Neuroplasticity

How does neuroplasticity work?

For a long time, it was believed that once we leave childhood, our brain will cease to change shape in any notable way. While we can form new memories and ideas, the state of the brain is “set”, making it much harder for us to change persistent patterns and learn new languages or ways of moving. This was a popular belief, but in the last decade, new research has taught us that this just is not the case. Not only can the brain change shape in profound ways even in adulthood, it’s even capable of creating new neurons (called neurogenesis). This change is not only possible but common and is what we call “neuroplasticity”.

The implications of neuroplasticity

So, what does this mean? It means that if you were to lose your eyesight today, your brain would adapt by changing the shape of your eyes and giving you enhanced hearing. Likewise, if you were to learn a new task – such as playing guitar – your brain would change shape in order to support this new skill.

How does this work?

Whenever we form a memory, have an idea, or try something new, we create a new neural connection in the brain; the brain will subtly change shape to create a new chain of neurons. As this happens, blood flow increases to the regions involved in these tasks, supplying the neurons in the area with more oxygen. Like a muscle, this then causes those neurons to strengthen each time they are used, which in turn makes it increasingly easier for the neurons to fire next time. This is what habits are: pathways of neurons that have fired over and over to the point where they almost fire automatically without our conscious input (for better or worse). That is why we’ll often accidentally start driving to our old neighborhood the minute we stop consciously paying attention or why it’s so difficult to stop biting our nails.

Over time, if we don’t use those particular neural pathways then they will atrophy to the point where they are no longer going to fire subconsciously. On the other hand, if we repeatedly practice a new task it will start to become “second nature” more and more. While neuroplasticity gets less flexible as we get older, there is evidence showing that it still very much takes place and can be used to help us develop new skills and recover from injuries that would otherwise leave us out. Neuroplasticity is a true biological support that we can achieve anything we put our mind to, quite literally!

Keith Hillman, Neuroscience