What is neuroplasticity?
Neuroplasticity is our brains\’ ability to change in function.
Our brain function is controlled by these four factors:
- Brain chemistry – our brains are soaked up in various chemicals that are responsible for our brain function. These chemicals range in production and purpose.
For example, high levels of oxytocin, dopamine, or serotonin are responsible for more positive feelings. Stress hormones like high levels of cortisol and adrenaline have been researched to be responsible for anxiety and depression.
- Brain structure – each part of our brain is responsible for specific function. Cerebellum which contains almost 80% of our neurons is responsible for most of our mortar activity.
The prefrontal cortex is known for its function as our rational brain responsible for critical thinking and reasoning. These are just examples
- Neural pathways– our brain functions by sending out signals. These signals are transmitted from one neuron to another neuron through neural pathways. It is our brain\’s way of communicating and allowing specific parts of our brains to work together in order for us to function.
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- Epigenetics – our DNA has a large effect and how our brain functions. We are predisposed to certain functions because of our inherited characteristics.
Up until recently, scientists had always thought that our brains were already fully formed after our childhood.
Recent neuroimaging inventions have allowed us to see the effect of certain interventions to our brain function.
Some of these effects that can change our brain function ( neuroplasticity) are:
- Medication / artificial chemical intervention – this has been the most commonly used intervention when it comes to adjusting and remedying brain function. The deterrent with this, is that science cannot mimic nature.
- Behavioural intervention– ( Cognitive behavioural therapy, Counseling, Learning new skills, Experiencing new things)- this operates on the premise, we can alter our brain function by altering our behaviour. This has been deemed true with neuroimaging results studying people who engaged in these interventions before they began and a little while after the process. Scientists have been able to see changes in brain chemistry, brain structure, neural pathways and as well genetics.
Examples
Research on London taxi drivers, Taxi drivers in London are required to learn all major routes to the city and memorize every event that happens all year round. They study for an exam for two years before taking it. Research done on some of their neuroimaging scans showed significant changes in their brain structure before and after their study.
CBT and changes in the size of the amygdala, cortisol levels in childhood intervention therapy ( play therapy) Children who had experienced childhood trauma were tested for cortisol in their saliva before and after active play therapy and psychosocial intervention, their levels of cortisol had markedly reduced.
It is my belief that all these new amazing inventions are good news for us as people. It creates a feeling of empowerment to know that we can actively do something to alter the levels of suffering caused in our brains.
Knowing how Our brain functions can allow us to see our brains for the malleable vessels they are and use that for our own benefit.
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Bonus Tips for rewiring the brain from suffering
Here are a few tips to enable us to rewire the brain from suffering.
1. Replacement of previous thought patterns with positive thought patterns- activities like affirmations and gratitude journaling can slowly and intentionally allow us to fill in our headspace with positive thought processes. Create new neural pathways that respond in more helpful thought patterns than sticking to unhelpful narratives.
2. Use it or lose it.- Our brains are wired to utilize the more prominently used pathways so when we do not utilize certain responses they slowly become obsolete. So choosing to habitually respond to certain situations in a helpful manner can promise great results and make it second nature to us.
3. Triggering our parasympathetic response.- When we learn to soothe our bodies in order to soothe our minds our brains slowly learn to consider it an automated response.
See how neuroplasticity can be applied also in how you deal with anxiety here. Take advantage of our resources and don\’t feel shy or scared to reach out for an affordable counselling session to guide you on cognitive behavioural therapy as a method to tackle neuroplasticity. We want your feedback it means alot to us. Comment and share your thoughts.
