Improving brain capital

Neuroscience is a rapidly expanding field that touches on many other scientific fields. Its multidisciplinary nature attracts physicians and scientists from diverse backgrounds that reflect a wide-range of interests and points of view for understanding the human brain. The human brain demands attention not just from the realm of neuroscience, but from the broader public sphere.

What does this mean exactly?

On April 19th, Harris Eyre, M.D., Ph.D., psychiatrist and neuroscientist from the Public Policy Institute at Rice University, spoke in-depth about the effects of the economy on our brain capital at MUSC’s Lab to Leaders conference. This annual event serves as a platform for graduate research students to share their latest research with the public, aiming to enhance scientists’ communication efforts and engage a wider audience in scientific discussions.

Eyre’s work focuses on raising awareness about how important our brain capital is and his presentation illuminated the critical importance of brain capital and its impact on various aspects of life, including the economic landscape. Brain capital is defined as a combination of brain health and brain skills that contribute to overall performance, neurological function and mental health. 

"As the field of neuroscience continues to evolve, it becomes increasingly evident that our understanding of the human brain can be applied to a variety of disciplines that affect our society and its economic landscape."

-- Jaci Fleming

Eyre pointed out that our current economy cultivates an environment that has negative effects on brain capital. This can cause poor brain cognition and performance, which results in low labor productivity, suboptimal workforce skills and educational disruptions. He calls this a “brain negative economy”. An economy centered on aspects such as industrialized food systems that accelerate depression and anxiety, contribute to air pollution, spread misinformation and disinformation, and lack overall investment in brain science, care and innovation.

But how do we combat an economy that has obvious negative effects on our brains?

“A systematic approach is needed to improve brain health,” says Eyre, “one that prioritizes scientific breakthroughs and educates the public about habits that are healthy for their brains.”

In order to work towards bettering the health of your own brain, Eyre emphasizes the importance of making connections between interdisciplinary ideas in order to diversify your environment and strengthen brain health and skills. Thoughts like these help to cultivate new interests and communities and to enhance the breadth and depth of these experiences. Which all help to boost brain health.

Redesigning our cities, workplaces, learning environments and homes has the potential to improve human health and brain capital for the better. A combination of these efforts with personal goals such as defining one's values, discovering new disciplines and optimizing personal skill sets will aid in working towards a more ‘brain positive economy’.

Altogether, Eyre’s insights shed a light on the significance of prioritizing brain capital in our society today. As the field of neuroscience continues to evolve, it becomes increasingly evident that our understanding of the human brain can be applied to a variety of disciplines that affect our society and its economic landscape. By recognizing the detrimental effects of a ‘brain negative economy’ and working towards systematic approaches that improve brain capital, we will begin to pave the way for a future where improved brain health is a collective pursuit.

For more information, visit https://harriseyre.com/.