Your Brain Can Heal You Too

Your brain changes with each new thought, with each new learning and experience that you integrate into your life. This complex and fascinating plastic organ can be our ally when it comes to preventing and treating a myriad of conditions. Thus, understanding that your brain can also heal you – positively influence a healing process – can open the door to applying new mental tools and approaches.

One of the leading experts in brain plasticity is undoubtedly Dr. Álvaro Pascual-Leone. Researcher, professor and associate dean of Clinical and Translational Science at Harvard Medical School, he is one of the most inspiring references in the knowledge of the human brain and its potential.

We are aware that the phrase “your brain can also heal you” can lead us to more than one misunderstanding. This organ will not make, for example, that we can cure ourselves of a chronic disease. However, it can allow us to prevent it in many cases and even mitigate its impact if we improve our lifestyle habits.

Thus, as Professor Pascual-Leone reveals, we must be able to understand that it is in our power to “sculpt” our own brain to be a good benefactor and not an enemy. Surrounding ourselves with a social network of significant people, being curious, receptive, thinking positively or reducing the impact of stress will undoubtedly allow us to gain territory for health and well-being.

Your brain can heal you too, let’s be sculptors of our own brain

The brain is like a universe full of complex constellations. As every day we know more data about that cosmic ocean that extends beyond our small planet, we also now rise as skilled astronauts exploring and discovering relevant data about the processes of our neural networks.

• We know, for example, that every experience, thought and behavior can modify our brain.
• In turn, we have discovered that hopeful process called neurogenesis, that obvious sign that our central nervous system can continue to generate new neurons at any time in our lives.
• Studies, such as the one carried out by doctors Chunmei Zhao and Fred H. Gag, from La Jolla University, California, indicate the relevance that this process can have when it comes to preventing and alleviating the impact of realities such as depression, memory loss or neurodegenerative diseases.

This aspect is undoubtedly one of the most interesting areas of neuroscience. Above all, if we think that until very recently we took it for granted that the ability to generate new neurons was restricted until the early years of childhood.

Genes don’t determine the chemistry of our brain

There are two aspects that you should always keep in mind when we talk about neurobiology: that of  genetics and epigenetics.

• Whether we want it or not, these factors will always determine that our brain has a greater or lesser probability when it comes to suffering from certain pathologies.
• However, when it comes to preventing these realities, we must not lose sight of one aspect: genes do not determine us 100%. It is in our power to initiate new practices and better mental approaches.

Standing up, in essence, as authentic sculptors of a healthier brain and above all, more plastic, will help us reduce the impact of a large number of physical and psychological diseases.

A plastic brain is a healthy and resilient brain

Your brain can also heal you because it has an amazing capacity: that of plasticity. Now,  what exactly does this term mean?

• Plasticity is the ability of our nervous system to modify itself to respond to the environment around it.
• It is also an evolutionary advantage with which we can adapt much better to challenges and difficulties.
• Thus, if we talk about neuroplasticity, we refer to all those changes that appear in our brain based on our experiences.
• Resilience, for example, is a clear example of neuroplasticity because it defines that exceptional ability to overcome adversity by generating new strategies and learning from them later.

How can we “sculpt” the brain to mediate our health?

Your brain can heal you too, but how? you will ask yourself. We already know that brain plasticity is that key tool to face the challenges of our environment.

Likewise, it has also been discovered that factors such as cognitive reserve allow us to better deal with neurological diseases.

The keys to being those architects of our brain health are actually affordable for most of us. They are processes with great benefit for the brain, to generate new connections, to stimulate, take care of it, optimize it …

Let’s see those dimensions that the neurologist Pascual-Leone advises us.

Adequate food

A varied and balanced diet is synonymous with health. Let’s always look for fresh, organically grown products, let’s avoid the abuse of sugar and saturated fats.

Also, let’s put on our list foods rich in omega 3, magnesium, tryptophan, vitamin K, antioxidants …

Regular exercise

A sedentary lifestyle is a voracious enemy for health and even for mood. It is therefore recommended that we include some type of exercise in our routine. It would be enough even to go for a walk for half an hour every day.

Meditation and positive thoughts

Science has been studying the impact of meditation on our health for years. Harvard University reveals, for example, in a study, the benefits of Mindfulness to reduce the symptoms of anxiety and stress.

On the other hand, if your brain can also heal you, it is because at some point, you have managed to maintain a positive and resilient approach to life. Positive thoughts improve brain health, regulate tensions and even improve the ability to settle new learning.

Deep and restful sleep

There will be people who have enough with 6 hours, others with 9. Be that as it may, the most important thing is that our night’s rest is always deep and restorative. Something essential to gain brain health.

Positive relationships

This advice is undoubtedly the best known. Our brain needs a social connection to experience well-being and life satisfaction. What’s more, having a meaningful support network to rely on helps us cope with depression, strengthens neural connections, and also gains in cognitive reserve.

Friendship is health, love is energy, relationships that awaken us happiness and no worries are synonymous with health.

To conclude, now that you know that your brain can also heal you, don’t hesitate: improve your lifestyle habits. Remember daily that you can be the sculptor of this prodigious organ capable of mediating your well-being, and even preventing you from developing certain diseases.