Brain regeneration

This TED talk describes how sleep deprivation destroys your brain and how to recover from it.

http://www.ted.com/talks/sandrine_thure ... anguage=en

BS, this makes sense to me.
Since I started cpap, I have used many tools to exercise my mind.
The consistant ones are playing guitar, riding my bike and yoga.
A number of years ago, on a bike forum we created a friendly competition.
How long could you hold a pike(plank) position.
We got up to 10min. I called it the Zen of the Pike.
That's a little extreme, so now I do this little work out.

I have worked up to being able to do the full and half pikes off a stabilitiy ball.
That really engages your central core and that mind/body connection.
This is a pretty simple routine. 15min of stretching and 5min of pikes.
Try this 2-3 times a week. You will see/feel results in a couple of weeks.
OSA or not, as we get older, if you don't use it, mind and body, you loose it.
I'll see you on the road.

What really surprised me was that even chewing hard made a difference! That eating soft or liquid foods only means your brain is not re-generating as it would if you were chewing something crunchy!

Regarding the brain's newly proven neurogenesis and the link to texture appreciation of food that the Japanese and other cultures really prize, I wonder if owning a pet and stroking their fur also promotes neurogenesis... I bet it does help boost it. They should test people who own snakes and reptiles and see if they get a correlation.

I read somewhere years ago that people who ride bicycles have less degeneration of brain function as they age, not only due the the exercise involved, but because when one cycles there is so much brain function going on: like steering, pedal cadence, checking potlholes, getting visual cues from drivers, overall balance etc. Interesting stuff. The study said that the same high level of benefits to the brain don't occur on stationary bikes. I'd quote the source of that info but, sorry, can't remember where I read it Maybe Carbonman will know!

I like this discussion. My therapy into its 4th week is going very well. 57 AHI down to average of 2.5! Many benefits, but the brain is dragging its feet in this race!

Sir NoddinOff wrote: I read somewhere years ago that people who ride bicycles have less degeneration of brain function as they age, not only due the the exercise involved, but because when one cycles there is so much brain function going on: like steering, pedal cadence, checking potlholes, getting visual cues from drivers, overall balance etc. Interesting stuff. The study said that the same high level of benefits to the brain don't occur on stationary bikes. I'd quote the source of that info but, sorry, can't remember where I read it Maybe Carbonman will know!

Yes I have read it too and as someone who used to cycle a lot I know you have to stay aware of your environment to stay alive LOL, you can't just vege out into lala land and not get creamed by a truck or even a tree or a pot hole!

Neurogenesis definitely exists. But only in certain parts of the brain. This why alot of people permanently change after having some disease that damages the brain. In the future however it might be possible to ameliorate brain damage by fusing lab grown tissue with existing brain structure .

tiredandscared wrote:Neurogenesis definitely exists. But only in certain parts of the brain. This why alot of people permanently change after having some disease that damages the brain. In the future however it might be possible to ameliorate brain damage by fusing lab grown tissue with existing brain structure .

What is fascinating though is the correlation between lack of regeneration and depression. And that other studies have shown that working out and eating better and sleeping will help with depression - so there is now a reason to accept that.

Sir NoddinOff wrote:I read somewhere years ago that people who ride bicycles have less degeneration of brain function as they age, not only due the the exercise involved, but because when one cycles there is so much brain function going on: like steering, pedal cadence, checking potlholes, getting visual cues from drivers, overall balance etc. Interesting stuff.

This is so true.
Just like in a computer, the look ahead buffers in memory.
You best keep your look ahead buffers refreshed.

Sir NoddinOff wrote: Maybe Carbonman will know!

I'll let you know.

carbonman wrote: You best keep your look ahead buffers refreshed.

And the side ones and your ears open for the noise from behind!

(I am more used to city cycling in rush hour traffic)