Over the past few decades, we have learned more about neuroplasticity, a characteristic of the brain that allows it to adapt and reorganize itself. Neuroplasticity allows the aging brain to make the adaptive changes necessary to maintain cognitive function endurance. A specific brain protein, BDNF, plays an important role in neuroplasticity, and boosting it can help improve and prevent brain health. cognitive decline. Anyone can do this by making some changes to their daily habits, but there is another way to increase BDNF: ketamine.
BDNF, or brain-derived neurotrophic factor, not only promotes the growth of brain cells, but also synaptogenesis (the extension of the branches of neurons, which can improve the connection and efficiency of neurons). BDNF also supports neurogenesis, or the birth of new neurons. BDNF is especially important in neurogenesis in the hippocampus, which is our ability to learn and remember new things. As nervous networks reorganize over time, supported by the interaction of experience and neuroplasticity, the brain can develop larger emotional regulation, creativity, pattern recognitionand what we describe as wisdom.
Aging healthy for your brain
Thus, BDNF naturally supports resilience in aging, somewhat of a paradox. decreases as we age. Fortunately, there are ways to boost BDNF—not to reverse aging, but to harness its protective power. to know. Even better, the keys to increasing BDNF lie in simple, everyday habits. All of these can increase circulating levels of BDNF despite its natural decline with aging (Walsh et al., 2018):
- Aerobic exercises
- Deep slow sleep
- Meditation and stress reduce
- Learning new things
- Follow a healthy lifestyle diet
There is a relatively new one psychiatric-based on an intervention that helps increase neuroplasticity in some people. This ketamine molecule has long been used as a safe and effective anesthetic in operating rooms, and more recently at lower doses. antidepressant It naturally increases neuroplasticity. Ketamine does not directly create wisdom, but it nurtures it by increasing BDNF, which strengthens and reorganizes neuronal connections.
How does ketamine work?
Subanesthetic ketamine doesn’t put you to sleep, but it creates an altered state of consciousness that can adapt the brain and reduce rigid negative thought patterns. By easing depression and worryketamine creates neural and emotional pathways that allow us to engage with life more fully. It actually opens up the ability to think more openly about our past experiences. Many people who have used subanesthetic doses of ketamine have reported feelings of self-consciousness and self-consciousness. Due to its neuroplastic stimulating properties, ketamine not only supports emotional functioning and aging, but also cognitive functioning. The quality we call wisdom has the potential to increase by enabling improvements in emotional and cognitive functions that facilitate daily participation.
Ketamine has not only neuroplastic effects, but also neuroprotective effects, which contribute to its safety profile as an anesthetic in the operating room. It is commonly used in medical settings because it tends to preserve breathing and airway reflexes and often maintains or increases blood pressure, which is useful in patients in whom other anesthetics can cause instability. (This makes ketamine the best choice of anesthesia for adults undergoing surgery.) At subanesthetic doses, ketamine is safe for use in mental health conditions, with a few caveats:
- Ketamine should only be used under the supervision of a physician and under the supervision of clinical professionals experienced in the use of ketamine.
- Older adults with certain cardiovascular conditions may not be good candidates for ketamine; make sure you work with a doctor who understands your complete medical history.
- Ketamine should not be used in combination with other drugs that have a sedative effect.
- Ideally, ketamine is used in conjunction with a type of psychological treatment to target psychological insights, particularly factors that may traditionally influence participation and self-regulation.
Neuroplasticity with age
Importantly, as you get older, don’t be too quick to assume that aging means a loss of creativity or innovation. There are many inspiring examples of older people finding creativity and wisdom as they age, with their greatest contributions and innovations coming after 65. Think of Frank Lloyd Wright, who created some of his greatest designs after the age of 70; Grandma Musa, who didn’t even start painting until she was 78 years old; Peter Roget was 73 when he published Roget’s Thesaurus; It was published by Laura Ingalls Wilder Small house on the steppe Books from 65 to 76; and Colonel Sanders, who founded Kentucky Fried Chicken at age 65. Although these individuals did not use ketamine to create their BDNF, each had a transformative experience later in life that contributed to a broadening of worldview and perspective. openness the possibility that ketamine acts on consciousness through its neuroplastic effects.
You too can support neuroplasticity by tapping into your inner knowing and ongoing experiences, in part by increasing BDNF and allowing creativity and innovation to continue or even begin at any age.
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