Drinking for Memory
Here's the thing:
Extracted from here.
But what I really suspect is going on, is something else. Back in the mid 70's, a Harvard doctor cautiously undertook some experiments dangerous to his career. He explored the effects of stress on the body. While this may not sound all that risky, conservative western medicine used to go to great lengths to divorce anything happening in the mind from any effects it might have on the body. Dr. Benson, in his book "The Relaxation Response" describes two systems hardwired into our physiology. A fight/flight mechanism, which developed early in our evolution, dumps hormones which increases heart-rate, breathing rate, blood pressure and mobilizes our bodies to support our survival. Another physiological mechanism works in the opposite manner, and restores, heals and rejuvenates. The trouble is, the fight/flight response is triggered almost continuously, it reacts to our emotions and thoughts, and doesn't realize that most of these triggers don't actually require the body to prepare for battle.
The relaxation response occurs when the mind is calm and focused and breathing is slowed. Not a common phenomenon in modern times; even in our sleep, this second response is minimal. About the only place it does appear is meditation. Or children. People seem to carry around residual tension all the time, unless they take some time during the day just to slow down, become aware of their breath, their bodies and let their thoughts go, for a while.
I think a glass of wine can shift people into a more relaxed state, for a short time, and a short time is all that is needed. When it's consistent. People who meditate 20 minutes a day have much lower blood pressures than those who don't, even though blood pressure measured immediately after meditation reflects no change from the pressure measured before. This is not to suggest wine is a replacement for meditation; meditation has many more positive effects and wine a few negative ones. But perhaps the common denominator in memory, longevity and heart disease for both is not the alcohol, but the chance to let things go for a short while.
To slow down and catch our breath, between all the artificial spikes of tension which are the fabric of our interpretations of our worlds. Our bodies, with systems designed for very different time in our evolution, are still faithfully trying to interpret the nuances of our thoughts and emotions in physical ways. And our minds have not yet developed the understanding that we are custodians of our beliefs, feelings, ideas and interpretations, not their servants.
Alcohol and Dementia Risk
A drink a day could slow the progress of dementia in older people with memory problems. That's the finding of an Italian study published in the journal Neurology. The study involved over 1,445 healthy adults age 65 and older and 121 adults the same age who had been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. The participants were followed for about four years, during which time they were given memory tests to detect mild cognitive impairment or dementia. The seniors were asked about their drinking habits. Those who already had mild cognitive impairment and who drank a small to moderate amount of alcohol daily -- as little as half a glass of wine -- appeared to get some protection from further memory loss. The study did not determine what type of alcohol offered the most protection. Previous studies have suggested that moderate drinking may prevent dementia and heart disease, USA Today reports. However, the newspaper quotes experts who say that people should not start drinking alcohol just for the possible health benefits.
Extracted from here.
But what I really suspect is going on, is something else. Back in the mid 70's, a Harvard doctor cautiously undertook some experiments dangerous to his career. He explored the effects of stress on the body. While this may not sound all that risky, conservative western medicine used to go to great lengths to divorce anything happening in the mind from any effects it might have on the body. Dr. Benson, in his book "The Relaxation Response" describes two systems hardwired into our physiology. A fight/flight mechanism, which developed early in our evolution, dumps hormones which increases heart-rate, breathing rate, blood pressure and mobilizes our bodies to support our survival. Another physiological mechanism works in the opposite manner, and restores, heals and rejuvenates. The trouble is, the fight/flight response is triggered almost continuously, it reacts to our emotions and thoughts, and doesn't realize that most of these triggers don't actually require the body to prepare for battle.
The relaxation response occurs when the mind is calm and focused and breathing is slowed. Not a common phenomenon in modern times; even in our sleep, this second response is minimal. About the only place it does appear is meditation. Or children. People seem to carry around residual tension all the time, unless they take some time during the day just to slow down, become aware of their breath, their bodies and let their thoughts go, for a while.
I think a glass of wine can shift people into a more relaxed state, for a short time, and a short time is all that is needed. When it's consistent. People who meditate 20 minutes a day have much lower blood pressures than those who don't, even though blood pressure measured immediately after meditation reflects no change from the pressure measured before. This is not to suggest wine is a replacement for meditation; meditation has many more positive effects and wine a few negative ones. But perhaps the common denominator in memory, longevity and heart disease for both is not the alcohol, but the chance to let things go for a short while.
To slow down and catch our breath, between all the artificial spikes of tension which are the fabric of our interpretations of our worlds. Our bodies, with systems designed for very different time in our evolution, are still faithfully trying to interpret the nuances of our thoughts and emotions in physical ways. And our minds have not yet developed the understanding that we are custodians of our beliefs, feelings, ideas and interpretations, not their servants.
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