Neuroplasticity explained
Most people have different thoughts and behaviours in the present than they had 20 years ago. Tastes change, the activities people enjoy change and sometimes even preferences for books or movies change. Neuroplasticity, also known as brain plasticity or brain malleability, accounts for much of the changes in human behaviour over time.
Neuroplasticity lets parts of the brain that are used often become stronger. Repeated actions often become second nature and no longer require much conscious thought. Actions, words and events become linked to specific emotions or feelings; infrequent actions and associations fade away.
Neuroplasticity is necessary for learning. The brain never loses neuroplasticity entirely, but malleability declines with age. Children learn language, functions of daily life, societal and cultural beliefs, academic material, and many other things. They learn so much so quickly that it is nearly impossible to quantify. The ability to learn rapidly comes from the exceptional neuroplasticity of children’s brains.
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What Is Neuroplasticity?
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to change neural pathways and structure over a person’s lifespan. Many changes occur through axonal sprouting. Axons are long, thin nerve fibres that transfer signals between nerve cells. Axonal sprouting lets undamaged axons grow new nerve endings to create a link between neurons after a previous link was severed.
People frequently need to re-learn some actions or speech after brain damage from an injury or illness. Neuroplasticity lets undamaged portions of the brain take over functions from damaged areas. Therapy after injuries, surgery or illness helps people regain function through neuroplasticity. Therapy builds up physical muscles, but constant repetitive actions also build new pathways in the brain.
How Addiction Affects Neuroplasticity
The brain forms new pathways between neurons through stimulation. Repeatedly engaging in an enjoyable activity strengthens the association between that action and pleasure in the brain. The brain looks for rewards. Food, water and socializing stimulate the release of neurotransmitters, especially dopamine, that generate pleasurable feelings.
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Using Neuroplasticity to Treat Addiction
Neuroplasticity is strongly affected by motivation. Learning happens faster when people want to learn a skill or subject. Developing skills for an enjoyable hobby happen the same way students learn physics. Addiction and recovery occur through the same processes, too. Motivation plays a key role in recovery.
Addiction recovery involves major changes in thoughts, feelings and behaviours. The brain reorganizes to associate pleasure with activities other than drug use. Relationships, a new job and other goals slowly replace drug use in the brain’s reward process.
Neural pathways that existed before addiction fade, but they do not completely disappear. Addiction pathways do not completely disappear either. Relapse occurs when pathways associated with drug use become active again.
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