Ep. 433a: Memory Conditioning – Brain Functions (Pre-Frontal Cortex, Frontal Lobe, Amygdala)

As each function is described, you can decide where you feel there might be room for improvement.

The Memory Process In A Nutshell
1. external events occur
2. Stimuli encounters the 5 senses
3. Senses transport data to the working memory – holding area
4. central processor – controls how much attention is given to the contents of the working memory
5. Long-term memory – data stored and potentially available for recall

How to Maintain a Healthy Frontal Lobe
http://www.breachbuilders.org/article.php?story=20100111015631512

-find challenges, be mindful, avoid automatic pilot:
-manage information exposure, practice blocking, discarding, and ignoring less relevant tasks and information.

The 3 Ts of the Frontal Lobe
Tension: The unique ability of a human to rise above emotional reactions, and selfish – primitive behaviors.
Tact: The ability to understand and apply socially acceptable behaviors. Tenacity: The ability to focus on one thing for a period of time.
Children with ADHD are known to have poor-functioning frontal cortices and thus they have an inability to apply the 3 T’s effectively.

A Strong Pre-Frontal Cortex
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prefrontal_cortex
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/strategies-strengthening-brains-executive-functions-donna-wilson-marcus-conyers
http://www.brainbalancecenters.com/blog/2014/03/improving-executive-function-skills/

Studies Referenced on Executive Functioning: (links)

– regular exercise and overall physical fitness have been linked to academic achievement
“Exercise and Children’s Intelligence, Cognition, and Academic Achievement”
Phillip D. Tomporowski et al., Educational Psychology Review, 2008

– success on specific tasks like safely crossing a busy street while talking on a cell phone
“Role of Childhood Aerobic Fitness in Successful Street Crossing”
Laura Chaddock et al., Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, April 2012

– post quicker reaction times, give more accurate responses, and are more effective at detecting errors
“Impact of Aerobic Exercise Training on Cognitive Functions and Affect Associated to the COMT Polymorphism in Young Adults”
Sanna Stroth et al., Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 2010

– assigned older adults to three one-hour sessions of exercise a week for six months
“Aerobic Exercise Training Increases Brain Volume in Aging Humans”
Stanley J. Colcombe et al., The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, 2006

AMYGDALA ACTIVATION
http://www.clear-mind-meditation-techniques.com/amygdala-brain-training.html
http://www.calmclinic.com/anxiety/amygdala

A list of reliable online memory assessments:
University of Washington Short-Term Memory Test
MemTrax Memory Test
Psychology Today Memory Test
Rutgers University Memory Self-Tests (verbal and Visual)
Ohio State University Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination (SAGE)

You can use this comprehensive assessment from Douglas Herrmann’s book Super Memory.

Bumper Music:
Brain Parts Song by Aaron Wolf

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