We optimize our bodies through healthy lifestyle habits. But what about our minds? Can we optimize our brain’s function and performance? A new study out of the University of Minnesota Medical found that it is possible to stimulate specific brain functions particularly relating to self-control and mental flexibility. How does it work? Researchers “identified a brain region — the internal capsule — that improved patients’ mental function when stimulated with small amounts of electrical energy. That part of the brain is responsible for cognitive control — the process of shifting from one thought pattern or behavior to another.” In addition to cognitive enhancement, this is an exciting medical discovery because of its potential benefit to people with mental illness.
Study cited: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41551-021-00804-y