The power of neuroplasticity

"Every experience you have changes your brain. Even a single fleeting thought can influence the strength of connections between neurons."

- Michael Merzenich

I've recently decided to make some changes in my life. I've been working as an English teacher for years, and while I enjoy it, unfortunately, the salary isn't great. I started thinking about what I could do to earn more money and decided that becoming a cybersecurity specialist might be a good option. So, I signed up for a course and after the first weekend of classes, I'm highly motivated to continue in this direction. I hope this enthusiasm stays with me as I move forward. After all, learning new things and making new connections is exciting, and I have the resources to do it.

Did you know that in 2010, Suzana Herculano-Houzel's research showed that there are up to 86 billion nerve cells in our brains? However, this was just the beginning. The real breakthrough in neuroscience came with the discovery of neuroplasticity. Thanks to modern techniques, we now know that our brains can change throughout our lives, make new neural connections, and regenerate brain cells. This means that we are not confined by our past or childhood, and we can shape our neural pathways, giving us the opportunity to grow and improve.

Interestingly, while the number of neurons is impressive, the number of connections (synapses) between them is up to 1,000 times greater! Our brains dynamically respond to experiences by making new connections between cells when we experience exhilaration, revelation, or understanding. We can choose at any time whether to follow the beaten path or take a different route. Ultimately, our choices are up to us, and we all have the freedom to decide.

These scientific findings are in line with the beliefs of Aristotle, one of the most famous Greek philosophers. He believed that we are born as a tabula rasa, a blank slate, on which our life experiences are written. Our personality, skills, beliefs, and values are shaped by what we experience, see, and learn.

Knowing that our brains are constantly changing gives us the perspective that we all have the potential to become whoever we want to be. Our development is influenced by various factors, from the food we eat to our neighbours' views. Everyone and everything we come into contact with can influence us to a greater or lesser extent.

What matters is how much weight we give to the words of others. We often unconsciously imitate our parents and see ourselves in them as in a mirror. It is essential to remember that we have control over how we react to the world around us and the choices we make.

Knowing about neuroplasticity can be motivating for those who want to improve their skills or intellectual abilities. Instead of thinking that 'you can't teach an old dog new tricks,' we can take a 'better late than never' approach and start learning something new, regardless of age. This shows that changing careers to become a cybersecurity specialist, for example, has a solid scientific basis, and our brains are ready to absorb new knowledge and skills. In the end, as Aristotle said, "we are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."