Over the weekend, I received a message from a reader asking about neuroplasticity. Many people (including me) have brain challenges, such as ADHD, dyslexia, and ADP (auditory processing disorder). These brain processing problems can cause people to struggle. Causes are various, such as injury, stroke, emotional trauma, or heavy metal poisoning. Genetics can also play a role.
Most of the research in this area is very new. But be careful: some of the available information is from clickbait articles by people selling expensive solutions.
Jerzy Konorski was a fascinating character. He was a Polish scientist who escaped the Nazi invastion. Konorski began researching again after arriving in Soviet Georgia. He began treating soldiers who had suffered tramatic brain injuries while fighting Nazi armies on the eastern front. But the Nazis invaded Georgia, so his laboratory moved again.
After the war, he became a target of persecution by Stalin. During such a time of upheaval and pressure, his research continued. He first developed the idea of brain plasticity (or as we call it now, neuroplasticity).
We know that young, growing brains are plastic, or changeable. But even adult brains can change. Sometimes brain changes are positive, sometimes negative. Healing is positive. Injuries and drug addiction cause negative changes (Doidge, 2007).
Your nervous system has a communication apparatus. That apparatus can adapt. Connections are recreated or removed as needed. So if you use a brain function, it becomes stronger. If you don’t use a part of your brain, the nearby parts will start crowding in to use that space because, well, no one else seems to need it. This is great news, because it means healing can occur.
My plan was to discuss treatments, but my original promise for this blog was to keep articles short. So the treatment discussion will post tomorrow.
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Published by Brock Stout, PhD
Brock has helped many people to be extremely successful. He has lived in various countries and has enjoyed several careers, but is now a writer and a career coach.
He sustained mild lead poisoning as a child, resulting in neurological damage. The result was a life of learning disabilities, always struggling to keep up.
But he completed two degrees from competitive universities, then advised Wall Street executives in Asia for 15 years. He later earned a PhD and worked as a university professor for six years. He has started three profitable companies in between.
So he particularly wants to help those with special learning challenges. Because so many of us now have these special challenges, they are no longer special. But they are challenges. He wants you to TEACH YOURSELF how to be successful.
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