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Brain Plasticity: Harnessing Neuroscience for your Personal GrowthRecent discoveries in the study of brain plasticity, also called neuroplasticity, are some of the most uplifting things I have discovered in recent years.We normally think of the brain as fixed or hard-wired, like a machine that is efficient, but essentially unchangeable, until it gets old and breaks. We often think that while children are flexible and have brains like sponges, adults become set in their ways. "You can't teach and old dog new tricks." Recent discoveries in neuroscience, however, are overturning these assumptions and demonstrating that the adult brain is much more flexible, resilient, and changeable than we ever realized. In fact, the brain constantly changes its own structure and function through thought and activity.  Here's how brain plasticity works: Your brain is made up of billions of connections and networks. The more you use these networks, the stronger they become. For example, if you think a particular thought frequently, you reinforce that neural connection and it becomes stronger. But, for as long as you live, your brain can create new neural connections. Similarly, when you use these new connections, they become stronger. When you do not use a neural connection, the brain will de-construct the connection - like old railroad tracks - and use them elsewhere for new connections. You can find an excellent layman's description of fascinating neuroplasticity research in The Brain That Changes Itself, by Norman Doidge . That your brain constantly alters its structure according to your thoughts and actions has enormous implications for your personal growth, particularly in the areas of behavior change. Have you ever heard this quotation about habits? I am your constant companion. I am your greatest helper or heaviest burden. I will push you onward or drag you down to failure. I am completely at your command. Half of the things you do you might as well turn over to me and I will do them - quickly and correctly. I am easily managed - you must be firm with me. Show me exactly how you want something done and after a few lessons, I will do it automatically. I am the servant of great people, and alas, of all failures as well. Those who are great, I have made great. Those who are failures, I have made failures. I am not a machine though I work with the precision of a machine plus the intelligence of a person. You may run me for profit or run me for ruin - it makes no difference to me. Take me, train me, be firm with me, and I will place the world at your feet. Be easy with me and I will destroy you. Who am I? I am Habit. - Anonymous Well, the concept of brain plasticity and neural connections explains the power of habits, and how to create new habits. Essentially, every minute of the day you are either reinforcing old patterns or building new ones. Clearly, this can work for or against you. The same mental mechanisms that create new neural connections and build new habits also have a dark side. The more you use the neural connections of addiction, obsession, fear, laziness, etc. the stronger they become. But, as the research shows, for as long as you live you can create new connections and habits. There is always hope. Implications for Personal Growth While these powerful discoveries in the field of brain plasticity have amazing implications for curing mental illnesses, cognitive impairments, brain injuries, and other sever problems, you can also harness these insights in your personal growth and development efforts. Here are a few of the key principles.
The Power of Visualization The final implication of brain plasticity for personal growth - the power of visualization - deserves a section on its own. One of the most amazing aspect of the research on brain plasticity is that visualization affects brain plasticity nearly as much as actual activity. In The Brain That Changes Itself, Norman Doidge (1) writes: One reason we can change our brains simply by imagining is that, from a neuroscientific point of view, imagining an act and doing it are not as different as they sound. When people close their eyes and visualize a simple object, such as the letter a, the primary visual cortex lights up, just as it would if the subjects were actually looking at the letter a. Brain scans show that in action and imagination, many parts of the brain are activated. That is why visualizing can improve performance. Doidge cites some amazing studies to validate his claim. In one such study, one group practiced finger strengthening exercises for four weeks. The other group simply visualized doing the exercises for four weeks. After four weeks, the group doing the exercises increased their strength by 30%. The group visualizing the strengthening exercises increased by 22%. Not bad at all! Doidge writes: "During these imaginary contractions, the neurons responsible for stringing together sequences of instructions for movements are activated and strengthened, resulting in increased strength when the muscles are contracted." Most of us have experienced this to some degree in our own lives, whether it's visualizing free throws, presentations, difficult conversations, whatever. But now we know why it works - brain plasticity. (Please see my pages with an overview of visualization and visualization exercises for more techniques.) Conclusion In sum, the exciting research discoveries in the field of brain plasticity, or neuroplasticity, have enormous implications for your personal growth efforts. You can use the power of brain plasticity to build good habits that work for you, or you can strengthen the neural connections that will drag you down. As long as you live, you have the power to create new connections. And the more you do it, the more agile your brain becomes. So keep learning, keep developing, and keep programing those habits in exactly as you want them. Good luck! Adam REFERENCES: (1) Doidge, Norman (2007). The Brain That Changes Itself. New York: Penguin Books. p 203-204. Leave Brain Plasticity and Return to Mind Exercises Leave Brain Plasticity and Return to BPGR Home Related Articles
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