The childhood hobby that leads to lower stress, fewer mental health problems and better brain function as adults

The childhood hobby that leads to lower stress, fewer mental health problems and better brain function as adults

It may be time to take this old-school pastime off the shelf. A growing body of research suggests that a once-beloved childhood hobby, now increasingly falling by the wayside, is linked to better mental health, sharper cognitive skills and even differences in brain structure later in life. “It’s something we ought to be encouraging from … Read more

Your brain is actually two organs, new study finds — and it could change how we treat deadly diseases

Your brain is actually two organs, new study finds — and it could change how we treat deadly diseases

Next time you have a good, hard think, just know you’re racking your brains. Yes, you read that right — it’s plural. Scientists at Stanford University have discovered that the human brain isn’t one, but two organs. And the revelation could be huge for researching treatment for serious diseases including ALS. Scientists have uncovered an … Read more

A special diet could help slow the growth of one of the deadliest brain tumors

A special diet could help slow the growth of one of the deadliest brain tumors

The key to slowing deadly brain tumors could be right on our plates. Gliomas are a group of tumors that develop in the brain or spinal cord and can range from slow-growing — like the one Busy Philipps was diagnosed with this year — to highly aggressive, like the ones John McCain, Beau Biden and Sophie … Read more

Popular brain supplement linked to shorter lifespan in men

Popular brain supplement linked to shorter lifespan in men

A brain-boosting nutrient may sharpen your mind but knock years off your life. Research suggests the popular supplement ingredient, widely touted for improving focus and cognitive performance, may have a surprising downside when it comes to longevity. Scientists found that men with higher levels of the substance in their blood tended to have shorter lifespans … Read more

A pink addition to your sleep can help wash out your brain

A pink addition to your sleep can help wash out your brain

Think pink for better sleep and extra brain benefits. While research is mixed about the benefits of background noise during sleep, many have added apps and ambient sound machines to nighttime routines for reduced clamor and improved rest. And our brains could see a big benefit with sound machines — and one type of static … Read more

Popular GLP-1 drugs may trigger a rare, life-threatening brain disorder: study

Popular GLP-1 drugs may trigger a rare, life-threatening brain disorder: study

Two common GLP-1 weight loss drugs have been linked to a brain condition that can cause permanent brain damage and become deadly. More than one in 10 American adults are now on GLP-1s for weight loss. And while the jabs work to shed pounds and provide a host of other unexpected benefits, they can come … Read more

10 minutes of a ‘very slow’ exercise can improve brain function and mood

10 minutes of a ‘very slow’ exercise can improve brain function and mood

Slow and steady wins the race. The benefits of exercise for the brain and mood are well documented and worthwhile — even taking a few thousand steps a day can positively affect cognitive function. And whether you love it or hate it, just a few minutes of one exercise in particular can boost brain function … Read more

A-Rod and Oprah’s ‘brain coach’ shares 5 steps to improve your memory

A-Rod and Oprah’s ‘brain coach’ shares 5 steps to improve your memory

A personal trainer can help you get jacked, but who do you call for brain gains? That’s where Jim Kwik comes in. The brain coach has worked with Oprah Winfrey, Richard Branson, Alex Rodriguez, Novak Djokovic and Elon Musk’s team at SpaceX, helping them improve focus, memory and mental performance. Kwik, who has spent more … Read more

Gen Z has lost this crucial driving skill that Boomers learned early – ‘It takes more brain power’

Are drivers who never learn this skill getting the short end of the stick? Recent research shows that this once-ubiquitous ability is increasingly becoming a lost art. Only 18% of Americans know how to use a stick shift — with the number even lower among younger drivers. In a survey of US drivers, Extreme Terrain … Read more

I’m a neurologist — the best stimulation for the brain isn’t what you think

The best time to start caring for your brain is right now, at any age. That said, middle age or younger is the perfect time, says Dr. Douglas Scharre, a neurologist at at the Ohio State College of Medicine. “Once you start working on your brain health, it could provide a more robust brain reserve which … Read more

Teen develops a scary brain condition due to horrific weed ‘scromitting’ disorder

There’s a popular belief that weed can’t kill you. While it’s almost impossible to overdose on weed by itself, marijuana use can indirectly cause life-threatening complications. A 15-year-old learned this the hard way, a new case study reveals. His is one of only two recorded cases in teens in which “scromitting,” slang for cannabinoid hyperemesis … Read more

All about Busy Philipps’ rare malignant brain tumor — and how she got diagnosed despite no symptoms

Busy Philipps is “grateful to be alive” after a shocking health scare. The 47-year-old actress revealed this week that doctors discovered a rare, slow-growing malignant tumor in her brain earlier this year, despite her having no obvious symptoms. Philipps opened up about the ordeal in a People cover story published Wednesday, saying she underwent two … Read more

Major brain shift that may occur around age 50 could affect dementia risk: study

The brain may undergo a notable shift at midlife, as new research suggests that its protective immune cells begin to decline and are increasingly replaced by inflammatory cells at around age 50. Researchers from the University of California, San Diego; New York Genome Center; and University of California, Irvine, found that these brain changes may … Read more

What too much TV really does to your brain — and how much is too much

Next time your favorite streaming service asks if you’re still watching, you might want to think twice before hitting “Yes.” Ever since TVs became fixtures in American homes, doctors — and plenty of worried parents — have warned that too much screen time could take a toll on our bodies, brains and social lives. But … Read more

Brain autopsies reveal fewer Alzheimer’s signs in woman who took menopause drug

Fewer hot flashes and night sweats may not be the only upside. A new study suggests women taking a drug used to ease menopause symptoms may also face a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The finding comes as scientists continue to investigate why women are more likely than men to develop the memory-robbing illness, … Read more

I’m a neurosurgeon — the top 10 brain health metrics to track in your 40s and beyond

When it comes to maintaining brain health, daily brain games like Sudoku and crosswords aren’t enough to protect the mind as you age. Dr. Randy D’Amico, a neurosurgeon at Lenox Hill Hospital, recommends paying attention to systems you may not necessarily think of when considering brain health. Keeping tabs on muscle strength, hearing and other … Read more

Doctors told me I had anxiety — I was relieved to finally get diagnosed with a brain tumor

Doctors told me I had anxiety — I was relieved to finally get diagnosed with a brain tumor

When Lea Marie was in college, she started fainting. She assumed she was just tired. Still, she went to a doctor, who diagnosed her with anxiety and put her on medication for it. For Lea, that was that. “When you’re 22, you can’t really fathom like being sick,” the now-33-year-old told The Post. “You feel … Read more

Exclusive | New ‘brain gym’ at Upper East Side assisted living’ keeps seniors’ minds sharp

Exclusive | New ‘brain gym’ at Upper East Side assisted living’ keeps seniors’ minds sharp

Brain drain? Not for these seniors. It’s a no-brainer that the risk of cognitive decline increases as we get older, with about half of Americans expected to start experiencing worsening memory or thinking skills after age 55. So residents at The Bristal at York Avenue, a luxury assisted living community on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, … Read more

What time you eat may hold the secret to a sharper brain as you age: study

What time you eat may hold the secret to a sharper brain as you age: study

It’s not just about what you eat — but when you eat. New research has found a potential link between brain health and eating schedule, determining that limiting when you chow down to certain hours of the day can help keep your cognition sharp as you age. New research has found that sticking to a … Read more

Financial hardship may age the brain faster: new study

Financial hardship may age the brain faster: new study

Adults who faced persistent financial hardship showed poorer cognitive performance and signs of accelerated brain aging later in life, according to a new study. Researchers at University College London looked at 2,759 UK participants from the MRC National Survey of Health and Development born in 1946, as stated in a press release. Adults who reported experiencing persistent … Read more