Spooky Facts About the Brain

Freaky Facts About the Brain

With Halloween creeping around the corner, the health experts at St. John’s are here to share some fairly creepy facts about the human brain and how it functions!

20% of your body’s blood and oxygen go to the brain.

The primary function of the heart is to pump oxygenated blood throughout the body through your arteries. With every beat, your heart pumps about 20-25% of your body’s blood to your brain—where there is a complex network of blood vessels that house billions of cells,

The brain isn’t fully developed until 25.

While young people are typically viewed as “adults” at the age of 18, the part of the brain that is responsible for decision-making and critical thinking skills isn’t actually fully developed yet. The frontal lobe, which is the largest lobe in the brain, doesn’t finish maturing until about the age of 25.

Your frontal lobe is also responsible for:

• Planning or organization
• Working memory
• Impulse control
• Attention and concentration
• Judgment and reasoning
• Mood regulation
• Motivation

You can strengthen your brain function with everyday activities.

Just like other areas of your health, you can support healthy brain function through lifestyle changes. Try out some of the following activities to give this vital organ a healthful boost:

• Challenge your brain with puzzles and games
• Try learning a new skill
• Spend time with friends and family
• Lead an active lifestyle
• Get good quality rest each night
• Eat a balanced diet
• Avoid alcohol and tobacco products
• Develop a daily routine
• Pay attention to your mental health

• Memory loss is not a normal sign of aging.

While it’s completely normal to experience moments of forgetfulness every now and then, memory issues are not a normal part of the aging process. If you experience the following symptoms, it is recommended that you speak with your doctor about your memory issues:

• Asking the same questions over and over
• Repeating sentences
• Getting lost in familiar places or forgetting directions
• Having trouble following or remembering recipes
• Getting confused about time, places, and even people
• Forgetting to bathe or eat.

Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia.

Dementia is an umbrella term used to refer to disorders that are caused by abnormal changes to the brain that lead to the decline of cognitive brain function. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a form of dementia that is characterized by memory loss and accounts for 60-80% of cases of dementia.

Memory Care in Jackson Hole

Sage Living is here to listen to your unique situation and work with you or your family member on the journey. Visit our website to learn more about memory care at Sage Living senior living community.