When using the Brainbodyhack „BDNF-Neurogenese“ as a smart brain user you can grow new brain cells via neurogenesis and thus improve your brain performance.
Problem and Goal
What’s the problem?
Over time, the growth of brain cells decreases and so does our ability to remember things and learn new things. But we can actively support the formation of new brain cells – even in old age. The brain is plastic, it can change and, through neurogenesis, strengthen neuronal connections and regenerate brain cells.
What’s the goal?
You want to strengthen your memory, learn new things more easily and basically promote the growth of your brain cells.
Hack
Which hack can help us to reach our goal?
Brainbodyhack „BDNF-Neurogenese“The Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (= neurotrophic factor originating from the brain), or BDNF for short, is a nerve growth factor that influences the development, function and growth of brain cells.
The brain-derived protein promotes the growth of new neurons and synapses. It helps process and store new information, regulates the formation of neurotransmitters and thereby affects our mood.
BDNF is the most potent substance known to stimulate neurogenesis.
In his bestselling book "Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain", Dr. John Ratey examines the "miracle cure for the brain" BDNF:
„Filled with science and case studies, Spark is the first book to explore the connection between exercise and the brain“ 1.
Use the following neurogenesis hacks to increase BDNF:
Examples
1. Movement
Our brain produces BDNF during exercise, which leads to the stimulation of new brain cells. Therefore, exercise is the optimal means of producing BDNF.
2. Books or audiobooks
Reading books or listening to audiobooks is similar to downloading new information. Processing the new information increases BDNF production and thus leads to neuron growth.
Listen to music
Beautiful music can calm you down and increase your BDNF, as well as increase your concentration. Binaural beats, in particular, are frequencies that can have a positive effect on the brain 2.
Hack Rating
I have tested all hacks for time, cost and efficiency (minimal, low, medium, high, very high). Here is my personal rating for today's hack:
Time required: minimal
Costs: medium
Efficiency: high
More on the subject
- BDNF erhöhen und Intelligenz steigern – So geht’s!
- Brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in serotonergic neurons improves stress resilience and promotes adult hippocampal neurogenesis
- Intervention of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Other Neurotrophins in Adult Neurogenesis
- Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Brain Disorders: Focus on Neuroinflammation