Neuroplasticity is the brain's remarkable ability to reorganize and adapt by forming new neural connections throughout life. Here are the key aspects of neuroplasticity:

The brain is "massively plastic," meaning virtually all neural circuits—whether involved in feeling, seeing, hearing, moving, thinking, learning, perceiving, or remembering—can change and adapt⁠4⁠.

This plasticity works through a principle known as "cells that fire together wire together"—when neurons are repeatedly activated together, they form stronger connections⁠5⁠.

Some fascinating examples of neuroplasticity in action include:

Blind individuals' visual cortex being repurposed for audio processing and touch sensation when learning Braille⁠5⁠.

London taxi drivers developing larger posterior hippocampi (the brain region for spatial navigation) with more years of experience⁠5⁠.

However, neuroplasticity has an important paradox: while it provides flexibility, it can also lock us into rigid behaviors. Once new circuits are wired, we tend to want to keep using them, making them our "paths of least resistance"⁠5⁠.

This adaptability is considered one of evolution's most important products, allowing our nervous system to respond to environmental pressures and experiences beyond what's encoded in our genes⁠5⁠.

Notion - Log in

Notion - Log in

Notion - Log in

Notion - Log in