3 Natural Tools For Boosting Neuroplasticity
Hello dear friends!
I’ve always been fascinated by the brain. Back when I was planning to go to medical school, neurology was one of my top choices for specialty. And in anatomy lab, dissecting the brain and nervous system was a major highlight. Then, over the years, as I’ve ridden the waves of chronic symptoms and eventual brain retraining therapies, I learned even more about neurobiology and ways we can support the brain’s innate capacity to re-mold itself based on various inputs.
And in case you need a refresher…
Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's ability to adapt and change in response to new experiences and stimuli. It's the brain's capacity to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. We used to think that neuroplasticity slowed down or even stopped after childhood, but research shows now that it’s an ongoing process even into old age.
In the later stages of my own brain retraining journey, I wanted to find natural ways to boost my neuroplasticity. Because, after all, if I am putting in this much effort to rewire old symptoms/belief/behavior patterns, why not use any little boost I can get? There are actually many ways to naturally enhance your brain’s ability to reshape itself, and many of us know a handful of them already:
Exercise
Meditation
Learning a new language
Learning a musical instrument
Social connection
But I wanted to go a little deeper than these generic answers today. Beyond exercise and your daily Duolingo practice, there are a few other things you can easily add into your routines to give your brain a boost! Specifically, I want to talk about three: psilocybin, CBD, and red light therapy.
Recent studies suggest that psilocybin, CBD, and red light therapy may have a positive impact on neuroplasticity. So, let’s explore how each of these therapies can help boost your brain's ability to change and adapt!
Psilocybin
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain types of mushrooms. When ingested, psilocybin is converted into psilocin, which interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain. This interaction can lead to altered states of consciousness, increased introspection, and enhanced creativity.
Research has shown that psilocybin can increase neuroplasticity by promoting the growth of new neurons and synapses in the brain. A study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology found that psilocybin increased the density of dendritic spines, which are the small protrusions on neurons that form connections with other neurons. This suggests that psilocybin can enhance the brain's ability to create new connections and adapt to new experiences.
Another study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology found that psilocybin increased the expression of a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus, a region of the brain involved in learning and memory. BDNF is essential for the growth and survival of neurons and has been linked to increased neuroplasticity and improved cognitive function.
The collective knowledge and acceptance around psilocybin is quickly evolving, and I hope more people are able to access this unique medicine, particularly to assist in healing chronic mindbody conditions like anxiety, depression, PTSD, and of course, to support brain rewiring practices.
I personally prefer microdosing on a regular basis, but there are certainly other benefits to larger, less frequent doses. I buy a special mushroom honey blend from a trusted friend, and encourage you to find your mushrooms from trusted sources near you!
CBD
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant. Unlike THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, CBD does not produce a "high" and is used to treat a huge range of conditions including epilepsy, chronic pain disorders, autoimmune conditions, and more.
Research has shown that CBD can enhance neuroplasticity by increasing the expression of BDNF in the brain. A study published in the Journal of Neurochemistry found that CBD increased levels of BDNF in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, two regions of the brain involved in learning, memory, and emotional regulation.
CBD has also been shown to reduce inflammation in the brain, which can contribute to neurodegenerative diseases and impair neuroplasticity. A study published in the Journal of Molecular Medicine found that CBD reduced inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain, which improved cognitive function and neuroplasticity in mice.
I’ve tried lots of brands of CBD over the years (there are literally hundreds of choices nowadays!) and settled on NuLeaf Naturals as my preferred option. Not only does it support a feeling of calm and better sleep, but it’s also helping my brain rewire! You can get 20% OFF your order with code BRIGHTERWILD
Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses low-level red light to stimulate healing and regeneration in the body. Recent research has suggested that red light therapy can also enhance neuroplasticity and potentially treat conditions such as traumatic brain injury, stroke, and neurodegenerative diseases.
One significant factor in the effectiveness of red light therapy is its ability to increase the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the brain. Remember that BDNF is a protein that is essential for the growth and survival of neurons, and has been linked to increased neuroplasticity and improved cognitive function. Studies have found that red light therapy can increase the expression of BDNF in the brain, suggesting that it could be a promising therapy for promoting neuron growth and survival.
In addition to promoting neuron growth and survival, red light therapy has also been found to reduce inflammation in the brain. Inflammation is a known contributor to neurodegenerative diseases and can impair neuroplasticity. Studies have shown that red light therapy can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in brains with Alzheimer's disease, which has led to improved cognitive function and neuroplasticity.
Another study found that red light therapy can improve neuroplasticity and cognitive function in those with traumatic brain injury. Rats that received red light therapy showed increased levels of BDNF and improved performance on cognitive tests compared to the control group.
While more research is needed, especially in a wide range of human subjects, RLT is a promising tool for neurological health. It's already a popular option for skin health, wound healing, and anti-aging, so it’s exciting to see the potential for neuroplastic changes. I have been using a RLT device for a couple of years now, and love how it makes me feel. This is the one I use and trust. You can save 12% on yours, with the code BRIGHTERWILD.
Neuroplasticity is a crucial aspect of brain health, allowing us to adapt and change throughout our lives, and is the driving force behind brain retraining programs like DNRS and Gupta. It’s what allows us to learn new things, retrain old patterns, and heal from mindbody conditions like chronic pain, chronic fatigue, POTS, fibromyalgia, long covid, and more. Whether you are on your own brain retraining journey or not, these three therapies may be helpful for you! By promoting the growth of new neurons and neural connections, psilocybin, CBD, and RLT may improve the brain’s ability to heal itself.
I believe that the real power lies within, through self-directed brain retraining, meditation, and other similar practices, but having a little outside help can be nice!
Have you tried any of these 3 tools? I’d love to hear your thoughts on them!
And of course, until next time…wishing you joy and ease, my friends,
