sleep

Nutrition, Neurons, and the Brain: Your Brain on Food Book Review

Gary L. Wenk’s Your Brain on Food: How Chemicals Control Your Thoughts and Feelings delves into the fascinating relationship between food, the brain, and our emotions. A must-read for anyone interested in understanding how nutrition can become addictive and impact mental health, Wenk, a Professor at Ohio State University, explains how food and drugs affect brain chemistry. From the effects of fat on taste to the role of antioxidants in brain health, this book uncovers essential insights about how our brain responds to the foods we eat and why food is so much more than just sustenance. Learn about neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and more, and discover why eating less is beneficial for both your body and brain.

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Problem Solving using the Committee of Sleep

Dreams have long been seen as windows into our unconscious minds, offering insight and inspiration for solving life’s problems. Deirdre Barrett, Ph.D., explores this fascinating connection in her book The Committee of Sleep: How Artists, Scientists, and Athletes Use Dreams for Creative Problem Solving—and How You Can Too. Barrett delves into how creative minds in various fields have harnessed the power of dreams to solve complex problems, make groundbreaking discoveries, and fuel their art.

Through real-life stories, such as Paul McCartney’s famous Yesterday melody, which he dreamed before turning it into one of the most iconic songs of all time, Barrett shows how dreams can provide the keys to creativity. Whether it’s an artist receiving visual inspiration or a scientist stumbling upon the solution to a problem, dreams have the ability to unlock new perspectives and solutions. However, Barrett also acknowledges the lack of a practical guide in the book, leaving readers without concrete steps on how to tap into dreams for problem-solving directly.

If you’re fascinated by the role dreams play in human creativity, The Committee of Sleep offers a compelling collection of dream-inspired stories. But if you’re looking for actionable advice on using dreams to solve your own problems, this may not be the book for you.

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Sleeping beauty as modern day Inanna

Sleeping Beauty and Inanna’s Descent: Parallels of Darkness, Fertility, and Renewal

In the month of December, Mindfunda continues its exploration of descent myths with a deep dive into the striking parallels between the myth of Inanna and the fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty. Both stories portray a journey through darkness—whether symbolized by death, sleep, or infertility—and emphasize rebirth and renewal as key themes.

In the Sumerian myth, Inanna, the Great Goddess of Heaven and Earth, descends into the Underworld, stripping herself of power and identity as she confronts her dark sister, Ereshkigal. Similarly, Sleeping Beauty succumbs to a curse cast by the “uninvited” dark goddess-like fairy, symbolizing the waning moon or the shadow side of feminine creation. With the kingdom suspended in sleep, the land reflects the mythic Waste Land, echoing themes of stagnation and infertility seen in Arthurian Grail legends.

Both heroines experience a form of paralysis—Inanna, hung on a meat hook in the Underworld, and Sleeping Beauty, pricked by a spindle and put into a century-long slumber. The resolution comes with help from the animus—the masculine aspect of the self. Inanna is saved by the compassionate beings created by Enki, the God of Wisdom, while Sleeping Beauty is awakened by the kiss of the prince. These acts represent the integration of inner masculine energy—empowering creativity, healing, and reawakening fertility in life.

The myth of Inanna and the tale of Sleeping Beauty remind us that descent is a necessary step in transformation. Whether it’s through creative blocks, emotional wounds, or life’s trials, descending into darkness holds the potential for growth and renewal. By embracing both our shadow and our strength, we can awaken our “Sleeping Beauty” and reclaim our power to create, love, and thrive.

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Three steps to a good night sleep

Looking for a good night’s sleep? Discover the natural recipe that supports your sleep cycle with the right foods. Learn how Tryptophan, Serotonin, and Melatonin work together to ensure a restful night, from choosing the right foods to improving gut health. This guide gives you 3 simple steps to enhance your sleep, along with a bonus step to eliminate sugar and create lasting healthy habits. Achieve the best sleep ever by following these simple, science-backed steps for better rest and well-being.

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