Researchers at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute found Gingko Biloba triggers significant improvement in verbal memory in subjects with age-associated memory impairment compared to placebo.

Many earlier studies with Ginkgo Biloba have produced conflicting results. According to this article, however, most previous studies involving Gingko lasted less than 3 months. The current study is felt to be rather unique because of its longer duration (6 months). The UCLA is also notable in that it tracked brain changes via PET scans.

Unfortunately, however, the study size was quite small (10 patients).
The dose utilized was 120mg of Ginkgo twice a day.

You may be interested in an earlier post which describes how Ginkgo Biloba was found to be as effective as one of the regular prescription drugs (Aricept) used to treat Alzheimer’s disease.

Share This Post:

A new study out of Boston University and UCLA and published in the journal Current Biology, confirms that learning is more efficient when multiple senses are involved.

The researchers (led by Aaron Seitz) found that stimuli involving both vision and hearing can be combined to produce speedier learning of visual information.

For example, after reading a couple pages of notes or text, turn away and try to summarize what you just read. Instead of doing it mentally, however, if you actually recall the info aloud- so that you’re also hearing it- you’ll be implementing the concept of multisensory learning.

Share This Post:

Nicotine is so powerful and addicting, it turns out a smoker’s craving will not go away until nearly every single one of his brain’s nicotine receptors are completely saturated by the drug.

Based on new research out of the UCLA School of Medicine published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, this can usually be taken care of by smoking 2.5 cigarettes.

The problem, however, is that nicotine doesn’t stay glued to the receptors for very long. As soon as the drug diffuses away, the craving starts all over again, pushing smokers to light up repeatedly throughout the day.

No wonder Tobacco companies desperately sought to grow plants super rich in nicotine (you may want to read this very interesting article “Dark Secrets of Tobacco Company Exposed“)

Besides enslaving your mind, cigarettes destroy the small blood vessels that feed your brain. Chronic smokers almost always have a Swiss-cheese type appearance to their brain on MRI; there are holes all over the place.Teenagers also need to be aware of the harmful effects of cigarettes on their brain. New studies show tobacco knocks the young brain off its growth trajectory and impairs working memory (which is a major determinant of IQ).

I think I remember Terry Robinson once saying nicotine is the most addicting substance known to man, even more powerful than cocaine.

Share This Post: