brain

From 27 to 36 years old the brain reaches its peak, then everything is downhill

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Concentration is a key skill in our daily lives, influencing how we learn, work, and perform important tasks. Without concentration, errors follow one another and the execution time multiplies. Recent studies have sought to determine at what point in our lives we reach the higher level of care and mental efficiency, a fact that may be very surprising to those who believe that young people are the most concentrated by nature. This information is also important to know what happens after that stage and how we can maintain or improve our ability to concentrate with appropriate exercises and habits. The zenith of concentration A meta-analysis A comprehensive study of 139 studies conducted by researchers from different departments at Hangzhou Normal University found that you can never be as focused as you are between the ages of 27 and 36. According to researchers, attention and memory capacity draws a Gaussian bell marking its peak between 27 and 36 years of age. During this age group, the brain achieves its greatest efficiency in sustained attention and executive skills, surpassing even those of young people as young as 20. From the age of 36, cognitive abilities related to concentration begin to deteriorate little by little, affecting processing speed and working memory. This decline is natural, but progressive, which does not imply that this capacity is lost drastically in a short period of time, the brain simply needs more care and strategies to maintain its optimal performance over time. Train body and mind Although concentration declines as maturity is reached, studies carried out at the Autonomous University of Madrid have revealed physical changes in the cerebral cortex after a cognitive training program based on memory and attention tests. The participants showed an increase in cortical thickness in regions linked to concentration control, suggesting that, with adapted exercises, the brain can develop and strengthen these abilities at any age. Maintain a mental exercise routinepromoting mindfulness and controlling distractions are key to prolonging states of concentration. Constant practice of tasks that require attention and organization techniques They are tools that help keep the brain active and alert. Furthermore, there is scientific evidence about the impact of regular physical exercise in cognitive processes, including attention and concentration, thanks to the increase in cerebral blood flow and the activation of brain regions involved in these functions. The scientific literature agrees that moderate physical activity and enriched environments promote neurogenesis and improve concentration markers. Habits that improve concentration To strengthen concentration and prevent the brain from wandering easily, it is essential to train the mind with specific exercises and adopt effective habits. According the statements By Estanislao Bachrach, a molecular biologist specialized in the relationship between the brain and human behavior, one of the most recommended exercises is daily meditation, which helps reduce stress and improve memory. The excess of distracting elements, such as cell phones or environmental noise, makes it difficult to achieve a state of attention and concentration sustained over time. multitasking He’s not a great ally either. to maintain focus, since with each task change the brain must relocate to the new task, something that takes it out of this “flow” state which Mihály Csíkszentmihályi talked about in his book ‘Flow‘. Finally, motivation plays a crucial role: when a task does not interest us or we feel anxious, nervous or overwhelmed, concentrating becomes more difficult. In Xataka | How to regain the concentration that social networks and multitasking have taken from us Image | Unsplash (Jonathan Borba)

is that they “hack” your brain so that you eat even more

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The consumption of ultra-processed foods For many, it is an ideal option in the case of not having time to cook or simply because it is something they don’t like to do. The problem is that science recently issued an alert what points to the risk that exists between the consumption of ultra-processed foods and structural changes in the brain that cause us to eat even more. As if it were a true ‘vicious circle’ from which it is very difficult to escape. The study. Using data extracted from brain scans Of almost 30,000 middle-aged participants, the team of scientists has seen the relationship between the consumption of ultra-processed foods and markers of adiposity, inflammation, or metabolism. But what interests us in this case, above all, are the modifications in brain structure. For this they used the data from UK Biobankmaking the average intake of ultra-processed foods among those studied 46% of the energy consumed in an entire day. But what was also interesting is that the scans measured cortical thickness, the integrity of the white matter and the microstructure of deep areas related to feeding. Changes in the brain. High consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with changes in brain regions that play an important role in controlling appetite and the reward effectespecially the nucleus accumbens, hypothalamus, putamen and amygdala. The fact that it alters nucleus accumbens It is related to the reduction of neurons and an increase in extracellular space that is compatible with the processes associated with overeating and food addiction. But in addition, the study found that part of these changes were mediated by systemic inflammation and metabolic imbalances. An addictive loop. Although part of the effect involves increased adiposity and inflammation, the analysis suggests direct mechanisms on brain areas that regulate compulsive eating behaviors. Specifically, the brain changes associated with the consumption of ultra-processed foods could reinforce patterns of seeking out and excessive consumption of these same products, creating a loop that perpetuates eating the same thing. This fits quite well within clinical theories about the addictive nature of some processes and their ability to “hijack” brain circuits, reward. These circuits are what generate the pleasure that opens the door for us to have an addiction to the ‘stimulus’ that presses that pleasure button that we have in the brain. There are exceptions. Obviously, not all ultra-processed foods are the same. The research clearly differentiates between processed foods. There are some that are clearly positive, such as frozen vegetables, but others are negative, these being those that have industrial addictives and chemically modified compounds. Specifically, it has been seen how the harmful effects are strongly linked to additives such as emulsifiers, artificial sweeteners and other compounds that promote the intestinal inflammation that we hate so much, impacting the brain directly. And we already know that attacking the microbiota of our intestine has consequences that are increasingly important. Public health. The conclusions of the study reinforce the growing consensus in the scientific literature on the impact of ultra-processed foods on health. The accumulated evidence points to the importance of reducing its consumption and moving towards stricter regulations on the composition and also the advertising that is being done. The authors of the study point to the need to reduce the intake of ultra-processed foods and strengthen standards within the industry to improve the health of all citizens. Something that also has an impact on them having less contact with the doctor and that can liberalize services. Reprogramming brains. Faced with the question of whether ‘ultraprocessing’ reprograms our brain, there is still a long way to go to analyze the different pathways that exist. But clearly we are facing a first step in understanding food addiction. Images | Kobby Mendez Shelley Evans In Xataka | When it comes to meat, science knows there’s something better than protein shakes: lean pork

There are foods that literally hijack your brain.

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A potato chip crunches, the salty flavor mixes with the sweetness of the soda, and the brain asks for more. It’s not a coincidence. What seems like a simple craving is actually a programmed reaction: a dopamine rush as powerful as that caused by some drugs. More and more scientists argue that certain foods are hooking us. A new approach? For a long time, obesity and eating disorders were seen as simple matters of will. However, advances in neuroscience are changing that perception. Psychiatrist Claire Wilcox explains thatlittle by little, scientists agree on something surprising: some foods activate the brain almost the same as drugs like nicotine or alcohol. “Eating certain products—cookies, soft drinks, industrial pastries— activates the brain’s reward centersgenerating a feeling of immediate well-being. And the more we repeat that stimulus, the more we need it,” he details. The problem is that, unlike tobacco or alcohol, we cannot stop eating. What happens in our head? addictions They share three brain systems clue: The reward system, which releases dopamine when something gives us pleasure. The stress response system, involved in tolerance and withdrawal. The executive control system, which regulates impulses and helps make rational decisions. When we eat very tasty foods, the brain releases dopamine into the reward network. Learn to associate that flavor with a pleasant sensation and seek to repeat it. Over time, the circuit is “rewired”: more is needed to feel the same effect, and rational control decreases. Wilcox explains it like this: “Over time, damage to areas of executive control becomes more difficult to resist cravings, just as it is with drugs.” The science behind the debate. In recent years, research into food addiction has exploded. An article from Nature Medicinewhich analyzed almost 300 studies in 36 countries, concluded that ultra-processed foods can “hijack” the brain’s reward systems. The result: cravings, loss of control, and persistent consumption, even when there are negative consequences. Neuroscientist Mark S. Gold and psychologist Ashley Gearhardt, from the University of Michigan, they go further: “We don’t get addicted to apples, but to products designed to hit the brain like a drug.” However, medical consensus has not yet arrived. Neither the WHO nor the American Psychiatric Association recognizes food addiction as an official diagnosis. “Eating is a physiological need —remembers teacher Elisa Rodríguez Ortega—and the boundaries between addiction, bulimia or binge eating remain unclear. In the center of the bullseye. For years, sugar was identified as the great villain of the modern diet. Today, studies point to a more complex scenario: it is not just sugar, but the combination of ingredients, textures and additives in ultra-processed foods. which can make them addictive. These products—industrial blends of fats, salt, sugars, and flavor enhancers—are designed to generate immediate pleasure and encourage repeated intake. According to the Nature reviewthis “hyperpalatable” composition activates the reward system more intensely than natural foods, which would explain why it is so difficult to stop after the first bite. For its part, sugar continues to play a key role. Research, cited in JAMA Internal Medicineshow that an excess of added sugars not only increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, but also alters the dopaminergic response, reinforcing dependence mechanisms. Qero nor we are all equally prone. Psychologist Michelle S. Hunt, a specialist in food addictions, details that there is a combination of genetic, emotional and environmental factors. “Foods rich in carbohydrates, fats or sugars activate the same areas of the brain as drugs or alcohol. Over time, the brain adjusts its receptors and requires higher doses to feel the same well-being,” he points out. Stress, anxiety and early exposure to ultra-processed foods are other triggers: the brain learns from a young age to associate pleasure with highly tasty products. “People who use food to deal with discomfort are the most vulnerable,” Hunt warns. The border with other types of disorders. Distinguishing food addiction from other eating disorders is not an easy task. According to the Eating Disorder Hope portalin both cases similar signs appear: loss of control, guilt, anxiety and, often, social isolation. a study published in Nature observed that people with bulimia or binge eating episodes present similar changes in the areas of the brain that regulate dopamine. That suggests there could be a common neurobiological basis. Dr. Mark S. Gold sums it up clearly: “Obesity and binge eating are not just behavioral problems; they also share brain mechanisms with other addictions.” For this reason, current treatments combine cognitive-behavioral therapy with cessation programs and emotional support. Reeducation with food. Unlike drugs, total abstinence is not possible: we all need to eat. For this reason, current treatments seek to reeducate the emotional relationship with food. Psychiatrist Kim Dennis runs a clinic where it combines models of addiction and eating disorders: patients learn not to restrict calories extremely – to avoid the rebound effect – but to identify the so-called “trigger” foods, those that unleash uncontrollable cravings. In parallel, drugs are also opening new avenues. Dr. Gold highlights the use of medications such as naltrexone and bupropion, or the newer GLP-1 (such as Ozempic or Mounjaro), which interrupt the link between pleasure and consumption, reducing both food intake and the desire for addictive substances. The final question. Although science has not yet settled the debate, the evidence is increasingly clear: some foods not only nourish or make you fat, they also shape the brain and habits in a profound way. Each bite leaves a mark on the pleasure circuits and the way we learn to eat. It is not about demonizing food or denying pleasure, but about accepting that eating today is an act conditioned by factors that go far beyond appetite. In a world where every flavor is optimized for hooking, true willpower may lie in knowing how to stop before the next bite. Image | Unsplash Xataka | When it comes to meat, science knows there’s something better than protein shakes: lean pork

the strange case of the brain tumor that went unnoticed for 30 years

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Imagine being laughing for no reason at all, no a laugh of joy for having heard a joke, but rather a hollow, distressing laugh that you cannot stop. For a 31-year-old woman, this was his reality since he was a baby and for everyone around her this was a simple ‘tic’ or ‘strange’ behavior on her part. But in the end it turned out to be something much more serious: a brain tumor. A clinical case that is undoubtedly exceptional and that has deserved a publication in the journal Epilepsy & Behavior Case Reports. And it is not only rare because of its symptoms, but also because of the evolution it has had, which a priori has been completely benign. Something that until now had not been documented in anyone, being exceptional. The laughter. Since childhood, the patient experienced episodes of brief, joyless laughter. Before each episode, she felt a tightness in her neck and chest, a kind of “feeling of anguish” that was warning her of what was coming. Seconds later, laughter broke out, during which she remained conscious, but distressed because no one likes to do something they don’t know why they are doing. Furthermore, without controlling the social context where it occurs. It all also adds up to a very distressing condition such as having difficulty breathing, red skin, inability to swallow or even ending up crying while laughing. But within all this there was good news: although in the past the attacks were more frequent, reaching up to 6 or 7 attacks a day that even woke her up at night, over time they became milder and briefer, lasting just one or two seconds. This allowed him to hide them on most occasions. A late diagnosis. For years the cause was a mystery. The woman underwent a brain MRI and several electroencephalograms that were reported as normal. He was even prescribed treatments with levetiracetam and lamotriginewhich had no effect and were abandoned. The key came with a second, more detailed MRI. This time, specialists found the culprit: a tiny 5mm abnormality in the hypothalamus, consistent with a hypothalamic hamartoma (HH). A hamartoma is a congenital malformation, similar to a tumor, which in this case was causing the laughter attacks. The final diagnosis was “gelastic crises secondary to a hypothalamic hamartoma”, that is, a very specific type of epilepsy. A unique case. This case is really special, but not because of what was found in the MRI, but because normally the findings are associated with very serious symptoms such as epileptic seizures or cognitive impairment. But in this case none of these problems developed. On the contrary, he led a completely normal life with university studies and a stable job in the local administration that did not cause him any difficulties. And all this without having prescribed medication. So the question in these cases is mandatory: why? The authors are not at all clear about an answer to this question. The most likely explanation is that the size of the hamartoma was exceptionally small. It has been seen in the literature that hamartomas larger than 1 cm in diameter were associated with more severe crises of the “gelastic plus” type. But the small size together with a very specific location probably explains both the mildness of the attacks and the absence of the rest of the serious symptoms. Images | OurWhisky Foundation In Xataka | That a reporter runs after a pig is the best summary of what we want from AI: videos to break the bank

The new strategy against Alzheimer’s is not to attack, but to ‘reprogram’ the brain to clean itself

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Alzheimer’s can be resemble a great fortress with a large number of defenses that makes it very difficult for us. One of its most formidable defenses is blood brain barriera biological wall that protects the brain from harmful substances, but, ironically, also prevents the entry of most drugs. In Alzheimer’s patients, this barrier not only blocks help, but also becomes an accomplice to the disease. But we have already found a way to access and attack this pathology. The investigation. A team of scientists has been able to develop a radically new strategy to treat Alzheimer’s. Instead of trying to force entry into the brain, they have created smart nanocapsules that “reprogram” the barrier itself to do its job again: actively cleaning up toxic waste. Something that they have already tested in mice, and they have given spectacular results: a reduction of almost 45% of the amyloid load in just two hours and a cognitive recovery that was maintained for six months. The problem. In order to understand this advance, we must know exactly how ‘access’ to our brain works. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) ​​functions as an incredibly strict customs checkpoint. Like any border, it must have an entry and exit gate and in this case it is the LRP1 receiver. In the case of a healthy brain, LRP1 will be responsible for capturing beta-amyloid proteins and transporting them out of the brain for elimination. But in the case of a brain that is already old, and more markedly in Alzheimer’s, the amount of these LRP1 receptors is reduced, causing beta-amyloid to end up accumulating in our neurons, causing this disease to begin to show signs of presence. The discovery. In this case, the research team discovered that the fate of the LRP1 receptor depends on how it interacts with the molecules that bind to it. This is where the concept of “greedy,” or total bonding strength, comes into play. Very strong union. If a molecule clings too tightly to LRP1 (as beta-amyloid aggregates do in Alzheimer’s), the receptor activates an emergency pathway that sends it directly to be destroyed in the cellular “dumping ground” that is the lysosomes. This makes the problem even worse, as it eliminates the few exit doors left in the brain to take out the ‘garbage’. Moderate union. Or average greed. If the binding is “just right,” the receptor activates a non-destructive express transport pathway (the PACSIN2 pathway). This pathway creates a kind of tubular tunnel that transports cargo through the barrier quickly and safely, preserving the LRP1 receptor so it can continue working. In fact, this pathway even promotes the expression of more LRP1 receptors, which is what interests us most in this situation. The result. Based on this principle, the researchers designed nanocapsules called “polymersomes” (A₄₀-POs). They are tiny spheres decorated with a very specific number of “keys” (angiopep-2 ligands) on their surface. The number of these keys was calculated to achieve that perfect “medium greed”, with the aim of achieving the result similar to that of a moderate union. Results. When they administered these nanocapsules to model mice with advanced Alzheimer’s, the effects were surprising. A massive brain cleanse was achieved in just two hours, causing beta-amyloid protein levels in the mice’s brains to be reduced by 45%. In order to confirm that the protein was not just moving from place to place, its blood levels were measured. The result was an 8-fold increase, which shows that the blood-brain barrier was expelling the ‘waste’. The tests. In order to see the result in practice, behavioral tests such as the Morris water maze were carried out. Here treated Alzheimer’s mice showed significant improvement in spatial learning and memory. In this case, their performance became comparable to healthy mice without the disease. Most strikingly, these cognitive benefits persisted for up to six months after a single course of treatment, suggesting a long-term restorative effect. More than a drug. This work represents a paradigm shift. Most therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer’s treat the blood-brain barrier as an obstacle to overcome. This new approach treats it as a dysfunctional biological system that can be repaired by adding more exit doors for the organism to maintain this homeostasis. By using these nanocapsules with the “perfect keychain”, not only is the existing beta-amyloid removed, but the brain’s natural cleaning mechanism is reactivated. The treatment was able to restore levels of LRP1 and the beneficial transport pathway (PACSIN2) while reducing the destructive pathway. In essence, nanocapsules are not the drug itself, but a tool to reprogram the biology of the brain so that it heals itself. Although the results have been obtained in mouse models and the path to human trials is long and complex, this research opens a completely new and hopeful therapeutic avenue. The idea of ​​”repairing the barrier instead of just breaking it down” could be the key not only to Alzheimer’s, but also to other neurodegenerative diseases where transport and brain clearance play a key role. Images | Bhautik Patel In Xataka | We have a new “theory of everything” to understand Alzheimer’s. Its key is in some small granules

The human brain works as a predictive machine. The question is if a Cyborg future awaits us: 1×22 crossover

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We have a new episode of Crossover, the 1×22, and attentive because this time the topic is so interesting and has given so much that we have dedicated the entire program. Thus, this time we have been able to interview the Dr. José Sánchezneuroscientific and disseminator, which investigates How the brain worksemotions and Intelligence. In this interview of just over an hour Sánchez makes us an introduction to his experience with this area and then start with a unique idea: that the brain is a predictive machine. It also speaks to us, of course, artificial intelligence – the generative is of course A predictive machine– And with human emotions, but then the thing gets interesting. And he does it because with him we chat of the impact, present and Neuralink future and brain chips of other rivals. How will that impact our future? Will we end up being something like Cyborgs? We do not know, but before that happens, there is another debate we are talking about: that of social relationships and how these advances can affect mental health. Without a doubt, a spectacular episode that we hope you enjoy as much as we have enjoyed seeing it. Do not hesitate to comment, please, both here and in the YouTube channel itself. On YouTube | Crossover

Our brain also “draws the garbage.” And it is one of the reasons why sleep is so important

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We have known for a long time that sleep is more than rest, it is a vital need such as eating or breathing. Lack of sleep can have devastating consequences on our physical state, but also on our mental state. The big question for many scientists is why, a question that we have not yet answered at all, but in whose resolution we have advanced significantly. Sleep and dementia. A line of research that in recent years has gained importance has been the one that studies the role of the glinphathic system in the relationship between our dream and the appearance of dementia. The key would be in the “cleaning” work that this system exerts in our brain. The glinphathic system. The glinphathic system can be seen in certain contexts such as a cerebral analogue of the Lymphatic system. This forgotten anatomical system exercises different tasks in our body, being one of them to “take out the garbage”, clean the accumulation of waste generated by cells and eliminate harmful substances that may be present in our tissues. The lymphatic system does not extend through our brain, but someone must perform this important task in the central nervous system. A few years ago we began to understand who and how. The problem is that we have not yet managed to find out the most relevant aspects of the call GLINFATIC SYSTEM. Cleaning the plates. This cleaning work could be linked to the appearance of diseases such as Alzheimer’s. In A recent article in The conversationa group of researchers from the Macquarie University formed by Julia Chapman, Camilla Hoyos and Craig Phillips, explained this relationship. This hypothesis is based on the role they play in the appearance of the disorder Beta-amyloid proteins (Aβ). Over time these proteins tend to accumulate in our brain and, if they are not refined, they form plates that hinder the proper neurological functioning, damaging the brain and giving rise to the appearance of the disease. Night work The hypothesis that links sleep and Alzheimer’s way of the glinphathic system is also based on the idea that it is during the dream that the system takes the opportunity to clean impurities and toxins. However, the doubts about what the dream is what this relationship unleashes. As Chapman, Hoyos and Phillips stand out, studies sometimes seem to contradict, for example when measuring if the Aβ levels we find in the brain liquid are greater during sleep or during vigil. From mice to people. One of the problems we find in this line of research is that much of what we know we know it thanks to studies in micewhile the analysis with humans are limited. However, some studies have managed to approach the problem from human biology. An example cited by the team is A study Posted in 2018 in the magazine Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (Pnas). In it the team observed how a simple night of sleep deprivation could cause Aβ levels to increase significantly in the hippocampus. The study therefore reinforces the theory that the dream is closely linked to the probability of dementia. The risks of insomnia. The 2018 study was conducted in healthy people who experienced a night of sleep deprivation. So what about people who have insomnia or similar problems? This issue is different and requires a separate study. According to Macquarie’s team, some analysis carried out with people with insomnia and sleep apneas (interruptions caused by breathing problems) have associated these types of problems with a higher risk of dementia or with lower levels of Aβ. This again seems to support the thesis of a relationship between sleep and dementia mediated by this “cleaning system.” Another relevant issue is how sleeping pills influence, if it is at sleeping facilitate the functioning of the glinphathic system or if on the contrary the effect of these does not facilitate their night activity. A study Made in mice and published this year in the magazine Cell points to the second possibility since these compounds They did not activate the appearance of norepinephrinea compound that seems to perform an important rum in this “drain” function of toxins and other harmful compounds for the brain. In Xataka | We have been detecting a relationship between Herpes and Alzheimer’s years. Now we are discovering that treating one helps with the other Image | Craig Adderley / Milad Fakurian

They have studied the effect of long -term sweeteners on our brain. His conclusion is that he ages faster

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Little by little it is already becoming a daily gesture among many people: change sugar for a sweetener to avoid calorie consumption in excess. Whether in the morning coffee, in a yogurt or in a refreshing drink, sweeteners are attractive to respect the sweet taste and ‘be healthy’. However, a new and forceful study Posted in the prestigious medical magazine Neurology He puts this idea in check, suggesting that this substitution could have a long -term hidden cost for our cognitive health. A direct effect to thought. Research, which has established itself as one of the broadest and most prolonged to date on the subject, cooks that people with high consumption of sweeteners such as the aspartamosaccharin or sorbitol They experience a deterioration of their thinking and memory capabilities 62% faster than those people who consume. To put it in perspective, the researchers calculate that this accelerated decline is equivalent to aging 1.6 years suddenly. The details of the study. It is not a PSAJERA survey or a small -scale experiment. Scientists have been based on the Brazilian Longitudinal Health Study data of the adult (Elsa-Brazil), a mass and long-distance research project. They analyzed a cohort of 12,772 public officials with an average age of 52 years, which were followed for eight years, and with analysis at three different moments: 2008-2010, 2012-2014 and 2017-2019. Detailed questionnaires. Using food frequency questionnaires, the team quantified the combined and individual consumption of seven specific sweeteners: artificial ones such as aspartamo, saccharin and acesulfamo K, and sugar alcohols such as erythritol, xylitol and sorbitol, in addition to the tagatose. In parallel, the cognitive performance of patients with a six -test battery that focused on memory, verbal fluidity and global cognition was measured. The results. The consumption of sweeteners, both individually and combined, was associated with accelerated cognitive loss. The ‘suspect’ list includes some of the most common names we find on the labels of ‘Light’ products or ‘zero’: aspartamo, saccharin, acesulfamo k, erythritol, sorbitol and xylitol. Interestingly, the trend was more pronounced and statistically significant in participants under 60 years. This suggests, according to the authors, that median age is a critical window where the products that are chosen consumer may have direct consequences in brain health decades later. The researchers They point that until now the sweeteners without calories often “are seen as a healthy alternative to sugar.” But now it has been seen that great consumption of these has “negative effects on brain health over time.” There are limitations. The researchers themselves suggest that dietary data are based on self -reports, which can be inaccurate, and that, despite statistical adjustments, the “residual confusion” cannot be completely ruled out where other nutritional behaviors that may be interfering are not measured. Correlation is not causality. As expected, this study can generate a great debate, and the industry and the scientific community have called for prudence, remembering that correlation does not imply causality. Gavin Partington, general director of the British refreshing drinks association, and the International Association of sweeteners (ISA) They have pointed out that this is an observational study. That is, it finds a statistical association between two variables (consumption of sweeteners and cognitive impairment), but cannot demonstrate that one is the direct cause of the other. In Spain, experts such as neurologist Guillermo García Ribas, from the Ramón y Cajal hospital, They are cautious. He criticizes that it is difficult to isolate the effect of the sweetener of the rest of the diet. Often, a high consumption of these products goes hand in hand with a diet rich in ultraprocessed foods, which have already been linked in numerous studies to a worse cognitive aging. The defense of researchers. Anticipating this criticism, the Suemoto team offers two solid arguments. First, they observed that the association was also maintained for individual sweeteners, those that a person adds on their own to coffee or yogurt, and not only for the compounds used by the industry in the ultra -processed. Second, and perhaps more important, there is what scientists call “biological plausibility.” Previous studies carried out in animal models (mainly mice) have already shown that artificial sweeteners can trigger neuroinflammation processes and alter the crucial intestine-cerebro axis, mechanisms that could negatively affect brain function. The global context. This study does not arise in a vacuum. It adds to a growing wave of skepticism on the long -term benefits of sweeteners. In fact, in 2023, The World Health Organization (WHO) itself advised the use of these products to control the weight or reduce the risk of chronic diseases, arguing the lack of evidence on its long -term benefits and the existence of possible unwanted effects that had not yet been completed. The underlying problem remains the same: excessive sugar consumption. In countries like Spain, the maximum daily amount recommended by WHO is tripling. The sweeteners emerged as an apparent solution, but studies like this force us to ask ourselves if we are simply changing one problem for another. As Suemoto himself summarizes, his work “adds solid evidence that these compounds may not be harmless, especially when consumed frequently from the median age.” The conclusion is not that we should return to sugar, but that we must examine much more critically with what we are replacing it Images | Towfiqui Barbhuiya In Xataka | 9 questions and answers about Estevia, the fashion sweetener

Breaking a bad habit is difficult, but not impossible. The key is to make your brain hate it

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Habits have a very important role in daily life. In fact, as indicated in the book ‘Emotional Intelligence: Good habits‘ Harvard Business Review, approximately half of our daily actions are based on habits that we repeat without just realizing. However, the same mechanism that anchors good habits, also explains why changing a bad habit may seem like a task almost impossible. It is not only willpower, but to understand how our brain works and how habits are anchored in it. Why do we adopt bad habits? We know that leading a sedentary life is not healthy, that navigating Tiktok video video until many in the morning Take takes the next day and that smoking seriously harms our health. However, such and As explained to Harvard Business Review Judson Brewer, neuroscientist and author of the book ‘Undo the anxiety‘, we cannot avoid falling into any of these negative habits, and eliminating them is very uphill. According to Brewer, the environment in which we live is designed to bombard us with stimuli that reinforce those habits, especially negatives. The rewards that our brain receives when performing certain behaviors alter our Reward -based learning systemso a pattern difficult to break is created. “Every time we try to disconnect from an exhausting task (with social networks), we reinforce the reward, to the point that harmful distractions can become habits.” However, although it is not a simple process, research carried out by Brewer demonstrate that it is possible to change the bad habits definitively. Understanding the response mechanism that articulates them gives us the tools to achieve it. Bad habits have their origin in the way our brain learns through an immediate rewards system (yes, as in Animal training). These behavioral patterns arise because they reinforce the feeling of pleasure or relief quickly. This rewards system implies a trigger (hunger sensation), followed by behavior (eating) and a reward (feel satiated). “These three components (trigger, behavior and reward) appear every time we smoke a cigarette or eat a cake,” says the neuroscientist. Detect the origin of bad habit Bad habits are not eliminated, they are only replaced by good habits. Therefore, one of the important steps of the process to get rid of them is to find the trigger that generates the action to seek the reward. “Once you know your triggers, try to identify the behaviors you make when these bad habits occur. Do you look at social networks instead of working? Do you eat sweets during difficult tasks? You should be able to identify the actions to which you resort to feel comfortable or quiet before you can evaluate your reward value.” For this reason, the neuroscientist ensures that knowing the scenario in which activation occurs and what action is carried out to obtain the reward is one of the key points so that it is easier to eliminate bad habits. For example, eating sweets would be the search for reward that is activated by a situation of stress or anxiety, and sugar rush reward. Avoid or learn to manage the stress situation It is the first step to subtract weight from sugar reward. The key: break the reward chain According to studies of the University of Utrecht (Netherlands), self -control alone is not enough to eliminate a habit, since the brain associates that behavior with a reward that temporarily cancels rational thinking. No smoker will tell you that tobacco It is beneficial for healthbut even so smokes. A fundamental step to break with a bad habit is to reduce or eliminate the reward that the brain receives. That implies not only changing the behavior itself, but also the context that activates it and the associated sensations. Modifying those three elements: detonating, behavior and reward, it is basic for the brain to stop finding satisfaction in that behavior and abandons the need to carry it out. Brewer’s investigations have revealed that an effective way to face bad habits is to replace them with behaviors that offer similar, but positive health or well -being rewards. One of the techniques that Brewer has used with his patients full care training to teach the brain that this behavior is not only benefits, but also represents something unpleasant or even harmfulcausing him to hate him and not look for him anymore. The neuroscientist said that, when someone joined his program to quit smoking, the first thing he asked is to pay attention while smokeing: to the smell, the environment, to the sensation when smoking, etc. The objective of this exercise is that patients become aware of the “value of the reward” and if this value, which probably had positive connotations (social acceptance, etc.), still remains. Studies From the University of Bethesda they have shown that if that reward is no longer appreciated as it used to be, it is less likely that the brain will claim it and, with it, it will be easier to get rid of that bad habit. This can be applied to any other habit that the past may have a positive connotation, but has already been diluted. According to Brewer, an important factor is in question what gives you that bad habit before consuming it and analyzing how you feel before, during and after the process from a critical point of view, instead of simply having a reactive behavior of repentance after having obtained the reward. “Your behaviors may not change immediately, but persevere. If you manage to control your mind with our methods, over time you can free yourself from unwanted habits and see how your cravings disappear with peace of mind,” said the neuroscientist. In Xataka | Creating new habits is difficult. The author of “atomic habits” believes that there is something even more complicated: keep them Image | Unspash (Oskar Kadaksoo, Lilartsy)

The one with the brain chips

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The Chinese government loves to plan. Since the fifties they use a system called “Quinquenal Plan” in which they establish their objectives and the steps to achieve them in a period of five years. They also have other long -term plans, such as “Made in China 2025” in which 13 strategic technologies set out to lead (With very good results, by the way). Now China has proposed to lead a new technology, BCI (Brain Computer Interface) devices. Five years. It is the margin that the Chinese government has been put to create a brain-routine interface industry that is internationally competitive. The road map states that by 2027 they get significant advances and that in 2030 they have a solid industrial ecosystem, with two or three leading companies worldwide. Government support. To promote the creation of this new industry, the Government will encourage investment in the sector and offer a favorable policy when approved key products such as medical implants. They also consider creating industrial parks specialized in BCI, so that companies work together and collaborate with each other. Competence. Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk, is the best known company in this sector that has already achieved Place brain implants in humansalthough the Australian company Synchron takes advantage By achieving more brain implants with less invasive techniques. In the United States also highlight Blackrock Neurotech and Paradromics, more focused on research and medical applications respectively. Chinese companies. Although not as advanced as in other countries, China already has several companies dedicated to this industry. As They count on Wiredone of them is Neucyber Neurotech, a start-up that arises from the Chinese Institute for Brain Research and has already placed its Beinao-1 implant in five paralyzed patients. Participants are now able to move a cursor and navigate between different apps. They have also done it with a semi-invasive method that places the implant in the outer layer of the brain, greatly reducing the surgical risk. Neuroxess is another of the companies that is achieving significant advances. In their case they have placed their implant in six patients with paralysis; Three could control devices and with the other three they managed to accurately decode the Chinese language. And of course Brainco, one of the “Six Little Dragons” by Hangzhou which was founded in the United States, but moved to China after government incentives. In this case they are centered on prostheses such as This hand that is controlled with the brain And their advantage is that they are pioneers in mass production and offer products to the consumer market. A different approach. While the Neuralink approach is more radical, both for using invasive methods and for its idea of ​​implanting chips to everyone, China’s plan opts for a more specific bet for health applications. In addition, semi-invasive techniques such as Neucyber Neurotech want to focus and promote non-invasive BCI devices such as Brainco to conquer the mass market (not everyone will want to implant a chip in the head). Use cases. The document mentions “Wearable” BCI products such as helmets or glasses that could be used in different areas. A case of use would be the prevention of traffic accidents alerting in case of drowsiness or lack of attention. Also in industries where they work in conditions or with hazardous materials, alerting low levels of oxygen, preventing poisoning or fainting. In Xataka | China was the world’s landfill, today its problem is another: it does not have enough garbage to burn

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