PUTTING THE BRAIN ON A FITNESS PLAN

Brain, portion of the central nervous system contained within the skull. The brain is the control center for movement, sleep, hunger, thirst, and virtually every other vital activity necessary to survival. All human emotions—including love, hate, fear, anger, elation, and sadness—are controlled by the brain. It also receives and interprets the countless signals that are sent to it from other parts of the body and from the external environment. The brain makes us conscious, emotional, and intelligent.

The brain is an amazing machine, one we still know very little about. Memory is an even bigger puzzle. You might have trouble remembering the time for a meeting, but you can still remember the intrinsic plot twists of a novel you loved. This is because memory most likely is selective. We remember or forget things based on a complex association of emotions, interest and importance. 

When new information enters the brain, it triggers the release of chemicals and electrical signals. The more cells that are involved in the communication process, the longer the information remains in the brain. Short-term memory causes a temporary response in the brain, but long-term memory causes an anatomical change in the brain.

So is there anything you can do to improve your brain's capacity?

Experts believe that we can exercise our brains, just like our bodies. Keep your brain in top shape and your memory, capacity for learning -- and even your IQ -- might improve.

to be continued...