Neuroplasticity

Preface:

I have done the course in Neuroplasticity and gather information which I complied. This piece of article contain more matter and figures as it involves post-research and analysis too. Happy Reading :)

                                                   Photo by Fakurian Design on Unsplash

Introduction:

Brain plasticity, also known as Neuroplasticity, is a term that refers to the brain's ability to change and adapt as a result of experience. 

In other words, Neuroplasticity can be viewed as a general umbrella term that refers to the brain’s ability to modify, change, and adapt both structure and function throughout life and in response to experience.

Meaning and Definition:

Neuro refers to neurons, the nerve cells that are the building blocks of the brain and nervous system, and plasticity refers to the brain's malleability.

Brain Plasticity:

The human brain is composed of approximately 86 billion neurons. Early researchers believed that neurogenesis, or the creation of new neurons, stopped shortly after birth. Today, it's understood that the brain possesses the remarkable capacity to reorganize pathways, create new connections, and, in some cases, even create new neurons—a concept called neuroplasticity, or brain plasticity.

Types:

There are two main types of neuroplasticity:

    1. Functional plasticity: The brain's ability to move functions from a damaged area of the brain to other undamaged areas.

    2. Structural plasticity: The brain's ability to actually change its physical structure as a result of learning.

Benefits of Brain Plasticity: There are many benefits of brain neuroplasticity. It allows your brain to adapt and change, which helps promote:

1. The ability to learn new things

2. The ability to enhance your existing cognitive capabilities

3. Recovery from strokes and traumatic brain injuries

4. Strengthening areas if some functions are lost or decline

5. Improvements that can promote brain fitness 

How Brain Plasticity Works:

At birth, every neuron in the cerebral cortex has an estimated 2,500 synapses; by the age of three, this number has grown to a whopping 15,000 synapses per neuron.

The average adult, however, has about half that number of synapses. Why? Because as we gain new experiences, some connections are strengthened while others are eliminated. This process is known as synaptic pruning.

Neurons that are used frequently develop stronger connections and those that are rarely or never used eventually die.

By developing new connections and pruning away weak ones, the brain is able to adapt to the changing environment.

10 Proven Ways To Grow Your Brain: Neurogenesis And Neuroplasticity

1. Intermittent Fasting

2. Travel

3. Use Mnemonic Drills

4. Learn a musical instrument

5. Non-Dominant hand exercise

6. Expand your Vocabulary

7. Learn a new Language

8. Create Artwork

9. Hit the Dance floor

10. Happy Naps and Sleeps