COMMUNITY SUPPORT -- VETERAN'S RESOURCES
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
VETERAN'S RESOURCES
Over 400 Resources for our Veteran’s Community — New Updates Every Month
We take immense pride in supporting our veteran's community by providing a vast range of resources. We understand the unique challenges facing our veteran populations of various age groups and circumstances, and that's why we are committed to regularly updating and expanding our offerings.
Our comprehensive collection covers a wide range of areas to address the diverse needs of veterans. From mental health and career guidance to financial assistance and social support, we strive to be a reliable source of information and assistance.
To ensure that our resources remain relevant and up to date, we consistently revise and add new content. We understand the importance of staying informed about the latest developments that could benefit our veteran community.
So, stay connected with us and check back regularly for new additions. We are constantly working to enhance our support network and bring you the most valuable resources available.
Together, let's empower our veterans and make sure they have the necessary tools and support to thrive in their civilian lives.
We invite you to explore our comprehensive library of cutting-edge TBI/PTSD research, meticulously curated from esteemed universities and organizations. Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements and insights into TBI and PTSD through these invaluable resources.
In this collection, we have thoughtfully collated publications from respected academic institutions and renowned organizations.
By delving into our library, you will gain access to groundbreaking studies, thought-provoking analyses, and evidence-based approaches to TBI and PTSD. Our goal is to empower you with the knowledge you need to navigate these challenges effectively.
With our simplified platform, you can effortlessly explore and discover the most relevant findings in the field. Our library is regularly updated to feature the most recent publications, ensuring you are always at the forefront of this evolving landscape.
Contributors: How to submit a health/wellness news article
On our website…
5000+ Health Research Resources for Veterans and their Families
Active Duty Crisis Line
This free resource is available to all Active-Duty, Guard, Reserve Members, and Families
Can be reached in the United States at 800-273-8255, then press 1
Can be reached in Europe at 00800-1273-8255 or DSN 118 (The toll-free service in Europe may not be available through all carriers or in all countries.)
Can be reached in Korea at 0808 555 118 or DSN 118
Offers confidential online chat at the Military Crisis Line website or by texting to 838255
With much appreciation, above information has been provided by Military OneSource
https://www.militaryonesource.mil/
General Veteran’s Health Wellness Resources
VA.gov Guide: Geriatrics and Extended Care
Boston University School of Medicine: Health and Wellness: Soldier and Family
Free Resources for Veterans with PTSD, Other Mental Health Challenges AARP
List of Health-Related Resources for Service Members, Veterans, and Military Families Rand.org
Military.com is one of the leading websites for military members, veterans and their families
Find a PTSD Therapist US Dept. of Veteran Affairs
Guide to Hearing Health for Veterans
PTSD in Military Veterans
Veterans Guide. org Common Mental Conditions Experienced by Military Service Members
TriCare Health & Wellness (DHA) trinare.mil
Guide to Creating a Peaceful Home To Improve Mental Health for Veterans
Chronic Pain: What it is and how proper testing helps
Chronic pain: More common in veterans than in nonveterans
Memory Care Resources for Veterans Assisted Living Research Institute
Medicare for Veterans: A Comprehensive Guide FL
Five Ways to Cope with PTSD
U.S. Army Public Health Center
PTSD, Substance Abuse, and Mental Health Help for Veterans
Is Alcoholism Hereditary or Influenced More by Environment?
Issues Faced by Caregivers of Veterans
How To Identify and Report Elder Abuse
12 Ways To Stay Positive While Recovering On Crutches
Lido Wellness Center Newport Beach, CA
Mental Illness Support Resources S. CA
Major Depressive Disorder Treatment Orange County CA
Resources for Visually Impaired Veterans
Veteran’s CBD Discounts
Invisible aligners for military, discounted
Dental Resources for Veterans
Benefits of having Medicare with VA health insurance coverage
Trauma informed care
Mesothelioma information for Veterans and Asbestos Law Firms All onAsbestos.com
Mesothelioma and Legal Resources Houston, NYC, S. CA
Is the Military a Good Option for People With Autism?
Autism & Mood Disorders'
Why May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Disabled Veterans: A Guide To Discrimination, Other Barriers, And Resources
Safety for Elderly: Guide
Disabled Veterans: A Guide To Discrimination, Other Barriers, And Resources
What Medical Alert Providers Partner with the VA?
Safety for Elderly: The Ultimate Guide
Assisted living for people with mental health disorders
A Guide to Equine Therapy
Nursing Home Abuse
Veterans & Vision Care Guide
Vision Care Guide for Veterans
VA Benefits for Seniors
Senior Care Resources: Emergency Housing Guide
Seniors’ guide to medication management
Veterans’ Mental Health Issues
Mental Conditions Eligible for VA Disability
Mental Health Resources for Black Women
Partial Hospitalization Program in California
Why Mental Health Support Is Important for Black Women
Guide to End-of-Life Planning for Veterans and Families
Veterans Guide to Paying for Assisted Living & Home Care
Veterans And Substance Abuse: Scope, Risks, And Treatment
Caregiver’s Guide to Senior Health
Suicide Facts and Statistics
Aging with Care
Driver Fatigue - Road Accidents
Guide to Vision Care for Veterans
Tabletop Role-Playing Games to Benefit Mental Health
Mental Health Benefits of Role-Playing Games
PTSD: Specialized Care and Supportive Services
A Comprehensive Guide to Elderly Community Resources
Protective Measures Against Scams For Dementia Patients
Online Safety Guide for Senior Citizens
Beekeeping Therapy for Seniors and Veterans
Why is sleep so important for students
Effects of Drug Addiction on Oral Health
What travellers with disabilities need to know about their rights
Military-Related Sites for those in Service to Our Country.
4 Dimensions of Wellness
The goal of the 4 Dimensions of Wellness Web site is to serve as a self-help center for the Edwards workforce and community. The campaign initiative is designed to establish a proactive, healthy, and war-fit Team Edwards by focusing on Spiritual, Emotional, Physical and Social wellness support.
Financial Assistance Resources
Financial Assistance For Single Mothers Provided by Sarah West, webmaster
Resources For Veterans In Need Provided as a community service by EssayOnTime
Find Free Veteran Grants Nationwide
The following provided by BlueVine offering business owners access to working capital
Small Business Loans for Veterans
Veteran’s Guide to Saving on Housing Costs Independent contributor
The following provided by Jim Lucas, Community Manager, Birchgold
List of resources for veterans’ financial security
The following provided by Carmen Adams, a masters student at SDSU
Predatory car sales to military members (avoiding and spotting scams)
Financial Assistance for Recovering Addicts Provided by LendEDU
A Veteran’s Guide to Starting A Small Business
101+ Resources For Military Families And Veterans
A guide to home repair grants for veterans Commercial insurance site
Veteran Tax Exemptions by State
Annuity.org; Qualifying for Military Benefits
SNAP Benefits
VA Housing Grants for Disabled Veterans
Current VA Loan Rates Available Locally
Top 60 Veteran & Military-Friendly Employers
Directory of financial assistance programs for blacks
College Resources for Veterans and Their Families
Top 10 Work from Home Jobs for Military Spouses & Veterans with Disability
Trusted Military and Veteran Service Organizations
Highly-Rated Nonprofits Dedicated to Veterans and Military Service Members
We help Veterans become Homeowners
Starting A Veteran-Owned Retail Business: A Comprehensive Guide
Ex felon grants financial assistance programs directory
How To Keep Elderly Loved Ones Safe From Online Scams
Business Credit and Loan Resources for Veterans
Survivor and Dependent Social Security Benefits
Top 10 Senior Scams and How to Prevent Them
Comparison of Medicaid and VA Pensions Long Term Care Benefits and Eligibility Requirements
Free grants for veterans
Common Digital Scams Seniors Face
VA Benefits for Seniors
Comprehensive Military Discount Guide Listed By Each State
Darn Tough active duty, veterans and dependents 20% off
Digital money for seniors
Disabled Students’ Allowance (UK)
Elder financial resources
20+ resources every veteran small business owner should know
Financial Resources Helpful for Veteran Families in Need
My Next Move for Veterans (Career Resources)
How to Use a Relocation Calculator
A Single Mother helps struggling low-income single mothers
Moving Services That Offer Military Discounts
VA Home Loan Calculator
VA Mortgage Loan Document Checklist
What Documents Do I Need to Sell My House?
Military Buddy Finder
Financial Assistance for African Americans
Community Events and Other Ways to Gather Veterans' Narratives
Military Discounts Offered by Stores, Services and Online Sites
Military Discounts through Verizon
Top 100 Places That Offer Military Discounts
Mental Health Resources | Veterans Families United
The Veteran’s Guide to Creating a Peaceful At-Home Atmosphere After Returning Home
Military Skills Translation Resources for Veterans and Active Duty Service Members
Financial Resources and Discounts for Military Families
Red Kap offers discount workwear options for veterans
Benefits for Veterans & their Caregivers
Military & Veteran Discounts Guide
Whistleblowers Info.com: Help Fight All Types of Fraud
30 Common Credit Scams: A Guide for Financially Vulnerable Adults
Online Scams: How To Protect Yourself As A Senior
Combating the Homelessness Epidemic for Veterans: Guide to HUD-VASH
Several of the following eduction resources provided by Rider University
Making the Transition to College
Military Skills Translation Resources for Veterans and Active Duty Service Members
Veterans and Military Service Information
Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Program
Scholarships and Aid for Veterans and Military
Veteran Career Fair and Military Expo
Veterans and Military Affairs Lounge
The following provided by BestAccreditedColleges.org
College Guide for Veterans & Active Service Members
Ultimate College Guide for Veterans & Active Service Members
How to Apply to College
Guide to Trade and Vocational Schools
High Demand Jobs in 2023 & Beyond
Addiction and Substance Abuse Resources by Location
The following link was submitted by Timothy Stoddart, Founder, Sober Nation US
Drug Testing Testing.com helps patients and caregivers understand lab tests
The Correlation Between PTSD in Veterans and Addiction
Rehab Treatment for the LGBTQ+ community US
LGBTQ+ Community looking for drug rehab
Substance Use Resources for Students from Historically Marginalized Groups
Military Service Member and Veteran Guide to a Career in Substance Abuse Counseling
Contingency Management Helps Veterans Stay Drug-Free, an addiction-fighting method. Provided by Sunshine Behavioral Health
Guide to Substance Abuse in Veterans Provided by 449 Recovery.org
Contributed by Drug Rehab Connections: Alcohol Self-Assessment Test
Drug Rehab Services in the US: from addicted.com US
Locate Drug and Alcohol Centers by State US
A Senior’s Guide to Fentanyl
National USA Substance Use Disorder Treatment Locator provided by Drug Rehab USA, listings generated from the National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (N-SSATS).
Addiction & Mental Health Resources for First Responders NH
Addiction Resources for Firefighters & EMS NH
What to Know About Binge Drinking NH
Alcohol Consumption During COVID NH
Above links provided by Granite Recovery Centers, Effingham, NH
Live Free Recovery Services and Sober Living NH
Residential treatment centers for teens NH
Addiction & Mental Health Resources for Veterans (New Hampshire, NE)
Casco Bay Recovery ME
A New Approach Treating Military Trauma & Addiction (KY, TN, FL) Provided by JourneyPure
Florida Center for
Behavioral Health Treatment FL
TN Detox Center TN
Brentwood Springs Detox TN
Detox Nashville TN
Detox West Tennessee TN
Tulip Hill Recovery TN
Grace Land Recovery Center TN
Addiction Rehab Treatment connect with the drug and alcohol treatment centers across the United States
Support for Veterans with Substance Use Disorders OH
Stages of Recovery OH
Veteran Substance Abuse A War on Home Soil for Veterans OH
Suicide Risk Factors During Pandemics OH
Veterans And Addiction – Resources for Substance Abuse And Mental Health Disorders - Ohio Area OH
Resources for Loved Ones of Alcoholics OH
The Recovery Village- Substance Abuse Resources for Veterans FL, OH, CO, MD, WA
Crack Cocaine Addiction and Treatment third-party information service
Treating PTSD In Addiction Recovery: Treatment Options And Resources MA
Rockland Recovery MA
Addiction Resources MA
Massachusetts Addiction Treatment Center MA
Lightwork Therapy & Recovery for Women MA
Bedrock Recovery Center MA
Comprehensive Mental Health Treatment Programs NJ
Kingsway Recovery Center NJ
North Jersey Recovery Center NJ
Drug & Alcohol Rehab in South Jersey NJ
The Discovery Institute NJ
BlueCrest Recovery Center NJ
Achieve Wellness & Recovery NJ
Outpatient Treatment Programs NJ
New Jersey Addiction Treatment Program NJ
Pennsylvania Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center PA
Agape Treatment Center in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Drug and Alcohol Detox in Port St. Lucie, FL
Substance Abuse Resources for Veterans FL
Preventing Drug Addiction in Cancer Patients FL
Coastal Detox FL
Detox & Addiction Treatment FL
Miracles Recovery Center FL
Addiction Intervention Resources FL
Intrepid Detox Residential FL
Orlando Treatment Solutions FL
Drug and Alcohol Treatment South FL
Help for Veterans Struggling with Addiction CO
Resources for Addiction Recovery CO
LA Drug and Alcohol Addiction Rehab Resources Los Angeles CA
California Free Rehab Centers CA
Drug and Alcohol Detox and Residential Rehab Center S CA
Mental Health Disorders Treatment S. CA
Outpatient Telehealth Program S. CA
Mental Health Treatment Programs in Orange County Orange County, S. CA
California Addiction Treatment Orange County, S. CA
Women’s Only Treatment Center Costa Mesa CA
Sober Living Homes Huntington Beach CA
Medical Detox at Path to Recovery S. CA
San Diego drug and alcohol treatment center S. CA
Holistic Residential Treatment S CA
Mental health and addiction treatment for teens and adults S CA
Veteran Drug Abuse S CA
Transformations care S CA
Alternative Options S CA
Dual diagnosis treatment S CA, L.A.
Addiction Treatment Orange County, CA
Horizon Services N CA East Bay Area
Bi-Bett Treatment Services N CA East Bay Area
Resources for Substance Abuse N CA North Bay
Innovative Addiction Treatment Programs Fresno County, CA
Resources for Substance Abuse Santa Barbara, CA
Resources for Substance Abuse Greater San Diego, CA Area
Men's Addiction & Mental Health Treatment San Diego, CA
Women’s Addiction and Mental Health Treatment San Diego County
Mental Health Treatment For Teens Redondo Beach CA
Drug and Alcohol Detox Centers Directory DetoxRehabs.net (national)
Substance Abuse Resources for Veterans and Their Families AZ
Blueprints for Recovery AZ
Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment Programs Tucson, AZ
Northern Illinois Recovery IL
Free by the Sea WA
BRC Healthcare TX
8 Dimensions of Wellness TX
Ripple Ranch Recovery TX
Alcohol and Drug Detox TX
Luna Recovery Services Houston TX
Harmony Ridge Recovery Center WV
Sana Lake Recovery MO
CDC US Drug Overdose Death Statistics USA
Addiction Group team (internet)
Rehab.com Find physical therapy, addiction treatment and mental health providers US
U.S. Military Veterans and Addiction Addiction Guide
Alcoholism in the workplace
How to Help an Alcoholic General
What Is Inpatient Treatment/Rehab? IL
Indiana Drug & Alcohol Treatment IN
Top Signs of Opioid Addiction MS
Concise Recovery San Fernando Valley
Signs & Symptoms of Drug Addiction MS
National Drug Addiction (Rehab) Hotline US
Veterans’ mental health care guide US
Addiction and Mental Health Resources for Veterans US
Rehab resources in Idaho ID
Utah In-Network Addiction Rehab Center UT
Advaita Integrated Medicine NC
Addiction Treatment Programs OR
Opioid Addiction Rehab Program WA
Wisconsin Resources for Addiction
Types of Therapy for Drug and Alcohol Addiction US
Active Marketing: Addiction Treatment US
Top Rehabs: curated list US
Start Your Recovery Find local rehab centers US
150+ Addiction Resources and Statistics from around the World
Substance Abuse Articles & Education
Alcohol Misuse Among Veterans (American Addiction Centers, TN)
Alcoholism In Veterans (Recovery Worldwide)
Veterans and Addiction Treatment (American Addiction Centers)
First Sign of Substance Abuse (Arrow Passage Recovery, OH)
Anxiety and Addiction (Iris Healing)
Dealing with Adolescent Behavior Problems (Pacific Beach Health, CA)
What Are The Types Of Mental Health Disorders? (Ripple Ranch Recovery, TX)
The Connection Between Depression and Addiction (San Diego Detox, CA)
Learn about TRT for Veterans (Immortal Male)'
Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment Program (Soledad House, S. CA)
What is an intervention? (Choice House, CO)
Stimulant Addiction Treatment (Mile High Recovery Center, CO)
What Is Polysubstance Abuse? (Rise Above Treatment, S.CA)
California Addiction Treatment
Preventing Substance Use Among Veterans
Eating disorders and addiction
Parent’s Guide to Fentanyl addicted.org
Protecting Children From Online Drug Dealers addicted.org
Nutritional deficiencies - a public health concern
PTSD Resources
See our section on PTSD, TBI collection of research papers
The following three resources were provided by Megan Bishop, Outreach Specialist outreach@alcohol.org. www.alcohol.org
These are some of their most popular evidence-based articles on PTSD and addiction:
Treatment Options for PTSD and Addiction
Private Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment Options
The Link Between PTSD and Alcoholism
Dual Diagnosis Signs | Symptoms | Treatments (Opus Health, Costa Mesa CA)
Dual Diagnosis Treatment L.A., CA
Breaking the Cycle: Dual Diagnosis Addiction Treatment for Lasting Recovery
Online PTSD Self-Test (J. Flowers Institute)
How to Design a Home with PTSD in Mind
How Tabletop Role-Playing Games Benefit Our Mental Health
Mental Health Benefits of Role-Playing Games
Military Skills Translation Resources for Veterans and Active Duty Service Members
The Definitive Handbook for Veterans Advertising Their Business
Employment Law and Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Veterans | Request Legal Help
Veteran source for vetted defense and private security jobs & personnel Provided by Silent Professionals.
Grants and Financial Support for Single Mothers in 50 States Provided by Sarah West, Webmaster
How to get help with the transition back to civilian life, housing and financial help, employment support and much more. Help for American Veterans
College Degree Opportunities: Understanding a Veteran with PTSD
Veteran’s Guide to Saving on Housing Costs
Provided by a commercial site, RentPath, LLC.. Find Military Housing
Resource Guide for Homeless Veterans Provided by RentDeals.com
Scholarships and Grants for Veterans and Military Families
Jobs for Veterans - Veteran’s Guide to Job Search in 2020 Provided by Novoresume.com
“Our Vision is to Fight Galactic Unemployment”
Scholarships for U.S. Army Veterans Financial Aid for Veterans, Their Spouses, and Children
Guide to Getting Discounts on Moving Services
Financial Relief & Discount Guide For Veterans With Disabilities
Military Scholarships for Active Duty Members and Veterans
Military-friendly MBA Programs: What to Look For
How Assisted Living Supports Disabled and Senior Veterans Provided by Assisted Living Research Institute, a community focused organization that is dedicated to enhancing the lives of older adults through research.
Choosing a Trade Career for Returning Service Members
Military Storage Guide: Storage Tips for Active Duty and Military Personnel
Home Renovation Grants For Veterans
Veterans Returning To School Face Unique Challenges CUNY
Veterans Fishing License Discounts & Exemptions: All States
Veteran Rights and Discrimination FL, MN, CO, TX
Military Resume Example & Writing Guide
How to Write a Cover Letter
Military-to-Civilian Resume Examples
Military to Civilian Cover Letter Examples
Internet Safety Guide
Free grants for veterans
Directory of grants for single mothers
A Guide to Active Duty Storage
Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) Guide for Contractors
Common Online Scams
Small businesses, big advantages: 11 resources to help veteran-owned businesses grow
Best military-friendly colleges
Moving Companies With Military Discounts
Why Veterans Should Start a Business in the U.S.
8 Small Business Grants for Veterans
Business startup costs calculator
How to Get an LLC
How to Choose the Perfect Retail Space
Can A 100% Disabled Veteran own a Business?
Tips And Strategies For The Best Ways To Hire Veterans
11 Free Programs To Help Veterans Succeed As Entrepreneurs
How to write a CV – Tips and advice to help you land a job
Which skilled trades align well with veteran skills?
Self-Assessment Tools for Senior Drivers
Guide to Filing For Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Negligence Lawsuit
How To Start A Class Action Lawsuit
What Are the Most Common Types of Digital Marketing Scams?
Presented by American Addiction Centers (AAC) - veteranaddiction.org
We are a leading and national organization that is dedicated to helping people with their mental health and substance abuse problems
Presented by American Addiction Centers (AAC) - veteranaddiction.org,
a leading and national organization that is dedicated to helping people with their mental health and substance abuse problems
Veterans’ Mental Health Issues
Looks at depression among veterans, PTSD in military veterans, anxiety after military service, co-occurring disorders and substance abuse treatment and mental health assistance for veterans
Alcohol Abuse Among Veterans
Discusses the culture of alcohol abuse within the military, the connection between PTSD & alcohol abuse, provides statistics and a list of FAQs regarding alcohol abuse in military personnel and veterans
Specialized Recovery Programs for Veterans
Provides statistics of U.S. veterans with substance addiction, understanding how mental health and chronic pain effect addiction, finding treatment at AAC and other support groups for veterans
Our organization also hosts free virtual support and online addiction meetings that many veterans use to help support their recovery
To all Veterans of the U.S. Armed Services, we thank you!
Connecting Veteran-Owned Businesses to Global Markets
Formed by veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, VetsGoGlobal is a team of the U.S. Commercial Service international trade specialists dedicated to helping other U.S. veterans connect to business opportunities around the world.
Questions? Contact the Vets Go Global Team
Vets@trade.gov
Please note that commercial site listings on our platform does not indicate nor suggest our endorsement.
If you would like to suggest your organization for inclusion in our resources, please contact us. Please be aware that a small listing fee is required for commercial sites. We appreciate your patience and understanding, as our operations are staffed by volunteers. Kindly allow us 7-10 days to respond to your request.
Mitigating stress, PTSD risk in warfighters
September 27, 2018
Science Daily/U.S. Army Research Laboratory
Researchers have developed a technique that has the potential to provide measures that facilitate the development of procedures to mitigate stress and the onset of conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder in warfighters.
A U.S. Army Research Laboratory scientist has collaborated with a team of researchers from the University of North Texas to develop a new data processing technique that uses electroencephalogram, or EEG, time series variability as a measure of the state of the brain.
The researchers say such a technique has the potential to provide measures that facilitate the development of procedures to mitigate stress and the onset of conditions such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in warfighters.
"The human brain is considered by many to be the most complex organ in existence, with over a billion neurons and having in excess of a trillion interconnections," said Dr. Bruce West, senior scientist of mathematics and information science at the U.S. Army Research Office and ARL Fellow.
According to West, it is the operation of this extraordinary complex network of neurons that hosts human thinking, and through the central nervous system, enables the functioning of most, if not all, of the physiologic networks, such as the respiratory, motor control and cardiovascular.
However, according to the researchers, even with this central role the brain plays in enabling our existence, remarkably little is known about how it does what it does.
Consequently, measures for how well the brain carries out its various functions are critical surrogates for understanding, particularly for maintaining the health and wellbeing of military personnel.
A small but measureable electrical signal generated by the mammalian brain was captured in the electrocardiogram of small animals by Caton in 1875 and in human brains by Berger in 1925.
Norbert Wiener, a half century later, provided the mathematical tools believed necessary to penetrate the mysterious relations between the brain waves in EEG time series and the functioning of the brain.
According to West, progress along this path has been slow, and after over a century of data collection and analysis, there is no taxonomy of EEG patterns that delineates the correspondence between those patterns and brain activity....until now!
The technique developed by West and his academic partners generalizes Evolutionary Game Theory, a mathematical technique historically used in the formulation of decision making in war gaming.
Their findings are reported in a paper published in the August edition of Frontiers in Physiology.
In the paper, titled "Bridging Waves and Crucial Events in the Dynamics of the Brain," West, along with Gyanendra Bohara and Paolo Grigolini of the University of North Texas, propose and successfully test a new model for the collective behavior within the brain, which bridges the gap between waves and random fluctuations in EEG data.
"The work horse of decision making within the military has historically been Game Theory, in which players cooperate or defect, and with pairwise interactions receive various payoffs so that under given conditions certain strategies always win," West said. "When the game is extended to groups in which individual strategy choices are made sequentially and can change over time, the situation evolves offering a richer variety of outcomes including the formation of collective states in which everyone is a cooperator or a defector, resulting in a collective state."
It turns out, West said, that the technique developed to process EEG data, the self-organized time criticality method, or SOTC method, incorporates a strategy that is an extension of Evolutionary Game Theory directly into the modeling of the brain's dynamics.
"The collective, or critical, state of the neural network is reached spontaneously by the internal dynamics of the brain and as with all critical phenomena its emergent properties are determined by the macroscale independently of the microscale dynamics," West said.
This macroscale can be directly accessed by the EEG spectrum.
The EEG spectrum, obtained by the SOTC method, decays like Brownian motion at high frequencies, has a peak at an intermediate frequency (alpha wave) and at low frequencies has an inverse power law.
In the case of the brain, the inverse power law has revealed that there is a broad range of time scales over which the brain is able to respond to the demands placed on it.
This spectrum suggests a flexibility in response, reflecting a potential range from concentrating on a single task for hours to rapidly countering a physical assault.
"This means that in the foreseeable future the physical training of warriors, along with the necessary monitoring of progress associated with that training, will be expanded to include the brain," West said. "The reliable processing of brain activity, along with the interpretation of the processed EEG signal, will guide the development of reliable techniques to reduce stress, enhance situational awareness and increase the ability to deal with uncertainty, both on and off the battlefield."
West said that the research team even speculates that such understanding of brain dynamics may provide the insight necessary to mitigate the onset of PTSD by early detection and intervention, as is routinely done for more obvious maladies.
According to West, going forward with this research can proceed in at least two ways.
"One way is to apply these promising results to data sets of interest to the Army," West said. "For example, quantify how the EEG records of warriors with PTSD differ from a control group of warriors and how this measure changes under different therapy and medication protocols. The other way is to refine the technique, for example, locate where on the scalp it is the most robust, while retaining sensitivity."
However this research proceeds, these Army scientists are focused on bringing the technology to fruition to help the Soldier of the future succeed in an ever-changing world and battlefield.
Earlier this year, the research team published on work that look at the processing heart rate data and how heart rate was indirectly influenced by meditation through the dynamics of the brain. That work examined how the brain influences the operation of the body by directly measuring how the physiologic system (cardiovascular in this case) responds to changes in the brain (by means of meditation).
This current work focuses on processing EEG data and directly interpreting the dynamics of the brain; it examines how the rhythmic behavior of brain waves (alpha, beta, gamma, etc. waves) can be understood to be compatible with the fluctuations in brain wave data.
Both papers are part of an ongoing ARL-University of North Texas study to determine if the fluctuations in all the physiological systems are produced by a previously unidentified mechanism that we call crucial events.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180927091010.htm
Building fit minds under stress
February 17, 2010
Science Daily/University of Pennsylvania
A new study in which training was provided to a high-stress U.S. military group preparing for deployment to Iraq has demonstrated a positive link between mindfulness training, or MT, and improvements in mood and working memory.
The study found that the more time participants spent engaging in daily mindfulness exercises the better their mood and working memory, the cognitive term for complex thought, problem solving and cognitive control of emotions. The study also suggests that sufficient MT practice may protect against functional impairments associated with high-stress challenges that require a tremendous amount of cognitive control, self-awareness, situational awareness and emotional regulation.
To study the protective effects of mindfulness training on psychological health in individuals about to experience extreme stress, cognitive neuroscientist Amishi Jha of the Department of Psychology and Center for Cognitive Neuroscience at Penn and Elizabeth A. Stanley of Georgetown University provided mindfulness training for the first time to U.S. Marines before deployment. Jha and her research team investigated working memory capacity and affective experience in individuals participating in a training program developed and delivered by Stanley, a former U.S. Army officer and security-studies professor with extensive experience in mindfulness techniques.
The program, called Mindfulness-based Mind Fitness Training (MMFT™), aims to cultivate greater psychological resilience or "mental armor" by bolstering mindfulness.
The program emphasized integrating mindfulness exercises, like focused attention on the breath and mindful movement, into pre-deployment training. These mindfulness skills were to regulate symptoms in the body and mind following an experience of extreme stress. The importance of regularly engaging in mindfulness exercises was also emphasized.
"Our findings suggest that, just as daily physical exercise leads to physical fitness, engaging in mindfulness exercises on a regular basis may improve mind-fitness," Jha said. "Working memory is an important feature of mind-fitness. Not only does it safeguard against distraction and emotional reactivity, but it also provides a mental workspace to ensure quick-and-considered decisions and action plans. Building mind-fitness with mindfulness training may help anyone who must maintain peak performance in the face of extremely stressful circumstances, from first responders, relief workers and trauma surgeons, to professional and Olympic athletes."
The study findings are in line with prior research on Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, or MBSR, programs and suggest that MMFT may provide "psychological prophylaxis," or protection from cognitive and emotional disturbances, even among high-stress cohorts such as members of the military preparing for deployment. Given the high rate of post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental-health disturbances suffered by those returning from war, providing such training prior to deployment may buffer against potential lifelong psychological illness by bolstering working memory capacity.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100216101153.htm