The Importance of the Brain

Hey there, everyone! Brendan here, with something a bit more grounded. Today is the culmination of Brain Awareness Week, something far more important than one of the quirky holidays that I enjoy occasionally commemorating as part of my work here at Nakee. In fact, the bosses and I wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on some common perceptions and ideas about the brain, and how it's even more important than we realize. First, however, a bit of context...

The concept of Brain Awareness Week was created nearly thirty years ago by the Dana Foundation, an organization founded by the late politician, businessman and philanthropist Charles Dana. He originally created the Foundation with the intent of supporting higher education ventures, but it eventually moved toward the support of neuroscience specifically, in its many forms and aspects. The Foundation continues its mission even today, providing grants to those working to further the understanding of the brain and its capabilities.

It all sounds well and good, yes, but in an era of scientific accomplishment and instant access to the breadth of knowledge, it's become easy to take the brain for granted. We've come to the point where we understand the wiring of it, and yet there are many, many questions that remain about it as an organ, as the home of the self within our bodies and the world. Regardless of the philosophical debates, the brain is still something that needs to be nurtured and cared for just as much as any other organ in the body. Here's a few tips on just that:

1. Keeping one's mind healthy requires more than just the physical. The brain, the only organ ever to name itself, can be kept sharper by the use of intellectual exercises. Studies have shown that those who play so-called 'brain games' tend to score higher on cognitive function tests; here's a pertinent article from Harvard.

2. Keeping the body healthy helps the mind as well. Exercise and a healthy diet can help to bolster brain function as one ages. One should be aware of the effects of the foods they're eating, as these can affect brain chemistry alongside the rest of the body. Also, be sure to get enough sleep!

3. Stress is not just stress – it's something that affects the very function of the mind. Being aware of the effect that it can have on both your mental and physical health is critical, especially in times of sustained anxiety. Additionally, high blood pressure can also affect the brain in negative ways.

4. On a related note, being aware of your emotional state can help to keep the brain on an even keel, so to speak, and consequently reduce the effects of negative emotions. It's not always easy to step outside one's own feelings in this way, but it is productive and can help to defuse tense social situations.

5. It's not always the easiest thing, but do your best to socialize with people and to engage in conversation when you have the opportunity. Having strong social ties can help to reduce anxiety as well, forming a positive feedback loop. It helps to have friends, and having a strong social network has been proven to increase feelings of contentment and satisfaction, which can also help cushion negative feelings when they arise.

In terms of Nakee itself, the Focus flavor's most famous benefit ingredient is C8 MCT oil. Here's our full blog post on it, but the long and short of it is that it helps cut through 'brain fog.' It allows the mind to focus better, and also increases energy levels through the power of ketones. There's a lot more to it than this, and we're looking forward to sharing it with you!

There are a lot more factors involved in keeping the brain healthy than I could write about in a dozen posts like this, but hopefully this scratch in the surface helps impart healthier habits to those who may need them. Thank you for reading; it's more appreciated than you know. This is Brendan, signing off for now; have a happy and safe St. Patrick's Day this weekend.