Cognitive Labs

You only have so much innate willpower, according to scientists who used the classic Stroop exercise to measure, and deplete, the directed mental energy that is required to master tasks from studying to dieting and exercise. [link to Stroop test at U of Michigan]

"Cognitive tasks, as well as emotional tasks such as regulating your emotions, can deplete your self-regulatory capacity to exercise," said study leader Kathleen Martin Ginis, associate professor of kinesiology at McMaster University.

However, you can increase your will through exercise or practice, according to the researchers.

Labels: power, Will, willpower

New research points to even greater anti-oxidant powers for flavenol-containing dark-skinned berries such as blue and red blackberries, raspberries, elderberries, and blueberries, with the latter possibly slightly less potent than the former varieties.

The NY Times blog has a round-up.

health berry links as a resource:

raspberries
blueberries
elderberries as in 'your mother was a hamster, and your father smelt of..."
chokeberries - the berry with the greatest concentration of antioxidants
black currants
marionberries
gooseberries
blackberries

Labels: anti-oxidants, berries, blackberries, nytimes, power

Is it time to check your brain's relative 'power?' or brain age? If so, this scientifically-designed exercise can provide a numerical ranking of your speed and accuracy, closely linked to your "real" brain age rather than your calendar age. It's like the "RealAge" folks are getting around to brain quizzes.

By combining physical and cognitive fitness, it is possible to have a brain for the ages, with greater quickness and flexibility than other people who don't maintain their brains. The theory is, those who engage in mental cross-training build cognitive reserve. If you haven't taken this test, now's your chance.

Let me take the test | No wait, I really want to take it.



Everyone wants to find out. It seems like people can't resist a challenge.

Cognitive reserve has been theorized as relevant in populations as diverse as nuns and London taxi cab drivers, as well as engineers, teachers, scientists, and academics.In each case, people have inculcated large amounts of information.

Is there a connection between brain power and freedom? Amongst those in history most opposed to developing cognitive reserve, the most notorious is Hitler, who criticized mental exercise and cognitive development as a waste of time.

Labels: age, brain, brainage, cognitive, power, reserve

There's a new test coming up, as well as a really interesting attention-requiring game. We'll keep you posted. Hint: the test has something to do with electricity.

Labels: babel, brain, electricity, free, power, test