Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity

By Christine Ferch

One of my favourite parts of the brain is our ability to strengthen it. We strengthen our brain by developing new neural pathways for neurons to travel, increasing our ability to carry out certain behaviours, have emotion regulation and strong thinking processes. With this strengthening comes the ability of our brain to adapt. When we learn something new, we are creating new connections or neural pathways for our neurons to travel.  Rewiring our brain, such as learning new coping strategies, is demonstrating neuroplasticity.

There are two forms of neuroplasticity:

1. Structural neuroplasticity: the strength of the connections between neurons (synapses) changes
2. Functional neuroplasticity permanent changes in synapses due to learning and development

Neuroplasticity has become a particularly important aspect in psychology,

As Christopher Bergland (2017) notes,

“One could speculate that this process opens up the possibility to reinvent yourself and move away from the status quo or to overcome past traumatic events that evoke anxiety and stress. Hardwired fear-based memories often lead to avoidance behaviours that can hold you back from living your life to the fullest.”

Neuroplasticity and Learning

Learning is essential for the brain to continuously be engaging in neuroplasticity because when we learn, we form the new pathways in the brain. This aspect explains why those IQ building games claim they make you “smarter” as you age. It is not that the game makes you smarter, but as our brain naturally depreciates as it ages, the more neural pathways we have, the more avenues our neurons have to travel down. What is mostly affected when we age, is not our IQ but the rate at which we process information. When the regular route the neuron would travel along is blocked and needs to find and travel along another route, the individual’s response may be slightly delayed.

Neuroplasticity and Age

Kids:

Children’s brains are always growing because there much learning throughout development. When kids are developing this change involves both forms of neuroplasticity as the brain structures continue to grow until maturity around the age of 25. There are four types of neuroplasticity in children:

1. Adaptive: changes that occur when children practice a skill they have just learned and allowed their brain to adapt to the functional and structural changes of the practiced material
2. Impaired: Changes based on genetic or acquired disorders
3. Excessive: reorganization of new, maladaptive pathways that can cause disability or disorders
4. Plasticity: makes the brain vulnerable to injury, harmful neuronal pathways which are formed due to injury. This is demonstrated with individuals who have acquired a brain injury

Processes are naturally more durable and pronounced in children so that they can recover from situations such as brain surgery far better than adults.

Neuroplasticity in Adults:

Adults have the same capabilities of neuroplasticity as children; however, it is not as influential or prominent as we have completed much of our learning through our child and adolescent development. Despite being an adult, our brain can still restore old, lost connections and functions which have not been used in some time. If we have not ridden a bike in 17 years, we may be rocky at first, but our brain will signal the appropriate neurons to fire so that we can ride the bike. This can enhance our memory and overall cognitive skills.

For adults to maintain their brains’ neuroplasticity, lifestyle changes play a role such as a healthy lifestyle.

Benefits of Neuroplasticity

1. Recovery from brain events like strokes
2. Recovery from acquired brain injury
3. Ability to rewire functions in the brain
4. Losing function in one area may enhance functions in others
5. Enhanced memory abilities
6. More effective learning
7. Wide range of enhanced cognitive abilities

There are several ways to rewire the brain, which include: 

– Travelling

– Using a mnemonic device

– Learning a musical instrument

– Reading fiction

– Creating artwork

– Expanding vocabulary

Neuroplasticity and Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and Depression can play a role in both structural and functional neuroplasticity. However, there are ways to improve depression and anxiety while building neuroplasticity:

               – Memory tasks or games

               – Learn to juggle

               – Grasp a new skill

               – Master a new language

               – Yoga

               – Mild to moderate physical exercise

               – Challenging brain activities

               – Learning a new subject, typically one which is complex

Exercises to build neuroplasticity and reduce chronic pain:

               – Regular exercise

               – Healthy eating

               – Quitting smoking

               – Keeping your mind active, engaged, challenged

               – Relaxation techniques

               – Mindfulness meditation

The information regarding neuroplasticity is in abundance and can be found on many proven psychology websites to endure accurate information.

If you have any further questions or wonder how neuroplasticity can assist with your mental health, contact us at admin@ovcs.ca.

Other blogs you may find informative are the central nervous system, mindfulness, DBT and CBT.