When you change your brain, your mind changes, and
when you change your mind, you can change your life.

In the past decade, ground-breaking research
has revolutionized our understanding of the human
brain by proving that the brain is capable of reorganizing
both its neurobiological structure as well as function
throughout our lifetimes.

This process, called neuroplasticity, allows you to harness
your brain power to work for you.

BRAIN NEUROPLASTICITY

The brain is an interconnected network composed of 100 billion specialized cells called neurons, each connected to up to 10,000 more neurons, and passing signals to each other via as many as 1,000 trillion connections called synapsis.

The brain uses this sophisticated structure to process the information we gather through our five senses to accomplish its primary job which is ensuring our survival.

By default, the brain is constantly changing its own physical structure and function. This is known as neuroplasticity; meaning that the brain is flexible and adaptable, and its neural formations and connections reorganize and change in response to how we think, feel, and behave.

Neuroplasticity in Action

The brain structure is
completely flexible
and changes through
our lifetime

This continuous
change will happen
either beneficially
or chaotically

Lasting beneficial change in our thoughts, emotions and behavior occurs only when we intentionally improve our brain function

Brain Structure Changes in Four Steps

NEUROGENESIS

Continuous generation
of new neurons in
brain regions

NEW SYNAPSIS

New skills and
experiences build new
neural connections

REINFORCED SYNAPSIS

Repetition and practice
strengthens neural
connections

WEAKENED SYNAPSIS

Connections in the
brain that aren’t used
get weak and break

THE BRIGHT & DARK SIDES OF NEUROPLASTICITY

  1. The brain is always learning – what we feed it determines whether it changes in a beneficial or unhelpful direction.
  2. The brain is neutral – it does not know the difference between good or bad, right or wrong.
  3. The brain learns whatever is repeated – both helpful and unhelpful thoughts, behaviors, and habits. It then changes its structure and function based on those learnings.

Therefore, neuroplasticity of the brain can strengthen depressive, anxious, obsessive, or over-reactive patterns, or it may reinforce growth, achievement, compassion, and well-being. It all depends on what we feed it.

SELF-DIRECTED NEUROPLASTICITY

The brain’s shaping and reshaping process is continuous; we can do it intentionally or it will happen haphazardly. By choosing to consciously play an active role in changing our brain structure through the mind, we can shape it to our own benefit.

This is the notion of self-directed neuroplasticity or self-leadership: deliberately commanding  your brain.

Positive neuroplasticity changes the brain structure in four key areas:

      1. Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC) increases in gray matter volume and capacity. This structure, located behind the frontal lobe, is responsible for self-regulatory processes including monitoring attention, conflict and cognitive flexibility. 1

     

      1. prefrontal Cortex increases in gray matter volume and capacity. This structure, in areas of the prefrontal lobe, is primarily responsible for executive functioning such as planning, problem solving, and emotional regulation. 2

     

      1. Hippocampus a part of the limbic system responsible for our learning and memory, and susceptible to stress and stress-related disorders such as depression or PTSD, also increases in volume and capacity. 3

     

    1. Amygdala the brain’s “fight or flight” center, responsible for our fearful, anxious and stressful responses, decreases in gray matter volume. This leads to less tension and reactivity, and therefore improved connection with the prefrontal cortex, where our higher-order thinking takes place. 4
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As a result of these changes in the brain’s structure, its function improves allowing us to think more clearly, make better-informed decisions, and improve our essential life skills such as attention, flexibility, planning, problem-solving, resilience, and most importantly well-being.

ACTIVATING POSITIVE NEUROPLASTICITY

The Brain-Mind-Thought Communication

Leading our lives in effective and fulfilling ways depends on how we
use our minds. The mind is the doorway to the brain, and we access
our minds through our thoughts. Thus, by productively
directing our thoughts, since they immediately imprint on the brain,
we can influence our mind and improve brain function in profound
and lasting ways.

The enhanced brain function leads to a productive mindset which
we experience as our ability to learn, grow and the motivation and
resilience essential for accomplishing our objectives.

References:

1. Stanford University & Harvard Medical Center Study
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuroplasticity
3. Ibid
4. Ibid