Welcome to the thirty-ninth edition of Brain Blogging. In this round, we discuss the future of computer-assisted cognitive therapy, electrical brain stimulation for bad drivers, mad cow disease, and many more topics.

Remember, we review the latest blogs related to the brain and mind that go beyond the basic sciences into a more human and multidimensional perspective. If you were left out, just leave a comment with your blog entry. You can check our archive for every edition.

For future editions, please remember to submit your blog entries using the online submission form. We will do our best to review and include your entry! Enjoy your readings…

It’s All in the Mind…

Glowing Face Man writes The Golden Rule of Language Learning:

The Golden Rule of Language Learning: Absolutely any method of language learning, as long as it includes regular exposure to the target language, will eventually yield fluency if followed faithfully enough.

SharpBrains writes The Future of Computer-assisted Cognitive Therapy

… we have a number of major societal problems (anxiety, depression…) that affect people of all ages, and an intervention that teaches people cognitive skills to be able to manage those related challenges better. Talk about “teaching how to fish” vs. simply handing out fish (which we could argue is what antidepressant medications do).

Conscious Flex writes The Biggest Problem in the World:

When the mind is still, an incredible silence lurks there. While the mental noise is at rest, a waiting stillness that is life enlightening brings forth an infinite amount of aliveness. By ‘aliveness’ I mean a deep sense of infinite creativity, insights, realizations and an awakening of your conscious self with vibranticity, and energization. This state of aliveness is infinitely vast and a new energy flows through you.

Mastery of Meditation, Enlightenment and Kundalini Yoga writes Brain Health Benefits of Meditation Making the News:

Meditation undoubtedly is excellent for brain function and several brain researchers are now listing meditation as a must if you want to ward off all kinds of brain health issues as you age. Meditation can help with everything from Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, memory problems, concentration, awareness, etc, and the sooner you start the better it is for you.

axel g writes How Do Mudras Affect Meditation?:

Have you ever seen a Buddha image sitting cross-legged with his hands resting one over the other, by the lower abdomen, and with the thumbs joined? This is referred to as a mudra. There are many many kinds of mudras having evolved from a broad base of spiritual traditions. Anyway, why use mudras in meditation? Let me share my first-hand experiences with you.

Thomas J. West Music writes Who’s Running This Show? The Body/Mind Ego and How It Affects Your Results:

In terms of learning a musical instrument, the body/mind ego delivers a continuum of commentary. When a student can’t perform something correctly the first or second time they attempt it, the ego usually begins a commentary about how the music is too hard. The mind is focused on whether or not continued attempts are worth the effort rather than being focused on analysis of the task at hand. This is particularly the case if students have already developed a history of perceived failure.

Brain Stimulant writes Electric Brain Stimulation to Help Bad Drivers:

… you basically place two sponge electrodes on your head that are connected to a 9 volt battery. The sponge electrode attached to the anode (+) excites brain activity beneath it, while the sponge electrode connected to the cathode (-) decreases brain activity underneath it. This technology can be performed on a person while they are fully awake and it has few side effects aside from a slight tingling sensation.

Psypo writes Shock Treatment – The Myth, Reality And More:

Unlike as many films show, its not the prescription of a cruel doctor but of a wise doctor because The use of ECT replaced all other forms of drug treatment in psychiatry (at least to a considerable extent). Patients suffering from any form of psychosis, depression, dementia, personality disorder, psychopathy, or even homosexuality were considered for the new treatment. Its more than just shaking the head with shock as we hake an old radio set when its not working properly.

Balanced Existence writes :

How to Skillfully Deal with Suffering in the WorldI was shocked recently when I read about a man on a bus in Canada who suddenly pulled out a knife and for no apparent reason stabbed a young man next to him to death. Then he gutted him and cut his head off. After which he taunted police with the head and apparently ate some of the man he killed before being arrested.

Dr Shock writes Patient Doctor Relationship:

Another important topic is can we teach empathy in Med School?
In short: No I don’t think so. For several reasons. Empathy is a process with different steps. Especially feeling what the patients feels is a quality not every doctor has. And if they do it is not always appropriate nor possible to be sensitive enough to use it. Moreover this process not only needs the quality it is also costs energy, depends on the relationship with the patient, and needs experience.

Be Happy writes 3 Great Life Philosophies to Remove Sadness and Anxiety:

The world appreciates a person’s strong will, but does not give pity for a person’s weak tears. A determined person can overcome any difficulty, while a weak-hearted one may never perform well with a comfortable situation. Be strong.

GrrlScientist writes Are Mad Cow Disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Identical?:

Mad Cow Disease, technically known as Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), is one of a group of transmissible diseases that destroy brain tissue, collectively known as Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs). TSEs are an unknown agent(s) that act by damaging the structure of brain proteins known as “prions” (PREE ons).