Posted on by Itumeleng

Boosting brainpower: drinking your way to success

The past month has been a whirlwind of scientific activity- starting new experiments, conferences, and writing manuscripts. In my recent blogs, here and here, I discuss how I navigate the scientific twitterverse and the power music has on my mental health and acuity. Notwithstanding all of these, in this blog I want to discuss how maintaining a healthy diet helps me stay focused and calm under pressure. Please note – I am neither a dietician nor a health professional and the tips that I share are what works for ME and may not necessarily apply to you.

 When you visit any graduate student lab there is always a coffee pot brewing, and our office is no exception. But, I remember during my masters I only drank green tea and coffee was never my thing– how things have changed! Coffee culture has become an integral part of the academic machinery; I am convinced that coffee and tears of graduate students fuel the whole machine. I have found that drinking a healthy dose of coffee (about two pots a day for me) keeps me focused and I do not have any adverse side effects. Coupled with my coffee, I find snacking on raw vegetables/fruits keep my system alert and functioning optimally. Also, I find that being a vegetarian gives me more snacking options and energy than my meat-eating counterparts (well, the ones I know ).

coffee
The desk of this caffeine-dependent postgrad

In recent years, there has been a growing concern amongst academics regarding the use of brain-enhancing drugs to improve performance. Melinda Wenner Moyer (@lindy2350), a science journalist, wrote a brilliant article for Scientific American, here. In it, she focuses on the issues concerned with the use of Modafinil– a drug prescribed to people who suffer from narcolepsy/sleep apnea, but in healthy individuals, it has been shown[1] to heighten alertness and provide cognitive enhancements. Another report from the UK indicated that 1 in 5 academics have admitted to using Modafinil. However, before you start running to your pharmacy to get the drug- it is worth noting that many neuroscientists are concerned about the long-term effects of these drugs on a healthy brain. Furthermore, the ethical issues that surround the use of these medications are yet to be resolved.

To return back to topic, I am fascinated about what people use to stay awake when ‘burning the midnight oil’ so to speak. For me, it is coffee + snacks, and for my some of my colleagues it is simply taking vitamin B12 supplements and that suffices. A friend of mine can only write when they are in the library – maybe the musty smell of books is a boost? What are some of the techniques that you use to stay alert? Is there a special diet or supplements you take?

[1] Results varied across different studies

Posted on by Mathapelo Seopela · 2 Comments

SEASONED

As the trees shed their leaves and animals go into hibernation, so do we, sometimes. There is a natural progression in life that we cannot avoid, but must embrace if we wish to see positive changes. I must admit I am bound by these thoughts as the year progresses and the final submission of my thesis draws nearer. It is a stage of much anxiety and anticipation, which can oftentimes be confusing. Metaphorically speaking, that just about sums up the life of a postgraduate, particularly mine.

Four season of the year

This year marks the final year of my studies. As most postgraduates know, this means you have to finish doing all experimental work (which took lots of energy and activity – rather like summer!) and start compiling the data into an understandable format. The smell of coffee, fuzziness of warm blankets and a jersey, all linger in my mind at the thought of this. Winter is indeed coming. Loose ends need tying up. Lab equipment must be put to rest. “Doing” is done, and now I have to solidify the findings! That mammoth task can give anyone the heebie-jeebies!! And I’m tempted to curl up and just stay in a warm little ball…

But after months of trial and error, you will hopefully come out strong and triumphant, having run the race, closer to the answers than you were at first. As for me, more than two years have past; what’s done, is done. It is time to pick myself up, do some introspection and turn all my energies into displaying the guidance I’ve received. In the end, all the work I’ve invested will become an actual physical something that makes a contribution to science and possibly change peoples lives. That thought makes the coldness of my winter start to thaw away.

So, I hope to not just freeze mentally or physically in the months ahead, but keep my eye on the prize. Because winter will also lead to the beginning of a new season, the air filled with freshness, newness and anticipation for beautiful things. In the end, I look forward to the promise of bright flowers, green trees and yes, to graduating. Until then we have to acclimatize ourselves with the changes in season, for these too bring with them gifts for those that know how to seize the day!