PEOPLE CAN CHANGE – THE POWER OF NEUROPLASTICITY
Neuroplasticity is a powerful mechanism in our brains that functions like a prediction machine, shaping how we react in specific situations. Our mix of personality traits, built through life experiences, plays a significant role in this process. But can people change? Many of us have encountered situations where we think, “That’s just their personality, they won’t change,” or find ourselves repeating the same unhelpful behaviors, feeling it’s beyond our control to change these patterns. Neuroscience, however, strongly disagrees with the notion of a fixed personality. As long as our brain neurons can change their paths, reconnect, and grow, we have the potential to change and become whoever we want, depending on our experiences.
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That said, it’s not as easy with aging. After the age of 25, our brain’s development starts to slow down. For instance, learning a new language in your 40s becomes a challenging task. Cognitive reserve, the brain’s resilience to age-related changes, is built up through a lifetime of learning and experiences, helping to delay the onset of cognitive impairments. [1]Enhanced neuroplasticity is vital for aging individuals as it enables the brain to adapt to new experiences and learn new skills, thus maintaining cognitive health. [2] It also plays a crucial role in recovery from brain injuries, such as strokes, which are more common in older adults. Moreover, improved neuroplasticity can help combat the effects of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s by maintaining neural connections and cognitive functions. [3]
These reasons alone underscore the importance of neuroplasticity. Simply put, it’s essential for us to enjoy our daily lives, make things easier, and feel happiness. So, how can we enhance our brain’s neuroplasticity? While trauma can drastically change the brain, there are positive ways to promote neuroplasticity, such as physical exercises, continuous learning, and non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (VNS).
Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has emerged as a promising therapy to enhance neuroplasticity. VNS works by stimulating the vagus nerve, which in turn increases levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF is a protein that plays a critical role in brain health by supporting the survival, growth, and differentiation of neurons and synapses. It enhances synaptic plasticity, which is essential for learning and memory. [4] By increasing BDNF levels, VNS helps strengthen the connections between neurons, making it easier for the brain to form new neural pathways.
Studies have shown that VNS can improve cognitive functions such as working memory and attention, which are vital for maintaining cognitive health in adults. [5] For example, an adult taking up a musical instrument can benefit from enhanced neuroplasticity, making the learning process more effective and enjoyable. By promoting neuroplasticity, VNS offers a promising avenue for improving the quality of life and cognitive health in adults.
- https://consensus.app/papers/approaches-aging-neuroplasticity-jellinger/56efb1df7d6056f5b2a8b29e979b3805/?utm_source=chatgpt
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23576887/
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/274564269_Alzheimer_disease_and_neuroplasticity_New_approaches_and_new_targets_in_pharmacotherapy
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/371312609_Understanding_the_Neuroplastic_Effects_of_Auricular_Vagus_Nerve_Stimulation_in_Animal_Models_of_Stroke_A_Systematic_Review_and_Meta-Analysis
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/313845379_Vagus_nerve_stimulation_improves_working_memory_performance