We have long feared the impact of aging on our minds, believing that once we reach adulthood that we are no longer developing and growing our brains, but rather facing the downward spiral that will come with age. New information has now come to light that calls this belief into question.
Scientists have discovered that we are capable of generating new brain cells in the adult brain, effectively allowing us to take steps to prevent the impact of aging on the brain.
Known as Neurogenesis, the process addresses the concept of growing new brain cells in the hippocampus region of the brain. This is the part of our brain that is responsible for storing long-term memories, learning information and regulating our emotions. It, therefore, stands to reason that growing new brain cells in this region would allow us to improve our emotions and our memories, and help to prevent age-related brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
Another important process in the brain is called Autophagy. This is where the brain works to clear out the older, damaged and dead cells in order to make room for new cell growth.
In the 1998 study, ‘Neurogenesis in the Adult Human Hippocampus’ researchers set out to determine whether the adult human brain supported the process of neurogenesis as had already been observed both in adult rodents and monkeys. Studying post-mortem brain tissue samples, they were able to identify markers in the brain that indicated that the brain had continued to generate new neurons throughout the life of the individual.
In an effort to better understand how this process works, a study titled ‘Adult Neurogenesis: From Precursors to Network and Physiology’ in 2005 stated:
“The discovery that the adult mammalian brain creates new neurons from pools of stemlike cells was a breakthrough in neuroscience.”
In a TED Talk, Doctor Sandrine Thuret, a neuroscientist at King’s College London, discussed the concept of growing new brain cells at length. She advised that there are 10 tried and tested ways to grow new brain cells. They are:
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Eat Blueberries
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Indulge in Dark Chocolate
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Keep Yourself Engaged
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Eat Omega-3 Fatty Acids
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Exercise
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Eat Turmeric
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Have Sex
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Drink Green Tea
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Expose Yourself to Sunlight
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Intermittent Fasting