|
July 8, 2004:
Brain
Function
Interview
with Allen Bragdon author of the book,Building
Left Brain Power
Mike
Carruthers:
The human brain is fascinating.
Allen
Bragdon :
The brain occupies about three percent of the total
body weight but it burns about twenty percent of the total energy,
that is the oxygen and the blood. And so the body's going to
shut it down if it isn't being used.
Allen Bragdon
co-author of the book Building
Left Brain Power...
Which
means that the connections between the neurons withdraw and
even some cell death occurs. However if you keep it busy, if
you keep occupying it, then it will continue to reach out and
connect neurons and the cell death will be slowed down.
Ever wonder
why kids seems to pick up skills and absorb things much more
quickly than adults?
Cause
they have forty percent more neurons. An infant of four has
a huge number of neurons that it gradually sloughs off until
it's in it's very early twenties. The mathematician for example
has really about hit his stride and won't get much better by
the age of twenty one or two.
But Allen
says it is clear that you can keep your neurons firing and your
brain functioning even as you age if you keep it active.
And handling
new data is the secret of keeping your brain alive. Losing your
confidence to try something new is the worst thing that you
can do to your brain. Teaching somebody something, that's very
good for your brain, performing music, you can do crossword
puzzles, take on a hobby, plan things and try to accomplish
a goal.
At
somethingyoushouldknow.net,
I'm Mike Carruthers and that's Something You Should Know.
|
