What happens to your brain as you age

As the most complex organ in your body, your brain changes radically throughout your life. Starting from before birth and continuing even after you've died. This is what happens to your brain as you age.

00:00 - What happens to your brain when you age?
00:32 - In the womb
01:03 - Childhood
03:19 - Teenage years
04:48 - Early adulthood
05:27 - Middle age
07:04 - Later life
07:36 - Death

[bluedragontoybash]

- Brain development starts around 2 weeks after conception with the formation of the neural plate.
- The neural tube is formed by week four, creating the nervous system.
- At birth, the brain contains about 100 billion neurons, more than an adult.
- Neurons form synapses, points of contact for electronic signals, and some become insulated with myelin.
- Neurons develop approximately 15, 000 synapses per neuron over the first few years of life.
- Neuroplasticity allows the brain to strengthen or weaken synapses based on usage.
- Between ages 3 and 10, the brain starts to remove unnecessary connections.
- Different parts of the brain develop at different rates, impacting behavior and emotions.
- Teenagers experience major changes in the limbic system, which controls emotions.
- The prefrontal cortex linked to self-control and rationality develops more slowly.
- Teenagers are more likely to take risks and experience mood swings.
- Post-puberty, brain tissue continues to develop, and white matter volume increases.
- Full brain development is typically reached by the 30s, and white matter volume peaks around 40.
- Older adults continue to adapt and change through brain plasticity.
- Older adults use both brain hemispheres for short-term memory.
- Aging leads to greater emotional resilience and reduced reactivity to negative stimuli.
- Menopause can affect brain energy consumption and white matter volume.
- Postmenopausal women may have higher structural connectivity in some brain regions.
- Brain aging begins in the 30s and 40s and accelerates in the 60s and 70s.
- Cerebral cortex thins, particularly in the frontal lobe and hippocampus.
- White matter shrinks, and fewer chemical messengers like dopamine are produced.
- Brain function changes as you age, impacting memory, emotions, and navigation.
- Research indicates that brain activity may continue for minutes after the heart stops when you die.
- Near-death experiences may involve the brain recalling important life events.
- Brain activity can persist even after clinical death.
- Subscribing to The Economist for more content is promoted in the transcript.
- Brain development continues even after birth.
- Brain development affects behavior and emotional control.
- The brain's ability to change and adapt is known as neuroplasticity.
- Puberty brings significant changes in the limbic system and the prefrontal cortex.
- Post-puberty, the brain continues to develop, and white matter volume increases.
- Older adults show resilience to negative stimuli and changes in brain activity.
- Menopause can affect brain energy consumption and white matter volume.
- Brain aging starts in the 30s and 40s, accelerating in the 60s and 70s.
- Cerebral cortex thins with age, affecting memory, emotions, and navigation.
- Brain activity may persist after clinical death.

[Jonedcc]

"your brain is one of your most important organs" according to your brain

[juliek.]

The near-death memory flash doesn’t happen ONLY when you are about to die. One time we got into a car accident while waiting in a left-turn lane: I was in the passenger seat and saw a speeding car coming towards me. I remember seeing that car coming at me, but also seeing some big life events flashing by like silent film in front of me. Luckily the car turned its wheel a bit and ended up crashing the front wheel of my side as opposed to crash into me. The accident took place super fast: 5 to 8 seconds, probably, but I saw more than 5-8 life events flashing by.
Before this accident, I thought the near-death memory flash happens when the brain was about to “shut off.” After this accident where I wasn’t hurt or didn’t lose any consciousness afterwards, I thought it may be some part of our brain, survival-related or stress-related, is activated for the purpose to either make us do something or help us ease the stress. Just my humble opinion, not backed by any science or research yet. My point: my experience convinced me that memory flash doesn’t happen only before death but when your brain is under a special type of stress.

[dionwall]

Do one on what social media does to your brain

[flyhis]

This was such a beautiful video. It felt like you were telling a story of a very charismatic character. So beautiful! Really inspiring! Thank you!

[antonypaulson]

We think we know so much, and we make assumptions based on this little knowledge. We haven’t even begun to scratch the surface when it comes to our brain function.

[diasboavidachavane]

One of the best documentaries i have ever seen, great job

[gma]

Great work! Incredibly well-crafted video, congratulations.

[EnglishAbundance]

Great vid. Alongside ability, there's experience. The video touches on it too, but that's key.

[jeanlaurentpyndiah]

Thank you the Economist, great content

[onecrem]

Thank you for the informative video of the brain🎉it is complex but practical to learn some specific vocab😅

[juliek.]

How does physical exercises affect the emotion part of the brain? I know physical exercise make the brain think clearer, but I’ve also observed that I get upset and cranky easily if I don’t exercise for 5 days. Would love to hear about the scientific explanation. 🤓🤓

[clarawu]

I did experience many emonitional swings as a teenager. Never thought this was caused by my brain.

[sengsoipomoung-lejr]

Thanku so much! Have a bright moments!

[Sujal-More]

Thanks A Million. Great Video made. I got Great Knowledge and it will help me.

[Dessert_x_Tat]

Knowledge is Power.

Beautiful video.
Will share.

Thank you.

[Akhbme]

great ! a lot of important info, thanks !

[andersjonsson]

Thanks a lot for this soo interesting video about our brain! You have now a new subskriber! 😊👍

[MissesWitch]

at the end of the video : "wow that's interesting"

when i see the muscoskeleton talking to me: "don't do that, that's creepy"

[AManWithD]

You should add caption for these kinds of subjects because of advanced terms. Btw, great video tbh.❤