“Love the moment and the energy of that moment will spread beyond all boundaries.” 🍃
Category Archives: Brain Health & Healing
Coming Soon: Cognicon 2022!
This fall, Cognicon returns! Save the date for October 14-15, 2022 for a virtual event that is like no other!
For those not familiar with Cognicon, the event was started in 2019. This virtual cognitive convention is designed to share information about brain health, wellness, self-care, empowerment, and supportive communities and programs in the virtual platform of Second Life.
There is no charge to attend and all are welcome!
As we get closer, we’ll be posting more information on what to expect and how you take part.
In the meantime, if you are new to Second Life, we highly encourage you to join BEST in Second Life today! It’s free to visit, explore and take part in activities and events. Click here to learn more and how you can get started.

Do memory supplements work?
I don’t watch much TV these days, but I usually have it on with the volume down and glance up once in a while to see if there’s important breaking news or something. Sometimes when I glance up I see a commercial for a supplement that claims to improve memory.
Does this stuff work?
Does any supplement that claims to improve memory work?
Could it help improve the memories of brain injury survivors?
Let’s see.
There are several over-the-counter memory supplements that claim to reduce short term memory loss. I’m going to focus on the most widely publicized memory supplement, the one that claims it’s made of a protein found in jellyfish. Most of what I found would apply to other over-the-counter supplements as well.
That protein found in jellyfish is called apoaeclorin. Apoaeclorin is a calcium-binding protein. That means it binds with the calcium ion that plays a major role in cellular processes. Research shows a link between calcium and brain health and memory. The problem is that oral supplements that contain the protein probably don’t survive the digestion process, so it wouldn’t reach the brain. In order for apoaeclorin to have any chance of having any positive effect it needs to be injected.
The particular short term memory loss supplement I looked into isn’t approved by either the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). But they allow pharmaceutical companies to sell supplements directly to consumers as long they don’t claim the product treats, cures or prevents medical conditions.
The FDA and FTC investigated the claims made by the company I focused on and found their advertisements were misleading, especially when they claim to be clinically proven to work. The agencies determined the company’s research was flawed—it didn’t use a large enough sample, and the studies weren’t conducted for long enough periods of time.
There are currently five memory loss medications that are thought to help short term memory:
- Aricept
- Namenda
- Namzaric
- Exelon
- Razadyne
These medications are only available by prescription but are believed to be more effective than the over-the-counter medications. They’re used to treat (not cure) Alzheimer’s disease as they show promise in keeping that disease from getting worse.
The over-the-counter supplements only claim to be effective on the normal memory loss caused by aging, not the result of disease.
I’m obviously not a doctor so I can’t give medical advice, but as friend writing for other friends, I wouldn’t bother with over-the-counter memory supplements.
But all is not lost; there are other options for coping with memory loss. They’re called nootropics, natural substances that have a beneficial effect on brain functioning in healthy people:
- Vitamins like B-12.
- Omega-3 fatty acid that can be found in fish oil supplements and berries, especially blueberries.
- Gingko biloba, an herbal substance found in the gingko biloba tree. It’s thought to increase blood flow to the brain and improve focus and memory. It can be found in stores and online.
- Resveratrol, found in the skin of red and purple fruits like grapes, raspberries and blueberries.
- Creatine, found in fish, eggs and fish.
- Phosphatidylserine, a supplement is thought to be helpful in maintaining brain health and can be found in vitamin stores or purchased online.
- Acetyl-L-carnitine, a naturally occurring amino acid thought to be useful in slowing age-related memory decline and can be used as a dietary supplement.
![]() | Isaac Peterson grew up on an Air Force base near Cheyenne, Wyoming. After graduating from the University of Wyoming, he embarked on a career as an award-winning investigative journalist and as a semi-professional musician in the Twin Cities, the place he called home on and off for 35 years. He doesn’t mind it at all if someone offers to pick up his restaurant tab and, also, welcomes reader comments. Email him at isaac3rd@gmail.com. Read more articles by Isaac here; https://www.brainenergysupportteam.org/archives/tag/isaac-peterson |
Monday Motivation: July 25, 2022
BEST Mindfulness Resources
“Training your mind to be in the present moment is the number one key to making healthier choices.” – Susan Albers
Mindfulness is a great tool to living our best lives.
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is noticing what is happening right now. What are your senses and emotions telling you? What is your mind telling you?
Through the practice of mindfulness, we can learn who we are and define our own personal empowerment and self-love.
So where do you begin on your journey to mindfulness?
We have some tools that will help you get started!
The BEST Calm Mind Video Course
Life after a brain injury can be challenging.
Our thoughts are often jumbled and the littlest thing can create an unusual amount of stress. Meditation can also help control stress.
That’s why the Brain Energy Support Team (BEST) is excited to share The Calm Mind Video Course. In this online course, you’ll learn what meditation is and some simple techniques you can use.
From breathing techniques to how to sleep more soundly, this course gives you a comprehensive education on calming your mind and self-care.
And if you are a caregiver or anyone that could use some tools and support to achieve a calmer mind, this course is also for you.
This course can be purchased here.
Enjoy your journey to a calmer mind, brain health and overall wellness!
BEST Mindful Monday (Online in Second Life)
The stress of our daily lives often runs over all of our best intentions to take care of ourselves. Take time today to join Namaara MacMoragh and friends in a relaxing hour of guided mindfulness on the fourth Monday of the month. We meet at the BEST PEER Center in Second Life. It’s free and all are welcome!
BEST Mindfulness Blog Article Library
Our BEST Blog features a number of articles on mindfulness to practices, techniques, tools, and more. Click here to check it out.
We also have a large selection of self-care articles to add to your experience. Click here to view the online library.
BEST Covid-19 Resources
With Covid-19 making headlines once more, we wanted to share our BEST Covid-19 resources for you and your families to help stay safe, healthy and empowered.
Click here to view our Covid-19 resource web page.
Click here for our library of articles on the BEST website blog.
Visit our BEST COVID Clinic in Second Life! View the video below to learn more about the clinic.