What is Neuroplasticity?
Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's plasticity to mold itself and is the brain's ability to change and adapt through experience. It is a term which therefore concerns the aptitude of the brain to modify, reorganize or grow neural connections.
Today, several studies have shown that neuroplasticity allows the brain to rearrange pathways, create new connections and, in some cases, even create new neurons.
How does it work?
Neuroplasticity works by strengthening existing neural connections and creating new ones. When we learn something new, do a new activity, or have a new experience, our brains form new neural pathways to store information. Over time, through repetition, these pathways become stronger and more efficient, making it easier for us to remember that piece of information or perform that skill.
Why it is important?
Neuroplasticity is important because it allows us to learn and adapt in different contexts. It is what allows us to acquire new skills, recover from brain injuries and adapt to changes in our environment. By understanding how neuroplasticity works, we can optimize our learning and development and also potentially slow the effects of aging on the brain and it is a lifelong process, in fact recent research has shown that the brain never stops changing in response to learning.
What are the benefits of neuroplasticity?
The benefits of this process are different, it allows the brain to adapt and change, it helps to promote different skills such as:
Learn new things
Improve existing cognitive abilities
Recovery from stroke and traumatic brain injury
Strengthen areas where function is lost or diminished
Improvements that can increase brain fitness
It is important to stimulate the brain to encourage new neural connections such as:
Learning a new language Learning a new language requires the brain to form new neural connections and can improve cognitive function.
Learning to play an instrument
Travel and explore new places
Creating art and other creative activities
Play
Light
Practice mindfulness
The practice of mindfulness involves fully immersing the mind in the present moment, without dwelling on the past or thinking about the future. Awareness of the sights, sounds and sensations around you is key. Many studies have shown that cultivating and practicing mindfulness can promote neuroplasticity of the brain
Meditation has also been shown to increase gray matter in the brain and improve cognitive function.
How can the RTT method help?
Our brain has the ability to change through repeated stimuli over time and the RTT method helps create a process of positive communication with our mind and body by interrupting negative beliefs. This is because our brain affects our body, when we think certain thoughts our brain starts to change, repetitive actions and repetitive beliefs start to change what is inside our mind and when you start thinking positive thoughts and beliefs your brain also changes. Every day we think certain thoughts and unknowingly our body makes them real. The RTT method helps to understand where negative beliefs originated, interrupt them and install positive beliefs for self-improvement and personal growth.
References:
Kaczmarek B. Current views on neuroplasticity: What is new and what is old?. Acta Neuropsychologica. 2020;18(1):1-14.
Vemuri P, Lesnick TG, Przybelski SA, et al. Association of lifetime intellectual enrichment with cognitive decline in the older population. JAMA Neurol. 2014;71(8):1017-24.
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02012/full.
Voss P, Thomas ME, Cisneros-Franco JM, de Villers-Sidani É. Dynamic brains and the changing rules of neuroplasticity: implications for learning and recovery. Front Psychol. 2017;8:1657.
RTT, Rapid Transformational Therapy, Marisa Peer