Rewiring the Brain: The Promise and Peril of Neuroplasticity

Wanna neuro-plastificate your brain ? Learn a musical instrument, or two or three - for me, it’s keyboard , bass and percussion- and you’ll witness small miracles every day, like being able to play a piece on the piano with both hands in the morning when you could only do it with separate hands the night before… I’m almost 69, I started about 10 years ago for piano and percu - bass is very recent - and it’s the most rewarding activity I’ve ever done. And if I can do it, so can you !

27 years old and i enjoy this ...❤🎉 lets go HUMANITY!!

Story of my life, multiple TBI's, 2 with brain bleeds, countless concussions growing up, the strange thing was I picked up things in my 40's that I was horrible at in my teens and 20's. I became semi fluent in math and science. I attest that it was all the reading I've done and staying physically active so the brain could heal, repair, grow and produce new pathways that are better than some in my 20's. The brain, body and life itself are truly amazing. God gave me the strength to never give up, he is in every cell in my body 🙏 I spent time in jail and believe that stress can be used as a precursor to hyper regeneration, or I'd call it open window period, I lived it.

I have been training my brain to learn new things for years. I studied the neuroscience of learning about 15 years ago and have used that understanding to train many other skills and competencies. I use graduated intervals, a mix of undirected and directed learning and I ramp up my interest in something before I learn it. I also use some form of journaling and teaching others what I have learned to solidify memories. I have found there is an initial state of ignorance which is the hardest to punch through but after a while there is a growing interest in the subject. There is also a few plateau's where it would be easy to rest on one's own laurels but its important not to become convinced of one's own comprehension prematurely. There is a qualitative difference between something thoroughly understood and something that is vaguely conceived. I use this as a guide to evaluate my understanding. Its also important to refresh your memory of things every now and again. For example I learned a few languages but never encounter them in my day-to-day life, I have to deliberately flip over to watching news or reading in those languages to keep them fresh.

Neuroplasticity is the most incredible part of neuroscience ......That still needs to be explored .......

I used to get stroke symtoms from bing smoking crack .numbness tingling right side neck ,shoulder ,lat. Going on and off drug . I eventually became almost imune to this symtom latter in life.. Very dangerous. Im a very lucky man to have survived this self destructive behavior.

There's a video game called Rocksmith - it's essentially Guitar Hero, except you use a real guitar/bass. It's incredibly engaging and rewarding, and I think it's an incredibly effective way to learn.

Fantastic presentation as always. After years of suffering through depression, anxiety and addiction I was fortunate enough to experience the therapeutic effects of psychedelics. A lot of people might believe that psychedelics are that magic pill to make everything better, but it's not. It's a catalyst for change. It shows you that it is possible to feel differently, to be different, but as it was reiterated - work and effort are required for any sustained change. Without this sustained change, the old habit patterns return.. As with a lot of people who have suffered, and consumed psychadelics, I became quite spiritual. Favoring, and more importantly, understanding the wisdom and teachings of philosophies such as Buddhism. The type of understanding that comes from profound experience. So, now I meditate. And, as it's increasingly understood, the effects mediation has on the brain are very similar to the effects psychedelics have on the brain. Psychedelics make the brain more plastic, this is known, and in research you've previously discussed, appear to reopen these critical periods too. It's also been shown in a plethora of research that meditation also increases neuroplasticity. Ergo, possibly, with increased exposure and practice it may even reopen these closed critical periods in some way shape or form. I take this into my own healing practices. Meditation is the tool that makes your brain more plastic, and through work and effort your behaviour pattern is reinforced. With the right intentions this helps you to move away from negative habits and into positive habits. Meditation/mindfulness is available to every single person, which is why its so important and should really be taught from a young age. I look forward to seeing you live in Melbourne.

What about S. P. Infusion of norepinephrine and it's carbon rings ! What is the combination behind it and carbon rings of serotonin ? Every chemical compound has it's endemic rethum or wave generated according to varying ionization energy when excited , and so it's a matter of short circuit . Mind is , How we react to signals from environment and It 's the medium We recognize them. So if environment is infused with the unsuitable , then our surroundings would also be confused ? How serotonin modulates positive thoughts........ to be continued.....

1:15:55 "Critical periods are a moment of heightened plasticity, but they are also windows of vulnerability, and if they continue for too long then you may, in fact, incur damage." This inescapably reminds me of the psychonaut maxim from Alan Watts: "if you get the message, hang up the phone".

I had TMS for depression in 2020. It saved my life, but I'd love to maximize the benefits by keeping my brain plastic.

Thank you, World Science Festival!💚🌈🌸🎵

YouTube needs more of Brian Greene science video shows.

Have an MS for more than half of my life. Degradation of my body EDSS 7.5. Conversations like this, even if wasn't mentioned, nothing about Multiple sclerosis, gives me a hopes in the future.

This presentation is a keeper! As a lifelong illustrator and a very late (68-71) piano student, I appreciated the discussion of intensive, prolonged practice that is necessary to attain expert levels. The patients who are motivated to play with sharks will be working their asses off. It looks like 'fun' at a glance, but the patients will have to push through the point where it gets old and just do it.

Love you Mr Greene. Thanks to ALL the humans that share the knowledge you discover.

Brian Greene, you have made humanity a bit better by sharing the love of knowledge with the rest of us. Thank you truly.

I suffered a significant stroke at age 51 that has affected my speech along with my right side. It has been almost 3 years now and our insurance system limited my therapy and I haven't seen a neurologist since I got out of the hospital. As I am learning about neuroplasticity, I have found it renewing my thought that I may still recover. I began NMES about a week ago and have found it has already helped the movement of my right shoulder/arm. I am looking at TcDS to further stimulate the brain in an attempt to heal. I welcome any and all input. Thank you for this discussion!!

3 severe traumatic brain injuries at 16 no signs of life coma paraplegic etc. 26 years later been through extensive and repeated courses group therapies etc etc 5 psychiatrists and every single medication known in the world all at top doses etc. My serious and tormenting thoughts are of myself before the accident and not being able to ever be him again. I am refractory comorbid and can't wait to see what else there is to do because I've tried everything. I applaud everyone for their recovery and I would like to agree the brain is amazing and extremely powerful, life building and charachterises each person in personality and their way through life. Sadly for me a brain has substantially compensated healing my severe traumatic brain injuries with the destruction of ...... Thank you for your time and attention

Wow incredible.. I had a stroke 3 yrs. ago my whole right side stayed paralyzed, after seeing these wonderful human beings I have hope.