Black Belt Brain

Therapy

Can Karate Give Depression a Kick After Cancer?

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on October 11, 2024

Interesting and engaging martial arts practices have significant multi-dimensional meaning and should be encouraged therapeutically as well as recreationally.

Interesting and engaging martial arts practices have significant multi-dimensional meaning and should be encouraged therapeutically as well as recreationally.

Self-Help

Really, What Would Batman Do?

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on September 20, 2024

There are some realities in the mythologies of human superheroes like Batman. This can inspire us to use determination to achieve more in our real lives.

There are some realities in the mythologies of human superheroes like Batman. This can inspire us to use determination to achieve more in our real lives.

Neuroscience

Stay in the Present When Performing Under Pressure

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on September 14, 2024

Maximal motor performance is focused on the present. Rewards arising from performance are in the future and will never arrive if we don't get through what we are actually doing.

Maximal motor performance is focused on the present. Rewards arising from performance are in the future and will never arrive if we don't get through what we are actually doing.

Mindfulness

Take Time for Your Heart to Meet Your Mind

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on August 21, 2024

While we can often be very challenged to directly alter our thinking, many things we do can lead to change in processes of brain and body that enable calmer thoughts and mindsets.

While we can often be very challenged to directly alter our thinking, many things we do can lead to change in processes of brain and body that enable calmer thoughts and mindsets.

Health

A Little Bit of Body Work Can Save Your Brain From Boredom

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on August 14, 2024

To save your brain from neurobiological boredom, stand up and be squatted every now and then, and start to think of sitting as part of your interruption of standing.

To save your brain from neurobiological boredom, stand up and be squatted every now and then, and start to think of sitting as part of your interruption of standing.

Memory

Trying Harder Increases Cognitive Effort and Enhances Memory

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on July 11, 2024

Neurobiology shows us that there is joy in effort and that hard cognitive effort really does make stronger memories.

Neurobiology shows us that there is joy in effort and that hard cognitive effort really does make stronger memories.

Mindfulness

A Martial Arts Mindset Can Bring Clarity to Daily Life

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on July 4, 2024

Personal Perspective: Martial arts training can help us be ready mentally to respond appropriately, and yet never take action just for the sake of taking action.

Personal Perspective: Martial arts training can help us be ready mentally to respond appropriately, and yet never take action just for the sake of taking action.

Autism

Motor Programming and Martial Arts on the Autism Spectrum

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on June 1, 2024

Altered comparison between what is intended and what occurs affects sensorimotor stability on the autism spectrum may benefit from martial arts training.

Altered comparison between what is intended and what occurs affects sensorimotor stability on the autism spectrum may benefit from martial arts training.

Sleep

Sorry, but Science Says You Should Not Sleep In on Weekends

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on May 3, 2024

Sleeping in leads to cascades of negative effects that can interfere with cardiac and metabolic health and body weight regulation.

Sleeping in leads to cascades of negative effects that can interfere with cardiac and metabolic health and body weight regulation.

Aging

Keeping Things the Same Requires Making Changes

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on April 12, 2024

Your aging brain knows how to match the function of the other bits of your body. We just have to alter how we do things to match the conditions across the lifespan.

Your aging brain knows how to match the function of the other bits of your body. We just have to alter how we do things to match the conditions across the lifespan.

Flow

If You Want the Flow You Have to Let It Go

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on March 16, 2024

Peak creative performance requires extensive training and getting out of your way.

Peak creative performance requires extensive training and getting out of your way.

Memory

Finding Your Way Back by Remembering How You Got There

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on March 8, 2024

Finding forgotten items by going back into the same rooms and retracing all your steps using brain networks may help with memory retrieval in Alzheimer's.

Finding forgotten items by going back into the same rooms and retracing all your steps using brain networks may help with memory retrieval in Alzheimer's.

Health

When a Punch to the Face Becomes a Helping Hand

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on February 8, 2024

Training methodologies embedded in martial arts can benefit self-cultivation, self-defense, and therapeutic rehabilitation.

Training methodologies embedded in martial arts can benefit self-cultivation, self-defense, and therapeutic rehabilitation.

Attention

Your Brain Is Bad at Doing Everything Everywhere All at Once

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on January 12, 2024

Your brain is not a web browser. Leaving all the tabs open is going to cause problems.

Your brain is not a web browser. Leaving all the tabs open is going to cause problems.

Decision-Making

Your Brain Uses Experience to Determine if It's Worth It

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on January 1, 2024

Take the plunge into something new. Sometimes just doing it now is the only way to find out if we'll still want to do it in the future.

Take the plunge into something new. Sometimes just doing it now is the only way to find out if we'll still want to do it in the future.

Stress

Your Brain Is Nicer to Others When You're Under Less Stress

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on December 16, 2023

Stress forces our brains into self-preservation mode. Mindfulness practices can help bring your brain to a less stressed and possibly more prosocial state.

Stress forces our brains into self-preservation mode. Mindfulness practices can help bring your brain to a less stressed and possibly more prosocial state.

Stress

Better Blood Pressure Is at the Tip of Your Nose

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on November 26, 2023

Breathing is a critical function of body and brain. Breathing down from your nose to your toes improves parasympathetic tone and reduces cardiovascular stress.

Breathing is a critical function of body and brain. Breathing down from your nose to your toes improves parasympathetic tone and reduces cardiovascular stress.

Neuroscience

Kung Fu Fighting Softens the Blow of Neurodegeneration

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on October 26, 2023

Tai Chi Chuan training, new research shows, can have a beneficial long-term therapeutic effect on patients living with Parkinson's Disease.

Tai Chi Chuan training, new research shows, can have a beneficial long-term therapeutic effect on patients living with Parkinson's Disease.

Neuroscience

Sticks and Stones Break Your Bones But Words Hurt Your Brain

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on October 7, 2023

Separating the brain from the body is a fallacy. Humans, like all animals, are integrated, holistic beings, and the pain from social experiences is real.

Separating the brain from the body is a fallacy. Humans, like all animals, are integrated, holistic beings, and the pain from social experiences is real.

Cognition

Your Brain Thinks Change Is as Good as Rest

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on September 24, 2023

Changing up what you're doing could be the answer to powering through fatigue.

Changing up what you're doing could be the answer to powering through fatigue.