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The Brain

Patch

Patch

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,981
Location
Bristol
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Insulin
I've been thinking (yes, it hurt). :lol:

If the brain uses glucose/glycogen for fuel - can "thinking" lower your BG? (Doing calcultations/word puzzles/problem solving, etc...?)

I've found that I am much more alert, and able to concentrate A LOT more, when I have lower BG's (<6mmol/l). Could it be that with higher BG, there is TOO MUCH fuel for the brain, and the brain just works too fast, causing what has been described as muddy thinking/confusion/lack of concentration?

Especially at work, I've found that when I have high BG, and a lot of activities on the go, my mind cannot separate the tasks I have, and tries to resolve all of them at the same time (causing a level confusion/anxiety). When BG is lower, I'm able to focus on tasks individually, clearing them systematically.

Just a couple of things I've been thinking about lately...
 
I don't know about the anatomy or chemistry of all this, but I too am aware that I am thinking more clearly now my Bg is under control. My memory is better and my ability to concentrate has improved. I still ocassionally put the odd packet of tea in the freezer, but...well...stuff happens doesn't it?
 
When my BG drops around 4 - 4.5 mmol/l I know my speech gets slurry, my concentration goes and my whole being is in a daze. So, I always make sure it is slightly higher but no more than 7 at any time. Keeps my brain active and alert.

When I was really high like around 24+ mmol/l I was also sleepy and almost felt tipsy.......then other times I felt great !! Don't ask why......I just did.

Best to keep good levels and feed that brain, however it works. :D
 
Interesting! Quite by accident, I became aware that I was thinking more clearly and with a sharper focus after a period of modest fasting - this in the few months before I was diagnosed.

(cue image of scantily-clad eastern mystic on mountaintop living on one lentil per day...)

I've not performed any robusts tests, but I'd say that I am at my sharpest, mentally, between 4.0 and 4.8 - even when I happen to have tested a bit lower, down to 3.8, I'm mentally still sharp although a little physical tiredness creeps in.

When I was on Met, I did hit 3.5 and 3.6 on a couple of occasions; then I did feel a bit odd, but I was in the midst of a serious low-carbing weightloss regime. I'm still reasonably lowcarb, but backed-up by a few mins of exercise half a dozen times per day, plus a longer period of reasonably brisk walking.

Hit 5.0 or above and I'd say I've slowed back to normal and in the days when I used to hit 6 or above I'd really notice it; that feeling just like after a big lunch and a couple of pints.

Obviously, this is all anecdotal and it is difficult to self-analyse with any great accuracy, but when I occasionally look back from end-of-day perspective at the complex mental tasks I've sometimes achieved in an afternoon when I've skipped lunch, I'm pretty sure it is a real effect.

I don't know how much glucose you'd burn off with 6 hours of intensive Sudoku, but the scalp is well supplied with blood for the very good reason that the brain does generate a lot of heat that needs to be carried away; that certainly indicates that it consumes a fair amount of fuel too.

Conversely, watching too much reality TV or soap operas probably shuts the brain down, causing BG to rise...

mark
 
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