Neuroplasticity as a function of second language learning: the brain has an extraordinary ability to functionally and physically change or reconfigure its structure in response to environmental stimulus, cognitive demand, or behavioural experience.
By studying brain electrical activity of volunteers, researchers found that language acquisition enhances brain plasticity and capacity for learning. In particular, they note that early language learning plays a significant role in the rapid formation of memory circuits for coding new information.
Scientists once believed that the brain couldn’t change over time. We now know that neuroplasticity is possible. You can change your brain multiple times throughout your life. Both internal and external events can affect your brain.
For example, after a trauma, you might notice that your brain reacts differently due to triggers. With therapy, you’ll be able to change your brain to a new state post-trauma that was even better than your pre-trauma brain.
What is Neuroplasticity?
Neuroplasticity or brain plasticity is the inherent ability of the brain to adapt and change in reaction to internal and external stimuli. Your brain can change its functions and even its physical structure to react to inputs coming in from events, experiences, thoughts, and even human emotions.
Previously, scientists assumed the brain itself was finite and that we were born with a set number of a few billion neurons that don’t regenerate. Scientists also believed that these brain cells slowly die over time, and since they don’t regenerate, we die too. Lucky for us, we now know that this isn’t true.
A few decades later, recent studies refuted these notions, and people learned that the brain was malleable and changeable.
Today, we now know that the brain can reorganize neural pathways, make new connections, and even regenerate neurons. Neurons are the nerve cells that serve as the building blocks of the brain and the whole nervous system. All these are naturally occurring, and it depends on what we do with the gray matter that we have as evolving beings. Neuroplasticity is quite remarkable when you think of all the possibilities and changes it can bring to your body and your life in general.
What is Neurogenesis?
The discovery of neurogenesis says that the brain can replace dead or damaged brain cells due to reasons like old age, trauma, and so forth. This concept excites the scientific community due to all the possibilities for rewiring the brain. It opens up the possibility of treatment and the prevention of previously thought of incurable conditions like dementia and other brain injuries.
Not only that, but the brain can actually heal itself.
If neurogenesis regenerates, neuroplasticity rearranges and recreates. As the owners of our brains, the good news is that we can influence how we recreate our neural pathways.
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