Lecture Notes: Mental Toughness, Grit, and BDNF

Introduction

• Opening Scenario:
  • Planking for 60 seconds and beyond
  • Highlight of George Hood's world record plank: 10 hours, 10 minutes, and 10 seconds
• George Hood's Mental Toughness:
  • The plank is 90% mental
  • Distraction by focusing on room conversations, drawing energy from people

Concept of Grit

• Common Perception:
  • Grit is often seen as raw willpower
  • Examples: Ultramarathoners with injuries
• Biological Aspect:
  • Grit is linked to a protein: Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)

BDNF - Brain Fertilizer

• Role of BDNF:
  • Supports neuron growth, health, and communication
  • Essential for memory and mental resilience
• Factors Increasing BDNF:
  • Sunshine, blueberries, anti-depressants
  • Exercise, especially planking

Clinical Insight

• Speaker's Background:
  • Clinical professor in preventive medicine, UCSD
  • 40 years of research experience
• Patient Cases:
  • Medically destitute: Heart attacks, strokes, accidents
  • Chronic pain and despair
• Research Needs:
  • Investigate plank and its potential benefits

Grit, BDNF, and Exercise

• Exercise and BDNF:
  • Effective exercises require mental effort
  • Planking as an efficient exercise to increase BDNF
• Scientific Evidence:
  • 2005 study in Hippocampus: Mental exercises produce more BDNF than physical ones
• Yoga and Mental Focus:
  • Activities like yoga show high BDNF levels

Case Study: Daniel

• Condition:
  • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
  • Extreme pain, no known cure
• Daniel's Achievement:
  • Planked over 9 hours on CRPS-affected arm
• Link to BDNF:
  • Challenging exercises helping painful conditions

Recent Developments

• 2024 Research Findings:
  • Article in Experimental Neurobiology: Exercise doubles BDNF levels
• Call to Action:
  • Further study the link between exercise, BDNF, and quality of life improvement

Conclusion and Challenge

• Raising Awareness:
  • Highlighting the potential of exercise and BDNF
• Practical Challenge:
  • Try planking for a minute to boost grit
• Closing Message:
  • Encouragement for transformative potential of planking