Neuroplasticity - How Exercising the Brain Helps it to Grow and Repair

Neuroplasticity is advocating that the brain is capable of change even after childhood, on into maturity, and even old age. This discovery has big implications for teaching as well as for psychology, psychiatry and rehabilitative medicine. To know that mental illness can be helped by rewiring the brain of a dyslexic student or a child with ADHD can be life changing.

The theory in short is that changes can be made to the brain by strengthening the neural pathways. This can be achieved through new experiences gained by doing certain activities and, it is within our control.

The scientific explanation of neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s natural ability to reorganise itself by forming new neural pathways and connections throughout life from childhood to old age. Neuroplasticity allows the nerve cells (neurons) in the brain to adjust their workings in response to new situations or changes in their environment to compensate for disease and injury.

Brain reorganisation occurs by forming new neural pathways to bring about a needed function. This is put in place in the brain by mechanisms such as “axonal sprouting”, where undamaged axons grow new nerve endings to reconnect neurons whose links were severed or impaired. Neuroplasticity also means undamaged axons can also grow nerve endings to connect with other undamaged nerve cells.

For example, if damage is done in one hemisphere of the brain the other undamaged hemisphere may take over some of its functions. This is achieved by stimulating the neurons through activity. By doing certain activities, the brain compensates for damage by forming new communications between intact neurons.

The effect of neuroplasticity can sometimes also contribute to impairment. For example, the brain may rewire and try to compensate for someone who is deaf and so they may suffer a ringing (tinnitus) in the ears where the brain cells are starved for sound. Correct stimulation is needed for the neurons to form beneficial connections.

The approach to deep seated behavioral, cognitive and emotional problems with the new science of neuroplasticity has now taken a fundamental paradigm shift when treating these problems. These breakthroughs show that it is possible to re-set our happiness meter, train the mind to break cycles of depression, regain the use of limbs disabled by stroke and reverse old age related changes in the brain. It is also possible by meditation to learn compassion which is a key step in the Dalai Lama’s quest for a more peaceful world.

New connections can happen in moments, perhaps hours with brain exercises. It appears that there are a number of neuroplasticity exercises we can use to make new neuron connections either by way of technological or contemplative traditions.

Brain training

Brain exercises for neuroplasticity need to challenge different functional systems in order to maximize the potential for change in the brain. For best changes brain exercises should be hard work so your brain is challenged, making your brain adapt, and giving new connections between neurons.

By using the correct activities brain function can be enhanced and improved. With neuroplasticity exercises we can fend off symptoms and ailments like Alzheimer’s disease and absentmindedness.

It is estimated we only use around 10% of our total brain capacity but we can increase this to around 50% by using simple games known as brain gym or neuroplasticity exercises. By playing these games we can stimulate our minds, enhance attention span, increase levels of working memory and speed up the brains processing power.

You can exercise the brain by doing 3D puzzles or by going online and finding neuroplasticity exercises to do. Studies have shown that learning to tango, juggle, do crosswords and other challenging new activities can use the brains natural plasticity to make positive changes. Physical exercise done regularly can also delay dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Meditation in brain training

Meditation can be used to retrain our brains as it has the power to mould and shape our minds to install the changes we want. This involves the synchronization of the two hemispheres or sides of the brain. Using meditation can give inner peace and happiness. There is a technological way to meditate that involves specially prepared sounds and music, usually electronic, that takes the listener into alpha brain wave patterns of a pre-sleep state. Then down to a theta pattern of memory, dreams and deep meditation and then takes our brain down to delta wave patterns of dreamless sleep and the collective unconsciousness.

Listening to these prepared CD’s of sounds on a regular basis can alter our moods, clear up emotional problems and produce a calmer more relaxed state within the listener over a period of time by synchronisation of the hemispheres. The Einstein’s and De Vinci’s of this world have minds that work in this manner. They utilise more of the brain's capacity and employ whole brain thinking.

BSC treatments

BSC is a cutting-edge technology treatment intended to balance the brain waves of people who are traumatized by stress, fatigue, depression and emotional trauma. It claims to translate brain waves into sound and to put that information back into the brain, thereby discouraging certain brain wave patterns and encouraging other positive patterns.

The aim is to harmonise and equalise the brain leaving you relaxed. This technology has been used to help with Iraqi war veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. It’s also been reported to have been used on prison inmates with good success, on violent, paranoid and tense prisoners who became relaxed, engaging, talkative and charming after treatment.