Regular readers of my blog and subscribers to my Brainpower Newsletter know that I’m a believer in safe self-experimentation. In fact, I regularly recommend trying things out that do not yet have scientific evidence proving their effectiveness. After all, why would science ever look into a new supplement or technique for improving ones health or mind if their was not first some anecdotal evidence?

In the newsletter I had the “brainpower contest” going for a while (in 2007), to see what “tricks” had worked for subscribers to improve concentration, make for clearer thinking or otherwise boost their brainpower. Many suggested foods, herb or other safe supplements. It doesn’t get much safer than using foods and herbs and vitamins that we eat already. I did not even bother to say “check with your doctor” before trying almonds or fish.

Sometimes beneficial effects of foods and supplements are discovered by accident too. In the book “Mind Boosting Secrets,” Ray Sahelian notes that there are often effects from nutritional supplements that are not emphasized in the studies done on them. For example, he noticed that when he took melatonin (often used as a sleep aid) his dreams became more vivid (I’ll be trying that one). He also found that large intake of fish or flax seed oils (both high in omega-3 fatty acids) improves vision. We can all watch for these kinds of unexpected effects.

The examples above do not constitute scientific proof, but that isn’t important. They are safe to try. So are eating fish or eating almonds and cheese in the morning, as one subscriber suggested. I want to point out again that the accumulation of anecdotal evidence is sometimes the only reason a scientific study is done in the first place. Rarely do researchers randomly choose a substance and randomly choose an effect, then watch to see if the first produces the second. They need a reason to explore something.

With that in mind, if you have a “recipe” or “technique” or “prescription” for better brain function, let me know. Don’t just throw ideas at me though. Stick to things that have worked more than once for you or someone you know.

Meanwhile, I’ll share my own little technique for “revving up” the brain, developed from experience. Long ago I noted that my brain began to work better as soon as I spent a couple minutes explaining something interesting to someone, as I just did above. I also noticed that I could “carry over” that effect into whatever mental work I needed to do at the time. The technique is that simple then; just talk about something interesting for a bit and then return to the task at hand.

As far as do-it-yourself brain experiments go, it doesn’t get much safer than talking to a friend about something you are passionate about or interested in. Give it a try, and see if your mind feels more “awake” as a result. And now I’m going to use this boost in brainpower I just created to work on a book, which I’ll hopefully have out next year.

Try to eat a lot of organic foods with plenty of B vitamins, calcium and magnesium, some examples are provided below. Eat balanced meals. Avoid: caffeine, caffeine will cause your body to release adrenaline, which causes a lot of the symptoms and sensations associated with anxiety; also avoid fats, starches, alcohol, tobacco, other stimulants, including sugar, especially refined sugar, sugar will cause your body to release insulin; excessive insulin release can cause the body to release adrenaline as well. Salt should be avoided, salt will cause your body to excrete potassium and potassium keeps your nervous system healthy. Instead use substitutes like: lemon, oregano, and basil. Eat food that is high in tryptophans, like turkey, and potassium. Tryptophans assist in producing serotonin, which alters mood safely. L-Theanine found in green tea, provides a natural way to control feelings of anxiety and hopelessness, while strengthening mental focus. Herbal tea is great for anxiety sufferers, add a dash of lemon to green tea to calm your nerves; or have a cup of chamomile tea to de-stress and unwind. A cup of peppermint leaves will serve to take the edge off of raw nerves, assist you to relax, and aid digestion, which will also help relieve the symptoms of anxiety. Drugs and alcohol, although they may seem to provide an escape route from your worries, will only weaken your ability to cope with stress and anxiety.

Therefore, you must keep from falling victim to substances which allow you to temporarily escape your present situation. I recommend you only drink alcohol moderately. Eat a balanced diet. It is better to eat, less, regularly rather than having three large main meals a day; try reducing the size of your main meals and instead snack more often throughout the day; try eating something, healthy, every two or three hours. Drink plenty of fluids - water and juices, or green tea, throughout the day. Do not eat too much red meat, no more than twice a week. Eat more vegetables, mushrooms are especially good, and fruits, like oranges, apples, pears, grapes, peaches, and avocado in particular is good; avoid eating canned fruits, fresh fruit is best; also eat cereals, like wheat, barley, rice, maize, oats and rye. Adequate protein is also very important - balanced meals should ensure that you are getting adequate protein. Amino acids are essential for absorption of protein, and you can get amino acids from foods like beans, eggs, fish and meats.

Sometimes it is hard, or even impossible, to know what is in your food. As such, you could get multi-vitamins; multi-vitamins are typically 100% natural, and also quite affordable. Vitamins and multi-vitamins can be of benefit by providing your body with anything your diet fails to provide you with; B-complex vitamins, in particular, assist in the production of neurochemicals which help the body to produce both serotonin and dopamine, both are essential for safe control of mood, anger, aggression, and behaviour.

B vitamins: B vitamins are important for reducing anxiety. You can get B vitamins from leafy green vegetables, whole grains, like popcorn, oatmeal, whole wheat bread, brown rice, and legumes, like lentils, peas, beans, peanuts, and lupins.

Calcium and Magnesium are also very important: If you are deficient in either calcium or magnesium you will be irritable, suffer heart palpitations, insomnia, and feel weak and nervous. To ensure adequate levels of calcium and magnesium, eat more: sea vegetables, milk, dairy products, sesame, and leafy green vegetables. Add fish oil supplements into your diet. Fish oils reduce depression and anxiety. Also, try and eat food that contains folic acid as this can be very beneficial for anxiety sufferers. Consult your doctor first if you are pregnant or have any other medical conditions. Stay away from fatty food, and eat food that is high in protein. Organic Apple Cider Vinegar may also be of benefit. Note, it is very strong. Try taking one tablespoon twice a day diluted to a comfortable degree in water. Avoid processed foods. If after trying this you still suffer from symptoms of anxiety, you might want to consult a nutritionist.

Write down your awful or sad thoughts and feelings. Let them out of your system; get your fears off your chest. By noticing your thoughts and feelings you will be better able to find the true cause of your anxiety and deal with it; also you will be a step closer to accepting them. For now though just write about them, write them down, and let the cause of them come to you naturally. Once you experience feelings of stress, anxiety or depression get?your notebook or journal and write them down, get them out of your system; this will be a great start and will help you to relieve stress. It will also help you to face your fears and?assist?you to?begin to accept them and accept any uncertainty surrounding them.

Journaling is a great way to get your feelings out, out of your system. Record your worried thoughts and feelings down in your journal. Accept that these are just thoughts and cannot harm you, and try to move on. Let your journal be your outlet. Everyone needs a place or a person to confide in.

Some people find relief from going to an isolated place and screaming their heart out. Whatever method you choose to start to get your worries and fears out of your system, remember to let it all out, whatever it is that is bothering you, and begin to let it go, all of it! This will help your head to clear and let you start from fresh; also it will help you to see things from a more objective, less emotionally involved, perspective.