Why Thinking Hard Makes You Tired

AHA Publisher — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 07:00:59 +0000

Cell Press via Newswise – It’s no surprise that hard physical labor wears you out, but what about hard mental labor? Sitting around thinking hard for hours makes one feel worn out, too. Now, researchers have new evidence to explain why this is, and, based on their findings, the reason you feel mentally exhausted (as opposed to drowsy) from intense thinking isn’t all in your head. Their studies, reported in Current Biology on August 11, show that when intense cognitive work is prolonged for several hours, it causes potentially toxic byproducts to build up in the part of the brain known as the prefrontal cortex. This in turn alters your control over decisions, so you shift toward low-cost actions requiring no effort or waiting as cognitive fatigue sets in, the researchers explain. “Influential theories suggested that fatigue is a sort of illusion cooked up by the brain to make us stop whatever we are doing and turn to a more gratifying activity,” says Mathias Pessiglione of Pitié-Salpêtrière University in Paris, France. “But our findings show that cognitive work results in a true functional alteration—accumulation of noxious substances—so fatigue would indeed be a signal that makes us stop working but for a different purpose: to preserve the integrity of brain functioning.” Pessiglione and colleagues including first author of the study Antonius Wiehler wanted to understand what mental fatigue really is. While machines can compute continuously, the brain can’t. They wanted to find out why. They suspected the reason had to do with the need to recycle potentially toxic substances that arise from neural activity. To look for evidence of this, they used magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to monitor brain chemistry over the course of a workday. They looked at two groups of people: those who needed to think hard and those who had relatively easier cognitive tasks. They saw signs of fatigue, including reduced pupil dilation, only in the group doing hard work. Those in that group also showed in their choices a shift toward options proposing rewards at short delay with little effort. Critically, they also had higher levels of glutamate in synapses of the brain’s prefrontal cortex. Together with earlier evidence, the authors say it supports the notion that glutamate accumulation makes further activation of the prefrontal cortex more costly, such that cognitive control is more difficult after a mentally tough workday. So, is there some way around this limitation of our brain’s ability to think hard? “Not really, I’m afraid,” Pessiglione said. “I would employ good old recipes: rest and sleep! There is good evidence that glutamate is eliminated from synapses during sleep.” There may be other practical implications. For example, the researchers say, monitoring of prefrontal metabolites could help to detect severe mental fatigue. Such an ability may help adjust work agendas to avoid burnout. He also advises people to avoid making important decisions when they’re tired. In future studies, they hope to learn why the prefrontal cortex seems especially susceptible to glutamate accumulation and fatigue. They’re also curious to learn whether the same markers of fatigue in the brain may predict recovery from health conditions, such as depression or cancer. To read the original article click here.

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“Overwhelming Evidence:” N-Acetyl Cysteine Praised By Researchers for Its Health-Protective Effects

AHA Publisher — Mon, 18 Apr 2022 07:38:23 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – Each year, an alarming 56,000 people require treatment in the ER for acetaminophen overdose – and over 26,000 of them are hospitalized. The “gold standard” antidote for acetaminophen toxicity (the number one cause of liver failure in the United States, by the way) is n-acetyl cysteine, also known as NAC. But, there’s much more to know about this amazing substance. First of all, it’s no secret that n-acetyl cysteine – a supplemental form of the amino acid cysteine – has powerful detoxifying properties. A new review published in Antioxidants highlights the potential of this natural supplement to protect the liver and help preserve the health of the brain and lungs. Let’s look at some of the mechanisms behind NAC’s therapeutic effects and the surprising ways in which n-acetyl cysteine benefits some common conditions. Scientists Cite “Overwhelming Evidence” of NAC’s Ability to Support Healthy Liver Function Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, or NAFLD, involves harmful fat deposits in the liver. While this condition can be mild, it sometimes progresses to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a more severe form of the disease. This can in turn lead to liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even death. As the national incidence of NAFLD continues to climb, researchers point to the encouraging ability of NAC to support a healthy liver. Animal studies have shown that NAC can interfere with liver fat accumulation and enhance the function of liver enzymes through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, NAC supplementation also raises levels of glutathione– the indispensable enzyme responsible for fighting oxidative stress and neutralizing toxins. (In fact, the body converts NAC to the amino acid cysteine, which is one of the major “building blocks” needed to produce glutathione in the first place). While more human studies are needed, recent research has suggested that 1000 mg of NAC a day significantly improves the function of liver enzymes and lowers levels of inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein and malondialdehyde. The researchers concluded that “overwhelming evidence” supports the beneficial effects of NAC to support a healthy liver. N-Acetyl Cysteine Regulates Glutamate to “Calm Down” Over-Stimulation and Inflammation in the Brain While the amino acid glutamate is needed for normal brain function, it is also classified as an excitatory neurotransmitter – meaning that it stimulates the cells of the nervous system. When present in excessive amounts, glutamate depletes much-needed glutathione, over-stimulating brain cells and triggering neuroinflammation and even brain damage. (It’s no surprise that excessive glutamate is believed to be associated with autism, ADHD, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, depression, and schizophrenia). By regulating glutamate levels in the brain, NAC may help decrease feelings of sadness and slow cognitive decline. In a 2017 review published in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Review, authors noted that while studies were limited, NAC seemed to be particularly helpful in improving participants’ cognitive abilities. Combining NAC with vitamin E, various B vitamins, S-adenosyl methionine, and acetyl-L carnitine was particularly beneficial. Studies Find NAC Helps Promote Lung Health Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is characterized by chronic inflammation and airway obstruction, making breathing difficult. Studies have shown that NAC can restore intracellular glutathione that has been decreased by oxidative stress and inflammation. Of course, as they say, the proof is in the pudding. In one 10-day study, taking 1,200 mg of NAC daily helped contribute to the “normalization of inflammatory markers.” Support Adequate Cysteine Levels With Proper Nutrition You can boost your dietary intake of cysteine with cage-free (pasture raised) poultry, eggs and dairy products such as, raw milk. Good sources for vegans include organic sunflower seeds and legumes. It should be noted: the production of cysteine also depends on having sufficient levels of B vitamins, such as B6, B9, and B12. You can get these through lentils, beans, bananas, wild-caught salmon, and tuna. However, NAC supplementation may be necessary to help maintain optimal cysteine levels. Natural healers typically advise 600 mg to 1,200 mg of NAC a day, but as always, check with your integrative doctor before supplementing. Finally, you ought to know, low levels of NAC contribute to the risk of a glutathione deficiency – the body’s “master antioxidant” – which can lead to oxidative stress and a host of serious health issues. Ultimately, by replenishing and restoring this all-important compound, n-acetyl cysteine certainly “does its bit” to support effective detoxification and overall wellbeing. Sources for this article include: Harvard.edu NIH.gov Healthline.com NIH.gov AlzheimerDiscovery.org NIH.gov To read the original article click here.

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Why Thinking Hard Makes You Tired

“Overwhelming Evidence:” N-Acetyl Cysteine Praised By Researchers for Its Health-Protective Effects