Boost your brain power for happiness, health and longevity. This is how you can do it!

You may be an atheist and may rightfully share a completely differing viewpoint from that of a fatalist on the origin of human life, but what is in agreement is that human body is the most evolved and a marvellous creation of nature. Its crowning jewel, the brain, is the sole regulator of this arcane automatic system often described as a super computer lodged in a safe bony vault with a mind-boggling dynamic database. What we must be aware of is that while some virtues are hardwired, others are learnt through evolution and developed cognitively.

Neuroscience has come a long way from a rigid brain of early 20th century to a neuroplastic state capable of remodelling itself. This has paved way for better understanding of the chaos and the dynamics of the brain, and mind with the current capacity of remodelling self for quality health and longevity. The human mind has been an enigma both for the scientists and the philosophers alike. While Descartes believed in dualistic theory of brain and mind, neuroscientists believe mind is within the brain.

Obsessed with science, we probably miss a larger picture of doctor’s recipe for sick – the Rx – meaning we treat “He” cures. With the advancing knowledge, it is important to look deep into the brain as an abstract to understand the human body, disease and healing. Strassman’s important research of DMT, the spirit molecule contributes to a growing awareness that we inhabit a multidimensional universe that is far more complex and interesting than the one of our physical science research has shown us. This could provide the vital link between linear and non-linear sciences. 

During my 35 years of experience in clinical neurology, I witnessed many curious phenomena, which defied scientific rationale and happenings that were beyond human comprehension.

Einstein’s quote – Science without religion is lame and religion without science is dumb – became my guiding light that pushed me to explore the science and philosophy in tandem for understanding human brain and its relationship with mind and body and the impact it could produce on health, longevity and healing.
Science without religion is lame and religion without science is dumb - Albert Einstein

I found myself analyzing people whom I have known closely and whose lives have been models of health, longevity and happiness. The reasons that led them to a fulfilling and meaningful existence even in the face of adversities could be attributed partly to their:

• predestined genetic profile
• their chaotic environs
• inexplicable mystic factors

However, an in-depth analysis revealed that these people shared some common patterns in their lifestyles – namely keeping a healthy positive and solution-seeking attitude, the ability to manage time and to forgive and forget – which allowed them to tap into the resources of their brain and make the most of it, just as was reported almost two centuries ago by Adams in 1891 while working on the dictates of Hippocrates' The Natural Healing Power of Mind.

Brain is the key to facilitating fine-tuned state of balance between the endocrine and the immune system through chemical transmitters. Acting in tandem under the influence of brain, these are responsible for handling different challenges to maintain homeostasis.

It is a well-established fact that the psychological states also determine the physical health of a person. Happiness and health are complementary to each other. An unhappy mind forms the basis of numerous psychosomatic diseases. This is dependent on the brain endo-immune system homeostasis, which is constituted by bidirectional inflammatory responses modulated between neuroendocrine and immune systems. The hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal immune system interrelationships underlie these responses.

In face of stress, the brain initially generates the "Physiological Stress Response" ("Fight or Flight" response). It is also called the General Adaptation Syndrome

During its first phase, the alarm reaction, all the necessary resources of the body to cope with the stressful situation are mobilized; its second phase involves maintaining the high level of utilisation of mental energies and, finally, the third phase sets in, in which exhaustion and depletion of reserves starts occurring. When this state is prolonged, it leads to the "Pathological Stress Response," which is responsible for lifestyle diseases.

Participating in relaxing activities, feelings of pleasure, good food, meditation and exploring one’s own spirituality bring about physiological changes that help one unlock the true potential of brain. Over time, individuals who regularly practice the relaxation response have greater resilience to stress and trauma than others, and hence, are blessed with health happiness and longevity.