In the search for the magic lotion or potion that will make us more beautiful, I’m here to tell you that the answer lies inside your head.  That’s right –  your brain is the key to improving every facet of your life….Your brain is your essence, and it is the essence of your beauty.  By enhancing  your mind, you can feel more energetic, creative and alive – all of which makes you more beautiful.

Marie Pasinski, M.D., staff neurologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School faculty member, Beautiful Brain Beautiful You

The face mirrors the chemical activity going on in the brain and actually produces tiny, involuntary microfacial expressions which reflect the inner thoughts and the corresponding neurochemicals being released.  By changing the inner workings of your mind, you can transform the face you present to the world.  “[T] he beauty we see on the outside is a direct reflection of what’s happening on the inside.”

In the book, Dr. Pasinski outlines a seven step program to optimize the beauty/brain connection.  They are:

  • Indulge in the new
  • Rev up your social life
  • Mind your body
  • Go for the glow!
  • The smart diet
  • Make over your mind
  • Beautify your brain rhythms

This part one of a three-part series.  Beauty Begins in the Brain Part Two.  Beauty Begins in the Brain Part Three.

Indulge in the New

Dr. Pasinski likens indulging in new experiences to sipping from the fountain of youth.  Many studies have shown that engaging in novel, stimulating activities promotes the growth of new neurons in the hippocampus and actually increases the volume of the prefrontal cortex making dementia less likely.  Putting this to work in your everyday life can be as simple as going to a museum, trying out a new recipe, taking a different route to work, listening to a new radio station, staying hooked into current trends such as technology; reading about something new; changing up the places you shop, relax, dine and so forth; or meeting new people.

My father and his brother, Uncle Bobby, both in their seventies, have discovered texting.  It is a fun way to keep in touch with everybody for them, but little did they know that they are actually helping their brains.

Dr. Pasinski suggests assuming the role of becoming your brain’s personal trainer.  If you spend all day at a job utilizing your left brain, such as working with numbers or something similarly technical, pursue creative activities on your off hours that will stimulate your right brain such as learning to play a musical instrument, gardening, acting, painting or drawing or joining an improv comedy group.  Conversely, if you do something artistic or creative all day, seek out activities that will give your left brain a workout like joining an investment club, learning a new language, taking a computer class, taking a cooking class, playing bridge or writing.

Whatever activities you choose to pursue, try to make sure that they are multifaceted and something about which you can get passionate and excited.  As your mind opens, grows, and becomes more joyful, it will show on your face!

Rev Up Your Social Life

Studies consistently show the more social a person is, the less likely they are to suffer a decline in cognitive skills and even motor skills as they age.  Socializing is also associated with better health and fitness and a sharper, more agile mind.  Both halves of the brain are involved in communication, and the brain is designed to interact with other people.  Because of microfacial expressions, the involuntary, fleeting muscle movements that reflect thoughts, and mirror neurons, which help us to understand the actions of others and prime us to imitate what we see, interacting with others causes the release of neurochemicals in your own brain.

Interestingly enough, Botox, a neurotoxin used by dermatologists to erase facial lines and wrinkles, blocks the neurotransmitters from acting on the facial muscles limiting these microfacial expressions.  Hence, Botox interferes with the ability to communicate which can make someone look less attractive to others instead of more.

Dr. Pasinski suggests interacting with people from different cultures and generations; trying your hand at public speaking; joining a book club; volunteering or becoming a mentor to stretch and socialize your mind.  She also recommends intentionally surrounding yourself with positive, supportive and encouraging people and cutting the toxic relationships out of your life whenever possible.  The negativity people exude really becomes viral.  It is called emotional contagion and has been scientifically validated.  Because of this, your brain chemistry is influenced and actually changes depending on the emotions of those with whom you interact

Lastly, Dr. Pasinski suggests revving up the passion in your life by meeting or reconnecting with an existing romantic partner as a sure way to rejuvenate and ignite your brain.  When in love, the brain releases dopamine, a key player in the brain’s reward system. Dopamine has been shown to give a natural high that improves concentration and drive.  Brains in long-term love release more oxytocin, a neurotransmitter, and hormone that evokes feelings of bonding and contentment.  She refers to love as “the brain’s favorite elixir.” Sex also causes the release of neurochemicals which are good for the brain and trigger feelings of pleasure and reward. So, have fun!

Mind Your Body

Dr. Pasinski stresses that there are two essential elements to brain health: ensuring optimum blood flow and avoiding chronic inflammation.  Every cell in your body depends on a constant, healthy supply of blood to receive nutrients and to eliminate wastes.   Your brain requires a greater blood flow than any other organ in your body. Chronic inflammation occurs when the immune system does not turn itself off appropriately and is caused by unhealthy lifestyle habits.  It has been found to play a key role in aging and in many diseases including stroke, poor cognitive function, and Alzheimer’s disease.

There are numerous health conditions which can rob the brain of its vitality and power.  These “brain burglars”, as she calls them, are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, obesity and abdominal fat, and smoking. She advocates taking charge of your health and your brain by finding and working with a doctor with which you are comfortable talking and who takes the time to genuinely listen to your concerns and who is supportive and willing to be actively involved in your health care.  This is a two-way street.  Being an honest, informed, participative patient is also an essential ingredient for a successful relationship.

Dr. Pasinski recommends that everyone become familiar with the “Give Me 5 for Stroke!” campaign which uses easy-to-remember words to help identify the five signs of stroke.  She says that stroke is “the most notorious brain beauty thief.” Dr. Pasinski also wants you to “know your numbers”, such as BMI (body mass index), blood pressure, waist circumference, fasting lipid panel (indicates cholesterol levels), and fasting blood sugar levels.

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13 Comments

  1. Judy M. Hampton Reply

    Lot of very valuable information: words to live by to enhance our lives. Thank you for spreading the word. Mom

  2. I always like reading articles with useful health care tips and simple, practical scientific advice. Good work, Debbie.

    The only other thing I can think of as a key brain nutrient is oxygen, because every cell needs it and it has a big effect on blood chemistry. So, in addition to all these other good tips, concentrate on breathing deeply and fully, and if you have breathing problems, get them checked out and treated.

    Intelligence, wisdom and humor (all brain-centered qualities) have always been very attractive to me. As long as a person looks generally “healthy” to me, I can’t recall any other physical requirements, though I do respond more warmly to those who have a clear, even vocal timbre.

    I expect any kind of deep and abiding love is beneficial as well, since some of the kindest and clearest-headed people I know are cloistered nuns and monks. They don’t have sex per se, but they share emotional intimacy and are very social within their communities, just as the doctor suggests.

    • Debbie Hampton Reply

      Thank you, Mikey. And thanks for pointing out how very important oxygen is to the brain. I did not even realize it, but it this is not brought up as a saingle focus in the book although she does advise many times against smoking and talks about how it is a vasoconstrictor. In my opinion, oxygen is probably THE most important thing essential to a healthy brain. It is brought up in the benefits of exercising which are to be covered later.

      I know, from personal experience, my compromised brain performs so much better when oxygenated well. I do this through breathing exercises in yoga, cardiovascular exercising, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

      I think you are right. The bond and feelings of love and intimacy are what is important and make the chemical changes in the brain however they may be brought about.

  3. Debbie,

    Amazing, another angle on the benefits brain health! I love the suggestion to alternate your focus from left brain to right brain activities or vice verse depending on your main orientation. I resist right brain activities! This is good encouragement to move beyond that. Thanks!

  4. Pingback: Beauty Begins in the Brain (Part Two)

  5. Pingback: Beauty Begins in the Brain (Part Three)

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  8. Great information again Debbie. This is the exact same advice I provide my clients with. They receive the Attitude Adjustment Routine to help them defeat the destructive effects of stress. They are also exposed to the benefits of Purium, especially Apothercherry, Master Amino Acids, Cracked-cell Chlorella, and Power Shake. Together, these products provide nutrient dense super foods, a source of protein that is 99% utilized by the muscles in only 23 minutes, and anti-aging anti-oxidants that also are a source of melatonin to induce a deep natural sleep. Thanks again for sharing.

    • Cool! Sounds like you’ve found a nutritious solution and a way to help others do the same! Many don’t realize that what we put in our bodies can create stress.

      • That’s why I’m so glad that you keep informing people of all the sources of stress and solutions to upgrade their lives.

  9. Pingback: Your Brain's Natural High - The best brain possible

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