The (hopefully) Final Words On The Brain Fitness Bruhaha
I know, I know….
I promised to get into the nitty-gritty of the argument over this weekend. But you’re going to have to wait till the 4th for those fireworks. I’ve spent the weekend on the back yard, alternately relaxing in my brand new new patio set, trying out the new BBQ grill, and watching an incredibly beautiful thunderstorm. It’s left me oh-so-mellow, and I’m just weary of the whole debate. I’ve decided to write Dr. Grohol privately tomorrow, clear up a few final issues, and hopefully we can get back to your irregularly unscheduled mindtweaking.
The only point in all of this that really matters is the legitimacy of a recommendation of a balanced approach to brain fitness.
Setting aside the arguments about which studies say what, how preliminary they are and what conclusions should be drawn…
A balanced approach is the recommendation of the top researchers and acknowledged experts in the field. Institutions like Johns Hopkins, The Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation, and The Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives all lay out a multi-faceted approach to cognitive fitness, one that includes physical and mental exercise of various types, along with a variety of other lifestyle aspects like diet, stress-reduction, and so on.
( The Dana Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing public awareness about brain research. Its membership is composed of 256 leading neuroscientists, including 10 Nobel Prize winners. )
I didn’t initially appeal to these authorities or others because I was writing a friendly post, not trying to win a science debate. This isn’t a science blog, and my readers aren’t here to slog through dry comparisons of scientific studies. Even so, Deaux doesn’t just pull advice out of her antlers! She does her research. Really. You can check some of it out below:
Related Resources:
AlzheimersPreventionOrg: 4 Pillars
Dana Alliance: Your Brain At Work: Putting It All Together
Brain Blog- Minding Your Memory: How to Stay Mentally Young (Johns Hopkins)
MindTweak: “The public do not know enough to be experts, but know enough to decide between them.” - Samuel Butler
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Although not an “expert,” I am a mental health professional (possessing a Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work for those credential oriented), and I always knew how seriously you take what you write and how you base it on research, unless stating it as your opinion. So, personally, I’m glad Dr. Grohol gave you the opportunity to make that really clear here.
As to Dr. Grohol’s opinion, perhaps I’m missing the boat, but I fail to see how advocating, as do the respected and cited sources you reference, a multi prong approach to brain health, based on all inclusive researched areas found to be effective, and not just physical exercise, based on the most effective and available researched area, makes it sensational, biased, opinion based, or confusing. Nonetheless, what I really wanted to say here is that I am of the belief that differing, and in this case, informed, views can only add to overall knowledge. So, I thank you for your efforts and your “opinion” (“science inspired” as it may be).
You geaux, Ms. Deaux!
Tori,
This is absurd. It is absolutely not cricket. It is preposterous. How can you have such a brilliant blog and I don’t?
Did you know that what you have made here is nothing short of an incredibly wonderful site? No?
Well it is. And I am so envious of your talent and skills
Rightio then. Must dash. Got pansies to water
Be well
RB
Me again! Been on the red button ride again. It is addictive. I want to mention that Sherlock Holmes got it wrong. A brain cannot have an appendage.
But it can and does have a free, agile and speedy transport system below it…!
Bye
R
Dawn, Thanks for the vote of confidence, and I agree totally about the value of differing and informed views. Even when the discussion is heated, it brings a better, fuller understanding to both participants and observers.
Robert, Thank you so very much for your enthusiastic endorsements — though in all fairness, I’m starting to worry about the potential side effects of The Button You do seem a bit over-caffeinated today, but then again, perhaps it’s only the large amounts of tea you UK’ers are prone to drinking! (as it turns out, I believe I have the Holmes quote in The Button wrong. It should be appendix, rather than appendage. Ah well. I’ve also been informed that Caffeine is misspelled. Perhaps people will assume it was on purpose!)
And sorry about the crickets in your pansies. Sounds like a veritable plague!