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)

Calm your cingulate!  You have likely heard about mindfulness, but you likely haven’t heard about what it’s doing for your brain. Ty the Neuro Guy shares his insight into why mindfulness meditation can be good for you and your brain.

We're looking for right brains!

Ready to Branch Out?  Introducing a unique and exclusive fundraising experience that blurs the line between art, tech, and neuroscience.

Branchies, the 2018 Branch Out Bike Tour Registration is now OPEN!  

Click HERE to register as a rider, sign up your team, donate to the cause, volunteer, OR to pass along to your bike-loving friends and family members!

Kyle Mayr is a long-time Branchy and friend.  He's a Master's student at the University of Calgary studying the ketogenic diet as an analgesic following injury.  

In his research, he's looking at how pain may be beneficial to avoid and protect the body from danger. When pain becomes constant and long-lasting, it becomes a debilitating issue that many people face across the world. The current best treatments for pain are pharmaceuticals; many of which come with undesired side effects.

Just like bees, fats are good friends of ours. Also like bees, there’s a buzzword in the world of fats right now.  Have you heard the term ketogenic diet? These days, eating keto is hotter than a toaster on 10. Branch Out's Research Director, Ty McKinney, shares some of the research on how it works and what it means for your brain and body health.

Is one of your New Year’s Resolutions to get back to the gym?  I have some good news for you.  Exercise has excellent benefits for your brain. It's common knowledge that working out is beneficial for our bodies, but what isn’t common knowledge is how it benefits our bodies, specifically our brains.  Read more about how physical activity promotes neuroplasticity and in turn brain health.

History could be made this fall as Vincenzo Vipond tries to break the World Guinness Record for distance traveled on a unicycle while simultaneously juggling three objects.  Join us on Saturday, September 23rd for the first annual 'Branch Out Sideshow'! Come watch the record attempt and stay for the magical entertainment, circus performances, food, door prizes, and loads of surprises!  

Bike Tour Hangover

Little confession; we’ve got a pretty severe case of Bike Tour Hangover. Great thing about it, it’s the exact opposite of a real hangover. Instead of nausea, we’ve got the delicious taste of TriPow in the mouth; instead of a headache, we’ve got memories of laughing at costumed riders; instead of feeling anxious, we feel exhilarated about raising funds; and instead of achy muscles… well, we’ve still got those. But regardless, what a ride! What a party! What a Bike Tour! 

Final Countdown to Bike Tour