Dr. Curtis Cripe Explains the Perceptual Process

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Seeing a plant and recognizing it compared to other objects may seem simple, but it is a complex phenomenon that continues to fascinate scientists. Some experts in neuroscience believe that the brain is responsible for constructing our reality and that what we perceive as real is a type of "hallucination." However, according to Dr. Curtis Cripe, this hallucination is accurate thanks to input from our senses, particularly sight, and hearing. In other words, our brains can take in information from the environment around us and create a coherent image of our world. It's truly a remarkable feat that we often take for granted.

Perception begins with a distal stimulus – a physical object in the environment, for example, an orange. The sensory receptors receive information about the orange via different types of environmental energy, representing the distal stimulus. The nervous system transforms environmental and physical energy into electrical energy. For example, receptors in the retina transform the light from the object into electrical signals. These signals are then transmitted from one neuron to another and are processed, notes Dr. Curtis Cripe of NTL Group.

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From this, perception occurs. A split second after perception, recognition takes place. Finally, we place the perceived object in a category. For example, we perceived an orange, which is a fruit. The way we process incoming sensory information is called "bottom-up processing." In addition, our existing memories, knowledge, and assumptions can influence perception and recognition. Neuroscientists call this "top-down processing."

Our perception shapes our entire reality. Dr. Curtis Cripe explains that our brain constantly searches for the best interpretation of the stimuli. We use our past experiences to construct what we believe we see or hear. Our brain creates an accurate model of our environment, refined by sight and hearing. In other words, what we perceive as reality is how our brain interprets the world. Everything we experience is shaped by our perception, which is why it's so important that we understand how it works. By utilizing our past experiences, we can construct a cohesive understanding of the world around us. Whether looking at an object or hearing a sound, our perception plays a crucial role in shaping our reality.

Dr. Curtis Cripe serves as the director of NTL Group's research and development division. For more information, click on this link.

Dr. Curtis Cripe: How Food Sensitivities Impact Cognitive Function

The hidden effects of food allergies

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Food allergies are becoming more common. Within the United States, 10% of the population identifies with some type of food allergy including eggs, peanuts, dairy, or wheat.

In some cases, the symptoms of food allergies can be severe and life-threatening, while other people suffer mild symptoms like itching or swelling. According to Dr. Curtis Cripe, the effects of food allergies can also be hidden. It’s what experts call asymptomatic food sensitivities. You even be eating foods that are good for the brain like eggs or nuts without realizing that you have a sensitivity to those foods which are triggering your body’s natural immune response.

Child Development In addition to the physical symptoms of food allergies, the presence of these sensitivities present difficulties in the social and emotional development of children. Some of the more obvious concerns involve the stress it places on children when they have had severe allergic reactions and must avoid those dangerous foods. It can put a strain on social relationship as the children aren’t able to participate in some activities, such as trick-or-treating, or may experience bullying in regards to their food allergies.

Cognitive Symptoms Dr. Curtis Cripe is also concerned about the hidden effects food allergens can have on the brain. He pointed to a recent study involving the long-term consumption of allergens, which found that eating the identified foods led to brain inflammation and neuronal damage, even when there were no outward signs of an allergic response.

These are important findings when we consider the approved treatment of allergens in which patients are given small doses of the allergen to develop a tolerance. While this may reduce severe reactions, it appears that the brain continues to be impacted.

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Even without physical symptoms of food allergies, these sensitivities can lead to emotional and behavioral problems such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorder. From a cognitive perspective, food allergies can motor and learning deficits.

Treatment Dr. Curtis Cripe pointed out that when a person with food sensitivities eats those foods, it triggers an immune response. One of the common symptoms is brain fog, or that fuzzy feeling when you can’t quite think clearly. If this state of irritation to the brain persists over time, the brain establishes a new “set point” a this lower level of functioning.

Under the supervision of a physician or naturopath, patients may use a strict elimination diet to identify the problem foods. For more hidden sensitivities that are affecting the brain, the patient may need blood tests.

In addition to dietary adjustments, Dr. Curtis Cripe recommends targeted exercises to strengthen and optimize brain function as the body heals. With the NeuroCodex evaluation, Dr. Curtis Cripe is able to monitor when the brain has returned to its peak performance.

Dr. Curtis Cripe is the head of research and development at the NTL Group. He specializes in developing brain-based technologies for healing and repairing neurological dysfunctions. More on Dr. Cripe here.