Can we grow new brain cells?
Day 19 / 365
Our brains stop developing new cells once we become adults. At least that’s what the widespread belief has been. Its how we reason that we develop most of our habits and personalities till we are in our teens, and we keep that for the rest of our lives. However new findings in the field of Neurogenesis suggest this isn’t true. This is the focus of this Ted Talk by Sandrine Thuret.
The Hippocampus
Hippocampus is a long gray structure at the center of our brains. It plays a huge role in our learning, memory, mood, and emotions.
In her experiments with mice, Sandrine found that the Hippocampus also produces new neurons, about 700 each day. This is true for adult brains as well. While this might look like a small number, its effects were seen to be quite significant in further experiments.
It was observed that antidepressants increased the production of new neurons in the hippocampus. If the production of these neurons is stopped artificially, the antidepressants became ineffective. This shows the importance of these new neurons in dealing with depression.
How can we increase new neuron generation?
The hippocampus will keep producing new neurons throughout our lives. The rate, however, decreases with age. There are things we can do to ensure that our brain keeps creating new brain cells at a healthy rate
- A good night sleep- Sleep deprivation has been shown to decrease neurogenesis.
- Running- Or any other exercise that increases the flow of oxygen in the brain.
- Eating healthier- Diets rich in high saturated fats have a negative effect on neurogenesis. Blueberries and dark chocolates have been found to increase neurogenesis.
- Cutting down on alcohol- Alcohol puts a hold on neurogenesis. However, in some studies, red wine has been found to promote the generation of new neurons.
This story is part of my 365 Day Project for 2019. Read about it here