Neuroplasticity
is an emerging field in neuroscience, which states that the mind has the power
to change the very structure of the brain. Science shows that our positive
thoughts can literally re-wire the established physical pathways. Stress, is
how our minds manifest our fears of the past, the future, or many other
uncontrollable and unchangeable things. Fear and stress lie at the root of
physical disease, emotional trauma, and breakdowns in relationships. And there
is no greater gain in quality of life, health, and well-being than the
psychological shift from fear to peace.
Neuroplasticity is growing in popularity as a
theory that, at least in part, explains improvements in functional outcomes
with physical therapy post stroke. Rehabilitation techniques that have evidence
to suggest cortical reorganization as the mechanism of change include Constraint-induced movement therapy , functional electrical stimulation , treadmill
training with body weight support, and
virtual reality therapy . Robot assisted therapy is an emerging
technique, which is also hypothesized to work by way of neuroplasticity, though
there is currently insufficient evidence to determine the exact mechanisms of
change when using this method.
Neurodevelopment
and the brain’s neuroplasticity is life-long with both it and the nervous
system in a constant state of adaptation to the interplay between a person’s
developmental history, their current situation and future aspirations. Movement,
supported by proper nutrition, organises mental processing, influences the
body's biochemistry and helps mould the actual structure of the brain.
Scientists
in the field of Neuroscience are providing more and more evidence that our
brains are malleable, regenerative, and responsive to environmental
conditioning. This now proven neuroplasticity is mostly a good thing, but it
can have its drawbacks, too. In our technology-saturated lives, we have trained
our brains to stay in a state of high alert and readiness, always on, attuned
to the bells and whistles of our iPhones and Blackberries and incoming email.
We live in a constant state of partial attention and hyper-focus, vigilant,
ready to respond instantaneously to incoming information and messaging.
Problems,
such as stroke damage and obsessive-compulsive disorder, were once considered
incurable. Yet the power of neuroplasticity generated significant change in
these cases and in a relatively short period of time.
Neuroplasticity is the ability of neurons at
the synapses to create new connections, thereby forming new networks and thus
rewiring the brain. It is also considered the basis of restoring physical
abilities following a stroke or injury. Research has found psychotherapy just
as effective as medication for inducing changes in brain blood flow in the
frontal cortex, ACC, and hippo-campus.
The
greatest positivity building tool comes from people learning about their
brains’ ability to change itself through its interaction with the environment.
The ultimate benefit of mistake negativity and dopamine reward are manifested
by the altering of the brain’s neural networks. It is within these networks of
connecting neurons that information is stored, transported, and organized.
Neuroplasticity is the ability of these networks to transform based on the
acquisition of new information, recognition of associations between new and prior
knowledge, and the reorganization, extension, correction, and strengthening
that takes place.
