LOVE this theory.
The last decade or so has seen an incredible surge of neuroscience discoveries, and some of the most fascinating research has been about neuroplasticity.
See, the brain used to be thought of as a fixed organ: once damaged, it could not be recovered. However, it is now known that the brain is more dynamic and flexible than once believed, and its adaptive ability to rewire itself as needed is nothing short of magnificent.
Forgive my fangirling here, BUT THIS IS SO FRICKIN’ COOL.
“Neurons that fire together, wire together,” is the catchphrase popularized by neuroscientist Dr. Joe Dispenza to describe how neural connections are made and reinforced when we practice a new thought or behavior.
Just like learning any other new skill, our brain strengthens associations with repetitive practice too.
Neurons (brain cells) are not directly connected to one another but have to communicate with each other through a process called neurotransmission.
During neurotransmission, neurons are reaching out to one another and traveling along neural pathways that have been well-established. They like easy travel, just like us.
While hiking, most people choose to stay on a clear path rather than fighting through gnarly bramble bushes with thorns, right? Established paths where the brush has been beaten back and the pine cones have been kicked to the side makes for easy travel. Our brains like this too.
Neuroplasticity researcher, psychiatrist, and author of the book, “The Mind and the Brain,” Jeffrey Schwartz, has an excellent description for this:
“As ‘neural electricians’ with a neuro-plastic brain, who can take charge of our brain function, we are not restricted to working with existing wiring. We can run whole new cables through our brain.”
Just because you don’t know how to play the piano right now, doesn’t mean you can’t learn with the right instruction and plenty of practice, right?
Rewiring our brains to adopt new perspectives and shift the way we think and interpret the world around us is not so very different.
What does this mean for someone trying to unpack their baggage and cultivate their best life? For me personally, neuroplasticity is hope. We are not stuck in our pasts. We don’t have to live with inflexible scar tissue of old trauma.
It’s never too late! Similar to programming a computer to operate a specific way, we can do the same with our brains.
Shifting mindset is key here. Do you believe that you are as you are and that this is impossible to change? Then, that is true, and this is referred to as a fixed mindset.
Do you believe that you are as you are and you have the ability to grow, change, and become more if you choose to apply yourself? Then, that is true, and this is called a growth mindset.
Essentially, we are as we believe ourselves to be.
It takes some work and some time, but I believe it’s worth it to create the lives we want for ourselves.
Neuroplasticity has some incredible applications for stroke survivors and people with other physical obstacles such as paralysis, too.
Check out the links below to learn more about it, and don’t forget to follow Has Baggage, Still Travels on IG and FB for content to cultivate our best selves.
https://www.theneuroclinic.org/single-post/2018/08/13/Neuroplasticity-The-Self-Healing-Brain
https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychpedia/neuroplasticity
https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/change-is-a-choice-nurturing-neuroplasticity-in-your-life-0930154