Biohack Your Brain: How to Boost Cognitive Health, Performance & Power

Neurobiologist Willeumier debuts with a collection of proactive, accessible strategies for preserving and promoting cognitive health. Willeumeier has worked with NFL players whose brains have been damaged by concussions and with patients with Parkinson’s and here shares methods for recovery she successfully road-tested with them. Willeumier suggests easily achievable activities—including writing with one’s nondominant hand to force the brain outside its comfort zone and visualizing positive outcomes—as well as long-term lifestyle changes, such as eating a diet heavy on omega-3s, managing stress through exercise and mindfulness, journaling, and sleeping at least seven hours per night. One of the biggest brain drains, Willeumier explains, is prolonged stress, which can slow cerebral circulation by causing plaque buildup and increase one’s cortisol levels, which often leads to weight gain, sleep disruptions, and memory problems. This smart take will help those seeking ideas on how to sharpen their mental performance. (Jan.)