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Black Belt Brain

Musings on movement and the mind.

Aging
Keeping Things the Same Requires Making Changes

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on April 12, 2024

Your aging brain knows how to match the function of the other bits of your body. We just have to alter how we do things to match the conditions across the lifespan.

Your aging brain knows how to match the function of the other bits of your body. We just have to alter how we do things to match the conditions across the lifespan.

Memory
Finding Your Way Back by Remembering How You Got There

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on March 8, 2024

Finding forgotten items by going back into the same rooms and retracing all your steps using brain networks may help with memory retrieval in Alzheimer's.

Finding forgotten items by going back into the same rooms and retracing all your steps using brain networks may help with memory retrieval in Alzheimer's.

Stress
Your Brain Is Nicer to Others When You're Under Less Stress

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on December 16, 2023

Stress forces our brains into self-preservation mode. Mindfulness practices can help bring your brain to a less stressed and possibly more prosocial state.

Stress forces our brains into self-preservation mode. Mindfulness practices can help bring your brain to a less stressed and possibly more prosocial state.

Stress
Better Blood Pressure Is at the Tip of Your Nose

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on November 26, 2023

Breathing is a critical function of body and brain. Breathing down from your nose to your toes improves parasympathetic tone and reduces cardiovascular stress.

Breathing is a critical function of body and brain. Breathing down from your nose to your toes improves parasympathetic tone and reduces cardiovascular stress.

Cognition
Be Quick but Never in a Hurry

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on August 10, 2023

To be as effective as possible with the best possible actions, we want to be deliberate and in the moment, not a misplaced reaction waiting to happen.

To be as effective as possible with the best possible actions, we want to be deliberate and in the moment, not a misplaced reaction waiting to happen.

Anxiety
Moving Your Body Stimulates Energy in the Brain

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on June 10, 2023

Moving generates hormonal and neural signals that connect cellular systems across the body and brain and affects the mind through the activity of mitochondria.

Moving generates hormonal and neural signals that connect cellular systems across the body and brain and affects the mind through the activity of mitochondria.

Environment
Outdoor Exercise May Be More Effective Than Indoor

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on May 12, 2023

 It turns out my mom was right all along. Growing up, she would always tell me to get outside and do stuff. Now, cognitive research supports her in ways I never considered.

 It turns out my mom was right all along. Growing up, she would always tell me to get outside and do stuff. Now, cognitive research supports her in ways I never considered.

Education
Practice Improves the Potential for Future Plasticity

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on April 30, 2023

The first stage of learning new motor skills, from a Mozart piano piece to martial arts, is learning how to learn. Then you learn the things you need to know.

The first stage of learning new motor skills, from a Mozart piano piece to martial arts, is learning how to learn. Then you learn the things you need to know.

Meditation
How Can Training in Violence Make You Peaceful?

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on February 25, 2023

Meditation found in Zen practice and commonly associated with many martial arts traditions require the clarifying effect of living in the present moment.

Meditation found in Zen practice and commonly associated with many martial arts traditions require the clarifying effect of living in the present moment.

Intelligence
Variety Is the Spice of Brain Health

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on February 3, 2023

Across the lifespan, but especially in older adults, participating in a wide variety of physical activities is critical for the maintenance of fluid intelligence and healthy aging.

Across the lifespan, but especially in older adults, participating in a wide variety of physical activities is critical for the maintenance of fluid intelligence and healthy aging.