How I rewired my brain in six weeks

The article titled 'How I rewired my brain in six weeks' is a fascinating account of Melissa Hogenboom's journey to alter her brain's functioning. She subjected herself to a brain scanning procedure, which required her to focus on a black cross while the functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) machine scanned her brain. As a science journalist, Melissa has always been intrigued by the complexities of the human mind, which led her to undertake a six-week brain-altering course at Royal Holloway, University of London. Her objective was to explore the possibility of inducing meaningful brain changes through alterations in her daily life.

The human brain possesses an extraordinary ability to adapt, learn, and grow, a phenomenon known as neuroplasticity. Contrary to previous beliefs that this ability was confined to youth, it is now understood that neuroplasticity is a constant force that shapes our identity. Each time we acquire a new skill, our brain adapts accordingly. Neuroscientists and psychologists are discovering that we can exert some control over this process. This is significant as numerous studies suggest that enhancing our brain's capabilities can delay or prevent degenerative brain diseases. Melissa collaborated with Thorsten Barnhofer, a professor of clinical psychology at the University of Surrey, to achieve this goal. Barnhofer is currently conducting a study on the effects of mindfulness in managing stress and difficult emotions, particularly in individuals with severe depression.

Melissa was astonished to learn that a simple practice like mindfulness could play a pivotal role in maintaining mental health. Research indicates that mindfulness can enhance several cognitive functions, alleviate pain, and reduce stress. It has been found that a few months of mindfulness training can alleviate certain symptoms of depression and anxiety. Moreover, mindfulness can alter the brain's structure. When the stress hormone cortisol increases and remains elevated, it can be detrimental to the brain. Stress can also directly inhibit neuroplasticity, so managing it allows the brain to remain more plastic. Over six weeks, Barnhofer modified a mindfulness research course for Melissa. She practiced a guided mindfulness meditation for 30 minutes a day and had one weekly meditation session with Barnhofer. She was instructed to be as aware as possible of the present moment and pay attention to things she might usually ignore. She also tried to be more mindful in her daily life. One simple mindfulness technique involves focusing on one's breath. Mindfulness can buffer stress, making us aware of challenges and reducing our tendency to worry. Despite her generally low stress levels, Melissa still felt a benefit from practicing mindfulness. At the end of the six weeks, Melissa underwent another brain scan to see if her efforts had any effect on her brain. After analyzing and comparing her two brain scans, Barnhofer found that the structure of Melissa's brain had indeed changed. One half of her amygdala, an almond-shaped structure crucial for emotional processing, had reduced in volume on the right side. The other change was to her cingulate cortex, part of the limbic system that is involved in our behavioral and emotional responses. It had slightly increased in size over the six weeks, indicating increased control of that area. These changes align with published studies in the scientific literature. Melissa found that she was better able to keep her mind more restful and zone out busy thoughts. However, it is important to acknowledge that any brain changes could also be random, as the brain is constantly changing anyway. But the studies suggest that the whole experience was a worthwhile challenge. Melissa plans to continue practicing mindfulness, as long as life doesn't get in the way.