Understanding Brain Awareness Week

Brain Awareness Week is a global campaign that aims to increase public awareness of the research that leads to progress in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of brain disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, and mental health disorders like depression and anxiety disorders. Brain Awareness Week takes place every March and, in 2024, will be observed from March 11th to March 17th. 

History of Brain Awareness Week

Brain Awareness Week was founded in 1996 by the Dana Foundation through the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives, which promotes the importance and public support of brain research. Brain Awareness Week is a global campaign to foster public enthusiasm and support for brain science through various events, such as panels, lectures, neuroscience demonstrations, art exhibitions, lab tours, lessons, and hands-on activities for students. The Society for Neuroscience, the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies, and the International Brain Research Organization are usually major contributors to Brain Awareness Week each year.

Brain Awareness Week: Celebrating the field of neuroscience every March 

Why celebrate Brain Awareness Week? The short answer is that celebrating Brain Awareness Week can help more communities recognize the importance of studying the brain. In general, the more research that is put into neuroscience, the more lives can be improved by scientific advances in the neuroscience field. Other reasons to participate in Brain Awareness Week include the following.

• Discussing new information about the brain can help others lead healthier lives.

• Educating others about neuroscience may empower them to make more informed decisions about their health and wellness.

• Advocating for brain awareness may inspire the next generation of neuroscientists, potentially advancing the rate of new discoveries.

How the Dana Foundation supports brain science

Additionally, recognizing Brain Awareness Week can be a way to support those who live with neurological issues or diseases. If you’re interested in learning more about neuroscience and Brain Awareness Week, you can find additional educational content and resources from advocacy groups online, such as the Dana Foundation’s website. The Dana Foundation supports Brain Awareness Week to bring awareness about the importance of brain science. 

Understanding brain science: Tips for fostering cognitive wellness

Most of us know the brain is important, but few of us may appreciate how complex an organ it is. The brain is responsible for numerous functions that are vital to everyday life, including:

• Temperature control

• Breathing

• Motor skills

• Mood control

• Memory processing and retention

• Sensory processing

The brain is the part of the central nervous system that sends and receives chemical or electrical signals that contribute to daily processes, like hunger, boredom, tiredness, excitement, and the complete range of emotions and needs. However, as part of the aging process, most people experience changes in the brain that affect their ability to problem-solve or recall memories. This cognitive impairment can also occur in younger people for a number of reasons, from brain injury to mental illness and social isolation.  

The brain is not usually considered a fixed organ because it can change and grow. In fact, engaging in activities that stimulate the brain can be an important part of warding off cognitive decline. According to neuroscientist Dr. Sanam Hafeez, “You absolutely can and should teach your brain to change. I've done quite a bit of work on the aging process and slowing that down. It starts with changing the aversion to change.” 

Brain-strengthening exercises

Below, we offer simple brain-strengthening exercises for you to try in honor of Brain Awareness Week. 

Meditation

Meditation can be beneficial for those looking to improve their mental health, as the practice can reduce stress, anxiety, and other mental health concerns. However, meditation can be good for the brain, too. Research shows that it can slow brain aging and improve cognitive function.

Memory games

Studies show that memory games, such as sudoku, chess, and crossword puzzles, can improve attention and memory functions. This can be a convenient way to strengthen your brain since many memory games can be easily reached on a smartphone or tablet.

Visualization

Visualization can be defined as the act of engaging in mental imagery. Visualization can be good for the brain because forming mental pictures can require the integration of multiple parts of the brain. 

Language learning

There are many brain benefits that come with learning a new language. When you learn a new language, you typically improve executive function, as the brain must stay focused, ignore distractions, and process new information. Brain Awareness Week is a great time to fire up your motivation to learn.

Consistent exercise

Exercise can be good for the body and the brain. Not only can regular exercise reduce your risk for depression and dementia, as well as improve other mental health conditions, but it can also boost problem-solving, memory, and emotional control skills. 

New hobbies

While engaging in any hobby you enjoy can be good for you, trying out a new hobby that requires you to learn a new way of doing something can be particularly beneficial for the brain. This may be because trying and learning new things can create new neural pathways in the brain, potentially boosting cognitive health.

Music

Listening to music can provide a host of benefits, from reducing stress to improving sleep. Music can also be great for brain health, as research shows that music usually stimulates the brain in a way that few other activities do, often improving memory, mood, and mental alertness. 

Socialization

Hanging out with friends and family can be good for you in more ways than one. Studies of older adults show that the people with the highest levels of social interaction typically demonstrate the least cognitive decline.

Games 

Games of all sorts — from board games to card games — can be beneficial for brain health. A study from 2017 showed a connection between playing games and a decreased risk for cognitive impairment in older adults.

Recognizing neurodiversity

Brain Awareness Week can be an important time to recognize the advances in neuroscience, support the people around you who may experience neurological conditions, and advocate for further research into brain science. Brain Awareness Week can also be a good time to appreciate neurodiversity.

Neurodiversity is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as “the range of differences in individual brain function and behavioral traits, regarded as part of normal variation in the human population.” Neurodiversity may act as a framework for us to understand brain function and how it can vary from person to person. 

Neurodiversity is often used in reference to people with autism and other neurological or developmental conditions, such as ADHD and learning disabilities. Neurodiversity generally aims to recognize brain differences while promoting the idea that there is no one “right” way to learn, think, or behave. Brain Awareness Day can provide an opportunity to foster public enthusiasm for neurodiversity and understand that brain differences do not equate to deficits.

Are you looking for ways to improve brain health?

Though it may be possible to improve brain health, including mental health, with lifestyle interventions like exercise and increasing social time, some mental health concerns may be best treated by working with a licensed mental health professional. Studies show that therapy can be an effective treatment for a range of concerns, from mental health conditions to everyday life stressors.

Some people prefer group therapy, as it can provide mental health support along with social support, whereas others prefer the convenience of online therapy. 

People experiencing symptoms of a brain disorder or a mental health disorder may have difficulty keeping in-person appointments with a therapist. With online therapy, you can speak to a licensed therapist from the comfort of your home.  

Research indicates that online therapy can be equally as effective at improving symptoms of mental health conditions when compared to traditional in-office therapy. An analysis of 20 random-controlled trials comparing the difference in effectiveness between in-person therapy and online videoconferencing therapy shows no significant difference in treatment outcomes between the two. This study suggests that online therapy is an effective alternative to in-person therapy.