You can grow new brain cells. Here's how | Sandrine Thuret | TED

TED8 minutes read

Adults can grow new nerve cells through neurogenesis in the hippocampus, with approximately 700 new neurons produced per day. Factors like learning, stress, sleep, diet, and physical activity impact neurogenesis, crucial for learning, memory, mood regulation, and linked to depression symptoms.

Insights

  • Neurogenesis, the process of generating new nerve cells in adults, primarily occurs in the hippocampus and is essential for functions like learning, memory, and mood regulation.
  • Factors such as learning, stress, sleep, diet, aging, and physical activity significantly impact neurogenesis, with specific nutrients like flavonoids and omega-3 fatty acids playing a crucial role in promoting the production of new neurons.

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Recent questions

  • What is neurogenesis?

    Neurogenesis is the process of growing new nerve cells in the brain, particularly in the hippocampus, a key area responsible for generating new neurons in adults.

  • How many new neurons are produced daily in the human hippocampus?

    Approximately 700 new neurons are generated per day in the hippocampus of the human brain, highlighting the continuous process of neurogenesis throughout adulthood.

  • What are the benefits of new neurons for the brain?

    New neurons are essential for learning, memory, and mood regulation, emphasizing the importance of neurogenesis in maintaining cognitive function and emotional well-being.

  • How does neurogenesis impact depression?

    Neurogenesis plays a crucial role in depression, as lower levels of new neuron production have been linked to increased symptoms of depression, underscoring the significance of this process in mental health.

  • What factors influence neurogenesis?

    Various factors such as learning, stress, sleep, sex, aging, physical activity, and diet can impact neurogenesis, with nutrients like flavonoids, omega-3 fatty acids, and calorie restriction promoting the growth of new neurons in the brain.

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Summary

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Adult Neurogenesis: Key to Brain Health

  • Adults can grow new nerve cells through a process called neurogenesis.
  • The hippocampus is a key area in the brain where new neurons can be generated in adults.
  • Approximately 700 new neurons are produced per day in the hippocampus of the human brain.
  • New neurons are crucial for learning, memory, and mood regulation.
  • Neurogenesis plays a significant role in depression, with lower levels of neurogenesis linked to increased symptoms.
  • Various factors like learning, stress, sleep, sex, aging, and physical activity impact neurogenesis.
  • Diet also influences neurogenesis, with specific nutrients like flavonoids, omega-3 fatty acids, and calorie restriction promoting the production of new neurons.
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