Back in 2014 I completed a course at Monash University on Mindfulness. At the time, I had no real interest in the subject other than idle curiosity. I, like many people, had a preconceived notion that being mindful was sitting on the side of a hill with a Tibetan Singing Bowl and chanting, “Oh mani-ard-me ohm,”
Meditation is an essential part of mindfulness, but the act of being mindful is much more: a ritual of awareness practised every day until it becomes a new way of thinking.
The course inspired me to investigate other aspects of thinking, courses as diverse as Forensic Pathology, to brain chemistry.
Never mention transmitter molecules binding to a receptor on the post-synaptic cell’s dendrite in a pub. The response is mostly what you expect: stifled yawns, wrist-watch glances, and, “Isn’t it about time you shouted a round?”
Needless to say, brain chemistry is a subject I keep to myself.
It led me to wonder if we can change our attitudes, or even the way we think? It seems the more neurologists learn about brain pharmacology and the nervous system through computerized axial tomography or CT scanning, and magnetic resonance imaging, MRI scans, empirical evidence suggests we can.
The everyday term is neuroplasticity.
But what is it, and quite frankly, why should we care?
ajhenryblog 
Neuroplasticity seems like the buzz word in medical and therapeutic circles atm. And so it should ve as it might offer a non-invasive solution to mental health issues. I do believe you can change, train or build neural networks that run along different pathways to those that are well worn, however it requires diligence and motivation as well as supportive environmental circumstances. It seems they are one piece of the puzzle.
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