Thanks To Our Neuroplasticity We Never Stop Learning

During childhood, neuroplasticity is greater, the brain is more flexible than ever and is continually receiving stimuli that are novel to it. At this time, a  large number of neurons are “born” that accelerate the correct development of the child and its learning. Childhood thus constitutes a sensitive period for development, especially the first five years.

However, the fact that our brain is more plastic and, therefore, flexible in the face of changes, does not mean that with age this plasticity disappears and it is not possible to learn or create new synaptic connections. Thus,  even in old age, the brain’s ability to learn is demonstrated.

Neuroplasticity and brain reorganization

The brain has the ability to adapt to the environment and to make changes in its own structure in order to cope with the demands of the environment. One of the evidences of the adaptability of the brain is the fact that people who stop seeing or hearing develop more other areas of the brain dedicated to perception through other senses and brain functions are reorganized.

The Spanish scientist Pascual-Leone demonstrated this ability through an experiment in which he blindfolded healthy subjects for five days. During this time, the subjects read Braille and performed auditory discrimination activities. Through magnetic resonance imaging it was observed that the visual cerebral cortex began to be activated through hearing and touch, the brain was adapting.

This experiment was carried out in adults, which means that contrary to what was thought a years ago, the human brain continues to change throughout its life and this reorganization has a lot to do with the needs demanded by the human being. environment and its resources to face them.

Learn throughout life

We all know that children have a great capacity to learn and that for various new tasks, such as playing an instrument, learning a new language or memorizing a text they have a superior ability than adults. This is a reality, the proliferation of new neurons ( neurogenesis) in childhood is amazing  and, as we grow, this capacity decreases.

But neurogenesis continues even when we are elderly. The old belief that we are born with a certain number of neurons and that throughout life we ​​only lose them is false. Yes, there is a decline in neuroplasticity, but our brains are still largely moldable.

Several factors have been identified that can influence this neuroplasticity. First of all, we are talking about an enriched environment that challenges our minds. Second, moderate exercise is known to help you as well. On the contrary, senescence, chronic stress or certain components in the blood seem to harm it.

The proliferation of new nerve cells was a great discovery. There are two areas of our brain in which the phenomenon has been observed: in the subventricular area and in the hippocampus, the latter is closely related to memory. This neurogenesis in the hippocampus can be stimulated when we acquire new learning, favoring memory.

What happens in our brain when we learn?

Neural plasticity is the mechanism that produces learning. On the other hand,  the learning capacity that each person has is determined by both genetics and education. For example, the IQ that each one possesses would be, for the most part, determined by genetics, but the intellectual effort made also has an impact on the plasticity of our brain and on our abilities.

Although genetically we have a great capacity for learning, it will remain in a potentiality if we do not know how to develop it. If we keep it asleep and do not use it, we will not only be missing the fact of developing it but also the possibility of doing it up to a high limit. Thus, we would not only stop adding, but we would also be subtracting part of that potential from our future.

Cognitive stimulation is crucial for our brain to be prepared to adapt to the demands of our environment. Neuroplasticity is a determining mechanism when it comes to dealing with brain injuries, it is assumed that those people who have favored plasticity through learning will have more resources to overcome or compensate for an injury suffered.