Neuroplasticity and learning

Neuroplasticity is a term that refers to the brain's ability to change and adapt as a result of experience. The brain possesses the remarkable capacity to reorganize pathways, create new connections, and, in some cases, even create new neurons.

There are two main types of neuroplasticity:

Functional plasticity: The brain's ability to move functions from a damaged area of the brain to other undamaged areas

Structural plasticity: The brain's ability to actually change its physical structure as a result of learning

There are many benefits of brain neuroplasticity. It allows your brain to adapt and change, which helps promote:

• The ability to learn new things

• The ability to enhance your existing cognitive capabilities

• Recovery from strokes and traumatic brain injuries

• Strengthening areas if some functions are lost or in decline

• Improvements that can promote brain fitness

How can you improve your own neuroplasticity?

Enrich Your Environment

Learning environments that offer plenty of opportunities for focused attention, novelty, and challenge have been shown to stimulate positive changes in the brain.

Get Plenty of Rest

Research has shown that sleep plays an important role in dendritic growth in the brain.2 Dendrites are the growths at the end of neurons that help transmit information from one neuron to the next. By strengthening these connections, you may be able to encourage greater brain plasticity.

Get Plenty of Exercise

Regular physical activity has been shown to have a number of brain benefits. Some research suggests that exercise might help prevent neuron losses in key areas of the hippocampus, a part of the brain involved in memory and other functions.