Can your brain physically change?

For about a century (since the birth of modern neuroscience) scientists debated whether or not a human’s brain can change. Of course, back then, no one could confirm their theories. There were no way they could see the human brain change over time.

Now they do. They call the human brain’s ability to change “neuroplasticity”. In fact, modern brain scans showed the human brain also has the ability to generate new neurons (brain cells). They call this process, neurogenesis.

What has this got to do with you?

This means no longer are you stuck with the brain you’re born with.

Here are some examples to consider.

1. IQ was once considered fixed but new findings now concludes there are ways you can improve it.
2. PBS’s documentary, Brain Fitness, told of how a handful of centenarians (people who are more than 100 years old) appears to have a brain about 30 years younger than they are. While they do experience some “senior moments”, they generally have no problem recalling names and perform other common tasks.
3. In his book, The Brain That Changes Itself, Norman Doidge documents the story of Michelle Mack, a girl who was born with only half a brain. According to conventional neuro-theory, she should’ve died… or at best, hooked up to a machine for her whole life. But she didn’t. She lived a relatively normal life because her brain adapted – her right hemisphere performed the tasks of both hemispheres.

How to improve your brain functions?

There are many things you can do to improve your brain functions.

One of the centenarians in the documentary, whose name is Saburo Shochi, started learning Mandarin at a ripe old age of 97. Everytime I recounted his story to my friends, they retorted that he was learning a new language at that age because he has such a good brain. But the science disagreed.

He enjoyed a youthful brain because he continuously learn.

As a general rule, your brain is just like your muscles: It grows only when it is challenged. There are many ways you can challenge your brain.

Puzzles. Learning a new language. Learning a new skill. These are just some of the most effective way to improve your brain functions.

But if you were to ask me choose one, it would have to be brain exercises. Brain exercises are designed to holistically challenge your cognitive skills. That means you’re not improving one part of your brain and ignoring the others.

If you’re looking to improve your cognitive skills, I highly recommend you check out The Brain Fitness Program now.

Note: For brain exercises to work, however, you have to have social interaction. Without any human contact, brain exercises could have the opposite effect!