Braingle's Mentalrobics

Vocabulary : Word of the Day : Torpor

Wed, 22 May 2013 00:00:01 GMT

tor-por

noun :: Loss of motion, or of the motion; a state of inactivity with partial or total insensibility; numbness.

noun :: Dullness; sluggishness; inactivity

"She was the only one of his family who could rouse the old man from the torpor in which he seemed to live." -- Cather, Willa

Memory : Vitamin B12

Wed, 22 May 2013 00:00:01 GMT

Vitamin B12 is a compound that is essential for proper brain functioning. This vitamin helps keep neurons healthy by maintaining the myelin sheath that protects the axons. Insufficient vitamin B12 can cause serious and permanent damage to the neurons, which can lead to memory loss, fatigue and slowed thinking.

Vitamin B12 is found in fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk and fortified breakfast cereals. Vegetarians and vegans should be careful to make sure they are getting enough B12 as part of their diet, or via supplements.

Age, smoking and drinking are all factors that contribute to deficiencies in vitamin B12, however it is possible for a deficiency to occur because of a problem absorbing the vitamin through digestion. If this is the case, eating more B12 will not help; the individual will need to get monthly injections.

Creativity : Mental Audio

Wed, 22 May 2013 00:00:01 GMT

This exercise will test your ability to recall and recreate sounds in your mind. This stretches the part of the brain where audio is stored. Close your eyes and try to hear the following sounds:

1. Opening a can of soda
2. A jackhammer
3. A bee buzzing around you head
4. A harmonica
5. Your best friend's voice

How well did you do at reproducing these sounds in your head? With practice you'll get better at imagining sounds.