How neuroplasticity shapes a thriving life | Professor Selena Bartlett

How can we live longer, healthier lives? While a big question with many influencing factors, one such factor is brain health. Through the lens of neuroscience, Professor Selena Bartlett explains how our daily choices influence our long-term brain health, from the first thing we do in the morning (put down the screens!) to the habits that shape our days.

Are you in the pursuit of a thriving life filled with vitality and success? The significance of brain health intertwined with our everyday choices cannot be understated. Grasping the crucial role of brain health, which arises from face-to-face rather than online social interactions, engaging in a variety of physical activities, and the consumption of whole foods, is essential. These few components are not merely vital for our physical and mental health; they are the keys to unleashing our utmost capabilities through the insights of neuroscience and the phenomenon of neuroplasticity.

What is Neuroplasticity?

Neuroplasticity is the brain's remarkable ability to form new neural connections throughout life. Our lifestyle choices—what we eat, how active we are, and the quality of our social interactions— have a profound influence on the development and functionality of our brains. My research lab has focussed on understanding the brain and its neuroplasticity for three decades. Recently science has shed light on the critical importance of face-to-face over online social connections. Ground-breaking research by Dr. Joy Hirsch, Yale School of Medicine has uncovered the brain pathways that light up when we are with other people in conversation.  She has shown that our brains engage differently during in-person interactions versus digital ones, such as those experienced through Zoom meetings.

The link between habits, exercise and brain health

Amidst the chaos of life, it becomes all too easy to skip the morning routine, grab a quick fast-food meal or let that evening walk slide. Yet such habits chip away at our energy reserves. Consuming foods low in nutritional value and high in sugar and fat can leave us feeling sluggish, while the lack of physical activity can result in feeling constantly drained.

Ever notice how you feel after a good meal or after some exercise? Ever notice how it puts you in a better mood? That’s your brain and body telling you something! Exercise, too, does more than just keep us fit.

Whether it’s a jog around the block, a few yoga moves in the living room, or just dancing around, moving helps lift our mood. Physical activity is not just about maintaining a healthy body; it's about building a resilient brain.

Regular exercise boosts the production of neurotrophic factors, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which supports the survival of existing neurons and encourages the growth of new neurons and synapses. This process is at the heart of neuroplasticity, illustrating how physical fitness can directly influence the brain's structure and function, leading to improved cognitive abilities and a reduced risk of neurodegenerative diseases.

A system of brain neurons

Moreover, the concept of neuroplasticity extends to the idea of unlocking our potential. By engaging in activities that challenge the brain—such as taking up study at all ages, a triathlon, 100km walk, learning a new skill, meeting new people from different countries, trying a cold plunge, or even engaging in complex problem-solving—we can stimulate neural growth and strengthen the brain's networks. This not only enhances our current cognitive capabilities but also sets the stage for continued growth and learning, enabling us to reach new heights in our personal and professional lives.

We are active players in our brain’s health

The integration of neuroscience and neuroplasticity into our understanding of health underscores the power of lifestyle choices in shaping our brain's development and function. It reveals that we are not just passive recipients of our genetics or circumstances; we have the active ability to influence our brain's health and our overall potential through the decisions we make every day. This empowers us with a sense of agency and responsibility towards our health and wellbeing, highlighting the importance of a balanced lifestyle that nurtures both the body and the brain.

The journey to a thriving life is intricately linked with our brain's health and its capacity for change through neuroplasticity.

By adopting a lifestyle that includes a morning routine, where you look out the window and take in a panoramic view rather than your phone, regular physical activity, and connection to others, we can foster a state of neuroplasticity that not only enhances our brain health but also unlocks our full potential.

This approach to brain health is not just about preventing cognitive decline; it's about actively cultivating a brain that is capable of adapting, growing, and thriving in the face of life's challenges. Through the lens of neuroscience, we can see that our daily choices are powerful tools for shaping our brain's health and, by extension, our ability to live fully and vibrantly and together we are making brain health become everyone’s business.

Professor Selena Bartlett

Professor Selena Bartlett is an international leader in the field of Translational Neuroscience. As a Group Leader of Neuroscience and Neuroplasticity at the Translational Research Institute and a Professor in the School of Clinical Sciences at QUT's Faculty of Health, her work has garnered international recognition. The Australasian Neuroscience Society awarded her the prestigious Lawrie Austin Award for her exceptional contributions to neuroscience.

Previously serving as Director of Medications Development at the University of California, San Francisco, Professor Bartlett's three decades of brain research are further augmented by her credentials as a registered Pharmacist and counsellor. An author of 110 scientific research articles, she is also a fervent advocate for brain health, penning three public-oriented books, including her latest, "BEING SEEN: Master Parenting in the Digital Age."

Professor Bartlett hosts two podcasts: Thriving Minds and BEING SEEN, through which she aims to democratise access to the latest scientific advances, applying her deep expertise in neuroscience, neuroplasticity, and counselling to emphasise the importance of brain health for all.

You can purchase Selena’s newest book, “BEING SEEN: Master Parenting in the Digital Age” and others on her website.

QUT degree – Bachelor of Applied Science (Mathematics) (1986)