Neuroplasticity - What is it?

by Roula Selinas , Counsellor at Leora.ai

Don't underestimate the power of the brain to heal, change, and grow.

Mental health professionals frequently use the term neuroplasticity or brain plasticity - what does this really mean? Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's ability to reorganise itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. This phenomenon involves the strengthening or weakening of existing neural pathways and the creation of entirely new connections. It enables the brain to adapt to experiences, learn new information, and recover from injuries or trauma.

The nervous system also has the ability to change its activity and responses to stimuli by reorganising its structure, functions, or connections after injuries. It also refers to the brain’s ability to change and rewire itself in response to stimuli of learning and experiences throughout a lifetime.

Neurogenesis

This is the brain's capacity to rewire itself to create new neurons and reactions and adapt to change, heal, grow, and learn new ways of doing things.

Scientists have been studying the "miracle" behind people who have experienced stroke, brain injury, or accidents or illness. There has been much research in this area of late, and it is promising, but the research is limited. This is where research and theory can fall short, and lived experience trumps theory as it is limited or not proven.

Long before I knew about the terms "neuroplasticity" and "neurogenesis", I was doing this after surviving leukaemia and a bone transplant and several years of complications and setbacks - physical, mental, emotional, health challenges and adversity.

As a double cancer survivor and a mini-stroke survivor, I have had to do this several times over the years in order to adapt to the physical, mental, and emotional challenges and changes I have had to endure.

I have had to learn new ways of adapting, reacting, thinking, and functioning so I can adjust, heal, change, restore, and adapt to all the changes and new ways of doing things, so I can heal and grow and be able to thrive again.

Here are some ways of developing neuroplasticity and neurogenesis:

- Practice awareness

- Practice mindfulness

- Learn a new skill, get a new job: Learning new things helps create new neural pathways and connections

- Study something you wanted to or learn a new hobby

- Exercise: do things kayaking, yoga, pilates, walking. Start off slow, then build up to riding a bike, swimming, hiking, etc.

- Rest: Your body needs time to heal

- Take short naps

- Read books, newspapers, listen to audios, journals, etc.

- Play cards or chess, board or video games

- Take a new route

- Try new things

- Do crosswords, puzzles

- Avoid or minimise stress

- Practice meditation

- Watch movies, comedies, videos, listen to music

- Listen to calming, healing music: Listening to calming music helps the brain and body experience deep relaxation and rest and allows it to heal. It also encourages learning, memory improvement, and creativity

- Get a good night’s sleep: Experiencing a theta state by listening to calming music, meditation, or sleep enables deep relaxation, rest, and healing

- Eat a balanced healthy diet

- Minimise junk food intake

- Minimise alcohol intake

- Set goals, visualise

- Avoid negative people, situations, movies, violent games or shows

- Practice gratitude: This helps you focus on feeling good

- Get emotional support

- Do things you enjoy

- See a counsellor or life coach to help you learn new techniques to improve and change old thought patterns and habits and unhealthy ways of reacting or thinking

- Get help to create new healthy ways to react to triggers

What are the benefits of developing neuroplasticity and neurogenesis?

- Adapt and recover from trauma, injury, accident, illness, brain injury, or stroke

- Create new perspectives and outlook

- Learn new things

- Improve cognitive function

- Helps with depression, anxiety, stress, trauma

- Helps improve memory and learning: The ability to form new neural connections helps the brain learn and store new information and memories

- Strengthen areas where function has been lost

- Create new ways of reacting to triggers, unhealthy beliefs, patterns, and conditioning

- Improve stamina, memory, concentration, and mental energy

- Reframe your experience and life

- Rewire, heal, and grow your brain

- You become the designer and creator of your new World and Story

- The malleable brain allows you to adapt to changes in the environment

- Heal from past hurts, injuries, and trauma and get a new lease on life

- Allows the new You to Emerge

- Build resilience

- Increase happiness levels and success

- Improve health and wellbeing

- Find purpose and meaning

- Higher levels of insight and consciousness

- Personal growth

The remarkable concepts of neuroplasticity and neurogenesis underscore the incredible potential of the human brain to adapt, heal, and grow. As we navigate the intricate web of challenges, whether stemming from illness, injury, or adversity, embracing practices that encourage these neurological processes becomes paramount. The array of strategies provided, from mindfulness and learning new skills to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, serves as a roadmap towards unlocking the brain's transformative abilities. By actively engaging in these practices, we can not only overcome obstacles but also redefine our narratives, ultimately emerging as architects of their own well-being, resilience, and personal growth. The journey towards a more malleable and resilient mind unfolds through intentional choices, laying the foundation for enhanced cognitive function, emotional well-being, and a richer, more fulfilling life.