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veggie

Registered: 07/25/04
Posts: 17,538
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This is your brain on food
#13352011 - 10/18/10 11:35 AM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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This is your brain on food October 17, 2010 - New York Post
Think a glass of wine chills you out? Try a mound of potatoes instead.
Just like alcohol or drugs, food and spices can excite, calm or rattle the brain, with neuroscientists making new discoveries into how amino acids and other natural compounds steer our mood swings.
"The distinction of what is a drug and what is food is blurring completely. Natural things are also drugs," said Gary Wenk, a professor at the Ohio State University and Medical Center and the author of the new book "Your Brain on Food."
Nutrients within foods stimulate different regions of the brain, opening a flood of chemicals like dopamine and serotonin that promote well-being. Compounds also enhance brain activity and protect the brain from aging.
On the flip side, a lack of certain amino acids can cause depression and, in severe cases, madness. Scholars now blame the Aztecs' penchant for sacrifice and cannibalism on a maize-based diet that lacked tryptophan, which is vital for creating feel-good serotonin. Even today, countries that consume less tryptophan have higher suicide rates, according to a 2007 study.
"Certain diets influence certain behaviors," Wenk said. "If you want to understand how your brain works, we have to look at everything you consume."
Wenk, a specialist in Alzheimer's disease, started delving into the medicinal impact of food while studying how natural plants could impact memory. People from the Indian subcontinent, he found, are much less likely to develop Alzheimer's. The reason? They scarf down a lot of curry, which contains an antioxidant that keeps brain cells from aging.
The glow created by chocolate and coffee isn't just caused by caffeine, but also by a rush of dopamine that triggers the brain's pleasure receptors. Chocolate also releases a form of opiate that causes that la-la feeling, along with a small amount of a substance akin to marijuana. With all that pleasure packed into a Hershey bar, it's a miracle the feds don't regulate the stuff, Wenk joked.
Meat and potatoes also affect moods, but more subtly, Wenk writes. Potatoes calm people down by releasing glucose into the blood, as does milk, especially in babies.
Sadly, the brain is a cruel master and tends to reward what is bad for the rest of the body. The brain craves sugar to communicate with other neurons and is particularly ravenous for it in the morning. Choline, which aids movement and learning, is found in baked goods.
"It's never simple," said Wenk, who advises moderation in coffee and chocolate consumption. "Things that are often good for the brain aren't good for the body. You can't just live on Twinkies and doughnuts and beer."
Active ingredients
What different foods do to your brain:
Nuts, eggs, milk: These all produce the amino acid tryptophan, which produces the happy-inducing substance serotonin. Without enough tryptophan, you tend to feel depressed and angry
Potatoes, bagels and rice: Have a calming effect by releasing glucose into the blood
Fava beans: In high doses, they enhance mood by helping to produce dopamine, the brain’s reward chemical
Nutmeg, saffron, fennel, dill, cinnamon, and anise: They contain properties that are chemically similar to mescaline. In big quantities, the spices can cause feelings of euphoria
Coffee: Releases dopamine that triggers rewarding and pleasurable feelings
Sugar: Vital to feed your brain, and helps you pay attention and learn new things. Its absence causes sensations of craving and desire
Chocolate: Contains compounds that contribute to a good mood, while also soothing and mellowing
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That Cenex Guy
The Dark Defender



Registered: 10/22/09
Posts: 360
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Re: This is your brain on food [Re: veggie]
#13352183 - 10/18/10 12:10 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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Well I basically live off of milk as the only thing I drink, and I'm always a calm, happy person, so I can definitely see this being true!
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SS32
Stranger
Registered: 07/27/09
Posts: 897
Loc: elsewhere
Last seen: 3 years, 6 months
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Quote:
That Cenex Guy said: Well I basically live off of milk as the only thing I drink, and I'm always a calm, happy person, so I can definitely see this being true!
Big +1 to that.
-------------------- Did he dream about dragons? Did he dream about deer? Did he whisper he names of friends who were near? What songs did they play, and how far away? Why did he whisper, why did she scream? What does the sound of a screen door mean? Who talks on the hill? Who goes to the cellar, can you feel the chill? Where does the river, when will the wind? How far are the mountains? Where do they end? Why would the church? Did the service begin? Tell me who died, and tell me who cried. Help me hide in the skin of a deer, my zippered-up bag in the mouth of a stag so swiftly I go through rows of does, it flows, it flows, it flows, it flows all over the hill where the green grass grows.
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Le_Canard
The Duk Abides


Registered: 05/16/03
Posts: 94,392
Loc: Earthfarm 1
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I'm a big milk drinker too, and I'm fairly calm and reasonably happy, but I used to not be at times.
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Trichodermatologst
Trusted Contaminator


Registered: 10/06/10
Posts: 37
Loc: in your jars
Last seen: 11 years, 2 months
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Re: This is your brain on food [Re: Le_Canard]
#13353191 - 10/18/10 03:41 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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nothing like cinnamon and honey on toast in the morning....
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wickedscepter
Freedom Fighter



Registered: 02/19/07
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Re: This is your brain on food [Re: Le_Canard]
#13353210 - 10/18/10 03:45 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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Twinkies, doughnuts, and beer are the worst things possible for your brain. The brain requires glucose to function, especially in the morning and the best source of that is fruit. Processed sugar is as bad as no sugar. Alcohol is a neurotoxin which means it kills brain cells. Consuming these things will make your body feel like absolute shit! lol
Realizing that everything you put in your body is a drug including food and water is an important lesson, especially for those of us here who understand drugs and desire the best drugs possible. Well I can tell you from both experience and research that fruits and vegetables are the "headiest" foods you can eat. They provide all the nutrients and amino acids required for optimal health. A vegetarian diet which includes lots of grains is optimal for your health.
As a vegetarian and aspiring (lol) vegan, some ask where do I get my calcium or protein. Human protein are created out of amino acids. If you get plenty of amino acids from fruits and vegetables, not only will you be healthy, but you can just as easily gain weight if you are an athlete. You also do not need as much protein as they say because the people who are telling you to eat 30% more protein, sell protein in the from of owning animal factories. If you think you need more protein then you are going to buy more meat and they then make 30% more profit. As for calcium, certain common vegetables can fulfill all needs easily.
For anyone who cares, I've been a pretty strict vegetarian for the last several years. I maintain a healthy weight without concern and am an excellent athlete. I feel incredible every day and have never required medical attention. There are few highs like the one your body can naturally provide you and I should know! lol
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2859558484
Growery is Better



Registered: 01/10/06
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cool story bro
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SS32
Stranger
Registered: 07/27/09
Posts: 897
Loc: elsewhere
Last seen: 3 years, 6 months
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Re: This is your brain on food [Re: 2859558484]
#13354592 - 10/18/10 08:59 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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Yeah, I'll still enjoy the shit out of a medium rare filet knowing that I could be eating vegetables instead. I have, however, cut all fast food and corn syrup out of my diet and can honestly say that that made a huge difference in the way I feel.
-------------------- Did he dream about dragons? Did he dream about deer? Did he whisper he names of friends who were near? What songs did they play, and how far away? Why did he whisper, why did she scream? What does the sound of a screen door mean? Who talks on the hill? Who goes to the cellar, can you feel the chill? Where does the river, when will the wind? How far are the mountains? Where do they end? Why would the church? Did the service begin? Tell me who died, and tell me who cried. Help me hide in the skin of a deer, my zippered-up bag in the mouth of a stag so swiftly I go through rows of does, it flows, it flows, it flows, it flows all over the hill where the green grass grows.
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