Bio Hack | Cerebral Blood Flow for Mental Energy
The brain doesn’t work in the same way regular muscles do. Researchers have found that the brain doesn’t use much more oxygen in the regions where neurons are activated than in other regions, but it does use a lot more glucose and blood flow. In effect, this means that more oxygen does not help with enhanced brain performance as much as increasing blood flow and glucose do. Increased blood flow to the brain is the result of the cerebral arteries becoming wider, and that’s called vasodilation.
Vasodilation
Vasodilation is the widening of arteries, including those in the brain, as mentioned above. This can result in a drop in blood pressure. Although this may seem like a bad idea, studies indicate that, in the brain at least, vasodilation increases cerebral blood flow and has a positive effect on cognition. The brain has an insatiable need for nutrition but can store little energy. As with any other portable machine, the brain is on an energy budget. All successful inventions that have endured the test of time, like clocks, laptops, motorbikes, and jumbo jets, have an internal system to store and efficiently use its energy. The brain gets its energy supply from constant cerebral blood flow.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids.
One of the best ways to ensure a specific type of vasodilation, related to having healthy blood vessels, is called flow-mediated vasodilation. This is the extent to which the blood vessels can expand under the pressures of the blood flow itself. It can be seen as a measure of the health of blood vessels. Think of it as the supple elasticity of the blood vessel. An excellent way to increase this is by eating omega-3 fatty acids. A number of studies which measured the effects of omega-3s on cerebral blood flow indicated an increase in a wide spectrum of subjects, from smokers to elite athletes.
We say that for the average person, increasing cerebral blood flow is an energy hack. Cerebral blood flow has other compensatory functions in the brain, which auto-regulates it and compensates for decreases in oxygen and nutrition by increasing the volume of blood flowing through. Researchers studied a large group of older adults at high risk for developing Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Adults with risk of developing AD have a high amount of amyloid beta in their brain. This results in a huge increase in blood flow. Interestingly enough, when their cognitive performance was compared to a control group, no significant difference was found. This means that the brain is actually increasing blood flow to compensate for the neuronal death in areas associated with AD. Based on this large study, adequate cerebral blood flow is clearly vital for brain functioning and, of course cognitive performance.
Vitality Hacks for Cerebral Blood Flow
So, other than a healthy supply of Omega 3 oils and exercise, how else can you ensure proper cerebral blood flow?
In the Diet Hacks section of the book, we will show you which foods are proven by scientific research to support stronger cerebral blood flow. As a teaser for now, research has found a positive correlation between vitamin D and brain blood flow. Great vitamin D sources are, of course, sunlight and also spinach and kale. Another way to assure healthy brain blood flow is with brain exercise. Research has found the most successful techniques include meditation, dedicating 30-minutes a day to plan to-do’s and goals, ways to improve yourself, contemplating things you are grateful for, mindfulness, or even prayer, can all significantly enhance brain blood flow.
Cerebral blood flow is an excellent energy hack for a healthy brain, fighting fatigue and increasing vitality. Many of the hacks that support healthy cerebral blood flow also support other vitality inducing functions. In the book “New Energized you” you will discover why and how they work, giving you the tools to live a life full of vitality. Happy hacking!
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