Neuroplasticity is essentially the idea that the brain changes due to learning and experience. It was first discovered as far back as 1882 by Italian physiologist Angelo Mosso, who was measuring changes in blood flow to the brain in his experiments. 

Several years later however, the dogma changed and scientific literature reverted back to the idea that the brain was ‘hard-wired’ like a machine, capable of many things, but not change or growth.

In 1948, Polish neuroscientist Jerzy Konorski coined the term ‘neuroplasticity’ to describe observational changes in brain cells (known as ‘neurons’), but the term wasn’t widely used until the early 1970s, when researcher Michael Merzenich’s work finally showed that the brain retains its ability to change, learn and grow throughout our entire lives – Merzenich was dubbed the ‘father of neuroplasticity’ and is still working prolifically today. You can watch one of his Ted Talks here. 

The fact that our brains can change means there are now many more opportunities to help heal brain injuries and prevent Alzheimer’s and dementia. But this also includes possibilities to change the way we think, feel and live our everyday lives. If your self-talk is damaging, if your habits are holding you back, if there are skills you’re eager to develop, or if you simply feel like you’re stuck in a rut, there’s good news – you can change your mind!

If your self-talk is damaging, if your habits are holding you back, if there are skills you’re eager to develop, or if you simply feel like you’re stuck in a rut, there’s good news – you can change your mind!

One of the most common repetitive actions that shapes our brains is our self-talk. The words we use and the thoughts we have create strong pathways throughout the brain that ultimately shape our perception of the world and our experiences within it. Researcher, speaker and meditation teacher Joe Dispenza explains that our words impact our thoughts, our thoughts impact our personality and our personality ultimately becomes our ‘personal reality’. To put it simply, if you keep telling yourself you’re ‘not good enough’, your brain will believe it to be true. If you keep thinking negative thoughts about your future, your brain will be wired to expect that future to arrive. If you’re a long-time negative self-talker, it can be difficult to change your inner dialogue. But it’s possible to not only change how you speak to yourself, but how you think, too – it just takes practice! 

Our brains need a lot of fuel to simply go about everyday tasks, let alone learning new habits and creating new neural pathways. Some of the best brain foods include the omega 3s in fatty fish, the antioxidants in dark coloured fruits like blueberries or greens like broccoli, as well as pumpkin seeds, walnuts, turmeric, dark chocolate, eggs, and green tea. If you need a boost, the brain’s preferred source of fuel is glucose – a.k.a carbohydrates, so ensure you’re not excluding healthy carbs like root vegetables and fruit from your diet, as your brain needs them to function optimally.  

Sleeping is where our memories and experiences consolidate. Without proper sleep, we can’t properly create or maintain neural pathways, and it can be harder to respond and focus. By improving your sleep, your brain will be able to create strong pathways and clear away inflammation that can be damaging for the brain. There’s also evidence to show that improving sleep can effectively help prevent Alzheimer’s and cognitive decline. Simple steps to improving sleep include finishing your evening meal at least 3 hours before bed, dimming lights in the evening after sun set, avoiding excessive screen use, engaging in a relaxing activity to help reduce cortisol levels, as well as ensuring your bedroom is dark, cool and quiet.