Comments on: On The Brain http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007/10/11/on-the-brain/ Brain Fitness and Cognitive Health news Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:40:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.5 by: Alvaro http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007/10/11/on-the-brain/#comment-80645 Tue, 16 Oct 2007 04:36:11 +0000 http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007/10/11/on-the-brain/#comment-80645 Hello Joel, great question: what is the limit of neuroplasticity. There is not much research there, so let me speculate a bit. Our brain is way more malleable than we usually think it is. Having said that, as we age we accumulate experiences that shape our brains and, in a sense, reduce the range of possibility. It would be tough to think (medical problems excepted) of a "smart" person becoming "dumb", or vicaeversa. But both could benefit from working on refining their brains and minds. Another way: for a native English-speaker, learning fluent Chinese would require significant brain change. This is easier when we are kids, more difficult as we grow older. Being practical, I'd reiterate the previous comment: our brains are more malleable than we think we are. I have seen research showing how adults with spider phobia can learn to prevent amygdala activation-they literally conquer their fear. What is the precise limit? good question to ponder... Hello Joel, great question: what is the limit of neuroplasticity.

There is not much research there, so let me speculate a bit. Our brain is way more malleable than we usually think it is. Having said that, as we age we accumulate experiences that shape our brains and, in a sense, reduce the range of possibility. It would be tough to think (medical problems excepted) of a "smart" person becoming "dumb", or vicaeversa. But both could benefit from working on refining their brains and minds.

Another way: for a native English-speaker, learning fluent Chinese would require significant brain change. This is easier when we are kids, more difficult as we grow older.

Being practical, I'd reiterate the previous comment: our brains are more malleable than we think we are. I have seen research showing how adults with spider phobia can learn to prevent amygdala activation-they literally conquer their fear. What is the precise limit? good question to ponder...

]]> by: Joel http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007/10/11/on-the-brain/#comment-80588 Tue, 16 Oct 2007 00:45:19 +0000 http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007/10/11/on-the-brain/#comment-80588 I just became aquainted to neuroplasticity and it seems a very important aspect we should all be aware of!... But, I wonder... how far can you actually mold your brain? Is such a thing as personality and intelligence completely malleable I just became aquainted to neuroplasticity and it seems a very important aspect we should all be aware of!... But, I wonder... how far can you actually mold your brain? Is such a thing as personality and intelligence completely malleable

]]> by: Alvaro http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007/10/11/on-the-brain/#comment-80134 Fri, 12 Oct 2007 23:39:48 +0000 http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007/10/11/on-the-brain/#comment-80134 Hello Ian: I agree with you. If we had organized that contest, we would have defined merit-based criteria. However, the fact is that the rules are different from what you or I would have done. I don't know Shelley personally, so cannot speak about her "charisma and popularity". I simply know that she writes a great neuroscience blog. And that her blog is one of the few science-based blogs among the finalists. Of course, your decision. Hello Ian: I agree with you. If we had organized that contest, we would have defined merit-based criteria. However, the fact is that the rules are different from what you or I would have done.

I don't know Shelley personally, so cannot speak about her "charisma and popularity". I simply know that she writes a great neuroscience blog. And that her blog is one of the few science-based blogs among the finalists.

Of course, your decision.

]]> by: Ian Kemmish http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007/10/11/on-the-brain/#comment-80093 Fri, 12 Oct 2007 20:17:45 +0000 http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007/10/11/on-the-brain/#comment-80093 If one wanted to ensure that we learnt more about our brains, wouldn't it make more sense to award scholarships based on talent and ability, rather than on charisma and popularity? If one wanted to ensure that we learnt more about our brains, wouldn't it make more sense to award scholarships based on talent and ability, rather than on charisma and popularity?

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