Author: Chris Pierce
Book Review: This is Your Mind on Plants
Michael Pollan does a fantastic job explaining the history of opium, caffeine, and mescaline (peyote) and explaining how the perception of these three plant-born substances has changed as government policies and the world’s perception of these three chemicals offered by the plants have morphed. He describes the positive and negative aspects of these mind-altering chemicals. Read more
How to Avoid Daylight Savings Time Sleepiness
We all complain about Daylight Savings Time (DST). I recall going to bed as a child frustrated that the sun was still up as I just lay there unable to fall asleep, only to become very tired the following day. When we understand what is happening in the brain and body during this time change, Read more
The Power of the Day Time Nap & Daniel Pink’s Nappaccino
Napping for 10-25 minutes during the lowest lagged portion of your day can give you about a three-hour reboot; adding some caffeine before the nap can give you a six-hour reboot.
Book Review: LIMITLESS Upgrade Your Brain, Learn Anything Faster, and Unlock Your Exceptional Life
“I’m a firm believer that we all have incredible superpowers that are waiting to be awakened.” Jim Kwik. This is a very true statement, and you can learn to uncover your superpowers in Jim Kwik’s book Limitless. He refers to them as superpowers because once you cultivate new talents and capabilities that everyone has within Read more
Sleep Deprivation a National Crisis: Take These Two Self-Screening Sleep Tests
If every citizen in the United States placed a higher priority on sleep, there would be a significant drop in mortalities and the development of diseases and illnesses. A substantial contributor to the high level of sleep-related issues is the lack of awareness of the importance of sleep. It’s imperative that we identify those with Read more
Meet Your Brain Janitor: The Glymphatic System
Every night while you sleep, your brain janitor is hard at work cleaning up the damaging brain waste accumulated throughout the day as your brain performs its functions. The human body is a fantastic machine that self-regulates and repairs, and rejuvenates the entire body during sleep. One of these rejuvenating systems is the brain’s janitorial Read more
Improving Mental and Physical Wellness Through Reflective Journaling
Reflective journaling is an effective adult learning method for making sense of and expanding knowledge. A patient’s application of reflective journaling after a medical appointment can greatly influence learning self-health approaches, enforce long-term memory, influence a change in the brain, and accelerate recovery. Applying this technique when suffering from PTSD, TBI, anxiety, or depression influences Read more
The Effects of Maternal Stress on Fetal Development
Military spouses face heightened stress levels when their partners are deployed to combat zones. Pregnant individuals experiencing this stress may have elevated maternal cortisol levels. Unfortunately, this can affect the child’s developing brain. It increases the likelihood of mental and physical challenges later in life. Embracing my wife and two young daughters, I feel a Read more
Book Review: Freedom by Sebastian Junger
This book’s genre differs from other books I have reviewed this past year, as my focus has been on a functional medicine approach to mind and wellness. There are a few points I pulled from this book that can contribute toward improved health and wellness. Reading Sebastian Junger’s book Freedom influences one to reflect on Read more
Blue Artificial Light Prevents You From Falling Asleep
That blue light that your teenager has in their room at night may provide them a relaxing environment; however, the energy emitted from this artificial light impacts an internal process in the brain that helps them fall asleep and stay asleep. The circadian rhythm regulates your sleep pattern. It’s a biological clock and a timekeeper Read more