Many believe that once we become adults our brain capacities stop developing and intellectual abilities stagnate or even decline with advancing age. Older citizens are resigned to the concept of the old Arabic saying, “Learning at young age is like etching on stone, while learning at old age is like writing on water.” Fortunately, sophisticated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) challenges this notion by proving that neurons, brain cells, not only interwire, but also increase in numbers and activity with intellectual learning and mental interaction. MRIs demonstrate that corresponding parts of the brain increased in size with mental stimulation and physical activity. Therefore, we should reject such a misconstrued myth. My last column was about nourishing the brain (Arab News, March 19, 2008, The Brain: Nurture and Nourish), but today, it is about nurturing it.
We exercise (run, jog, swim) our bodies and muscles to keep them fit and agile. We know that with neglect we lose muscle tone, fitness, and energy. Our neurons and memories similarly demand continuous training with new skills, languages, or musical instruments; solving problems, puzzles or quizzes; memorizing telephone numbers, poetry, or verses from the Holy Qur’an; or playing games of chess or bridge. Such mental and intellectual stimulations promote brain development and minimize mental decline, memory loss, fuzzy thinking, and dementia, typically occurring after the age of forty. With each decade after that, acceleration of mental degeneration becomes dramatically more noticeable and more unmanageable, sometimes even more pronounced than physical aging. Hence, our brains require challenging intellectual activities to prevent decline.
According to neurologist David Perlmutter’s book (The Better Brain Book, Riverhead Trade, 2005), untrained and neglected neurons fail to bounce back from oxidization, free radical damage, inflicted by stress, sleep loss, environmental toxins, tobacco use, dietary transfats, low oxygen, and head injuries. The book suggests intellectual stimulation and physical workouts to encourage neuron development and connectivity and stop precipitated mental decline. Here they are.
Memorizing telephone numbers instead of speed-dialing them activates brain cells. Pronounce the number and then save its image in your memory. Remembering names, faces, or facts by association makes recollection easier. Connect name with somebody else’s. A way to remember a face is by a prominent feature. Play memory games. Memorize verses from the Holy Qur’an or a poem. Repeat them during prayer or during the day for a week. When they are well saved in your memory, proceed in learning more. Improve your reaction by sorting out beads by color or shape as fast as you can; time yourself until you do it faster. Learn new skills (sport, game, handiwork). The US News magazine, Feb. 11, 2008, had a report (Keeping Your Brain Fit), offering similar suggestions.
Meditation is another effective method to increase brain capacity. According to neuroscientist Shanida Nataraja, “most individuals navigate through their everyday life in a fashion dominated by their left-brained thinking.” Her recent “research demonstrates that entering a meditative state can bring about the shift into right-brain mode that we need,” thus activating both brain hemispheres. Prayer is a form of meditation. Such practices enhance decision-making and memory, empowering the brain, increasing its elasticity, improving performance, and heightening productivity. More and more corporations are offering meditation classes for their employees.
Physical activity also influences neuron growth and connectivity, enhancing learning. According to studies, those who honed various cognitive skills and remained physically and mentally active boosted mental power as well as memory and reasoning abilities. They also increased neuron numbers, activity, and wiring along with brain size. It is never late to improve mental performance and intellectual skills. Rest assured; a little effort will not strain your brain. “ Use it or lose it!”
— Mariam Alireza is a holistic science specialist. Send comments to [email protected]. Log on to arabnews.com for previous articles.
