Neuroplasticity – the brain’s innate ability to change and adapt – is currently a hot topic in neuroscience because it opens up many avenues for treating chronic conditions. This means that the brain is not a static organ, but rather a dynamic and flexible one that can be reshaped through experience and training. By understanding how neuroplasticity works, we can harness this ability to make positive changes to our mental and physical health.
What is neuroplasticity?
Throughout our lives, our brain is constantly reorganizing itself in response to new experiences and challenges. This process of adapting and learning is known as neuroplasticity. It means that our brain is always changing based on our environment and the signals we send it.
How does neuroplasticity work?
Neuroplasticity works by allowing the formation of new neural connections and pathways in the brain. These connections are created by exposure to new experiences and challenges. By sending positive signals to the brain, we can encourage the creation of helpful neural pathways which replace the unhelpful ones. This process has incredible benefits for both our mental and physical health.
How does neuroplasticity alleviate chronic symptoms?
Many chronic conditions are known to begin with a stressor, trauma, or illness such as a virus. This causes the amygdala – the part of the brain responsible for the stress response – to become hypersensitive. And causes the insula – the part of the brain that may be responsible for storing immune responses – to also become hyperactive. As a result, the amygdala and insula continues to perceive a threat long after the initial stressor or illness has passed, leading to chronic symptoms. Neuroplasticity techniques address this hypersensitivity by retraining the brain to perceive and respond to stress in a more adaptive way. This brings the body back into a state of balance and in turn, reduces symptoms.
How to incorporate neuroplasticity in your life?
One effective way to practice neuroplasticity is through The Gupta Program which is designed to help you learn specific techniques to rewire your brain and improve mental and physical health. The Gupta Program uses a combination of brain retraining, meditation, breathwork, and other techniques to heal the amygdala and reduce symptoms.
In addition to brain retraining, meditation and breathwork are effective techniques which can support neuroplasticity. Meditation has been shown to increase gray matter density in the brain, which is associated with improved cognitive function and emotional regulation. It also helps to increase activity in the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for decision-making and attention.
Breathwork involves using specific breathing techniques to regulate the autonomic nervous system and reduce stress and anxiety. By controlling the breath, you can influence the activity of the amygdala and insula, the parts of the brain responsible for the fight-or-flight response.
Sign up to the free trial of The Gupta Program to learn more about the science and research behind neuroplasticity.
