Did you know that you have two brains? If you didn’t, don’t worry, scientists have only really cared about the brain with a capital 'B' up until a few years ago, so you’re not far out of the loop. Your second brain is the Enteric Nervous System (ENS). AKA: Your Gut. While your brain may have  85 billion neurons, your gut has 500 million neurons and uses 50% of your body’s dopamine and 95% of your body’s serotonin1.

Tu-tu-tutu-tutu-tutu-tutu-tu-tu! – OK, we’re ridiculous, but we didn’t get hit by a car riding for brains this weekend in Panorama BC!

Let’s switch gears for a minute. For this Ty the Neuro Guy article, let’s just nerd out about some cool neuroscience research.  Since Branch Out’s Bike Tour is just around the bend, this research has to do with cycling.

Your Brain on Bikes

Round up your crew for this year's Branch Out Bike Tour! 

If you're unfamiliar, FOMO stands for "Fear of Missing Out."  What's so great about the Bike Tour?  We have heaps of reasons for you to help turn those 'on-the-fence' friends into 'heck YAS' friends.  Doing good has never been more fun.  There’s one thing you can’t deny - Branchies sure know how to have a good time! 

Your Brain on Art: Sold Out for Science

CALGARY, May 17, 2018 — Is Calgary the next Silicon Valley of neuroscience?  This might be the case as evidenced by the interest in the SOLD OUT event for “Your Brain on Art,” on May 16^th and 17th at cSPACE King Edward.  At the event hosted by Daily Planet’s, Jay Ingram, the Branch Out Neurological Foundation shared cutting-edge, scientific research through art and theatre.  

Your Brain on Art at cSPACE - May 16 & 17, 2018

“Others imply that they know what it is like to be depressed because they have gone through a divorce, lost a job, or broken up with someone. But these experiences carry with them feelings. Depression, instead, is flat, hollow, and unendurable.”

- Kay Redfield Jamison, An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness

Jeremy was first introduced to the wonderful Branch Out team after being awarded funding by them in 2013 for his undergraduate research on the brain rhythm during sleep. 

Artist Paula Timm describes the connection between her art, neuroscience, her personal medical journey, and her experience meeting neuroscientist, Kyle Mayr.

With 'Your Brain on Art' just around the corner, we wanted to check in with our participating artists to see how they've begun to creatively interpret Branch Out funded research.  Lindsay Rempel was partnered with Ty McKinney, who studies the effects nature has on the brain.  With a passion for florals, travelling, and the great outdoors, Lindsay intimately understands the connection between nature and creativity. 

If you’re a musician, you might swear by the healing powers of music. If you’re musically challenged, like me, you might wonder how listening to music could promote mental health, let along some aspect of physical health. Rather than preach to the choir of musicians, this article is to help us non-music folk understand a little bit better what that choir is raving about. And since I’m a neuroscientist, I think it might be useful to consider what music is doing to the brain to understand how it might be helpful for certain disorders.

Image: American Music Therapy Association (www.musictherapy.org)