While we may not talk of this often in academic settings, Hope is one of the most powerful forces for human health in the world!
Studies show, Hope strengthens the brain by reducing anxiety, improving problem-solving, and supporting resilience. In its absence, hopelessness can increase stress, impair cognitive processing, inhibit needed actions, and dramatically increase the likelihood for further cognitive decline and dementia.
In fact, one of the worst things that can happen to a person with early stage Alzheimer’s or cognitive impairment, is to have their well intentioned doctor, who they respect and trust, tell them there are no truly effective treatments/meds for this condition, and in essence that there is really “nothing they can take or do to arrest their decline.” That they are on a road that will inevitably lead to further loss of critical mental abilities, and likely death in a memory care ward.
Or if their ailment is anxiety or depression, and they are told they must take some brain numbing drug for the rest of their life. And oh, by the way, both of these ailments and the drugs used to treat them, can over time, increase risk for memory problems and dementia.
Wow, talk about disrupting brain chemistry, creating anxiety, stress, depression, and devastation! And perhaps the saddest part of this is the fact that researchers now know that with Hope, a bit of help and the right steps, those dramatic losses can usually be avoided, and are almost never inevitable, without at least some relief!
Conversely by taking away their patients Hope, such well-meaning doctors, nurses, PA’s, etc., can extinguish the very initiative needed to take the steps required to reverse that decline.
Since this is the month when the Christian world celebrates the birth and life of the greatest physician/healer of all time – Jesus Christ – let’s compare the approach above with one that Jesus took.
On his way to heal the daughter of the Jewish leader Jairus, an ailing woman, who had “spent all her living” on other physicians, in hopes of being healed, touched the border of Jesus’ garment, and “immediately” she was healed. To whom Jesus, said, “Daughter, be of good comfort: your faith has made you whole." (Luke 8:43-48)
(Hope is a close cousin to Faith, which is defined as confidence and trust in what is true, while hope is defined as the combination of the belief that the future can be better than the present (optimism) and, second, the belief that we, or a Higher Power/God, have the capacity or the ability to make that better future happen.)
Jairus, was then informed that his daughter had died. But even with this, Jesus and Jairus were not deterred, as they proceeded to his home, where Jesus raised his daughter from death.
From this Biblical account of Luke (also a physician), we learn the wisdom of patient persistence in Hope until the very end, which no man or woman knows, only God. And even in our day, there are many raised from the dead likely daily, thru the dedicated efforts of great doctors and nurses, to share their “near-death” and actual death experiences, and recoveries.
How Hope Operates
A recent Psychology Today article described the pathway of Hope as follows:
"First, the belief that our goals can be met, or a sense of agency. We’ve set out to achieve a goal in the past or present and see achieving that goal in the future as possible. And second, we perceive that a successful pathway to that goal is available to us. We can see how to get where we want to be (Snyder, Harris, et al., 1991)." (See article link below)
And that, friends, is what this website is all about! Finding and sharing the “successful pathways,” to enable you, our readers, to get to where you want to be mentally and emotionally.
How Hope Helps the Brain
What Happens in the Absence of Hope
Key Takeaways
Hope is not just an emotion—it’s a neurological superpower that protects the brain, fuels resilience, and enables growth even in adversity. Without it, the brain becomes trapped in cycles of negativity, impairing both mental health and cognitive performance. And no one wants that.
We dedicate this month’s blog to Jesus Christ, whose life, miracles, teachings, atonement and resurrection have brought Hope for a better life, even miracles to billions throughout the world. And we are pleased to proclaim that wise men still seek Him in faith and hope for a better tomorrow!
And so it is appropriate that we close with a bit of His counsel.
“And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” (Mark 10:27)
“And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you… If you… know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Luke 11:9,11) And...
From wise king Solomon, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Rely not only upon your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:5)
And from Jesus’ apostle Paul.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope [this Christmas season and beyond], through the power of the Holy Spirit (the "Comforter"). (Romans 15:13; John 14:16)
P.S. If you know someone in need of hope, or help in using this website, please invite them to call us at (801) 529-8238). If you would like to help support this website in bringing hope and help to others see the Donations TAB at the top of our home page.
The American Brain Council
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