Author Archives: mkjones4

Nov
20
2012

Power Naps and Right Brain Activity

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The nervous system is no doubt one of the most important systems in the body. While the body, of course, needs all its systems to function, the nervous system plays a crucial role in sustaining life, and controlling every other system of the body. It is made up of the central nervous system, consisting of the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system, consisting of various nerves that reach to regions of the body. While this system is in control of the entire body, there are plenty of efforts individuals should make regarding their health to facilitate the brain in functioning as well as possible.

While diet, reading, brain exercises, and a good night’s rest all contribute to brain health and function (Wenk, 2012), recent research shows that a cat nap can contribute to right brain activity. The right side of the brain is associated with “big picture” thinking and creativity, while the left side of the brain controls more analytical thought processes, as well as number and language processing (Gardner, 2012). Researchers recently found that after a quick “power nap” or “cat nap” the right hemisphere of the brain in the study subjects chattered busily, while the left hemisphere was mostly still. Researchers conducted the study by monitoring the brain activity of 15 at-rest individuals. The study observations lead neuroscientists to believe that short, restful periods of sleep increase cognitive ability.

While the brain and its functions are largely still a mystery, studies such as these help contribute to our overall understanding of how the brain works. Specifically, this study helps contribute to better understanding of left and right brain functions; how they work individually, as well as how they communicate with each other. Furthermore, this study contributes to a better understanding of how sleep affects brain function. As the effects of sleep are discovered, they can be used intentionally to contribute to overall brain health and function. In the future, perhaps this study could be replicated to include a larger sample size. While finding a statistically significant relationship between sleep and brain function in 15 participants is note-worthy, a more large-scale study would help increase validity of the findings.

Gardner, Amanda. “’Power Naps’ May Boost Right Brain Activity” CNN 17 October, 2012. Retrieved from: http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/17/health/health-naps-brain/index.html

Wenk, Gary. “Your Brain On Food.” Psychology Today, 14 May 2012. Retrieved from: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/your-brai

Oct
09
2012

Sleep’s Effect on Bone Health

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The skeletal system is extremely complex, consisting of various types of bones and joints. It’s health is susceptible to strenuous activity, changes in diet, and changes in hormone balances. In order for the skeletal system to maintain proper homeostasis, various factors have to be properly balanced, and the bones have to be able to respond to changes when the need arises. However, there is a limit to the bones’ ability to respond to such condition changes, and when they are unable to maintain homeostasis damage occurs. This may not be acute damage, but can also occur in the form of damage over time.

One factor that can damage bone quality slowly over time is sleep deprivation. While other factors are more widely cited as contributing to bone damage, recent research is showing a strong correlation between sleep deprivation and bone damage. According to a study published in the journal “Experimental Biology and Medicine,” sleep-deprived rats had lower levels of mineral density in their bones, and less fat in the yellow marrow of their bones than well-rested rats. The study did not conclude whether the findings were applicable to humans, although further research will surely delve into the topic.

If the findings are concluded to be consistent in humans, this could provide great insight into the various contributing factors that plague people with bone-density problems. This research could nicely compliment research that focuses on other effects on bone health, such as hormonal and dietary. It also contributes to providing a more holistic approach to health and wellness, and to treatments of various bone disorders.

Huffington Post, (2012). “Sleep Deprivation Could Be Bad For Bones.” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/26/sleep-deprivation-bones-marrow_n_1898610.html

Spencer, B.L., Binkley, T., Vukovich, M., Beare, T., (2007). Volumetric Bone Mineral Density and Bone Size in Sleep-Deprived Individuals. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16909195

Sep
12
2012

Runner’s High: It Has Everything To Do With A&P

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The nervous system is responsible for many actions in the body, one of which is releasing endorphins. When the body is under strain, neurological transmitters resembling morphine are emitted by the nervous system and act as the body’s natural way to manage pain. Running, although a very physical activity that exercises many other systems in the body, is also very closely tied to the mind and the nervous system. Specifically, exercise is said to boost mood. What are the connections between the physical aspect of running and the minds response to the activity? The nervous system responds to running by producing endorphins, which is commonly known as “runners high.”

Those of you who regularly run may be familiar with the feeling. I read an article in the New York Times that reviewed the science behind the runner’s high, and was able to show that there is an endorphin release that occurs after endurance training. Running is often thought to exercise four main systems in the body: respiratory, cardiovascular, muscular, and skeletal. However, the science behind the runner’s high is now showing that the nervous system is affected by running as well. After a long run, scientists were able to prove that the body releases endorphins which travel to the brain, resulting in a natural high. Doctors used PET scans on the brain before and after a two-hour run to confirm this endorphin release.

So, why does this matter? I believe learning about the various health benefits that occur with running may encourage more people to engage in the sport. Running is often thought of as a stress reliever, and this story better articulates the science behind that. Running is not just for certain people, it is for anyone with a cardiovascular, skeletal, muscular, respiratory and nervous system. The health benefits that running brings to these various systems in the body is unmatched in other exercise activities. There is no doubt that running, and runners high, has everything to do with anatomy and physiology.

Kolata, Gina. “Yes, Running Can Make You High.” New York Times 27 March 2008.

Willett, Sara. “Runner’s High.” http://www.lehigh.edu/~dmd1/sarah.html