What Is Neuroplasticity & How To Improve it?

Vocabulary Review

Little to do (with) (phrase) – not really related to something

Example: His success had little to do with talent and more to do with consistent practice.

Neuroplastic (adj.) – able to change and adapt, especially the brain

Example: The brain remains neuroplastic even in adulthood.

Neurons (n.) – brain cells that send and receive information

Example: Neurons form connections that help us learn new skills.

Network (n.) – a connected system of parts

Example: The brain has a complex network that processes information.

Absorbed (v.) – taken in or learned

Example: She quickly absorbed the new vocabulary from the lesson.

Referred to as (phrase) – called or known as

Example: This ability is referred to as neuroplasticity.

Analogy (n.) – a comparison used to explain something

Example: The teacher used an analogy to explain how memory works.

Throughout (prep./adv.) – in every part of something

Example: There are connections throughout the brain.

Malleable (adj.) – easy to change or shape

Example: A child’s brain is highly malleable.

Drivers (n.) – the main causes of something

Example: Habits and environment are the main drivers of improvement.

Mundane (adj.) – very ordinary and repetitive

Example: His routine became boring and mundane over time.

Day in, day out (expression) – every day repeatedly

Example: She practiced speaking English day in, day out.

Ordinary (adj.) – normal, not special

Example: It seemed like an ordinary day, but something unexpected happened.

Plastic (adj.) – able to change or adapt (scientific meaning)

Example: The brain is more plastic than most people realize.

What Is Neuroplasticity & How To Improve it?

For people who speak second languages or practice sports or hobbies, it is common to think: I wish I had started this when I was younger!

While it's true that learning something new often comes easier when you are younger rather than older, the reason behind this has little to do with age. The real reason behind this is actually something called neuroplasticity.

Your brain is made up of billions of neurons that form a network. This network stores, sends, and uses information that you've absorbed and helps you to perform tasks. You use it for everything, from holding a pencil or speaking a language to playing football or painting. This network is directly responsible for how good you are at things, how fast you can do them, and how easy they feel. The ability to develop this network is referred to as neuroplasticity.

To make an analogy, your brain is a forest, the network of neurons is a series of paths throughout that forest, and neuroplasticity is how effectively, easily, and quickly you can create these paths. Obviously, most people, after realising its importance, want to know the secret to improving neuroplasticity.

We used to think the brain was only adaptable, malleable, and able to learn new things as a child, and that this disappeared once we became adults. However, the truth is that it's not about age at all; it's about behaviour. Research from several universities has shown that a person's behaviour, thoughts, and attitude are the primary drivers of neuroplasticity.

The reason adults often seem to have less neuroplasticity is not due to any age-related, biological changes that happen after a certain age, but rather because of how extremely routine and mundane their lives become. As we get older, we stop changing; we do the same things day in and day out. We go to the same places, sit in the same chairs, speak to the same people, and we think in the same ways. Having a strict daily routine, with the same patterns, does not force the brain to create many new pathways. This is precisely the reason adults learn more slowly; it's got very little to do with age and a whole lot to do with behavioural patterns.

On the other hand, when we think about how easily children can learn, it's worth considering how much change is involved in their daily lives. Every year they have a totally new life, new subjects to study, new teachers and classmates, new wardrobe styles, etc. They even change where they sit every day. Life for children is significantly less routine than it is for adults, and their neuroplasticity is a reflection of that.

Thankfully, due to incredibly useful research, we have a pretty clear idea of what actually improves neuroplasticity

Repetition & Environment:  

Repetition is the "old reliable" of neuroplasticity. Everybody uses repetition; students flip through flash cards before exams, business professionals and actors rehearse their lines for meetings, just like actors for their auditions, and famous basketballers shoot a thousand baskets per day. It makes us better, it makes what we do easier, and it's not that much of a secret. 

Other people change their environment, and if you study a language, you know a lot about the immersion technique. By placing yourself in a stimulating, social environment where you must use the skill in a real situation, you develop strong and more flexible neural connections. Language enthusiasts go to the homeland of the language they study, athletes have practice games, and students have mock exams. It's another popular technique that most people have heard of but probably don't implement into their active repertoire of study methods.

Neurobics: 

Now this is an interesting one. Dr Rahul Jandial from USC (University of Southern California) describes neurobics as mental exercises that intentionally create change in the brain, forcing your network to respond and become more flexible and adaptable. It works by simply doing things that are unusual for you,

anything that is out of the ordinary. Since the adult brain often experiences very little change in daily routine, it becomes less plastic over time, unlike a child’s brain, which is constantly adapting to new situations.

To get this benefit as an adult, you just have to mix a bit of change into your life. This could be something as simple as giving yourself a high-five in the mirror, eating while sitting on the floor, or sleeping on the opposite side of the bed. These small changes force your brain to process new information and build new connections. The humour of high-fiving yourself in the mirror, or the view of your apartment you see by eating from the floor or sleeping on the opposite end of your bed, is exactly what your brain needs to become more flexible and improve your neuroplasticity. 

Questions:

• What are the three primary drivers of neuroplasticity?

• In the analogy about your brain being a forest, what was neuroplasticty refered to as?

• Do you agree that most adults have a mundane routine lifestyle? Do you have this lifestyle?

• In your own words, explain what you consider neurobics to be.

• Which method do you think is more effective: repetition or environment? Why?

• What are some things that adults have to learn?

• Have you ever heard about neuroplasticity before this article?

• What was your favourite school subject when you were in school?

• Some people regret not studying more as a kid. Do you feel that way? If so, what would you study more?

• Do you feel like it was easier to learn new things as a child?

• If you had a kid, what subject or skills would you encourage them to learn?

• Can too much comfort be dangerous? How so?

• Do you think it's important for adults to be able to change how they think and learn new things?

• If you could learn any skill or master any subject or topic, what would you choose?

• What are some things you can do to improve your neuroplasticity?

• Should people change their personality in life? Is there anything you want to change about your personality?