Mendel Palace

utnereader:

Through much of the 20th century, scientists thought the brain’s physical structure couldn’t change significantly after childhood. But recently, researchers have discovered that the adult brain can reprogram itself at any age—whether it’s learning multiplication tables, mastering chess, or relearning how to walk after a stroke. Scientists call the brain’s ability to be reshaped neuroplasticity.

Is it possible to exploit the brain’s malleability to treat serious anxiety disorders? Yes, says John Krystal, chief of psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine. Krystal believes that the aim of managing anxiety shouldn’t be to erase awful memories, but rather to blunt their damaging effects. One way to do that is to establish new memories that crowd out the painful ones—like falling off your bike and then continuing to ride it afterward. Eventually you build up enough happy memories to make you stop thinking about the time you fell.

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