a project entitled the ‘Human Connectome’ (cited in a previous article) is attempting to create a 4-dimensional map of all brain functions, while advances in physics will eventually allow further access to the mysteries of the human mind. With that in mind, experts such as Ray Kurzweil – author and scientist – predict that the human cognitive capacity will achieve enormous progress through a mix of gene manipulation and the use of artificial systems input (such as nanotechnology). These artificial systems would act as regenerative tools for damaged cells and tissues, neural communication enhancers (by converting analog communication into digital – thus achieving much higher processing speeds), and many other purposes. The advent of such technologies could convert pills and doses into obsolete cognitive tools.

In the end, the quest for superman-cognition is a matter of patience as much research is either incomplete, or uncertain. Indeed we are stepping in a new era – but the outcomes of this experience are still beyond the grasp of our human civilization.

Did You Know?

1) “The Brain’s circuits are very slow. Synaptic-reset and neuron-stabilization times (the amount of time required for a neuron and its synapses to reset themselves after the neuron fires) are so slow that there are very few neuron-firing cycles available to make pattern-recognition decisions. Functional magnetic-resonance imaging (fMRI) and magneto-encephalography (MEG) scans show that judgements that do not require resolving ambiguities appear to be made in a single neuron-firing cycle (less than twenty milliseconds), involving essentially no iterative (repeated) processes. Recognition of objects occurs in about 150 milliseconds, so that even if we “think something over”, the number of cycles of operation is measured in hundreds or thousands at most, not billions, as with a typical computer.” (Ray Kurzweil – “The Singularity is Near”, 2005, page 150)

2) “Approximately 20% of the blood flowing from the heart is pumped to the brain. The brain needs constant blood flow in order to keep up with the heavy metabolic demands of the neurons. Brain imaging techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) rely on this relationship between neural activity and blood flow to produce images of reduced brain activity.” (http://www.brainetwork-usm.org)

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Pedro Gondim
http://www.articlesbase.com/science-articles/cocktails-neurons-and-nanos-supercognition-139831.html

A good night’s sleep is probably one of the most under-rated means of leading a healthy and stress free existence. If you are finding it difficult to sleep, the simplest of all solutions are always the best. The adjustments that you need to make are more towards what you do before you go to sleep rather than what you do once you get into bed. Here are some useful tips to obtain a better night’s sleep:

Routine: Build a routine, such as a quick shower or a hot water bath, reading a book, or watching a relaxing film, before you get into bed. This puts your body into a relaxed mode and makes it easier to slip into a good night’s rest.

Gentle Exercise: Try not to do strenuous exercise prior to going to sleep. The body needs time to unwind before sleep. Gentle relaxation exercises are more beneficial.

Relax: Try not to indulge in activities that energize your brain cells, they take a long time to settle down, and by the time they do that, half the night is over.

Avoid certain drinks: Avoid caffeine and tobacco and alcohol at night. If you do have to indulge in them, try to do so at least two hours before you get into bed. Some people find that a warm milky drink helps them to sleep.

Light meals: Our grandparents always told us to eat our meals 2 hours before we went to sleep and that advice still holds good. It may not always be possible due to the present day lifestyles, but we can control how much we eat and drink at night.

Environment: A comfortable environment is essential to having a good night’s sleep. Ensure that you bedroom is quiet and clutter-free. Soft and clean sheets, good quality pillows, warm and comfortable duvets or comforters are all added inducements to sleep.

Mattress: It is essential that you have a comfortable and suitable mattress. Backaches can occur if there is a gap between any part of your back and the mattress. Inflatable airbeds are a good option and very conducive to a good night’s sleep. A good airbed will support your body, particularly your spine without seeming too soft or too hard and it is one of the most comfortable “mattresses” to sleep on.

Pillows: Ensure that you pillows are comfortable. The wrong pillow can lead to neck and spinal problems and headaches.

Consider vitamin supplements: Calcium and magnesium produce a relaxing effect on the brain and can solve problems of leg cramps at night.

Avoid naps: A good siesta in the middle of the day may be a cause for sleeplessness at night.

If despite trying all these ways and means you are still not able to sleep, get out of bed, and sit somewhere else. Read a book, or magazine, do something else, until your body once again begins to feel sleepy.

Remember it is better to sleep comfortably for fewer hours, rather than have a disturbed sleep for many hours.

Sean Lewis
http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/a-better-nights-sleep-in-ten-easy-steps-69667.html

I have started school now and need to wake up early. I find myself hitting the snooze button and then when I know its finally time, I can barely get myself up! Does anyone know if there are any scents that help make a Better Sleep?

There are 3 scents that work: lavender, vanilla and the smell of pumpkin.

Since I’ve had my baby I’ve noticed that I’ve started to eat emotionally. It’s strange because I feel the happiest I have in my life but I feel like I am ALWAYS eating!

Any tricks to stop? Help! I don’t want to end up like my mother!

Just eat the right foods, when you are hungry don’t eat nasty boxed food, eat apples and english muffins stuff like that. If you start exercising more with dancing and pilates you will look great, Your body is amazing it can look like anything you want. Change your life up a bit and find something else that makes you happy other than food