Tired brain

[Guest guest]

,

You wrote:

>

> Does your brain ever get tired???

>

Often. I just read email when I am functional.

Brain fatigue is probably more related to sugar levels, if you are not

hypoT or otherwise ill. We are all also affected by circadian rhythms,

for which cerebral functions are closely connected to body temperature,

blood flow, and blood oxygen levels. If any of these are low, you won't

be functioning up to par. So, to get ready for a test, get a good

night's sleep (don't stay up late cramming), eat a balanced meal (a

final is no time to diet), do some light exercise, and stand on your

head for a minute or so.

The best time of day to take a test is mid-morning, when all the

circadian functions are at maximum. The best time to learn NEW material

is mid afternoon after the sleepy period following lunch, called the

" post prandial dip. " This is most likely because you are about to stop

learning and experiencing for the day to finally shut down and sleep. In

fact, we only seem to learn effectively for about an hour at a time. The

most beneficial activity for memory between hour-long learning periods

is sleep, but just doing something routine, such as eating or

exercising, will also help memories register, to transform from short

term memory to long term.

Since this is a biochemical process, starvation can hinder it. Caffeine

(and other CNS stimulants) can help, but only in moderate doses, and

only right before the test. Too much has the same effect on the adrenals

as terror, and too early will cause your sugar levels to crash DURING

the test. Too much will only enhance memories of how difficult the test

seemed. It will not help with recall of material that you need to pass.

Most of the other chemicals that have been found to enhance learning or

recall do so by raising blood pressure and flow or by raising blood

sugar. Beyond a certain threshold, this is not going to be a benefit. I

have had bright students blow tests, because they showed up with so much

caffeine and ginkgo, they might as well have been on amphetamines.

Chuck

[Guest guest]

Chuck-

Thanks for your response! It gives me hope knowing that your brain gets tired

too sometimes, and the study tips were a bonus :-)

Take care,

Tired brain

,

You wrote:

>

> Does your brain ever get tired???

>

Often. I just read email when I am functional.

Brain fatigue is probably more related to sugar levels, if you are not

hypoT or otherwise ill. We are all also affected by circadian rhythms,

for which cerebral functions are closely connected to body temperature,

blood flow, and blood oxygen levels. If any of these are low, you won't

be functioning up to par. So, to get ready for a test, get a good

night's sleep (don't stay up late cramming), eat a balanced meal (a

final is no time to diet), do some light exercise, and stand on your

head for a minute or so.

The best time of day to take a test is mid-morning, when all the

circadian functions are at maximum. The best time to learn NEW material

is mid afternoon after the sleepy period following lunch, called the

" post prandial dip. " This is most likely because you are about to stop

learning and experiencing for the day to finally shut down and sleep. In

fact, we only seem to learn effectively for about an hour at a time. The

most beneficial activity for memory between hour-long learning periods

is sleep, but just doing something routine, such as eating or

exercising, will also help memories register, to transform from short

term memory to long term.

Since this is a biochemical process, starvation can hinder it. Caffeine

(and other CNS stimulants) can help, but only in moderate doses, and

only right before the test. Too much has the same effect on the adrenals

as terror, and too early will cause your sugar levels to crash DURING

the test. Too much will only enhance memories of how difficult the test

seemed. It will not help with recall of material that you need to pass.

Most of the other chemicals that have been found to enhance learning or

recall do so by raising blood pressure and flow or by raising blood

sugar. Beyond a certain threshold, this is not going to be a benefit. I

have had bright students blow tests, because they showed up with so much

caffeine and ginkgo, they might as well have been on amphetamines.

Chuck

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