Earn a Good Night’s Rest – Sleep Hygiene (part 1)

(Part 1 of 2)

Sleep is a natural regularly occurring physiological function, where humans and other animals reduce physical and mental activity, lessen responsiveness to stimuli, and particular patterns of brain activity occur (Ettinger 2018). Prolonged lack of sleep or sleep deprivation can cause impaired memory formation as well as adverse effects on the brain’s other cognitive functions such as learning, language, reason, and perception. Sleep deprivation has also been linked to significant mental diseases, such as depression, psychosis, and bipolar disorder (Horowitz, 2020). Physical problems attributed to consistent lack of sleep include weakening of the immune system, headaches, heart disease, fainting, weight gain or weight loss, blurred vision, and hernias. Other related ailments may include obesity, cancer, stroke, asthma, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, and kidney failure. Severe sleep deprivation in humans can also be fatal, where a rare neurological ailment called fatal familial insomnia, results in damage to areas of the thalamus (Horowitz, 2020).

Studies with REM-deprived sleep participants showed the effects of decreased ability to concentrate on tasks, increased irritability, hostility, anxiousness, and aggressiveness. Studies also showed that REM-starved participants entered into REM sleep almost as soon as they were permitted to nod off, throughout a one-week experiment. Participants experienced a REM rebound effect, where they spent roughly 50 percent more time in REM than they did before the start of the experiment. This REM rebound effect seems to occur immediately after a duration of forced wakefulness during a night’s sleep. Physiological changes in animals have been observed in other studies regarding REM deprivation, with effects of weight loss, deteriorated appearance, skin lesions, increased energy expenditure, decreased body temperature, and even death. Researchers think that if humans experienced similar circumstances of sleep deprivation used in animal studies, similar outcomes would present (Ettinger 2018).

Studies show that sleep is necessary, but exactly why is not clear. Theories exist that we require sleep to conserve energy, avoid predation, and memory aid. However, none of these theories are widely accepted by psychologists. Another theory is that sleep helps in mental and physical restoration. Sleep is thought to restore resources that are drained during our daily activities. Studies show that people often sleep longer after particularly tiring events helps to support this theory. Unsettled evidence shows that specific types of tissue restoration might happen during sleep. Growth hormone is secreted at increased levels during Stage 4 sleep as well as brain neurotransmitters possibly being restored during sleep. Other research indicates that sleep is essential for brain homeostasis. Additionally, research suggests that metabolic waste that accumulates from neural activity is eliminated from the brain and cerebral spinal fluid, while only occurring during sleep (Ettinger 2018). This theory has merit, as other relative studies offer further evidence of sleep quality affecting health and well-being, specifically with intensive care unit (ICU) patients (Pisani, 2015). I find it hard to discredit this theory, just based on personal experience with almost everyone I have ever known or met, expressing how much more restored, refreshed, and energetic they are when they have regular quality sleep.

I feel that American culture in general, does not pay much attention to preventing disease and illness, let alone the specific issue of sleep deprivation. We have gradually grown into a nation where we live for our pleasures today, with little regard for the consequences that will come tomorrow. Many see modern allopathic medicine and its many pharmaceutical options, as the only path to fix all of our ills. There is a plethora of medications that we can take to keep us awake when we don’t get enough sleep. Conversely, we also have a wide variety of other pharmaceuticals to help us sleep when we are too awake, anxious, or stressed. I have two college-aged kids, who are learning how to manage and navigate their college lives of studies and social life, while also trying to stay safe and healthy in the process. I don’t really think the issue of college student sleep deprivation has changed much over the last few decades, as far as young adults exercising their independence and learning of their limits. What has changed, I believe is the acceptance of legal as well as illegal drugs being used to manage the ups and downs of coping with the on-campus “college life”. Additionally, the last 2 years of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic have greatly added to the recipe for potential psychological issues. Many people of all ages have experienced stress as they attempt to balance their relative circumstances. Many people were inside more which may have led to a more sedentary lifestyle, eating more poor-quality food, drinking more alcohol, consuming more recreation and medicinal drugs, and other issues that can affect the quality of sleep. Consequently, I think the more relative issue that is yet to unfold, is how has the management of the pandemic affected sleep quality across many demographics? This topic will probably take years to study to draw any logical conclusions.

References:

Ettinger, R. H. (2018). Psychology: The Science of Behavior (6th ed.). BVT Publishing.

Horowitz, D. (2020). Sleep deprivation. Salem Press Encyclopedia of Health.

Pisani, M. (2015). Sleep in the intensive care unit: An oft-neglected key to health restoration. Heart & Lung : The Journal of Critical Care, 44(2), 87. https://doi-org.northernvermont.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.hrtlng.2015.01.007

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

Managing Back Pain – You Have Options

My goal is to present an education for holistic health to increase longevity and quality of life (heathspan), that brings awareness to these time-proven methods. With an intent to de-mystify and simplify explanations, hopefully, more people can come to realize that we are all accountable for our own well-being.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Stress & Headache Management – University Club Holistic Health Discussion

My classes and discussions go way beyond the teaching of tai chi and qigong alone. My last public discussion at the University Club of Winter Park covered many topics, such as:

– types of stress

– strategic trauma

– parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems

– general adaption syndrome (GAS)

– coping mechanisms

– types of headaches

– herbs for managing sinus headaches

– methods to manage specific types of headaches

– the 12 primary energy meridians

– various acupressure techniques for managing stress and headaches

My 1-hour discussion can be viewed at:

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Glutamate – plays a major role in shaping learning and memory

Glutamate – the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in your brain plays a major role in shaping learning and memory.

Glutamate, also known as glutamic acid, is an amino acid and is a major excitatory neurotransmitter. Excitatory neurons release neurotransmitters that initiate an action potential into postsynaptic neurons. Glutamate originates from glucose and is found in the central nervous system (CNS) including the brain and spinal cord. Glutamate is thought to be an important component of long-term potentiation, which is the process of neuronal functioning that changes and regulates some types of learning and memory. Recent research shows that learning and memory formation can be improved by pharmaceuticals that assist in glutamate activity. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) which is often used as a food additive for flavoring, contains glutamate. Consuming foods containing large amounts of MSG may induce dizziness and numbness, while possibly inhibiting learning and memory. These symptoms are likely due to the overexciting of glutamate neurons with excessive amounts of glutamate (Ettinger, 2018).

Glutamate can over-excite neurons until they commit suicide, in what is called excitotoxicity. This glutamate imbalance is thought to be involved in some degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease). Excessive brain glutamate levels may cause numerous symptoms, including hyperalgesia (pain amplification), anxiety, restlessness, and ADHD-like symptoms such as inability to focus. A glutamate deficiency in the brain is thought to cause symptoms such as insomnia, concentration problems, mental exhaustion and low energy (Role of GABA and Glutamate in Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS, 2022).

References:

Happiest Health. (2023, July 18). Glutamate: excitatory neurotransmitter of brain | Happiest Health. https://www.happiesthealth.com/articles/neurology/glutamate-neural-connections

Andistowe. (2023, April 12). What is Glutamate. Nourished Blessings. https://nourishedblessings.com/what-is-glutamate/

Ettinger, R. H. (2018). Psychology: The Science of Behavior (6th ed.). BVT Publishing.

Role of GABA and Glutamate in Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS. (2022, June 12). Verywell Health. Retrieved September 15, 2022, from https://www.verywellhealth.com/gaba-glutamate-fibromyalgia-chronic-fatigue-716010

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

Bone Conduction – it is all in your head

In typical traditional hearing, sound waves move through the air, reaching the ear canal and then causing the eardrum to vibrate. Bone conduction, on the other hand, is a physiological mechanism by which sound waves are transmitted to the inner ear by vibrations of the bones within the skull. These vibrations are then transmitted by way of the middle ear bones (ossicles) to the inner ear, where they are transformed into electrical signals that the brain perceives as sound.

With bone conduction, sound waves take a detour from the outer and middle ear and directly stimulate the inner ear. This scenario can occur when vibrations from a vibrating object or even more specifically from bone conduction headphones, are attached or placed upon the bones of the skull. Bone conduction technology is utilized for various health-related applications such as for hearing aids. This technology can be highly beneficial for people with particular types of hearing loss or for environments where traditional headphones may not be as appropriate, such as underwater communication or scenarios requiring awareness of ambient sounds.

I propose that this concept of bone conduction might be related to the perception of sounds originating from within the body, such as sounds produced by muscles, bones, and joints. However, specific sounds that one may hear when moving their bodies about, during physical exercise or other activities may actually come about due to different physiological mechanisms. Sounds such as snap, crackle, and pop (just like the old Rice Crispie cereal catchphrase) are more commonly due to the movement of joints and their release of gas bubbles within the synovial fluid that is known to lubricate the joints. The sound of a particular joint “popping” may be the result of the release of nitrogen gas from within the synovial fluid, when pressure changes come about during joint movement. While these sounds may not always directly related to bone conduction in the sense of transmission of sound waves through to the inner ear bones, they do involve the mechanical aspects of bone and joint movement. Bone conduction as explained here previously, usually refers to the transmission of external sounds through the bones of the skull to the inner ear, as opposed to sounds generated from within the body.

However, I draw some attention to this phenomenon as being more apparent when practicing specific exercises from activities such as yoga, Pilates, tai chi, qigong, and perhaps others. These methods usually require a heightened sense of self-awareness, where an individual can become quite sensitive to interoception. Interoception is the ability to sense internal signals from one’s own body, such as when we are hungry, when our heart is beating fast, or when we need to use the toilet. Having this level of self-awareness sensitivity may provide opportunities to “hear” their digestive system working, muscles, fascia, and bones repositioning, and even hear their own heartbeat as if it were outside of their physical body. In summary, the sounds we hear during exercise are probably more related to joint physiology, mechanics, and fluid dynamics, than due to the bone conduction of external sounds being transmitted to within our heads.

Reference:

Chadwick, J. (2020, July 30). Apple unveils “bone conduction headphones” concept. Mail Online. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-8576155/Apple-unveils-bone-conduction-headphones-concept.html

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, stress management, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and Daoyin (yoga).

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, wellness, and fitness.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119