Voluntary exercise can help give birth to neurons. The key being voluntary to help trigger neurogenesis of cells and neurons that survive. The idea of exercise can help in many other forms such as, learning or memory and help combat the aging effect too!Neurogenesis is also a great anti-depressant which is boosted by exercise. "The foundation for establishing exercise-induced changes in brain structure..are a way to combat deleterious effects" - Brian Christie

Exercise And Neurons

"If as spiritual practitioners we ignore the discoveries of science, our practice is also impoverished"The more habitually you make a particular movement the more of the brain's real estate is zoned for that movement .

Habitual Change

But there are also hints that mind-sculpting can occur with no input from the outside world. That is, the brain can change as a result of the thoughts we have thought. -Sharon Begle

Thoughts On Change

The brain is no more hardwired than is appearance. Studies show that experience and environment can change brain structure.For example rats in enriched environments solved mazes better than rats from isolated environments."It doesn't matter what age they are when they begin to live in the enriched environment"A change in environment as well as thought can do wonders for you.

Environment 

Cutting-edge science and the ancient wisdom of Buddhism have come together to reveal that, contrary to popular belief, we have the power to literally change our brains by changing our minds. Recent pioneering experiments in neuroplasticity—the ability of the brain to change in response to experience—reveal that the brain is capable of altering its structure and function, and even of generating new neurons, a power we retain well into old age. The brain can adapt, heal, renew itself after trauma, compensate for disabilities, rewire itself to overcome dyslexia, and break cycles of depression and OCD. And as scientists are learning from studies performed on Buddhist monks, it is not only the outside world that can change the brain, so can the mind and, in particular, focused attention through the classic Buddhist practice of mindfulness. With her gift for making science accessible, meaningful, and compelling, science writer Sharon Begley illuminates a profound shift in our understanding of how the brain and the mind interact and takes us to the leading edge of a revolution in what it means to be human. Praise for Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain “There are two great things about this book. One is that it shows us how nothing about our brains is set in stone. The other is that it is written by Sharon Begley, one of the best science writers around. Begley is superb at framing the latest facts within the larger context of the field. This is a terrific book.”—Robert M. Sapolsky, author of Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers “Excellent . . . elegant and lucid prose . . . an open mind here will be rewarded.”—Discover “A strong dose of hope along with a strong does of science and Buddhist thought.”—The San Diego Union-Tribune

philosophy

Philosophy

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

books

Books

Cutting-edge science and the ancient wisdom of Buddhism have come together to reveal that, contrary to popular belief, we have the power to literally change our brains by changing our minds.   Recent pioneering experiments in neuroplasticity—the ability of the brain to change in response to experience—reveal that the brain is capable of altering its structure and function, and even of generating new neurons, a power we retain well into old age. The brain can adapt, heal, renew itself after trauma, compensate for disabilities, rewire itself to overcome dyslexia, and break cycles of depression and OCD. And as scientists are learning from studies performed on Buddhist monks, it is not only the outside world that can change the brain, so can the mind and, in particular, focused attention through the classic Buddhist practice of mindfulness.   With her gift for making science accessible, meaningful, and compelling, science writer Sharon Begley illuminates a profound shift in our understanding of how the brain and the mind interact and takes us to the leading edge of a revolution in what it means to be human.   Praise for Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain   “There are two great things about this book. One is that it shows us how nothing about our brains is set in stone. The other is that it is written by Sharon Begley, one of the best science writers around. Begley is superb at framing the latest facts within the larger context of the field. This is a terrific book.”—Robert M. Sapolsky, author of Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers   “Excellent . . . elegant and lucid prose . . . an open mind here will be rewarded.”—Discover   “A strong dose of hope along with a strong does of science and Buddhist thought.”—The San Diego Union-Tribune