Neuroplasticity

Posted on July 19, 2008
Filed Under personal development

Here are some great quotes about brain plasticity - researchers are finding more evidence about the relationship between exercise, physical and mental health. Exercise your body, exercise your brain, exercise your mind.

“Brain Plasticity - Refers to how circuits in the brain change–organize and reorganize–in response to experience, or sensory stimulation. Periods of rapid change or plasticity occur in the brain under four main conditions: when the immature brain first begins to process sensory information (developmental plasticity); second, when changes in the body, like a problem with eyesight, alter the balance of sensory activity received by the brain (activity-dependent plasticity); third, when we alter our behavior based on new sensory information (plasticity of learning and memory), and fourth, following damage to the brain (injury-induced plasticity). Scientists believe that the same brain mechanisms underlie all four types of plasticity: adjustments in the strength of connections, or synapses, between brain cells.”
Center for Child Health and Development

“For decades, it was assumed by many neuroscientists that adult humans had a “hardwired” brain that did not generate new cells and could not significantly change.” from Slate.com

“The most important take home message about brain health is that we now know that no matter what your brain status or age, there is much you can do to significantly improve brain function and slow brain aging.” from Sharp Brains

“What you think and imagine can change the structure of the brain.” Dr. Norman Doidge, author of The Brain that Changes Itself

“The environment plays a key role in influencing plasticity. In addition to genetic factors, the brain is shaped by the characteristics of a person’s environment and by the actions of that same person.” from Brain Plasticity: What Is It?

“Golden Moments of Choice are possible because your brain is always changing (that’s called neuroplasticity). The changes are either by default as it interacts with your environment or deliberately as it interacts with your mind. Your brain can either be randomly molded by external circumstances or artistically sculpted by your self-aware mind. Which do you think leads to an intentional-and self-directed life—letting your brain be rewired by outside forces, or ensuring that the brain rewire is an inside operation?” from Exercise Mind Hygiene On A Daily Basis

What you think and imagine can change the the structure of your brain; how you think and how you feel. But in order to choose this change, direct this change and artistically sculpt this change, you must interact with awareness rather than react without conscious choice. For me, this is what personal development and self improvement is all about.

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Comments

6 Responses to “Neuroplasticity”

brain exercises for change on July 20th, 2008 8:32 pm

Great post.

This new concept (but old process) seems to be garnering a good deal of well warranted attention. The science of self growth emerges!

Martin
mind evolve, llc
http://www.mindevolve.com
Personal Life Coaching on July 21st, 2008 2:51 am

There are issues on neuroplasticity that it can be used for treatment of acquired brain injury.
Sydney Life Coach on July 21st, 2008 2:56 am

One consequence of neuroplasticity is that brain activity can more to a different location as a result of any experience and also from brain injury recovery.
Pentad on July 21st, 2008 12:56 pm

A fun post to read. Although, neuron bodies do not regenerate, we know that axons can actually regenerate, and create new connections. There is also a small possibility that certain stem cells can continue division and differentiation (although rare). As a Nurse, we see stroke patients learning to walk and talk again (depending on the extent of damage). I’m currently working on my Master’s in Nutrition, and it is exciting to learn how much we CAN actually influence our brain-chemistry and create amazing results. Those of us that are avid meditators, and that work with personal development (as yourself) also observe evidence every single day of the ability to influence our minds….and, change! Keep up the good work!

Pentad’s last blog post..Michelle Obama’s Makeover. What a crock!
Positive Thinking on July 23rd, 2008 11:13 pm

While not accurate I think it’s useful to think of the brain like a muscle. Exercise it, in a variety of ways, and it’ll be stronger and more flexible. Just like physical exercise benefits people of any age, so does the mental exercise.

Sydney is right on, I think. There’s a lot of redundancy in our brains. We make use of that through training and our bodies can make use of it in case of injury.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation on August 8th, 2008 12:15 am

Neuroplasticity is an amazing aspect of the brain. I think in the future transcranial magnetic stimulation will be increasing used to help shape the brain and utilize this neuroplasticity for a beneficial effect.