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)

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.