The Playdough Brain: Harnessing the Power of Neuroplasticity
Every single thing that we do in our day-to-day lives runs through the main command centre of the human body — the brain. With years to hone its evolutionary design through the reproduction of advantageous traits, you would think the brain would be… well, perfect.
Let’s be honest — these squishy masses of neurons, glial cells, fat, water, protein, and salts we call brains can often feel flawed at best. Sure, I’ve grown rather attached to the one I have, but I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I sometimes think, “Dang, can’t I trade this thing in for a newer model?”
I often find myself repeating an idea to clients: our brains are really amazing and do so much for us, but sometimes… just sometimes… they also suck.
Thankfully, all is not lost! While the average person isn’t going to trade in their brain for a newer model like the latest iPhone, we aren’t necessarily stuck with the way the one we have functions.
As it turns out, these squishy masses of neurons, glial cells, fat, water, protein, and salts are capable of change, not only through evolution, but also when we want them to.
Enter, from stage left: neuroplasticity!
So, imagine for a moment that your brain is actually made up of flour, water, salt, cream of tartar, and your favourite colour of food dye. Now we have this lovely, fun, colourful, and malleable mass called playdough.
When we first get hands-on with our playdough brain fresh out of the container, it’s nice and soft. We can form it in almost any way we like, creating different shapes and pathways. This playdough brain represents us as children; in our most formative years our brains are soft, flexible, and constantly learning, developing the pathways that will shape how we think and engage with the world in the future.
Now imagine we put the playdough away in the container and come back to it after a few weeks. Suddenly it’s a bit more rigid, drier, and tougher to mold. But once we put in some effort and work it with our hands, it starts to bounce back and we can still make new shapes and pathways. This playdough brain represents us as we age. As we get older, our brains slow down and aren’t quite as plastic as they once were in childhood. We might find that it takes us longer to learn new things or complete tasks — and yet, it’s still not impossible.
With practice and repetition, our brains form new neural pathways from birth to death. A natural part of our brains aging with us is that it may take more practice, and more repetition, to form new habits, ideas, and abilities. It’s not necessarily brand new, but think about the power it takes to rewrite years of programming! Yes, sometimes our brains suck. But even I have to admit — that’s pretty cool, right?
Instead of wishing for a new brain, let’s embrace the power of the playdough brain and lean on neuroplasticity by:
Learning something new — a language, instrument, strategy game, or puzzle.
Staying physically active — aerobic exercise, strength training, or activities requiring coordination.
Practicing mindfulness — meditation, breathing exercises, and stress management techniques to challenge unhelpful thought patterns.
Prioritizing rest and sleep — sleep recharges us, consolidates learning, and promotes brain recovery.
Supporting healthy living — balanced nutrition, strong social connections, and avoiding harmful substances.
And there you have it, you and your playdough brain (and me and mine) have harnessed the power of neuroplasticity.
If you’re curious about how to harness your own playdough brain’s power, our clinician Genna is currently accepting new clients. Reach out and book a session with Genna — let’s build those new pathways together.
