What is “Lupus Fog”?

Many people with lupus suffer from “brain fog,” mood disorders, and fatigue. The term “lupus fog” was coined to describe all these symptoms [R].

Research suggests that about 10% to 80% of people diagnosed with lupus experience cognitive problems at some point. The range is so large partly because different criteria are being used to define cognitive decline and low mood [R, R, R, R, R].

Lupus

Systemic lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that often affects women more than men [R].

In lupus, white blood cells incorrectly identify the body’s own tissues as a threat. These cells become hyperactive and produce antibodies against healthy tissues. The tissues under attack — including the brain, skin, muscles, bones, and lungs — become inflamed and less functional [R].

Symptoms of lupus vary from person to person and include fatigue, fever, and weight loss [R, R, R, R, R, R].

Research suggests that when lupus affects the central nervous system — the spinal cord and brain — people may begin to experience “lupus brain fog” and/or headaches, depression, anxiety, seizures, and strokes [R].

“Brain Fog”

“Brain fog” is a broader term used to describe a constellation of cognitive symptoms, the most common ones being [R, R]:

• Reduced mental clarity (“mental fogginess”)
• Slower thinking
• Inability to focus
• Reduced ability to multitask
• Long- and short-term memory loss

People subjectively describe feeling forgetful, confused, and scattered — enveloped in what is felt as a “thick mental haze.” They feel their brain is slower and less agile than it should be. Thoughts become sluggish, blurred, and draining [R].

According to one theory that has yet to be verified, “brain fog” might be caused by inflammation in the brain (as in lupus). Scientists hypothesize it might be triggered by [R, R, R

The post “Lupus Brain Fog” Symptoms & Complementary Approaches appeared first on SelfHacked.

What Are the Basal Ganglia?

The basal ganglia are a group of specialized brain cells located deep in the middle of the brain. Their most important roles are to orchestrate movement, regulate feelings of reward, and govern other instinctual needs. These are very old functions and concerns on the evolutionary time scale: the basic structure of the basal ganglia has been the same for almost all of vertebrate evolution [R, R].

The largest structure in the basal ganglia, the striatum (composed of the caudate, putamen, and nucleus accumbens in the image above), receives signals from parts of the brain using dopamine. It then sends out new signals using GABA [R].

Your Reptilian Brain

One interesting theory from the 60s gave rise to the popular concept of the reptilian brain. While most scientists were focusing on the conscious, thinking brain, the neuroscientist Paul MacLean set out to understand the structures that underlie our more primitive, unconscious actions. “Instinct has been kind of a dirty word for some time,” he announced back then [R].

MacLean coined the term “Triune Brain”. He was also the first to come up with the term limbic system, which we frequently use today. According to the triune model, your brain is divided into 3 layers or parts [R]:

• The reptilian brain or your basal ganglia, the most primitive part of the brain that governs balance and where your basic instincts reside.
• The limbic system or the old mammalian brain, which governs your emotions, social behavior, and some aspects of memory.
• The neocortex, or the human brain, which directs complex processes like language, abstract thinking, advanced cognition, and planning.

It was first thought that this structure originated from ancient lizards, hence the popular reptilian brain idea. However, even the lamprey, a primitive fish used to model some of the earliest vertebrates, uses the same basal ganglia pathways as we do to move, breathe, and swallow. So, the emergence of this part of the brain seems to predate reptiles [R, R].

As modern research has uncovered much more about the brain in the meantime, this theory has become outdated. It’s not precise, and there are several important exceptions to it. But it helped scientists initially

The post Basal Ganglia: Definition, Function, Location & Anatomy appeared first on SelfHacked.

Estradiol levels also decline naturally with age – especially during menopause in women – and some research suggests that this age-related decline may impact certain types of cognitive function. Read on to learn more about this hormone, its roles in the body and brain, and what the current science says about its potential role in age-related cognitive decline!

What is Estradiol?

Estradiol (E2) is the most active estrogen in the body. It is produced mainly in the ovaries; however, the brain, fat cells, immune system cells, and bones can also produce estradiol. It is produced from the sex hormones testosterone, androstenedione, and progesterone [R].

Estradiol helps protect the brain. It also plays a role in the creation of connections between nerve cells in the brain (synaptogenesis) and may inhibit or promote this process depending on where in the brain it is taking place. It also influences the development of nerve cells in the brain by controlling gene expression and calcium release [R, R].

According to some research, estradiol may also influence certain cognitive functions, including memory, reasoning, and attention. Due to these early findings, some researchers have suggested that estradiol may be one of the main factors responsible for some of the cognitive and psychological differences between the sexes, such as differences in the stress response, anxiety, and even some cognitive functions [R, R].

Another important function of estradiol is influencing the levels and overall activity of the major neurotransmitter dopamine. Some researchers believe that by stimulating the release of dopamine, estradiol may enhance motivation – especially in the context of sexual behavior [R].

Estradiol levels generally decrease as a person ages. For women especially, estradiol levels decrease sharply during menopause. Some researchers believe that this decrease may contribute to some of the common declines in memory and learning that often occur during aging [R].

Additionally, some research suggests that having relatively lower estradiol levels may be associated with greater vulnerability to stress, as well as an impaired stress response in general [R].

Estradiol Levels May Affect Cognition

There are many notable differences in brain function and psychology between males and females. While men tend to

The post How Estradiol Affects Brain Development and Cognition appeared first on SelfHacked.

Short-Term Memory

Short-term memory refers to holding amounts of information in an active, readily-available state for a short period of time.

For example, when you’re reading, in order to understand a sentence you need to keep the first part of the sentence in mind as you continue through to the end of it. This would be one particularly “short” example of “short-term” memory, since it unfolds over the span of just a few seconds.

Another example could be trying to hold a person’s phone number in your memory while you go to write it down. For many people, this might involve repeating the numbers in your head (“rehearsing” the information) – and if you got distracted by something else, the information might vanish from your mind entirely, since the information is not stored in your long-term memory, and has to be actively maintained.

In fact, phone numbers are great example of short-term memory, as many psychologists believe that the number of discrete “bits” of information the average person can keep in their active short-term memory is 7 – just like the number of digits in a phone number [R].

Working Memory

The term “working memory” is often used interchangeably with “short-term memory.” However, it technically refers to a slightly different set of processes, which generally include some kind of “manipulation” of (i.e. “working with”) the information that’s being stored in short-term memory.

One example of this could be trying to listen to a phone number – but then also subtracting ‘1’ from each digit, and then repeating the entire new 7-digit sequence back to someone.

In this case, “working memory” would include short-term memory, but would also include a variety of other cognitive systems that your brain is using to manipulate and update that information. In other words, you still have to remember the numbers themselves – but you also have to use other cognitive processes to use that information to produce the desired response.

However, this is often a subtle distinction, and there are many other contexts where people use these two terms to refer to roughly the same thing. For example, this difference might be important to keep in mind if you’re reading a technical scientific paper about psychology or neuroscience – but in most every-day, non-technical, contexts, these two terms usually mean roughly the same thing, and refer mostly

The post Different Types of Memory & How Memory Works in the Brain appeared first on SelfHacked.

What is DMAE?

DMAE (Deanol, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, or dimethylethanolamine) is a substance that occurs naturally in the brain. Sardines, anchovies, and other seafood contain minor amounts of DMAE, but it’s not considered a nutrient [R].

DMAE is a building block for choline and acetylcholine, two components essential for a healthy brain and nervous system. Doctors used to prescribe it under the trade name Deaner for childhood behavioral problems [R].

This drug is no longer available due to questionable safety and efficacy. Despite the Deaner ban, DMAE is still a popular nootropic; it’s an active ingredient in the cognition-enhancing drug centrophenoxine (Lucidril) [R].

You will also find DMAE in anti-aging and moisturizing skin care products: creams, serums, and lotions.

Snapshot

Proponents:

• May enhance mood and cognition
• May help with attention disorders
• Improves skin appearance and hydration

Skeptics:

• May worsen Alzheimer’s disease and mental disorders
• May cause confusion and muscle cramps
• Not safe for pregnant women
• High amounts may damage skin cells

DMAE Benefits

How It Works

DMAE may provide antioxidant protection and build choline, which is essential for [R, R]:

• Healthy nerves and brain cells
• Heart health
• Fat metabolism

As a choline precursor, DMAE might increase acetylcholine (ACh), a neurotransmitter that plays critical roles in cognition and memory.

However, the impact of DMAE on choline and ACh is complex and not yet fully understood. DMAE raises the blood levels of choline, but it also competes for the same brain transporter. As a result, it may not boost acetylcholine in the brain [R].

Two studies on rats found no difference in ACh brain levels upon DMAE administration [R, R].

On the other hand, drugs containing DMAE may stimulate ACh production and cognition. They likely require other compounds that enhance the uptake and effects of DMAE in the brain [R, R].

Possibly Effective:

The post DMAE Skin & Brain Health Benefits + Dosage & Side Effects appeared first on SelfHacked.

What is Motivation?

Definition

“Motivation” refers to an internal drive to engage in a specific behavior, typically in pursuit of a reward (or “reinforcer”) such as food, money, or social stimulation.

Dopamine and Motivation

Many different factors are involved in regulating motivation throughout the brain. However, one of the single most important factors is the levels and overall activity of dopamine, a major neurotransmitter that has been consistently linked to motivational processes over many decades of neuroscientific research [R].

It is currently widely believed that the release of dopamine in certain key areas of the brain (such as the basal ganglia) is what causes the positive feeling of reward when tasks are completed, or when personal goals are achieved. In this sense, dopamine activity is what “incentivizes” or “drives” motivated behavior in general [R].

For example, stimulating dopamine neurons in animals consistently increases the speed and strength of the behaviors that they associate with getting a reward (such as pressing a lever to obtain food), indicating increased motivation to pursue or obtain that reward. Conversely, inhibiting the release of dopamine (such as by injecting drugs that “block” dopamine neurons — also known as “dopamine antagonists”) suppresses motivated reward-seeking behaviors [R].

Dopamine has also been linked to reinforcement learning, the process by which animals and people learn which behaviors lead to rewards [R].

Therefore, if you’re looking to improve motivation, understanding the brain’s dopamine system and how it works is the best place to start!

Theories of Motivation 

The “Cost-Benefit Analysis” Theory of Motivation

According to several decades of neuroscientific research, many scientists believe that the amount of motivation an animal or a person feels for a given task or activity is determined by a sort of “cost-benefit analysis” that the brain calculates.

Generally speaking, this means that the brain adds up the “value” of a potential reward, and subtracts the “cost” of the behaviors or activity that are required to get it. The resulting “subjective reward value” is encoded by dopamine, with larger reward values causing relatively more dopamine to be released. The size of this dopamine response, in turn, determines how much motivation is felt towards a given task or reward [R].

Some of

The post What is Motivation? Definition, Theories & Link to Dopamine appeared first on SelfHacked.

What Is the Myelin Sheath?

Definition & Facts

The myelin sheath is a cover made out of fats and proteins that wraps around the axons (projection) of nerve cells. It insulates neurons so they can send electrical signals faster and more efficiently. This supports brain health and nervous system function [R, R].

Here are some quick facts about myelin:

• About 80% fats/cholesterol and 20% proteins.
• Considered an outgrowth or extension of a type of glial cell (oligodendrocyte – CNS, Schwann cell – PNS).
• Continues to grow throughout adolescence and even into our early 20s.
• Myelinated axons are white in appearance, hence the term “white matter” of the brain.

Function

Myelin improves the conduction of action potentials, which are needed to send information down the axon to other neurons [R].

The myelin sheath increases the speed of impulses in neurons. It facilitates conduction in nerves while saving space and energy [R].

Myelin helps prevent the electrical current from leaving the axon. It allows for larger body sizes by maintaining efficient communication at long distances.

When babies are born, many of their nerves lack mature myelin sheaths. As a result, their movements are jerky, uncoordinated, and awkward. Scientists think that, as myelin sheaths develop, movements become smoother, more purposeful, and more coordinated [R, R].

Research suggests that myelination might improve children’s cognitive performance improves as they grow and develop [R].

Additionally, when a peripheral fiber is severed, the myelin sheath provides a track along which regrowth can occur [R].

When Does Myelination Stop?

Researchers think that myelination occurs most significantly during childhood, but some brain imaging studies suggest it may continue until 55 years of age and possibly even throughout life [R].

Oligodendrocytes vs. Schwann Cells

Oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells are types of cells that produce, maintain, and repair myelin [R].

Schwann cells normally produce myelin in peripheral nerves (outside the brain), but can enter the brain when needed [R].

On the other hand, oligodendrocytes are found solely in the brain. They are responsible for the formation of new myelin in both the injured and healthy adult brains [R].

Symptoms and Conditions Linked With Myelin Loss or Damage

The post Myelin Sheath Definition, Function & Demyelinating Diseases appeared first on SelfHacked.

What is Lithium?

An Essential Micronutrient

Lithium is an alkali metal. Trace amounts of it are naturally present in various minerals, water, soil, fruits, vegetables, and other plants that are grown in lithium-rich soil [R].

Lithium is classified as an essential micronutrient, which means that all humans require it in small doses for good health [R].

This comes as a surprise to most people. Some scientists think that lithium is an unfairly-overlooked nutrient, in large part because it is associated with high-dose prescription formulations used by doctors to treat bipolar disorder. At high doses, lithium can cause a long list of side effects [R].

We humans have adapted to getting trace amounts of lithium from food and water, and some evidence suggests that getting a bit more can make people more friendly and peaceful. Popular blogs claim that low doses of certain forms of lithium may have a number of potential benefits unrelated to its use as a high-dose pharmaceutical. But what does the science say?

Despite the hype, there is insufficient evidence to determine the effectiveness of lower lithium doses. However, early research shows some promise.

Basic biology suggests that many enzymes, hormones, vitamins, and growth factors require lithium to work. Lithium also appears to support the immune and nervous systems. Additionally, some scientists are currently investigating whether it promotes the regeneration of cells. Some suspect that it might even protect telomeres and prolong lifespan — but this hypothesis remains unproven [R].

Focus on Lithium Orotate

The modern boom of lithium supplements started with lithium orotate.

Currently, lithium orotate is poorly-researched, and its overall safety in human users has not been determined.

Additionally, lithium orotate supplements have not been officially approved by the FDA for any medical use or other health application. Supplements generally lack solid clinical research. Regulations set manufacturing standards for them, but don’t guarantee that they’re safe or effective. Always make sure to speak with your doctor before supplementing with any new compounds.

Availability in the Brain

Some early low-quality studies on lithium orotate suggested that this form of lithium may be better at penetrating the blood-brain barrier, theoretically allowing it to reach higher levels in the

The post What is Lithium Orotate & Is it Safe? Dosage + Side Effects appeared first on SelfHacked.

What is Lithium?

Overview

Lithium is classified as an essential micronutrient, which means that all humans require it in small doses for good health [R].

Lithium carbonate is typically used at high doses and requires a doctor’s prescription and careful monitoring of blood lithium levels.

Popular blogs claim that lithium has a number of benefits unrelated to its use as a high-dose pharmaceutical. But what does the science say?

Despite the hype, there is currently insufficient evidence to determine the effectiveness and safety of lithium when used at lower doses. However, early research shows some promise.

Also, lithium orotate is relatively poorly-researched, and its safety (both in the short and long term) has not been determined. Its alleged health benefits and supposedly enhanced bioavailability in the brain have never been directly proven by clinical trials [R, R].

Additionally, lithium orotate supplements have not been officially approved by the FDA for any medical use or other health application. Supplements generally lack solid clinical research: regulations set manufacturing standards for them, but don’t guarantee that they’re safe or effective. Always make sure to speak with your doctor before supplementing with any new compounds.

With those important points in mind, in this post we’ll be focusing on lithium orotate and the purported benefits of low-dose lithium in general; but we’ll still go over the main uses of high-dose, prescription lithium (lithium carbonate).

Snapshot

Proponents say:

• Prescription lithium (lithium carbonate) is effective for bipolar and possibly effective for depression, ADHD, and schizophrenia
• Lithium allegedly protects the brain
• Trace amounts of lithium have been hypothesized to potentially help prevent mental disorders, and reduce aggression and impulsiveness
• Low doses are somewhat researched in depression, and some early evidence suggests potential effectiveness
• Ongoing research is currently exploring lithium’s potential effects on cellular repair, neurogenesis, and overall lifespan

CONs:

• Safety and effectiveness of lithium orotate is currently unknown
• Effectiveness of low-dose lithium is currently unknown

The post Potential Lithium Orotate Benefits & Uses (incl. for Anxiety) appeared first on SelfHacked.

Use GETSELFDECODE10 for 10% off your subscription purchase! This promo code for SelfDecode will always work. 

All of our subscriptions are backed by a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, so there is no risk in trying us out!

So What Is SelfDecode?

At SelfDecode, we take a look at your raw DNA data (either through our DNA kit, or your uploaded data from another company such as 23andMe or Ancestry) and give you scientifically-backed recommendations best suited for your body. These recommendations are based on overcoming your genetic weaknesses for a certain topic, such as Gut Health, Inflammation, Weight Loss, and Mood, among others! We have 20+ reports to choose from, with more being added. 

SelfDecode provides the most comprehensive genetic analysis by using artificial intelligence and machine learning to accurately predict and analyze up to 83 million genetic variants from a typical DNA file.

Subscribers have access to:

• ALL SelfHacked articles (ad-free!) – Read from over 1500 science-based health articles that go in-depth on the benefits of natural supplement and lifestyle health changes.
• Personalized DNA Wellness Reports – in depth genetic reports on topics like gut health, mood, heart health, and sleep that provide you with recommendations specific for your body, so that you can solve any health problem you’re experiencing.
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Why do we think there is a need for this? Because our CEO, Joe, started SelfDecode and SelfHacked because he needed to biohack his own genes. As a kid, he suffered from inflammation, brain fog, fatigue, digestive problems, anxiety, depression, and other issues that were poorly understood in both conventional and alternative medicine.

Frustrated by the lack of good information and tools, Joe decided to embark on a journey of self-experimentation and self-learning to improve his health – something that has since become known as “biohacking”. After creating the biohacker’s ultimate resource website, SelfHacked, Joe moved on to found the ultimate tool for DNA-based self-research. Today, SelfDecode helps thousands of users discover how to meet their health goals through gene-based science.

The best part? You don’t need a science degree to use it. We make everything easy to understand. We even prioritize your recommendations for you so you can start optimizing

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Brain Regions in this Post: Before You Read On

Our Scope

This post focuses on the neuroscience of the lateral hypothalamus. Its contents are solely informational. Talk to your healthcare provider if you experience any neurological symptoms.

Be Careful Not to Misinterpret the Symptoms Listed Below

Problems with the brain regions discussed below (the brainstem, tuberomammillary nucleus, and locus coeruleus) can cause different symptoms. Each person’s symptoms will depend on the affected area, the types of hormones involved, and other health conditions.

Some possible symptoms that may signal a hypothalamus problem are included below, but these lists are in no way exhaustive. Also, the symptoms described below are not specific to problems with these brain regions but may have many possible underlying causes.

See your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms mentioned in this post.

Your doctor should diagnose and treat the underlying cause of your symptoms. In some cases, he or she may recommend scheduling an appointment with a neurologist who is qualified to do detailed brain function assessments.

The Brainstem

Functions

• Sensations of pain, temperature, and itch
• Maintaining consciousness
• Regulating the sleep cycle
• Regulating heart rate, breathing, sleeping, and eating.

Potential Symptoms of Brainstem problems

• Visual disturbances
• Pupil abnormalities
• Changes in sensation
• Muscle weakness
• Hearing problems
• Vertigo
• Swallowing
• Speech difficulty
• Voice change
• Coordination problems
• Altered heart rate
• Altered blood pressure
• Altered sleeping cycle
• “brain fog”

Tuberomammillary nucleus (limbic system)

Potential Symptoms of Tuberomammillary problems

• Fatigue
• Impaired memory
• Impaired cognitive function
• Impaired sleep
• Weight problems

The post Brainstem, Tuberomammillary Nucleus & Locus Coeruleus appeared first on SelfHacked.

What is MitoQ?

MitoQ (mitoquinone) is a CoQ10 lookalike, an antioxidant that is attracted to the source of most free-radicals: the mitochondria. Unlike most other antioxidants, it can concentrate hundreds of times in the mitochondria [R, R, R, R].

The health of our mitochondria is vital. They provide energy to our hardest-working cells, including those in the heart, liver, and brain. And when they are stressed by inflammation or free radicals, they can kill the cell they live in (apoptosis) [R, R].

Mitochondrial damage is a problem in many conditions, from heart and liver disease to Alzheimer’s. It is also seen in aging, osteoporosis, and hair loss [R, R].

When free radicals are removed in the mitochondria (by catalase) mouse lifespan is increased by 10%. It is proposed that MitoQ might achieve similar results in humans, but clinical trials to back this up are lacking [R].

Snapshot

Proponents:

• Supports mitochondrial function
• Combats oxidative stress
• May delay aging
• May protect the brain and heart
• May improve metabolism

Skeptics:

• Clinical evidence is scarce and not reliable
• Health claims seem promotional
• Long-term safety unknown
• May not help with Parkinson’s
• May increase cell acidity

MitoQ vs. CoQ₁₀

CoQ₁₀ is a mitochondrial antioxidant, but the body does not easily absorb it. When taken as a supplement, a lot of it does not reach the mitochondria. MitoQ might solve these problems, though it is not quite as powerful an antioxidant as CoQ₁₀ [R, R].

It also does not replace CoQ₁₀‘s essential role in making energy [R].

Health Benefits

Insufficient Evidence:

No valid clinical evidence supports the use of MitoQ for any of the conditions in this section. Below is a summary of up-to-date animal studies, cell-based research, or low-quality clinical trials which should spark further investigation. However, you shouldn’t interpret them as supportive of any health benefit.

The post MitoQ Potential Benefits + Reviews, Dosage & Side Effects appeared first on SelfHacked.