Neuroplasticity – Does the Brain Have a Delete Button?
Neuroplasticity is a brain function, also known as brain plasticity. It is the brain’s ability to change itself through growth and restructuring. These alterations range from individual neurons making new connections to systematic modifications like cortical remapping.
Neuroplasticity, Neuron Connections, and a Brain Delete Button
Neurons that fire together wire together. ~ Donald O. Hebb
The more you work on the neuro-circuit (reengineering) in your brain, the more robust neural networks’ circuit will become. That is why, quoting another old phrase, “practice makes perfect.” The more you practice piano, or speak a language or juggle, the stronger these skills become.
Scientists have known this for years. However, nowadays, researchers learn another part of the truth: to learn something, even more important than practicing, is the ability to unlearn or break old neural connections. This is called “synaptic pruning.”
HOW DO BRAIN CONNECTIONS WORK?
Brains are tricky and adaptable organs. For all the ‘neuroplasticity,’ allowing our brains to reconfigure themselves to our computers’ biases, we are just as neuroplastic in our ability to eventually recover and adapt. ~ Douglas Rushkoff
Imagine that your brain is a garden, except that instead of growing flowers, fruits, and vegetables, you develop synaptic connections between the brain cells or neurons. These are the connections in which neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, serotonin, and others, circulate the brain.
“Glia cells” are your brain’s gardeners – they are special cells that act to speed up signals between specific neurons. But other glial cells are “trash removers,” pulling weeds, killing pests, pulling dead leaves. Your brain’s pruning gardeners are called microgliocytes. They prune some synaptic connections.
The question is, how do they know which ones to prune?
Neuroplasticity research showed that the brain changes its very structure with each different activity it performs, perfecting its circuits, so it is better suited to the task at hand. ~ Naveen Jain
The scientists and researchers are just beginning to unravel this enigmatic function, but what they do know is that the synaptic connections they get used the less are marked and tagged by a protein, C1q (as well as others).
When microgliocytes detect this mark, they bind to the protein and destroy – or prune – the individual synapse. This is how your brain makes physical space for you to build new and stronger connections so that you can continue your process of learning.
WHEN DOES THE BRAIN PERFORM THE “SELF-CLEANING” FUNCTION?
Among other things, neuroplasticity means that emotions such as happiness and compassion can be cultivated in much the same way that a person can learn through repetition to play golf and basketball or master a musical instrument, and that such practice changes the activity and physical aspects of specific brain areas. ~ Andrew Weil
Have you ever felt like your brain was full, usually when you learn something new or start a new job or hobby?
When you learn many new things, your brain creates new connections, but they may be somewhat inefficient connections. Your brain needs to remove many of these connections and build more efficient and simplified paths. It usually does this while we sleep.
When you sleep, your brain cells shrink by up to 60% to make room for your “glial gardeners” to enter and remove the “dead “waste. This is how they can clean synapses. Have you ever woken up from a good night’s sleep and been able to think clearly and quickly? It is like reformatting your computer.
It is the same reason that naps are so beneficial to your cognitive skills. A 10- or 20-minute nap gives your microgliocytes gardeners a chance to come in, clean up some unused connections, and leave space to grow new ones.
Thinking with a sleep-deprived brain is like making your way through a dense jungle with a machete. It is vast, slow, and exhausting. Thinking of a well-rested brain is like wandering happily through a forest; the paths are clear and connect to each other at different points. The trees are in place. You can see it right in front of you. It is invigorating.
CAN WE CONTROL WHAT IS DELETE FROM OUR BRAIN?
Usually, the synaptic connections that you are not using are marked for “recycling.” The ones you use are those that are protected, watered, and oxygenated. So, be aware of what you are thinking. If you spend too much time reading theories about the end of “Game of Thrones” and too little on your work, guess what synapses will be marked for recycling?
Suppose you are fighting with someone at work and devote your time to thinking about this situation, and not about a big project. In that case, you will end up being a synaptic superstar in revenge plans but a terrible innovator.
You literally influence the make up your own mind by choosing what you pay attention to.
Sure, you can hardly control what happens to you throughout the day, but you can control how much it affects you. To be more specific, you can choose what affects you and build your own neural connections. Be aware of your thoughts. They are important for your personal growth.
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About the Author
Humanity Healing Network is an Ageless Wisdom education outreach of Humanity Healing International. HumanityHealing.net
