You can grow new brain cells. Here's how | Sandrine Thuret | TED

Can we, as adults, grow new neurons? Neuroscientist Sandrine Thuret says that we can, and she offers research and practical advice on how we can help our brains better perform neurogenesis—improving mood, increasing memory formation and preventing the decline associated with aging along the way.

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[JesusIsTheSavior]

I doubt anyone will believe me but, I watched this video a year ago after coming out of a 5 year relapse. I used to be a very bright kid, however after so many years of drug abuse my brain wasnt working as well as it had beforehand. I watched this video and implemented all of its suggestions. Ive eaten blueberries every morning, slept as much as I can (I always go to bed by 11 at least except on special occasions) Ive run 3-4 times a week for 45 minutes or more, and Ive avoided junk food and stress. My friend who I met in rehab a year ago told me a month ago that I seem so much brighter than the day he met me. My memory is so accurate that i dont have to keep a to do list, its all in my head. I can always remember what I have talked about throughout the day, when before Id forget to finish the conversation I was having. Its astounding and I contribute the healing of my brain to this video. i can now read books when before my attention span was so terrible I couldn't finish a paragraph. and yes, its also because Ive been clean for over a year :)

[TheSuperCoolMan]

*my last 2 brain cells* : there's hope brother

[jenmdawg]

It’s crazy to me how difficult it has become to do the basics required for mental and physical health. I, like most, embraced decline at 45 and then -after feeling tired and foggy all the time - simply started to do all the things we all know are important. Sleep, hydration, nutrition, exercise and daily meditation. I’m 53 now - am going through an extremely stressful life change (death of my life/biz partner). People I’ve not seen for 10 years don’t recognize me - in a good way - because doing these simple things are absolutely transformative. I weigh what I did at 20, I’m in a good mood most of the time, I have all the energy I need and experience a clear head every day. I can’t imagine how much more difficult grief would be if I’d not embraced the idea we aren’t meant to feel awful all the time.

[MasuseDeMojo]

I believe my grandfather knew about his back when he was alive; he lived from 1906 to 2001. I know he had a very good memory, and was very sharp in how he spoke, and formed words. Everyone who talked to him thought he had a doctorates. All he did was walk a lot, and keep his mind stimulated with books. He memorized an original Websters Dictionary along with the Bible; he could tell you word for word with punctuation what was on both.

I can see that this really does work!!! Thank you for the Ted Talk!!!

[GuilainMusic]

As a summary: if you have a healthy life, diet, exercise, etc. you will increase production of neurons and lower depression.

[ikrus]

To real summ up:

Ways to increase neurogenesis:
1. Calorie restriction of 20 to 30 percent
2. Intermittent fasting (i.e., spacing the time between your meals)
3. Intake of flavonoids, which are contained in dark chocolate or blueberries
4. Omega-3 fatty acids, present in fatty fish, like salmon

[thenormallife]

Makes sense. After I had chemo my brain did not work well anymore and I suffered depression. Even diagnosed with bipolar disorder and couldn't get by without meds for years. I became vegetarian and started eating a lot of fresh fruits and veggies and yea a lot of dark chocolate. I didn't run but I did power walk everyday for at least an hour a day and did yoga to help me distress. When I started I had a notebook that I had to write everything in or I would forget. Even conversations I had would be lost. I could remember how to get places I had been going my whole life and could remember my doctors names or the names of people I went to school with when I saw them on the street. It got so bad that one day I lost my notebook while out of town. I sat on the floor and cried because I was so lost and confused. The people I was with helped me call every shop we had been to that day until we found my notebook.
It took me years to get myself back to where I didn't need the book but I now believe it's because of my diet and excercise habits that I'm able to be ok. I'm always reading now and trying to learn new things. Before people kept saying I needed to see a doctor because something was wrong with me. Now the same people say I know a lot and ask me about different things.
I'm in a group online where a lot of women have what they call chemo brain. It's really bad and for some people the worst of it is lasting 10 and 15 years. For me it was more like 5 years or horror. I don't want to go back to that.

[sergefrechette]

Fantastic, loved this, …had a mild stroke the past 2 years, still teaching full time, I believe in diet, exercise, learning new subjects, perseverance helps the brain keep healthy. I will be 76 soon and, write, publish, teach, learn new subjects, explore, exercise as much as I can, keep up with good diet as much as I can ..keep positive and so on. Perseverance while keeping a positive outlook with what you have gained from shortfalls .

[acho]

to summ up: eat healthy, excercise, and learn

[VB-cbjh]

I'm 50 and the past 7 years I've learned that the more you exercise your memory and keep teaching yourself new things your good to go.

[psychedelictacos]

This is actually the main reason I started running after reading the benefits on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) which is released while running, yes I enjoy the cardiovascular benefits, endorphin release, alleviated stress, fitness etc. But the main reason why I started running was actually to help me study, concentrate and retain information better. Studying computer programming at university is an abstract skill that requires a lot of learning and consolidation of new brain cells, before I started running I could barely last 5 minutes staring at the screen before zoning out and then procrastinating on social media. Running literally allowed me to sustain concentration, learn and solve problems much better, increasing my work productivity a lot!

[Chopsyochops]

I had a stroke a year ago and yesterday found out that my brain had completely healed. I have no scar tissue and my brain is normal. Dr said it was a miracle. I think it’s down to having a little red wine, taking fish oil every day, probiotics, eating fish and bananas. Plus avoiding stress. I had a massive boost on my brain health when I started lifting weights again. I still don’t sleep enough though.

[at]

I'm glad Youtube recommended me this after watching Gucci Gang

[FromZeroToArtist]

I’m in my early 20s but my brain is very unhealthy. Information like this makes me not want to quit living. It’s very empowering.

[novalee]

I associate ted talks with academic duties (bc of school) and thus stress and guilt (because I've poorly in school the last few years) so I always ignore ted talk videos and yet on the rare occasions I bite the bullet and watch one anyways it practically always fascinates me, inspires, and leaves me feeling satisfied that I've learned something and enjoyed myself while doing so. I gotta stop getting in my own way

[lakshay]

Hello TED .. I'm glad to hear about this capability of brain. I've been stressing myself a lot coz of my uncontrollable anger for years. I don't know how much I've affected my brain with that. But listening to this video gives me a ray of light at the end of the tunnel.

[philiprhodes]

I wrecked most of my brian cells with drugs and alcohol years ago but decied one day to do the opposite direction and feel so much better and healthier for it

[tammystratford]

I have had two significant brain traumas. the first was a Cerebral Sinus Thrombosis while pregnant and the second was a stroke 3 years later. I was left side affected and had deficits in every way. I worked with speech, physical, occupational therapists. I am living proof that we can not only rewire our brains after some trauma, we can grow neurons. I am now 49, 15 years post-stroke, and I am learning ukulele, guitar, and piano. I've been taking lessons since July and am already playing full songs (reading music). I also walk normally, speak quite well, and can feel my mouth! I am also on the autism spectrum and two children, 21 and 18. I'm amazed. The brain is amazing.

[StarBoundFables]

Thank you, Sandrine! Wonderful presentation, positively brilliant 🙏🏽

[StellaShadowmoon]

This explains why I went from bed ridden depression to feeling happy and content just by learning a new craft and beginning intermittent fasting as well as eating better.

I also started going out in nature and connecting with it more. Even on rainy days I watched nature videos and videos about early humans who lived very simple, natural, lives.
It makes you realize life can be simple and you can be happy and grateful for the simple things.