Stating that mental health is as important as physical health for a healthy brain, psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said that focusing on the brain is focusing on the soul. Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, "For this reason, if we take good care of our brain, if we protect it well, if we train it well, we will serve brain health and therefore our mental health." Stating that the active learning model, in which the brain is open to innovation and learning new information, protects the brain, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said that enjoying one's work and life, being happy and knowing how to be grateful are important for physical and mental health.
Üsküdar University Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said that mental health is important for a healthy brain. Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that 200-300 years ago, as supported by Descartes' view that "I think, therefore I exist", human beings were considered as a rational being and thought to act only with their minds, and that this understanding was destroyed with the revolution in psychology in the 90s.
Mental health equals brain health
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that emotions were understood to be a scientific category in the 90s and said, "It was determined that emotions have biochemical equivalents in the brain. It was determined that there are networks and networks in the brain related to emotions. After that, with the 21st century, it was understood that the human brain is not only an organ of reason and sense, but also an organ of belief. When a person believes in something, the brain accepts it and saves it, just like when the enter key is pressed on a computer. It writes that information in the permanent information file. Whereas when a person does not believe in something, it stores it as temporary information that needs to be confirmed. This shows that believing is important for the functioning of the human brain. When we look at it from this perspective, it has been understood that the triangle of emotions, thoughts and behaviors that we call mental health are situations in which the brain is the source or mediated by the brain. Today, we now say 'mental health equals brain health'."
The brain is the connecting organ of mental health
Stating that there are theses that there is another brain above the brain that makes decisions within the scope of quantum brain studies, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said
"There is a process when a person makes a decision. We receive information that is appropriate, not appropriate; valid, not valid; safe, not safe; true, not true. We make decisions at every moment and that is why we call life a choice. We make a decision. 300 ml seconds after the brain makes a decision, an action potential starts in the brain. So there is another brain above our decision-making brain. It is called a quantum brain, and it turns out that there is a possibility that it is a brain connected to the universe, that our brain is actually a holographic brain connected to the universe. The brain is the connection organ of our mental health from the spiritual world to the material world. The brain is the dimension of mental health that we see. By fixing our brain, we can only do things related to our soul. Focusing on the brain means focusing on the soul in this respect. For this reason, if we take good care of our brain, protect it well, train it well, we serve brain health and therefore our mental health."
Active learning model protects the brain
Noting that the active learning model postpones the emergence of brain-based diseases such as Alzheimer's and is effective in protecting the cognitive functions of the brain, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, "Active learning is called a 21st century skill. What is active learning? It means that the brain is constantly open to new experiences and being open to learning new information. Even if Alzheimer's plaque forms in the brain of active learners, new networks and bypass pathways are formed in the brain. Memory is protected by bypass pathways."
Early diagnosis is important in the fight against Alzheimer's
Stating that early diagnosis and brain check-ups are important in protecting brain health, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said: "General check-ups to detect general health problems are important in identifying health problems and preventing problems in a timely manner. Brain check-up is equally important in terms of protecting brain health and preventing possible diseases and health problems. Currently, the most emphasized thing in the fight against Alzheimer's is early diagnosis. Because there is not much that can be done after the diagnosis is made. But if an early diagnosis is made, for example, how is memory, attention and concentration in the brain according to the age group normative database? Scales related to these are used. For example, there are check-ups that aim to measure forgetfulness and stress levels. We recommend brain check-ups if there are first-degree relatives with Alzheimer's disease or if there is a slight increase in forgetfulness and forgetfulness after the age of 40. Is there small vessel disease in the brain? Are there foci in the brain and capillaries? If so, blood thinners may be needed immediately."
The key word for the brain: Use it or lose it!
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that if certain points such as nutrition and lifestyle changes are given importance for general body health and measures are taken against a possible disease, similar measures can be taken for the brain. Just as a person pays attention to certain things for his/her heart, walks, does sports, pays attention to what he/she eats and drinks, the same applies to his/her brain. If people actively use their brain, even if there is a process related to Alzheimer's, they postpone it. In other words, the disease is postponed until after the age of 85. Therefore, in Alzheimer's, it is important for the person to be aware of the disease, to be aware of it and not to neglect early diagnosis methods such as check-ups. As a university and NPISTANBUL Hospital, we use a slogan about the brain: "Use it or lose it" This is the key and magic word for the brain. If we use our brain, it opens up, if we don't use it, it is lost. Just like a well, when you draw water from the well, the well opens. The brain is an organ that opens as we use it. We have muscle stock, if we don't use it, it melts. Our brain also has such an infrastructure and capacity. If we use that capacity, it develops and stays alive."
Listen to these suggestions for a healthy brain
Pointing out the importance of proper and balanced nutrition in protecting brain health, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, "The vitamins that the brain needs the most are found in the fruits of long-lived trees. Such as olives, figs, almonds and walnuts. Of course, it is necessary to pay attention to the amount consumed in these. Vitamin D is also important. We are in a sun-drenched region, but vitamin D is always low. Because we like to live indoors. Overweight should be avoided for brain health. Body Mass Index should be within the age group. Active life is also important."
It is important to be happy and enjoy
Stating that it is important to be happy and enjoy yourself for brain health and mental health, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan listed his recommendations as follows:
"Eric Kandel, the only psychiatrist to receive the Nobel Prize, is a good example. We invited him to Turkey in May. He is 90 years old, very vigorous. He is not overweight. I asked him; 'Hodja, to what do you owe the fact that you are so vigorous? You are so productive. You still come to congresses." In reply, he said, 'I try to enjoy everything. This is very important. In fact, the beginning of everything is to be happy with small things and to know how to be happy with ordinary things. These are also the basic principles of mental health. We try to teach the concept of being happy with ordinary things, also called gratitude education. In our culture, the concept of gratitude is gratitude. Another feature is to change yourself instead of changing the world. We have two magic words in our culture, which come from Anatolian lore and have an important place in Sufi teachings; patience and gratitude. The first one is actually a manifestation of the gratitude Eric Kandel talks about. To be able to enjoy small things and to try to enjoy everything. The second is to be tolerant, to be patient, to be accepting and not to have a God complex about things that are beyond one's power. In other words, thoughts like 'I can do everything, I can succeed and I am strong' or 'I must always succeed, I must always be ahead, I must always be the best' can sometimes be very corrosive. This should also be avoided."
