Neuroplasticity Coaches Near Me

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FAQs:

What is a Neuroplasticity Coach?

A neuroplasticity coach helps clients reverse limbic system impairment in the brain and regulate a maladaptive stress response involved with many chronic illnesses. They teach clients how to rewire the limbic system and change the structure and function of the brain. Rewiring the brain shifts the brain and body from a state of survival into a state of growth and repair.

What is Neuroplasticity Coaching?

Neuroplasticity coaching is a relatively new field that focuses on helping individuals rewire their brains to improve their mental and emotional well-being. The concept of neuroplasticity is based on the idea that the brain can change and reorganize itself throughout a person’s lifetime. Neuroplasticity coaching involves working with a coach who helps clients develop new thought patterns, behaviors, and habits that can lead to positive changes in their lives. The coach uses techniques and exercises that are designed to stimulate the brain’s ability to rewire itself, leading to improved cognitive function, emotional regulation, and overall mental health.

What is Neuroplasticity?

Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to change and adapt due to experience. It is an umbrella term referring to the brain's ability to change, reorganize, or grow neural networks. This can involve functional changes due to brain damage or structural changes due to learning.

Plasticity refers to the brain's malleability or ability to change; it does not imply that the brain is plastic. Neuro refers to neurons, the nerve cells that are the building blocks of the brain and nervous system. Thus, neuroplasticity allows nerve cells to change or adjust.

Why is Neuroplasticity Important?

Neuroplasticity is incredibly important because it is at the root of essential human experiences. Learning and memory, key parts of what it means to be human, would not be possible without this process. In addition, the continued study of neuroplasticity is considered essential for furthering our knowledge of neuropsychiatric disorders and brain injury and will help lead to new and improved treatment options.

How Does Neuroplasticity Work?

Neural adaptability is an exciting and vital concept in neuroscience. It demonstrates the brain’s extraordinary adaptability and ability to change throughout a lifetime. This cognitive phenomenon covers different types.  We distinguish synaptic adaptiveness, structural plasticity, and functional plasticity among them. Each class offers a unique insight into the dynamic nature of the brain.

Synaptic adaptiveness involves the strengthening and weakening of neuronal connections. It is the basis of learning and memory formation. Structural plasticity emphasizes physical changes in brain architecture. This facilitates adaptation and recovery from injuries. On the other hand, functional adaptiveness highlights the brain’s ability to redistribute functions. This helps to compensate for damage or gain skills.

These forms of adaptiveness highlight the brain’s enormous potential for recovery and adaptation. They have a deep meaning for various spheres of life. As our understanding of brain flexibility continues to deepen, it opens the door to innovative approaches to improve learning, treat neurological diseases, and promote general cognitive well-being. Neuroplasticity remains an exciting frontier in the exploration of the human brain.

What are the Main Advantages and Disadvantages of Neuroplasticity?

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. This flexibility allows the brain to adapt to new situations or changes in the environment.

There are both advantages and disadvantages to neuroplasticity. One advantage is that it helps the brain recover from injury. When part of the brain is injured, neuroplasticity can help other parts of the brain take over functions that were lost. This can lead to a full or partial recovery from an injury.

Another advantage of neuroplasticity is that it allows for learning and memory. The ability to form new neural connections makes it possible for the brain to learn new information and store memories.

There are also some disadvantages to neuroplasticity. One disadvantage is that it can lead to bad habits. When we form new neural connections in response to a bad habit, it can become difficult to break that habit.

Another disadvantage is that neuroplasticity can cause changes in mental disorders. Some mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, are thought to be caused by changes in neural connections. This means that neuroplasticity may worsen some mental disorders instead of improving them.

What are the Challenges of Neuroplasticity?

Negative factors such as stress, aging, sleep deprivation, and a sedentary lifestyle have been shown to impact neuroplasticity negatively, reducing the brain’s ability to adapt and learn. Chronic stress, for example, has been linked to a reduction in the growth and survival of new neurons in the hippocampus.

Is it Possible to Rewire Your Brain?

Yes. The concept of neuroplasticity shows us that the human brain is incredibly malleable at any age. So, no matter how long you have been building a habit, you have the power to change it! Rewiring your brain is possible, and a simple process that involves awareness, intention, and repetition. Nevertheless, it is possible, and it can be broken down into three main phases.

Two Types of Neuroplasticity

While neuroplasticity is the word used to describe the overall process of neural adaptation and restructuring, there are two main subtypes. These types are known as structural and functional plasticity. These types both result in new and stronger neural connections, but the process in which this happens differs between the two types.

1. Structural Plasticity

Structural plasticity occurs when neural connections change their actual structure to create more efficient networks through learning and experience. As a person grow and has their own unique experiences, the neural pathways organize themselves and strengthen when they are used repeatedly. The pathways that are not regularly used get discarded, or pruned.

2. Functional Plasticity

Functional plasticity is a bit more complex than structural plasticity because it is the process that takes place as a result of some form of trauma or damage to the brain. Essentially, the neurons from an area of the brain that was not harmed shift into the damaged portion to take over the lost functions. Neurons that were not being utilized otherwise can execute the necessary functions in these scenarios. An example of this would be when someone gains back motor function after it was lost due to a stroke. When it comes to functional plasticity, four primary forms exist.

10 Principles of Neuroplasticity

A paper published in 2008 laid out 10 principles of neuroplasticity when it comes to optimizing brain function, particularly after sustaining an injury or damage. The principles are as follows:

1. Use it or lose it. Learning something once doesn’t mean you’ll know it forever. If you don’t use a skill, odds are it will deteriorate and weaken over time.

2. Use it and improve it. To use an old phrase, ”practice makes perfect.”

3. Specificity. Be tactical in your approach. Focus on the exact skill you want to learn.

4. Repetition. Doing a task repeatedly can eventually make it feel second nature. Repetition is extra practice for your brain.

5. Intensity matters. Go all-in. A half-hearted effort often brings halfway results.

6. Timing matters. If you have a brain injury, don’t delay trying to rebuild pathways. Early action typically brings better results.

7. Salience matters. You’ll do better at something if it’s truly meaningful to you. Commit yourself to the effort.

8. Age matters. Anybody at any age can benefit from neuroplasticity, but the process goes a bit easier when you’re younger. If you’re older, it may take a bit more time and patience.

9. Transference. Everyone likes a 2-for-1 deal, right? Well, practicing one skill can bring side benefits when you do related tasks. 

10. Interference. Something you learn may interfere with the next thing you have to learn. This is especially true if you take shortcuts and undo bad habits.

Benefits of Neuroplasticity Coaching

Neuroplasticity coaching harnesses the brain's ability to reorganize itself, creating new neural connections in response to experiences and learning. This coaching method is based on the concept that the brain is malleable and can change throughout life. Here are the key benefits of neuroplasticity coaching:

• 1. Improving cognitive functions

• 2. More efficient brain function overall

• 3. Enhancing cognitive skills and faster skill acquisition

• 4. Improving mental health

• 5. Reducing anxiety, depression, and symptoms of PTSD

• 6. Mitigating reactions that stem from food, EMF, or chemical sensitivities

• 7. Improving focus and concentration for those struggling with ADHD

• 8. Slowing neurodegenerative processes involve conditions such as Alzheimer's and dementia

• 9. Overcoming physical disabilities New neurocognitive rehabilitation

• 10. Improving one’s overall sense of physical wellness and mental/emotional wellbeing

• 11. Recovering from neuroimmune conditions such as

• 12. Lupus

• 13. Fibromyalgia

• 14. Pain syndrome

• 15. Lyme Disease

• 16. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

• 17. Post Viral Fatigue (PVF) and Long-haul covid

Neuroplasticity Exercises that You Should Know

Here are a few tactics if you are interested in self-directed neuroplasticity enhancement. Deliberate, consistent practice is likely to result in cognitive benefits. You can greatly benefit from the continued guidance of a neuroplasticity coach to adjust exercises as necessary and promote program adherence.

1. Meditate

There is a huge body of research studying the structural and functional changes within the brains of meditators. The results are impressive. Studies show that meditators exhibit increased grey matter, improved attention, and better performance on learning and memory tasks. These benefits may be seen with as little as 5 minutes a day of guided breathing meditation. Some studies have shown measurable gray matter growth in as little as 8 weeks of practice! As a bonus, meditation practice comes with many other benefits, including immune system strengthening.

2. Try Neuroplasticity Computer Games

Neuroplasticity exercise computer programs use a video-game-like interface to present multiple gamified memory or spatial challenges. For example, the Cogmed Working Memory Training Program harnesses current understanding of neuroplasticity to help improve attention, planning, and task completion abilities.

3. Reduce Stress

One of the most visible effects of the environment on neuroplasticity is the well-studied phenomenon of shrinking dendrites on neurons in the hippocampus as a result of exposure to chronic stress. Chronic stress has a toxic effect on the brain. Identify relaxing activities and set goals for engaging in those activities regularly – not as a reward for hard work, but as a deliberate exercise for brain health.

4. Foster Positivity in Relationships

Better relationships lead to enhanced neuroplasticity. Traumatic relationships can have the opposite effect, creating a hostile environment for brain change. Feeling understood by others creates an appropriate climate in the brain for learning. The brain is a social organ, and negative social interactions will hamper the client’s ability to respond successfully to new challenges in any area of life.

5. Try Something New

Learning a new skill such as a new language or a new instrument gets new neurons firing and wiring together. Neuroplasticity can also be promoted by something as simple as taking a new path to work on. Shake things up – even small deviations from the daily norm can promote brain health.

How to Find the Right Neuroplasticity Coach Near Me

Because there are so many coaches who are untrained or partially trained, one of the challenges to hiring a coach is finding the right coach.  Common resources for finding coaches include:

1. Referrals – one of the most popular methods for finding a coach is referrals from clients of coaches. On the pro side, it is convenient and gives you an effective coach.  On the con side, it limits the pool and may or may not be the right coach for a different client.

2. Published articles, blogs, or books – often organizations sourcing coaches will search books, articles, or blogs written by coaches because it allows seeing their expertise. On the pro side, this helps identify areas of specialty and coach leadership.  On the con side, it requires time to research and review.

3. Directories – online directories of coaches are available for finding coaches. On the pro side, this is quick and easy.  Depending on the directory there may be standards for inclusion so this is a tremendous benefit.  On the con side, the information is limited so it requires reaching out and talking with the coaches.

4. Coaching Firms – increasingly popular, coaching firms provide access to multiple coaches along with back-up support and options. On the pro side, this means being able to choose from a small number of coaches selected to fit with your objectives.  On the con side, the price point is usually higher.

Sources:

Niki D’Agostino

Very Well Mind

Cleveland Clinic

Re-Origin

News Medical

Neuro Praxis

Stress Free Fast

Positive Psychology

Neuroscience for Coaches

Coach Cert

Lone Star Neurology