Until recently, as noted on Huffington Post, experts believed that it was not possible for adults to grow new neurons. However, according to a TED Talk video with neuroscientist Sandrine Thuret, humans are capable of generating new brain cells through a process known as neurogenesis. What’s more, doing this has a lot of essential benefits like better mood and memory and less invasive decline linked to aging.
Neurogenesis Explained
As you may already know, the brain has several distinct regions. As explained on Healthy Holistic Living, neurogenesis is the most active during the phase of prenatal development; however, there are two brain areas where this process has been shown to take place in adulthood too. These two regions are known as the sub-ventricular zone and the hippocampus.
How can We Grow New Brain Cells?
The natural rate of neurogenesis can be lowered by aging, insufficient sleep, as well as stress. Also, some meds may limit the growth of new neurons. According to Thuret, some cancer patients develop depression symptoms after being told that they have been cured from cancer, which may be a result of the medications that they have taken to avert the multiplying of cancer cells that have also ceased the creation of new neurons in the brain and affected their mood negatively.
What Is Good for Neurogenesis?
On the other hand, sexual intercourse and aerobic activity are known to boost neurogenesis. Hence, a study done by Rusty Gage of the Salk Institute focused on the association between neurogenesis and aerobics showed that the mice that had running wheels in their cages and could run regularly experienced growth of new neurons which was not the case with the group of mice that did not have a running wheel.
Thuret further emphasizes the importance of specific dietary habits to encourage growth of neurons. Here are the major ones:
- Restriction of calories from 20 to 30 percent
- Intermittent fasting
- Regular consumption of flavonoids present in blueberries and dark chocolate
- Regular intake of omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish such as salmon
What’s more, it is worth pointing out that there are some diet-related habits that can have an adverse influence on the process of neurogenesis. Some of them are eating excessive amounts of saturated fat and overindulging in alcohol.
To check out the whole TED talk, make sure you take a look at the video below: