If you were asked to choose one of the following as the most complex system, which would you choose? Inter-galatic travel? Architecture of the most impressive building on Earth? How dangerous surgeries that require the utmost precision? Running a multi-national billion dollar organization?
It’s Not Any of These.
The most complex system resides between your ears. With it, mankind has achieved and, I believe, will come to achieve what most people today consider fantasy.
Did you know that the human cortex alone contains 30 billion neurons and is capable of creating 1 million synapses (connections between neurons)? How many possible neural circuits could that make?
At Least 10 Followed by a Million Zeros!
Do you know your brain is the most complicated system in the universe?
Up until about two decades ago, neuroscientists assumed we never have any control as to how our neural circuits are formed. They thought the only way our neural circuits alter is through evolution – implying you are stuck with whatever you’re born with.
But now we know better. We know that you can literally, physically change your brain through simple activities. Every experience you go through, every word you read, every stimulant you picked up from the external environment through you five senses changes your brain.
You learn by creating new neurons and/or new synapses. And like it or not, you’re learning every moment in your life.
Do You know What This Means?
It means you have total control as to how your brain develops. Instead of staring at the little box you call a TV, you can be doing brain exercises. Instead of surrendering to fate as you slowly lose your memory, you can take charge and enjoy memories sharper than when you were 18!
No, It’s No Joke. It’s Been Done. Look at the Case of Michelle Mack.
She was born with half a brain. Her whole left hemisphere is missing and yet she was so normal, the standard tests doctors gave her when she was born came back normal. In fact, no one suspected anything until her mum brought her to a paediatrician because she failed to learn how to crawl at two years old.
Even then no one could figure out what’s wrong. It wasn’t until 1977, when CAT scan resolution improved, that doctors could see she has no left hemisphere. Theoretically, she should have at birth died (or at least be living with a machine attached) yet she’s now living a relatively normal life.
Now, perhaps you’re thinking that’s because she was a child. A child’s brain do show marked growth compared to adults. Let’s consider another case.
Let’s take a look at Saburo Shochi, a Japanese centenarian. What do you think of when I mention centenarian?
An old frail man, probably in an elderly home care, unable to move on his own and… waiting for his time to come? If so, you’re dead wrong.
Saburo Shochi, despite being a centenarian, lives alone. He volunteers at a nearby child care and is… wait for this… learning a new language! In fact, brain scans showed that his brain is approximately 30 years younger than the rest of his body.
What you do affects your brain. It’s what neuroscientists call “Brain Plasticity”. In the next few days, I’m going to post some of the things these amazing people do to reverse their brain age and improve their memory.
Photo by Image editor
