Biohack Your Brain

blueberries may be one of the best brain foods, thanks to their ability to spur neurogenesis.

Consuming a plant-based diet means eating foods grown out of the ground like leafy greens, fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, and whole grains. Calorie for calorie, plants, especially dark, leafy greens, are richer in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, and other compounds than any other food. Our brain needs these micron

Now, a little good news: Our brain contains approximately 100 billion neurons, or brain cells, which are some of the longest-living cells in the body. The vast majority of the neurons we’re born with and develop as a child remain with us for our entire lives—it’s why maintaining your neuronal health is critical to your long-term cognitive function.

Hippocampus: This is the most critical area of the brain for memory, new brain-cell growth, and cognitive disease prevention. Located deep inside the brain below the thalamus and hypothalamus, the hippocampus is responsible for storing and recalling memories, learning information, and coordinating spatial navigation.…

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Studies even show consuming nuts on a regular basis can strengthen the brain wave frequencies associated with cognition, learning, memory, and healing.19 Some nuts and seeds like walnuts, chia, hemp, and flax seeds are also rich in ALA. Walnuts are also a brain superfood, with research showing this nut can improve neuron messaging, preserve and boo

The process of growing new brain cells is called neurogenesis.

Hypothalamus: This almond-sized structure sits below the thalamus and connects the nervous system to the endocrine system, which controls hormones. The hypothalamus helps release hormones from the brain’s pituitary gland, regulating sleep, hunger, thirst, body weight, and temperature, among other conditions.

Another beneficial brain adaptation is forgetfulness. Our brain has built-in mechanisms for memory loss so that we don’t waste precious storage space recalling irrelevant details that can get in the way of the information we really need to know.36 The next time you forget someone’s name or where you put your purse, don’t freak out—it’s probably jus

There are three types of omega-3s: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), found in nuts, canola oil, flaxseed, and other plant foods; eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA); and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), found in fish and seafood. While consuming more omega-3s of any kind can boost brain function, the most important EFA is DHA. DHA comprises 90 percent of the fatty ac

Here’s how to eat more of this essential EFA for a better brain: Embrace the ocean. The foods highest in DHA are salmon, tuna, trout, mussels, herring, mackerel, sardines, and other seafood. In general, oily cold-water fish have more overall omega-3s than bass, tilapia, and cod. Better still, you don’t need more than one or two servings per week to