#Neuroplasticity and Learning

[mehmetyildizmelbourne-blog]

Brainoware: The Hybrid Neuromorphic System for a Brighter Tomorrow

A glimpse into the double-edged nature of Brain Organoid Reservoir Computing, with the pros/cons of this biological computing approach From a young age, I was captivated by the mysteries of science and the promise of technology, wondering how they could shape our understanding of the world. I was fortunate to receive STEM education early on in a specialized school, where my creativity and…

[aethersea]

Wait you portuguese??

nope, american! but I speak it, my parents taught me as a baby right alongside english. allegedly I didn't actually speak any english until I went to preschool, and even then all I knew how to say was "where is the bathroom"

[crystallineandsibylline]

thinking about starting a blog series on “how to just fucking CRY already” for folks who can’t cry for whatever reason

[prodigalknight]

eta

[gaurja24510045]

How I discovered that every good sports coach must be a psychological genius

My evenings a few years ago consisted of being the most wonderful, kind, amazing, dedicated older sister ever (I used to take my brother to his table tennis lessons, sit there for two hours while he played, and take him back home, never forgetting to stop by to sneak a quick snack without letting our parents know). But because I would sit in the court and observe how the coach went about coaching the kids, I noticed a certain strategy he would follow to get the kids to do better. 

He would begin with teaching the kids the basics, needed to even begin thinking about table tennis – where to place your thumb and fingers while holding the racket and at what distance from the table to stand. Then he would move on correcting their posture – at what approximate angle to bend your knees, how to keep your elbows, how to bend your torso forward, and so on. Next, he would ask teach them the basic movements – at what angle to hit the ball as you serve, how to outstretch your arm, how to move your wrist when you have to take a backhand shot, how to move back and forth and to the sides depending on how the ball arrives to you, and so on. When a kid would perfect these, he would work on bettering their ability to handle a speedy serve and also to hit fast. 

Very interestingly, at the beginning of each of these sections of training, he would be very encouraging, letting the players make quite a lot of mistakes, and would reward them with a public compliment or exemption from ball collection duty for each time they would get something just right. However, as time went by, and they became better at one particular section, he would stop rewarding them for it. Now, the rewards only come if you get the next, more advanced thing, right. So on and so forth went the training till all the kids became quite skilled. Seems pretty standard of a sports coaching strategy right? Of Course you don’t begin with expecting a novice to pick up advanced skills, you gradually increase the expectation in terms of difficulty to be handled. 

But, I have only now realised the psychological mechanism that is behind a training strategy such as this. In reinforcement learning, something called ‘shaping’ is utilised to get the subjects to learn complex behaviours (such as, you know, playing a sport). Usually, the reinforcement learning paradigm involves a skinner box in which an animal is left to accidentally discover what behaviour will get them a reward (or save them from punishment). A simple behaviour such as a lever press or pecking is what’s desired and then reinforced/punished. But what about when the learning of a complex behaviour is desired? It is unreasonable to expect an accidental approach to be able to lead to the learning of complex behaviours, so, the desired behaviour is broken down into smaller components, and each ‘successive approximation’ is rewarded instead. Also, it is important to withhold reinforcement for an approximation stage behaviour that has been acquired. This intuitively makes sense because if one keeps reinforcing a behaviour, there will be no motivation to improve or make progress towards the next, more complex approximation. Gradually, brick (approximation) by brick (approximation), the complex behaviour is learnt, and hopefully my brother is on his way to being a table tennis champ!

[thebloggingbuzz2024]

Understanding Neuroplasticity The Brain's Adaptability #neuroplasticity ...

[ninjakittycomics]

"The neurons that fire together, wire together" - from my counselor

You learned to self hate based on other's constant criticisms or attacks of some nature. Or, being taught by a fellow self loather who didn't know better(that's pretty common too)

If you don't want to go down that road as much, you gotta train. Remove the easier triggers from your vicinity.

Then, add counteractive activities. (Itll feel unnatural until one day it doesn't... like paving a dirt road vs going down an old superhighway)

You will stumble. You will recover if you keep the mission in mind.

It does take years of work.

Its absolutely worth it.

Incredibly rude that I have to teach myself how to have positive feelings. Those neural pathways are extremely rough terrain, compared to the well-worn paths of negativity and self-loathing.

What do you mean I have to do a productive thing and coach myself on how to feel accomplished from it?

What do you mean I have to do a fun activity and forcefully allow myself to enjoy it?

What do you mean I have to do relaxing things and coax myself to actually relax?

What do you mean all this comes naturally to some people as simple cause and effect and I'm out here fighting tooth and nail to feel good???

[girlwithrituals]

GLOW UP GUIDE FOR 2025⠀

READ: On average, it takes more than 2 months before a new behavior becomes automatic — 66 days to be exact. And considering that 2025 is precisely these many days away, why not start with our glow up plan already?

Physical Glow Up-

BODY

— 5-10K steps a day.

— 7-8 hours of sleep.

— workout everyday for 1 hr atleast- yoga/stretching/pilates/cardio/lifting weights. a workout may take one hour, but your mood will be boosted for the next 12 hours.

— posture training.

— sunlight exposure after waking up for at least 10 minutes.

NUTRITION

— 2-3 liters of water every day.

— limit your caffeine intake.

— avoid sugars as much as you can.

— high protein diet, pre and probiotics.

— more fruits and veggies (+ green smoothies if you like).

— no junk/processed food/trans fat.

— no eating after 8 pm.

SKINCARE

— be clear on your skin type (oily, dry, combination, sensitive).

— once you're clear, use these accordingly- cleanser, toner, targeted serum, eye cream, moisturizer, sunscreen (≥50 spf).

— keep your bedding clean as well.

— no picking of skin on your lips, cuticle etc.

— gua sha to help improve blood circulation and lessen toxins.

— cold therapy may take three to five minutes of being uncomfortable, but your energy levels will be boosted for the rest of the day.

— remove makeup before you go to bed.

BODY CARE

— shower every day.

— exfoliate 2x a week.

— use body lotion (shea butter/aloe vera gel/coconut oil).

HAIR CARE

— wash hair 2-3x a week

— oil your scalp 2x a week, at least 3 hours before shampoo.

— hair mask 1x per week.

— never brush wet hair.

— use silk pillow case.

HYGIENE

— brush your teeth 2x a day, clean tongue and the roof of the mouth daily.

— floss daily.

— cut your nails 1x a week, never remove the cuticles.

— glycolic acid under arm for odor and discoloration.

— never use soap on your coochie.

Mental Glow Up-

MINDSET

— set clear goals- define and breakdown your aspirations.

— start your mornings with positive affirmations.

— surround yourself with uplifting content and people.

— be shamelessly selfish to your career and mental health, remove anyone or anything that doesn't align with your priorities and wellbeing.

— boost your brain health by these 4 neuroscience tools:

difficult first: start your day with the most difficult task (cortisol and dopamine are high in the body meaning that your body/mind is primed to work).

rest your eyes: introduce a micro-pause after learning by resting/closing your eyes - will help retain information better.

tomorrow's worries: write tomorrow's to-do list before bed as it is proven to be effective in helping you fall asleep.

find time to play: engage in low-stake play. can be anything you find fun but where the outcome doesn't matter (induces neuroplasticity + reduces stress).

MIND

— meditation might take as low as ten minutes, but your focus will be improved for the rest of the day.

— no social media after waking up and at least an hour before bed.

— keep aside 1 hr of time to read daily! reading a new book may take five hours, but you will keep the knowledge forever.

— journaling, gratitude.

— digital detox once a week or for 12 hours.

— limit unnecessary screentime, unfollow or cut off people you don't want to see.

JOURNALING

— choose a regular time each day to journal, making it a part of your routine.

— find a quiet, comfortable place free from distractions. light a candle if you want.

— allow your thoughts to flow without censoring or editing.

— write about your feelings and emotions to understand them better. write about things you are thankful for to boost your mood. write about your short-term and long-term goals. identify what triggers certain emotions or reactions

— set a timer for 5-10 minutes and write continuously during that time.

— reflect on both positive experiences and challenges.

— make lists, journal your thoughts on these questions.

— journal at night to clear your mind before bedtime, because emotions and thoughts lose their power once we acknowledge them.

— a gratitude practice may take five minutes, but your mindset will be shifted for the rest of the day.

AFFIRMATIONS

— customise affirmations to your needs.

Personal Life-

WEEKLY TASKS

— initiate small changes: begin with small, manageable tasks such as making your bed or cleaning your room every sunday.

— celebrate your success: reward yourself when you achieve your goals or have a consistently productive week. consider treats like buying flowers for yourself or watching your favorite show.

DAILY WORK

— set achievable goals: establish realistic goals for the day, week, or month ahead.

— track your progress.

— organise your work space, declutter your shelves etc.

— embrace the power of lists: keep a list of tasks to be done and their deadlines. this way, you start each day with a clear plan. to make it visually appealing and motivating, consider using productivity apps like evernote, habit tracker, or notion.

PRODUCTIVITY TIPS

— wake up early.

— plan ahead everything, do scheduling. you can use:

google calendar / notion / tasks .

— if the task takes less than 2 minutes to finish, do it immediately.

— countdown rule, if you are procrastinating, count 1-2-3-4-5 and jump.

— start slow, don't rush and try to do everything at one time.

— follow a proper routine, use app locks based on screentime.

— pomodoro technique, 25 min work, and 5 min break.

— schedule longer break times as well e.g 30 min nap.

[dynamichealthinsights]

How Sleep Influences Neuroplasticity and Learning: A Deep Dive into Cognitive Health

Sleep is far more than a period of inactivity or rest. It’s a crucial state where the brain engages in numerous complex activities that promote memory consolidation, learning, and cognitive flexibility. The relationship between sleep, neuroplasticity, and learning is at the heart of cognitive neuroscience, with studies revealing that sleep is essential for the brain’s adaptability and growth. By…

[ayesha636]

Best Breast Cream | How to Use | Review in Hindi > 03022212950

[gallusrostromegalus]

Got so manic about Craft Time (TM) that I forgot to update everyone.

This is what the boots looked like when I got them:

And this is what they look like now:

Still a lot of work to do (Need to finish the top buckle and re-attatch the new Lace-Loops) but you begin to see my Vision.

Next up I found this cool jacket:

That needs some serious Decoration Upgrades, so that's today's project.

It's craft day! I got three different things to drink and it's time to fuckin' party!

[ultrimio]

The Thalamus: Unreeling the Brain's Command Center

The Thalamus: Not the OS, But More Like a Central Router

In a computer, the operating system (OS) manages all software and hardware on the computer. It schedules tasks, efficiently manages computational resources, and facilitates user interaction with the system. While the thalamus does manage and direct information, it's not managing the brain's "software and hardware" in the full capacity that an OS would. Instead, a more accurate analogy would be to compare the thalamus to a central router or a network traffic controller within the brain's communication system.

The Thalamus: The Brain's Traffic Controller

Central Hub of Sensory Information Imagine your brain as the ultimate gaming setup, where the thalamus is the router, directing every bit of sensory input to its proper destination. It's like the central hub in a vast network, ensuring that signals from your eyes, ears, and skin are sent to the right places in your brain. Without the thalamus, your brain wouldn't be able to process that a puck has flown into the goal or that your favorite anime character just appeared on screen.

Master Regulator of Consciousness The thalamus doesn't just handle sensory data; it's like the power management system in your computer, determining when to wake up or go to sleep. By controlling this sleep-wake cycle, the thalamus acts like the system settings that switch your device from full brightness in gameplay to 'sleep mode' when it’s time to rest. This ensures you're alert when you need to be and helps you disconnect to recharge.

Enhancer of Memory and Learning Think of the thalamus as the save point in your favorite RPG. It works with the hippocampus — the memory storage in your brain — to turn your daily experiences into long-term memories. Just like saving your game progress, the thalamus helps encode new experiences so you can retrieve them later. Ever remember a scene from a manga or a game strategy days later? That's the thalamus at work!

Coordinator of Emotional Responses Your emotions are as varied as genres in manga and anime, from thrillers to romances. The thalamus connects to the limbic system, your brain's emotional heartland, to help you react appropriately to what you see and experience. It's like the emotion engine in a game, triggering a rush of adrenaline when you score a goal or a pang of sadness in a touching anime scene.

Architect of Smooth, Continuous Experience Just as a high-quality anime stream should be smooth and uninterrupted, the thalamus ensures your conscious experience is seamless. It links your moment-to-moment perceptions, much like a video buffer that ensures there's no lag or disruption in what you're watching or doing. This is why you can follow the puck in a fast-moving hockey game or get lost in the continuous story of a manga series without missing a beat.

Director of Your Dream World During REM sleep, the stage of sleep where you dream, the thalamus becomes the director of your own personal movie. It crafts vivid dream sequences that can be as bizarre and engaging as any anime adventure. These dreams are not just for entertainment; they help process emotions and solidify memories, like a recap or a filler episode that helps make sense of the main story.

The Brain's Resilience Builder Like the auto-update feature that improves your gaming experience, the thalamus supports neuroplasticity — your brain's ability to adapt and learn. After an injury or while learning a new skill, the thalamus helps rewire the brain, optimizing recovery and adaptation, ensuring that your brain remains as responsive and effective as the latest software update.

Why This Matters to You

Understanding the thalamus can change how we approach various brain disorders and everyday challenges. From treating insomnia and managing emotional responses to enhancing learning and memory, targeting the thalamus could lead to breakthrough treatments and improvements in cognitive health.

In Conclusion: Next time you dodge an opponent in a hockey game, enjoy a twist in your favorite manga, or recall a great anime episode, remember the thalamus. It’s the unsung hero behind the scenes, ensuring your brain's operations are as smooth and efficient as the best-designed games and stories. So, let’s give a nod to this powerhouse of the brain, powering up our experiences one moment at a time! 🧠🎮📚

[sbcdh]

In 1967 the government discovered that specific syllable structures combined with specific vocal tones and ultra-low-frequency sounds could speed up the process of unconscious internalization by over 1500%. This became particularly useful for teaching low-level employees large amounts of information, as "hypnophonic learning" could be done while the subject was asleep.

Hypnophone use became standard for new employees of the IRS and SEC, as it made large scale memorization of tax code and financial law significantly cheaper and easier than traditional conscious education.

However, long term use causes the subjects long term memory to atrophy, requiring nightly repetitions of hypnophone use. Some enterprising employees found that the effects could be counteracted with low dosages of LSD to preserve neuroplasticity.

Roughly 1 in 7 employees encountered a strange phenomenon: Mild financial clairvoyance.

One in roughly 50 employees experienced more significant effects, generally those ensconced in large isolated IRS warehouses, which seemed to replicate the monastic lifestyles of historical sages, depriving subjects of ordinary stimuli in favor of becoming attuned to minute changes in the sub-finantial background grid.

Once it was learned that these "enlightened" employees could predict market trends before they happened, the technology was bathed in funding, patented, and made the soul property of the IRS.

Now, these "Plutophants" are kept in nigh-perfect sensory deprivation at all times, fed a constant hypnotic fugue stream of psychic conditioning in the form of "radiosonic neuro-induction" which contains a special form of the United States Tax Code modified for recursive hypnophonic induction, as well as a ticker tape wired directly into the users spine.

The effects achieved are nothing short of stunning. The invisible hand is no longer invisible to us. The market can be fine tuned with surgical precision. The price of bread has maintained a perfect 0.002% +/- variance for over 25 years now, and those who attempt to disrupt the guidelines are regulated by the SECs crack psychonautics division, who are now able to hunt market manipulation via their disruption in the financial dreamscape.

Very rarely, a Plutophant can become so attuned to the guidelines that they achieve a sort of catastrophic neuro-depatterning, their synapses begin to produce a counter-signal to the neuro-induction frequencies; jamming, and eventually overpowering the machine. Study is still ongoing, but it is believed that they somehow perpetuate their own neurological fingerprint into the financial causal background grid itself, literally becoming "one with the market."

Study is ongoing.

[webtalkradio]

Transition Awareness Breathing podcast 194: Taking a walk off the path

Welcome to the world of Transition Awareness Breathing, where we embark on a profound journey into neuroplasticity. Here, we explore the transformative power of the mind and uncover strategies tailored to stimulate brain growth. Embracing the challenge of stepping beyond the confines of familiarity is essential, for it is within the discomfort of the unknown that our true potential lies dormant, waiting to be unleashed.

Transition Awareness Breathing podcast invites you to embrace this challenge wholeheartedly, recognizing it as the key to unlocking the boundless capabilities of your brain. By venturing beyond your comfort zone, you open doors to new experiences, insights, and capabilities that can enrich every aspect of your life. Join us as we dive deep into the wonders of neuroplasticity, empowering you to embrace change, adapt, and thrive in an ever-evolving world.