The Magic of Neuroplasticity - Your brain's ability to rewire itself

Neuroplasticity is our brains ability to adapt and strengthen through restructuring its neuronal connections. Our capability isn’t static. Similar to getting in shape, we can use this perk from nature to improve mental performance and resilience. Whether it’s learning an instrument or a new language, neuroplasticity plays a daily pivotal role for any skill we learn.

However, what if I told you that you can actually improve your neuroplasticity? Yes, improving your brains ability to improve.

There are different ideas and theories on what biological process allow for neuroplasticity to occur. The core of this phenomenon is based upon synapses and how connections between them change based on neuron functioning.

The two main types of Neuroplasticity:

1. Structural Neuroplasticity: In simple terms, this is how our brain can build and rearrange its connections throughout our lives. Imagine a city constantly building new roads and bridges. Researchers use tools like MRI scans to look at these physical changes, studying how different experiences can reshape our brain. These changes can be seen in areas like the growth of grey matter or the strength of connections between brain cells. For an interesting example, a study found that London taxi drivers have larger hippocampus’ (responsible for memory) and that their intensive training is responsible for the growth.

2. Functional Neuroplasticity: This deals with how our brain functions. Here's a breakdown:

• Homologous Area Adaptation: Think of this as a backup plan. If one part of the brain gets damaged, especially in kids, another similar area takes over the task.

• Map Expansion: When we're frequently exposed to certain experiences, the brain "maps" or areas related to that experience grow. For instance, when we repeatedly practice a route or path, the brain area responsible for that activity expands.

• Cross-Model Reassignment: Imagine a part of the brain losing its usual input and starting to accept new kinds of signals. It's like a radio tuning into a different station.

• Compensatory Masquerade: The brain has its tricks. Sometimes, it uses a different method to perform a known task.

In essence, our brain is incredibly adaptable, whether it's in its structure or function, always adjusting and optimizing based on our experiences.

Here are some ways we can improve neuroplasticity:

1. Meditation:

Meditation isn't just a tool for relaxation; it can reshape the brain and increase the brain’s capacity to reshape itself. Research has shown that regular meditation can alter cortical thickness and increase the density of gray matter. Notably, Sara Lazar's 2000 study from Harvard University is a pivotal one in this area. Furthermore, Richard Davidson's collaboration with the Dalai Lama revealed that meditation might physically modify brain regions linked with attention, emotion regulation, and even the body's innate healing mechanisms.

2. Artistic Engagement and Art Therapy:

Engaging in artistic activities can also the brain. Consistent artistic training, whether it's playing an instrument or painting, can tailor our brain networks to better support these activities. Simply put, the more we immerse ourselves in the arts, the better our brains become at them. Some experts, like D.W Zaidel, suggest that art's symbolic nature has been pivotal in evolving the human brain, aiding in the development of language and social structures.

3. Fitness and Exercise:

Aerobic exercise, in particular, boosts the production of neurotrophic factors, which promote neuronal growth and survival. These include compounds like BDNF, IGF-1, and VEGF. Notably, exercises targeting the hippocampus can enhance spatial memory. Over time, regular aerobic workouts can lead to substantial improvements in executive function and cognitive control and increase gray matter volume in vital brain areas. Hence, higher physical fitness levels, as reflected by VO2 max scores, correlate with better cognitive performance and increased brain volume in key. This is why exercise is so often recommended for those with ADHD.

4. Language Learning:

When we learn a new language, we engage various parts of our brain, especially the regions related to memory, auditory and visual processing, and cognitive function. Multilingual individuals often have denser gray matter, particularly in areas related to vocabulary processing. This density can lead to improved memory, cognitive abilities, and even a delay in the onset of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, switching between languages, known as code-switching, exercises the brain's executive functions, further enhancing neuroplasticity. So, picking up a new language or improving proficiency in one you already know can be a powerful tool for brain enhancement.

Our brain's adaptability, or neuroplasticity, can be nurtured and enhanced through specific practices. From meditation to exercise, these methods are more accessible then you may have originally thought.