Neuroplasticity is defined as “a process that involves adaptive structural and functional changes to the brain.” Another more specific definition is “the ability of the nervous system to change its activity in response to intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli by reorganizing its structure, functions or connections” (Puderbaugh & Emmady, 2022, para. 1).
Why should you care about this? Because it effects all of us. Have you ever driven a route so many times that when you get to your destination, you vaguely remember the drive? The first time you drove that route, you had to pay more attention because your brain wasn’t familiar with the roads, the patterns of traffic or the surrounding scenery. After numerous times of taking the same path at around the same time every day or very frequently, your brain starts to retain a pattern. In order to conserve energy, your brain creates a short cut because it has already experienced this drive so many times, therefore you do not have to think as much while you are driving. This is exactly what happens with our thought processes (including our internal chatter) in our brain. Science used to claim that we only used a certain percentage of our brain. According to the site, Human Brain Project (2017-2022) we don’t just use 10% of our brains. We use all of it through different times, even when we are sleeping. Check out this link: https://www.linkedin.com/company/human-brain-project/
Why is this important? We have the ability to change our brains. Is it easy? Hell no! Can you do it? Yes! Implementing small changes to your life can help you change your brain. That is why the talk about intentionally practicing gratitude (or what I like to say “positive neuroplasticty”) and why it is so important. I have no idea where this quote originated, but I hope it helps you to understand the why. “I don’t look at my glass as half full or half empty. I am just thankful I have a glass” (author unknown) Find the things in your life that pull on your heartstrings and make the effort to put them in your life, even if just for a minute, every single day.
Puderbaugh M, Emmady PD. Neuroplasticity. 2022 Feb 8. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan–. PMID: 32491743.
Human Brain Project. (2022, March 18). Human Brain Project. https://www.humanbrainproject.eu/en/follow-hbp/news/videos-of-understanding-consciousness-conference-now-available/?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=brain_awareness_week_2022
The Monsters Within 