Synapse Chicago

If there is one man who could rouse us from our social media hibernation, it is renowned health and fitness expert and T.V. host Joey Thurman. Joey understands that strengthening the brain is just as important as strengthening the bicep. So, when he asked us to collaborate on his new book, The Minimum Method, we were honored. Check out Chapter 3 to learn more about increasing neuroplasticity with novelty.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1637742290/ref=cm_cr_arp_mb_bdcrb_top_nodl?ie=UTF8 -udpv3-customer-reviews_feature_div&dplnkId=28e0b4da-7684-4239-993f-23bad308c905


Short on time? We suggest skipping to page 82.

Tomorrow might be a minor holiday, but its message has major effects – National Protein Day! This day focuses on the health benefits of one of the basic building blocks of our body. Not only does protein assist in the development of muscle, bone, and skin, it is crucial for brain health. A healthy brain produces hundreds of neurotransmitters for regular maintenance of the brain and needs protein to do it. In fact, protein can even increase your mood by breaking down into L-tryptophan, which is a precursor to serotonin (or “the happy molecule”).

Looking for some non-meat options to up your protein intake? Try quinoa, pumpkin seeds, lentils, and tofu.

Today, we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Francis Cecil Sumner. Dr. Sumner was the first African American to receive a Ph.D. in Psychology. He is regarded as the “Father of Black Psychology” and helped to establish the Psychology Department at Howard University. His research proved to counteract racism and bias in psychological studies of African Americans. Several of his students went on to make great strides in the field, including Dr. Kenneth Clark, creator of “The Doll Test.”

Today, we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Mamie Phipps Clark and Dr. Kenneth Bancroft Clark. Drs. Clark developed “The Doll Test,” which analyzed the responses of more than 200 African-American children who were given a choice of white or brown dolls. The findings illustrated that children showed preference for white dolls and assigned positive attributes to them, while assigning negative attributes towards the brown dolls, from as early as three years old. This led to the conclusion that segregation was psychologically damaging and that “prejudice, discrimination, and segregation” created a feeling of inferiority among African-American children and damaged their self-esteem.

These results played a crucial role in the Supreme Court’s ruling that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, even if the schools were equal in quality (Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka 1954).

Nothing says romance more than matching EEG caps...

There has long been research on the neuronal basis of emotional processing, but most have been performed in a laboratory environment, which is not ideal when investigating real life experiences. A study published in Scientific Reports aimed to utilize mobile EEG in couples to determine how romantic gestures (such as kissing and hugging) affected the brain. Conclusion: positive emotions were associated with greater activity in the frontal areas of the left side of the brain, whereas negative emotions are processed on the right.

Looking to “wow” your partner with your knowledge of emotional processing, electroencephalography, and alpha asymmetries? Check out the link for more!

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-80590-w

In honor of Black History Month, we would like to celebrate the work of Dr. Eugene Pen*ston. His breakthrough research in the fields of alcoholism, drug addiction, and PTSD were integral in the development of the Pen*ston-Kulkosky Protocol (or Alpha-Theta protocol). The results were transformative, resulting in a cessation of relapse in up to 80% of his patients! This therapeutic intervention is widely used today with equally amazing results.

Interested in learning more about the Pen*ston Protocol? Check out the link for more info!

https://www.isnr-jnt.org/article/view/16667

*stonKulkosky

Work isn’t usually associated with fun. So, if you do have fun at work, count yourself lucky. And if you don’t, well, today is your day! Today is meant to foster humor and happiness in the workplace. It’s a great day to boost morale, bond with your co-workers, and brainstorm ways to increase creativity. Studies show that participants who had fun at their job work harder, stay longer, and are more productive.

In light of the U. S. Capitol riots, many are experiencing mixed emotions today. Excitement. Fear. Joy. Anger. Anxiety. This year, inauguration stress is palpable. Need some tips on how to cope with inauguration anxiety? Check out this link: https://www.inquirer.com/columnists/inauguration-anxiety-advice-20210118.html

“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality… I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.” –Martin Luther King, Jr.

Words have never rung so true. Today, we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Did you know that as much as 95% of all dreams are quickly forgotten shortly after waking? Why are dreams so difficult to remember? The changes in the brain that occur during sleep do not support the information processing and storage needed for memory formation, which may be to our advantage as negative emotions are much more common during dreaming than positive ones.

Breathe with an open heart. Heart Rate Variability (or HRV) is a non-invasive way to measure your autonomic nervous system by measuring the interval rate between heart beats. Changes in your HRV can be a great indicator of your body’s adaptability and how you react to stress. Too much or too little variation can be related to chronic pain, anxiety, and depression, as well as a number of other symptoms. Along with alleviating these symptoms, HRV can also be used to enhance peak performance and reduce stress.

Interested in learning more about how HRV and how it can benefit you? Give us a call at 773-530-5051

You may have heard that meditation can decrease stress, but did you know it can also increase focus, improve your heart health, and slow down the aging process? Need more reasons to find your Zen? Check out the link below!

https://www.onlinepsychologydegree.info/amazing-facts-about-the-science-of-meditation/