'How I rewired my brain in six weeks' - BBC News

There is growing evidence that simple, everyday changes to our lives can alter our brains and change how they work.
So how do we keep our brains healthy?
BBC journalist Melissa Hogenboom explores the latest scientific research and has her own brain scanned and analysed, with intriguing results.
Watch part two of Brain Hacks here: www.bbc.com/reel/playlist/bra...
Subscribe here: bit.ly/1rbfUog
#Science #Meditation #BBCNews

[@sugarfree1894]

I've been meditating every day for a decade. It works if you stick at it daily. The first six weeks were phenomenal in terms of increases in executive function, mood regulation and the departure of long term depression and anxiety. I began with chanting a Buddhist mantra and still do that every day. My life is transformed.

[@williamnelson2228]

It depends on the person, there's no one size fits all answer. I've just decided to stop mindfulness meditation after doing 20-40 mins daily for a little over 8 months in the hopes of alleviating severe metal health issues. Rather than help, my symptoms actually worsened. I later read this is the case for about 1 in 12 people who practice meditation, though of course it's still worth trying.

[@raraavis7782]

​@@williamnelson2228 Any theory as to why you were negatively affected? Just 'luck of the draw' or is it, because your issues weren't caused/connected/worsened by being stressed? You must be very disciplined, to stick to something that doesn't bring immediate relief for 8 months!

[@ryanwdavies1]

Hope how-to meditate will be explained

[@jimj2683]

How do you meditate? Just sit and think of your breath?

[@vasudevsarvam6912]

​@@ryanwdavies1I am a Hindu so I follow my particular spiritual mantras and name chanting of Divine given by my Guru(He is God realized...left home at 13 years of age for God realization). The sacred mantra works like magic if given by potent master and one is humble, disciplined enough...It's common to get divine experiences. Better than any form of substances. And direct connection with Blissful source aka GOD. But skeptics can just focus their attention in the midst of eyebrows or at the heart. You can listen meditative music if u want. In less than 1 month u will observe major difference in your thought patterns and hence your life will start changing. More happy, hopeful, empathetic, loving individual to say the least. Added benefits to those who can believe: 1. You are God's part and parcel stuck in the material universe becoz of free will. 2. Two types of play: Play in material nature and Play in spiritual nature(Abode of God). 3. Spiritual practice like meditation helps u come in present which only exists amd is the only truth. 4. God and we as spiritual soul have the one commonality and that is awareness/now/preseent. It is the gateway to all spiritual secrets and our real eternal home.

[@ianmccready7238]

" Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

[@kgomotso__precious]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@arunallen1277]

Amen

[@mazelpaiva1556]

Amen

[@byzantinex]

Amen

[@therealauntviv]

Amen.

[@Aussie-Zac-Vibes]

Neuroplasticity is awesome. I was able to rewire my brain to get around the dysfunction causing my Dystonia. The movement disorder specialists, said Dystonia was incurable and could only be managed with Botox and anti-convulsive medications. I wasn't prepared to spend the second half of my life spasticated by Dystonia. I was introduced to neuroplasticity by a specialist chiropractor, who had studied neurology. It took around 8 months to rewire my brain. I've now been Dystonia free for 11 years.

[@zasta7]

May I ask, what kinds of activities your procedure involved?

[@Aussie-Zac-Vibes]

@@zasta7 Vestibular stimulation, by using saccades to subtly retrain my brain.

[@sylgo]

​@@Aussie-Zac-Vibessaccades ?

[@timmyschannel5]

​@@Aussie-Zac-Vibeswhat is saccades? Could you point me to resources, I've dysautonomia

[@nvk1001]

I also have dystonia- could you signpost to where i can learn the same technique please?

[@oktavision5094]

I'd buy this meditation thing anytime, but it's also crucial to spot and identify the intensely competitive and inhumane system we are living into , that's causing the majority of stress and not our brain.

[@carmagurl317]

That is a great point. I was trying everything to no avail and realized my job and friends and the larger environment were just too much. Now I am trying to make larger changes and continuing with my daily practices. Wish me luck!!

[@alexb8926]

@@carmagurl317I wish u the best ❤

[@annelbeab8124]

It has been produced by our brains though.

[@oktavision5094]

@@annelbeab8124 which brains exactly? From the baby brains born in Gaza or the Eskimos in Antarctica? We are not a single entity and we don't have equal access to power structures.

[@carmagurl317]

@@oktavision5094 how beautifully stated

[@paulhostler7863]

Credit should be given to the mystics and yogis who have taught and practiced these techniques for thousands of years before MRI scanners.

[@hereandnow5378]

Yoga and meditation are the greatest gifts of India and Sanatan to the world

[@jimc6382]

Ancient Egyptians were heavily into meditation. It's likely many other early society's were, too, only they didn't keep such records.

[@lunastargoddess1632]

The Buddha taught very clear steps that we practice today.

[@ArchYeomans]

Praise to Zoroaster and Ahura Mazda. Zoom zoom.

[@tacs9960]

I can absolutely attest to this. I started ADHD medicine to help me fix my life. I was able to get brief moments of normalcy, but still had ongoing depression, health scares, unhealthy habits, terrible sleep and anxiety. I started diaphragmatic breathing, meditation, regular exercise and more sun exposure (with SPF of course). The difference is night and day. I feel like my passion for life is returning and I am regaining peace, emotional balance and more physical strength. It is still early days for me, but I am sure if the good habits stick I can re train and heal my brain.

[@mareezy]

Regular exercise is proven to be healthy for the brain. 😊

[@sashanealand8315]

exercise is really the best medicine for clearing the brain

[@paraworth]

Try cold showers if you aren’t doing that already. Huge benefits for energy levels which in turn helps manage anxiety

[@Reverihealth]

Clinical hypnosis is great for managing focus (side-effect free of course.)

[@PierreLaBaguette]

What's the effect of going on sun if you protect your skin by cream? If you do the cream right you don't get any vitamin D since most creams stop both alpha and beta UV rays and beta UV is needed to get trigger the vitamin D production :)

[@NhanVa]

I remember having some minor surgery years ago and at that point I had never done any kind of drug at all. I didn't even drink small amounts of coffee or alcohol. They hit me with an intravenous dose of shrooms and I felt so good, so positive, and so thoughtful that I felt like I could've talked Hitler out of a wagging war.

[@thrickthooter4403]

Golden teachers has been my go-to mushroom for months, it has helped in my recovery journey

[@muu1589]

after my trip yesterday, I did understand why mushrooms are praised... you can have some beautiful experiences on them..

[@mavahenderson7757]

Hello! It appears I have interests, I want to get some.. where do you get from?

[@thrickthooter4403]

dr.rinehartshrooms

[@thrickthooter4403]

𝕴𝖓𝖘𝖙𝖆𝖌𝖗𝖆𝖒

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

Mindfulness, exercise, diet and sleep...that's my guess for where this I going. Poverty, restricted access to a good diet, clean water, good sanitation and appropriate healthcare (including dental) plus a grinding meaningless job that still leaves you under the poverty line leading to an impossible amount of stress and worry probably won't be covered.

[@user-fb3yf2xb2z]

Haha - all looks better through the BBC lens of someone largely competent at all the social skills required to secure a white collar job that involves acting interested and explaining subject matter in an articulate way. Someone somewhere within that paradigm usually gets a platform to promote the book they have managed to start monetising.

[@oakfat5178]

@@user-fb3yf2xb2z I've bought a number of books by Norman Doidge and Oliver Sacks over the years. The fact that they make money from the books doesn't make what they write any less truthful or informative. Australia's ABC is experimenting in no longer being "the voice of God". Instead, my news is filtered by uneducated TwitWits spouting garbled nonsense. I prefer articulate people explaining clearly, over incomprehensible gobbledigook from "authentic" presenters who think Gr*mmerly actually improves their communication. Does anyone switch off a car show because their car is a piece of junk & the presenter isn't relating to that? So not everyone who could benefit will be allowed to benefit, because of social inequality. Depending on the patient, the practitioner and a bunch of other variables, the process might work brilliantly, or not at all, or something in between.

[@colin-nekritz]

100%. With late stage capitalism where the rich have gamed and run all the systems, and everyone, even the people who made this video, unaware they’re already turning into serfs and slaves and there is no going back, we’re pretty much already into a future where there is the 99.9999% of us as have nots, and the .0001 haves, and the haves are increasing their power every day.

[@trilcegarcia9373]

Understanding about neuroplasticity cured me of chronic pain. I suffered for 4 years from vulvodynia, a pain that no gynecologist could explain to me until I reached a doctor who diagnosed central sensitization. Understanding, but really UNDERSTANDING that the brain has complex processes but also has this amazing ability to change all the time saved my life. I was able to reset my brain!

[@HiNickCares]

Is there really a way out?

[@trilcegarcia9373]

@@HiNickCares yes! not easy to. You need a LOT of consistency to reset the brain, and talking about acute pain and time sounds even cruel! but it pays very well.

[@HiNickCares]

@@trilcegarcia9373 Thanks

[@utdfortreble]

Same here with chronic Prostate pain. Dr sarno is a saint.

[@truff1999]

What did you do to reset your brain?@@trilcegarcia9373

[@JillWhitcomb1966]

I read a study some years ago regarding the work of Einstein and human brains. He discovered that doing something challenging---such as learning a musical instrument, learning a foreign language, learning a new skill--actually changed the grooves and folding patterns in the human brain. No matter what age we are, we can improve by learning something new.

[@luisdanielmesa]

no, you can't

[@dennykeaton9701]

Excellent point

[@dennykeaton9701]

​@@luisdanielmesa Speak for yoursy

[@PavanKumar-ft5hi]

Learn to meditate.

[@MickeyGee73]

New science is suggesting that it works best in conjunction with regular exercise and sleep..Age appropriate weight training in older people with early signs of dementia can improve cognition greatly in a very short time..Lifelong mental exercises build you a brain that is more open to neural flexibility..but without the sufficient sleep and exercise, it wont halt cognitive decline..

[@Ryansedona36]

Meditation - 20 minutes every morning has absolutely changed my life for the better. In my case I first needed to deal withy my mental Health, medically. I have a pretty serious family history of depression and anxiety, so i needed to find ( The Right) doctor and the right medication. When I did that I was able to add mediation - and other “ self care” practices and the combination has enabled me to stay mentally healthy and operate at a high level - both in my professional and personal life.

[@joanlockhart4719]

Hi Could you please suggest a good meditation, there are so many on KZbin I don't know where to start.

[@ForeverMasterless]

@@joanlockhart4719 The best meditation has nothing to do with youtube. Sit down on a meditation mat in a quiet room, left hand cradled in the right, shoulders relaxed, back straight, chin lightly tucked and eyes unfocused. Set a timer for 45 minutes. And just sit. At first you will be doing many things other than sitting. Your mind will be thinking of past and future, but just try to watch what the mind does. Observe the thoughts as they come and go. If you do this everyday eventually you will reach the end of thoughts, this is place Dogen calls dropping off of body and mind. In other words you stop being a person doing a meditation while trying not to think of ten thousand things, self drops away and you simply become the activity of sitting. This is the heart of zazen or "just sitting" meditation. You are not a person, and you definitely are not a thing. You are an event, an activity. 13.8 years ago the big bang happened and it's still happening, and that's you, you're that explosion.

[@aman_singh2023]

​@@joanlockhart4719vipasna method of meditation

[@eSKAone-]

Exactly. I'm 40 years old and live in the center of beautiful Heidelberg Germany. I inhabit a flat with 2 students, to save money. I can walk to work (ICU nurse), but I have an old used bike for less then 200 bucks. I don't need to travel. Heidelberg is paradise. No car, no kids. I only work part time so I have enough money for my hobbies: Bouldering, Running, Gaming on Sony PlayStation and Nintendo Switch (if our house burns down, I can't lose those games, I own them in the cloud). Life is beautiful nowadays, why would I waste it at work. I only buy cloths when I really need them, mostly cheap. You can eat healthy for 5 bucks a day (coffee included). It's easy: stick to things that have only 1 ingredient, but no isolates like sugars and oils (you can throw them together obviously for a meal) I consider whole grain pasta to be healthy, but you should have them split up in to maximum 2 meals a day. Other than that I eat oats, nuts and vegetables. Only drink water, coffee, and tea without additives. If you're vegan have your vit.B12 and a good source of omega-3 fatty acids (chia seeds, walnuts), maybe vit.D if you're a nightshift worker or not out in the sun much, and you're good. Once in a while if you have an easier day try to eat nothing for that day. I'm 40 years old, athletic, everyone thinks I'm much younger. Take good care of your bodies folks 💟🌌☮️

[@JuLeZ274]

Sooo random, was watching the video and just saw your comment: I’m 35, been living in Berlin for almost 10 years, but I‘m originally from that area and also went to school in HD. Been thinking about moving back.. :) Anyways, just wanted to say Hi 🙋🏻‍♀️ 😄

[@erynn9968]

Strange to see ‘coffee included’ as if coffee is the most expensive food in the world). Even a pack of highest quality organic coffee costs a few bobs and lasts months. And brewing it in a simple cheap dzezve is meditation of its own.

[@shoutatthesky]

'When' your house burns down, not 'if'?

[@user-mw6fh5oj2c]

i was in heidelberg as a army brat, child of a father in the army, i remember the bus rides home thru heidelberg city every day in 1970-72

[@eSKAone-]

​@@shoutattheskythanks 💟🌌☮️

[@katerynakochergina7235]

Thanks for starting this series ! Looking forward to the next episode

[@curlysue3620]

I have C -PTSD and I’m currently in a trauma recovery group from NHS which I been waiting for for THREE years but that’s another story. We learnt the brush off technique, where you push off the opposite side of your body, so right hand brushes the left side. I’m surprised that they did dent mention the Vagus Nerve and breath work is only one part of it. Good luck to anyone struggling with their mental health. ❤️✌🏼🙏🏼

[@garythompson9452]

Three years!. This country is a joke. All the best for the future.

[@DPK12]

Good luck sue, I resigned my senior psychiatric nursing position due the the underinvestment by the Tories . How sad that we can’t support our fellow humans

[@nuclear804]

Thats so cool, thank you for sharing that technique. I just tried it and literally felt so uncomfortable so now I have something to explore. thank you

[@rainbowcake3896]

No our country is still pne of the greatest! @@garythompson9452

[@curlysue3620]

So sorry to hear that you resigned@@DPK12 . I’ve been off work for 6 mths and come to terms that I won’t go back to my frontline role. The lack of support, no debrief, bad management and work did nothing, so I ended up with stress induced Bell’s palsy. Our sane mind is worth more than a wage... ❤✌🏼🙏🏼

[@sandra77770]

This is perhaps the best video I have seen explaining this process, the benefits of it and sharing of one's own personal experience. Thank you!!

[@gardenlover9663]

Search JOE DISPENZA

[@JasonKAls]

I stumbled upon this vid at 4 in the morning because I couldn't sleep due to physical pain from head to toe and the mental toll. It has all made it difficult to work and be social. The comment section is extremely encouraging. Hoping to have my own success story 🤞🏾

[@Yowzoe]

Good for you. It is worth the effort in *so many ways*

[@gibrain16]

Looking forward to part 3!

[@zakkiiiyy]

Nice approach and thank you for the patient demonstration and the gorgeous and smart silence at the end 🌞

[@googledoodle3977]

Meditation helps in keeping people relaxed and calm, I do meditate a bit,and I also get a good undisturbed sleep , that is also meditation for me ,and I don’t talk much,argue much,don’t know much about others, that keeps me and my family healthy. Prayers is also like meditation for me, can start the day productively and having nothing much to say about others is also good for my well being.

[@googledoodle3977]

There is much progress in an individuals life if he stops accepting and reacting to other people’s expectations, opinions and limitations that they want to set for you, this trend has become more prevalent after social media started to become a major mode of communication and conversation 24*7, people want to know about others,it’s become a very competitive leading to greed,jealousy and people have become very meddlesome haters,are least productive because of lack of education,proper jobs befitting their education,and are completely dissatisfied with themselves at many levels, we are living amidst frustrated world, that want great things to happen to them by not working .

[@googledoodle3977]

Then there is a problem of lowly paid jobs, jobless trolls ,education less trolls and people into not so great jobs,who think it’s the best job….too many problems with people these days. Everyday people keep infringing upon everything.

[@googledoodle3977]

Social media is a nuisance , people can say anything about anybody, there is no accountability and we are living in a very hostile, bad, competitive environment that needs constant entertainment at other peoples expense.

[@googledoodle3977]

There is merit and there is people who don’t have merit and think they have achieved something .What to do ?

[@abuabi7139]

I have trouble recalling memmory...does meditation helps ??

[@anikavandermeer9058]

Great story Melissa , thanks for taking us through this subject.

[@embyrio]

who is melissa?

[@roger8551]

The journalist in the video

[@embyrio]

@@roger8551 oh sh*

[@singha6]

I’m not the meditation type- I found my thoughts wandering when meditating. So for the last 40 years, I’ve been chanting instead. I’ve overcome serious health problems with a Buddhist chant- Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!

[@carmagurl317]

I actually just let my mind wander , I close my eyes , set the timer for 30 min and whatever happens happens. It is really freeing not to fight ny thoughts, just let them happen freely. Now I incorporate deep breaths too. Not sure what this type is called but it helping me more physically (not just mentally). Glad you found one that works for you too !

[@nonamepainter]

​@@carmagurl317exactly, I was taught not to fight the thoughts but to observe them and then let them go on by and move back to the chant word or phrase.

[@Billybunts]

I came back from holiday and decided on self improvement journey. 30 minutes meditation everyday, 15 min guided and 15 min quiet, reading more book's, running daily, bitesize podcasts, no social media, healthy diet and no pornographic material. I feel so mellow and settled

[@Sonny111]

KZbin is social media

[@ivandejesusalvarez9313]

I imagine that your decision to cut out social media came with some withdrawal desires, I know that’s been the case with me when I cut out instagram. About cutting out porn, what has that been like for you? Was it a serious problem? Thanks in advance for sharing because that can be a tough thing to admit for some.

[@Billybunts]

@ivandejesusalvarez9313 I found social media tough to begin with! It got easier, and my anxiety got loads better with cutting all social media out of my life. As for the porn I lasted 30 days and I buckled 🤣 That's the longest I've went tbh. I'm currently on day 15 at the moment. Small steps as they tell you

[@Billybunts]

@ivandejesusalvarez9313 definitely a problem for me so I'm proud of my porn reduction so far, I get the odd urge but nothing major

[@ivandejesusalvarez9313]

@@Billybunts hey a 30 fast of porn is a win, and it’s a battle for a while. Good for you. I’ve done the same and it is good to know others like yourself are gaining strength with this 👍🏽

[@JoshuaRichardson123]

This was AMAZING, thank you! I would love to see you dive into Metta meditation specifically I remember it has been shown to change the brain more significantly/quicker than the other types studied. I believe it was Richard Davidsons's study.

[@michaellong9214]

I had a severe depersonalization/derealization disorder that I cured. Try cold water swimming, then do the meditation right after. I swim in (~58) cold lake/ocean water for about 30 min. If you can turn on the mammalian diving reflex and meditate, you can progress very fast. Oh, yes, cold does hurt. The effect of this technique was much more powerful and long-lasting than Klonopins. This is what worked for me.

[@johnbeloe]

I was told by many top 'experts' I'd be in severe chronic pain for the rest of my life. Through the work of John Sarno, Schubiner, Emmett Miller, Steve Ozanich and others I required my brain became pain free. The key for pain however, is understanding the reasons behind it...that shift in understanding allows us to rewire....

[@Jemgrover]

re: chronic pain - if your hip mobility is terrible, your spine mobility will be terrible. Your breathing wont feel as full, your shoulders and neck will ache and the level of "stress" you feel will skyrocket. That was my experience. Perhaps one of the most frustrating thing about modern life is how little the average person appreciates the value of good quality movement for getting out of pain. Retrain your nervous system with the right movements so your move, breathe and sleep better, and you'll be amazed.

[@amandaquinn9033]

@jemgrover do you retrain nervous system with meditation?

[@Reverihealth]

@@amandaquinn9033 Hypnosis is particularly good at this. It's something our users have experiences with our app :)

[@NatHarwood]

I wish Thorsten had meditations online (in his voice)! I realise academic life is busy but I find his 'meditation' voice incredibly calming

[@bethcwoolf]

Loved this! Will the rest of this series be released soon? Thank you

[@oddanneout]

Awesome series! I’ll look for #2 🙏🏼

[@Bigfmedia]

😂

[@jakesdiner]

It's already out, all 4 parts are. The link to part 2 is in the description, then you can get to the other two parts.

[@arunallen1277]

Fantastic and very relevant to modern day living. Looking forward to Part 2.

[@rickiek]

Fascinating stuff! Looking forward to the next section.

[@jakesdiner]

All 4 are out on the website - check descrption

[@blauerhaze3578]

Awesome video and even a greater ending! looking forward to the next vid in this series! Thank you, this will help people.

[@macwil2359]

I found the end of this video, very entertaining, and it really spotlights what we all go through daily.

[@jackt883]

I'm going to have a go at it. I have a mind that wonders all over the place and I struggle to concentrate. I will see how it goes for a few weeks.

[@NewInBritain]

Such fantastic work!

[@user-ms1yw9qi7i]

Nice approach and thank you for the patient demonstration and the gorgeous and smart silence at the end

[@asifchoudhuryca]

This is an amazing video that shows how our brain (a piece of hardware, so to speak) alters as we adopt a number of practices in our lives. This is no different than starting an exercise routine.

[@SpiralMystic]

His voice is ASMR for me... I'm going to search for him and hope he has a long video talking like this. Pure relaxation.

[@potatomatop9326]

Props to her for having the skill to peel her own head and rewire her brain using her bare hands without anesthesia.

[@gio-oz8gf]

On occasion, evidence proving the adage "you can't educate pork" is presented to you on a plate. There is an abundance of it in the comments sections of KZbin videos.

[@andywellsglobaldomination]

Yeah, kinda lost in metaphor... brain wires???

[@deveyous6614]

🤣😂🤣😂 10/10

[@Bigfmedia]

😂😂😂

[@georgenorton993]

​Yhggggggggggggg

[@TLMuse]

Very good episode. A particular good, brief overview of mindfulness here on YT is a TEDx talk by Prof. Shauna Shapiro, a clinical psychologist, titled "The Power of Mindfulness: What You Practice Grows Stronger." My favorite one-line summary of mindfulness comes from that talk: Mindfulness is intentionally paying attention, with kindness. The kindness bit is important, and I wish it was mentioned in this report. One way it's important is in regard to the issue of distractions and mind-wandering during meditation, which Melissa mentioned here. In mindfulness meditation, it's important to respond to distractions with kindness, not judging or shaming yourself about it, no matter how strong or repetitive the distractions-just quietly turn your attention back. -Tom

[@user-eo9dc5gs8k]

I think this is robust research and mindfulness is not snake oil like EMDR and Brain-spotting. I’m research and statistics professor and ideas like chakras are ridiculous.

[@aliozkaya5035]

Fascinating. It would be interesting to see the results of the study on a wider pool but also to test with each case whether they successfully meditated each day or whether they were distracted on some days and what contributed to this.

[@RatherBigFace]

Distraction is an essential part of meditating! It doesn't mean it's a failure!

[@truth952]

hardvard did an 8 week study with a huge data set, have a google and you will find it :)

[@mirygalas6508]

So many things we can do to increase well being, and transform ourselves for the better and heal!

[@weston.weston]

This was a very timely topic for me, thank you.

[@emiliourbano4811]

Great video, thanks. Are the next episodes already available?

[@traceler]

next will be about exercise that increase BDNF I think. It is a fact well known.

[@jakesdiner]

Yes, check video description

[@GCSEPhysicsExplained]

We've got to get "understanding plasticity" and mindfulness onto schools' curriculum across the world. I've been teaching about growth mindset and understanding plasticity for over 15 years in England, and the students who take this onboard flourish. Plus, with SEMH issues (Social Emotional Mental Health) on the rise, especially in young people, understanding the brain's plasticity empowers you to take an active role in your personal development; for example engaging in breathing techniques and mindfulnesss. Great video. More please.

[@annelbeab8124]

It requires understanding what a human being is. Just the techniques as such will not do. They will just try to become more functional in a society that has created dysfunctionality.

[@spacemanstrikesagain]

Looking forward to the next video

[@auralangst6177]

Childhood abuse permanently damages the brain, which makes rewiring a lot more difficult..

[@user-yp7rn6tb2t]

Tell me about it. The abuse I suffered was beyond belief . Now I'm old . I marvel at how affable pacific and mild mannered I am .

[@jlvandat69]

Definitely- emotional trauma especially during the formative years creates 'circuitry' that is always problematic and exceptionally difficult to reverse. It's probably the greatest failure of psychotherapy. Something more robust is needed for a person to rewire their brain and gain better control of their destiny......IMO meditation can be a solution in this regard based on personal experience. Depending on how meditation is used, it has the ability to reach deep into the damaged regions of the mind and provide healing that is permanent and transformative in terms of improved mood and behavior.

[@robynm5250]

This is very harmful rhetoric and it’s not at all true! There’s no evidence of “permanent” damage and many people with CPTSD from childhood trauma can recover to a point where they no longer have symptoms and can live normal productive lives after treatments. People with CPTSD will actually benefit more from meditation and several studies show it’s effectiveness. If you tell yourself there’s no hope and that your brain is damaged permanently and you can’t get better then you never will and you won’t even try.

[@raraavis7782]

Unfortunately yes. There's a lot of interesting research going on atm, on how mind altering drugs (in a supervised, medical setting) could help with that. But it will be a while yet, until that kind of therapy is widely available.

[@stulee5314]

Childhood trauma is a tough one, I’m 20 years into a meditation and movement practice, which has helped me understand and over time work directly with the legacy of my childhood. Tbh I could have been on medication for years but refused, the teaching from the trauma albeit really difficult has helped me help others. There’s always hope ❤

[@alexanderguryev2416]

There are even studies which show meditation to be as effective as antidepressants. For me, anxiety sufferer, doing meditation has been a really transformative experience.

[@NileshParmar]

What a great series❤

[@observingsystem]

I'm amazed that the changes are so fast, I never would have expected that! Very interesting!

[@jessmeider]

Great to see a story like this in the mainstream. Awareness is a skill when practiced will cultivate more sensitivity, empathy and self-acceptance. By changing the inner, the outer will change too. Humanity would be a kinder kind with awareness practices...this is a positive practice for all ages.

[@theexperienceschool]

So true.....

[@timechange1004]

Nope. There is zero evidence for that. I was in a meditation cult and it doesn't make people nicer. You have no idea. You just took the bait and you are giving someone your money and attention and being brainwashed.

[@aue1214]

@@timechange1004Maybe next time just try awareness and lose the cult/needing to belong to something?

[@pulse3554]

yea the west is finally awakening to what people in south asia have known forever. All of this is reduced south asian knowledge

[@malypavel25]

Where can I find episode two? 😊

[@loremipsum7ac]

I highly recommend watching the next three parts. Just follow the link on the video's description onto BBC's viewer

[@RobinHerzig]

6:03 STRESS Fatigue -Yes 👏 Muscle pain/tension -Yes 👏 Sex drive problems -Yes 👏 Sleep problems (fixed by trazodone) Grumpiness - sure Lack of motivation -Yes 👏 Obesity (not currently but…) ok Diabetes -Yes 👏 Anxiety - sure Depression -Yes 👏

[@sarina5352]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@maisoonmona2158]

Summary: Boost your neuroplasticity by reducing stress through meditation.

[@prettywitty9051]

Just acknowledge that human beings are not designed to work in an office full stop

[@JohnSmith-fz1wh]

It is a slave system.

[@lorddavidlawrence]

Speak for yourself. I hardly ever leave my office and it's next to my personal gym so I have no need or desire to go back to hunting and gathering.

[@JohnSmith-fz1wh]

@@lorddavidlawrence What are you going to do when the economy collapses within the next few years. If you don't have your own food supply you won't survive.

[@lorddavidlawrence]

@@JohnSmith-fz1wh I have a gun safe the size of the average wealthy woman's closet that say's otherwise!

[@tastypymp1287]

Human beings are designed?

[@whatelsewouldyoudo]

Interesting. I will be following for more

[@GabrielBacon]

I’ve been doing Zone 2 cardio in the pitch black with sound canceling earphones on. I try to meditate or count the things I’m grateful for. I have never felt better overall, I don’t have bad days anymore.

[@Lennybird91]

I was never big into the spiritual meditative thing as much as I wanted to be. I needed more convincing science as to why and how it could work. Recently I learned about the effects of Heart-Rate Variability cluing us in on what state our autonomic nervous system is in: Sympathetic-driven, or Parasympathetic-driven? Performing deep, slow breathing exercises in tune with meditation helps your brain take back control from the flight-or-flight system and has a significant difference on HRV as well. This has personally helped me and I hope it helps others. Look into it, but the gist is to aim for your resonance frequency which on average is around 6 breaths per minute.

[@Brazen1234]

jesus chirst just take mushrooms.

[@oakfat5178]

Thank you for this comment. I keep meaning to find out more about meditation & yoga. My Dad got bad allergic reactions to dental anaesthetics, so he learned self-hypnosis, which I presume is mindfulness-based. He ha root canal work done using nothing but his own thought processes to block the pain.

[@joanarc7963]

@@Brazen1234do you really need to say Jesus name is vain?

[@joanarc7963]

To be honest with you, human beings are the science and you are your best experiment. Why would you wait to see scientific proof when you could had just done the work and seen for yourself first hand. Getting really sick and tired of hearing people talk about how they need “science” or just like when they brought that putrid vaccine out all I was seeing was people say “but it’s science”… yeah well you are your own science and a lot of people who got that evil vaccine were injured werent they! So though while science can be good, it can also not be good. In this sense meditation is good, no one has ever been hurt by meditating. Better then taking a dodgy vaccine that is not even a vaccine to begin with but gene therapy

[@lizziebkennedy7505]

@@joanarc7963Do you really need to put your cloud friend beliefs on another human? Get over yourself. Also, according to your lot, Jesus made those mushrooms. So it’s not in vain, is it?

[@averyintelligence]

The main thing that is helping me rewire my brain is by constantly listening and watching content on neuroplasticity, well being, self help, psychology and health. I have certain podcasts and books that i am spending almost all my time absorbing. In repetition. I found content that was very effective for me in the sense of taking action. I listen to the same podcasts and read the same books multiple times. Its extremely hard to stay conscious and aware therefore you can hack that by absorbing content that is reinforcing and reminding you of the actions you need to take to think more positively and CHOSE to make the right choices. Its much easier to change when you are constantly absorbing content that is reinforcing the change and encouraging. For 1 month dont watch much TV/shows. Just watch podcasts or read books that are about changing habits, resilience, perseverance, neuroplasticity etc... You will be compelled to take action.

[@robertcross7571]

Which books do you like for that? My favourite books were: Memory: From Mind to Molecules (2008, Eric Kandel, Larry Squire) The Other Brain: From Dementia to Schizophrenia, How New Discoveries about the Brain Are Revolutionizing Medicine and Science (2009, R Douglas) And of course there's famous books from Norman Doidge, arguably the top expert on neuroplasticity The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science (2007, Doidge) The Brain's Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity (2016, Doidge)

[@adams3552]

I've read the article and now this is suggested. Love it

[@janineallen3681]

Great presenting, would love to see more of you!

[@celticmugwump]

In simple terms practice makes perfect

[@ReclaimDesign]

I read this as "how I retired my brain in six weeks" 🤣 I'm in.

[@sherozkayani6569]

BRING THE SECOND PART!!!!

[@nosceteipsum371]

I've been Meditations every day for 15 years. Meditation = Self Love ❤ Self Care 💜 Self - Esteem 🧡 Self - Confidence 💛 Self - Improvement 💙 Personal Growth 💗 ⭐🙏

[@JessicaLuna-fz5vq]

Very informative. Thanks for the upload.

[@googledoodle3977]

My daughter loves to do these Karakuri robots , she has to plan the size,cut it out, fix it properly to make the mechanised paper robots work, the study material is very basic in all the books we give it to her,she has to learn and do it all by herself.

[@laurenb916]

who cares

[@warrenthorp]

Excellent stuff. Where is part two? I can’t find it anywhere.

[@rominho151]

thanks! is very important this exercice

[@therealist2000]

I’m currently on a path of doing something similar. For me I cut out porn, masturbation, junk food, (struggling) high carb. My anxiety and depression is less and I feel clear headed and happier.

[@CyberBeep_kenshi]

I confronted major trauma and still recovering from a total reset..... this vid is very interesting, hope this works...

[@gofannon1943]

Good luck 💪🙂

[@finley2003]

Finally some good journalism from the BCC

[@serenityflo_sound]

A great insight into what I feel is an underrated holistic healing modality. Can’t wait to see the next episode. Anyone struggling with meditation I would suggest trying sound meditation as it automatically entrains brain waves to theta and quiets the mind. Meditation and mindfulness should definitely be introduced in all schools from a young age.

[@peachesmcgee4795]

I got rid of chronic shoulder pain through meditation and bodyscan techniques.Before this i'd spent hundreds of pounds on various osteopaths who only alleviated the pain for a day or so.

[@morbidrockgod]

My heart goes out for those who juggle parenthood with meditation practices! Well done, BBC!

[@jamesmcluvlee]

It’s easy. Wake up early or do it midday or before bed. Only takes 5 min

[@meropale]

I haven't stuck to it long enough to see transformative effects but the little I have done has encouraged me.

[@fodizi-sq4jq]

Wishing you the best in your meditation efforts!

[@yogawithpriyanka]

A consistent practice is the key !!

[@hiya1399]

I've also rewired my brain after it was damaged by psychiatric medication for years causing severe neurological dysfunction that I couldn't work or drive anymore.

[@ppiriou]

Could you mention which medication you took? My son currently takes medication and I can see how his nerves are being affected.

[@stevegentilly726]

Yes, that is nice and congratulation on being able to do this. My record is 16 hrs to rewire my brain. Thank You.

[@Reverihealth]

Have you tried clinical hypnosis? Our app, Reveri, adds significant value for users hoping to nurture neuroplasticity :)

[@rayleneberryman7673]

I got healed of Chronic fatigue training my limbic system to calm down and and visualise myself doing what I couldn’t. .

[@goodnatureart]

beautiful teaching

[@googledoodle3977]

My husband is an Engineer , and he completed his Engineering,earned a Engineering degree as a 20 year old, he’s two years junior to his batchmates, works as a Engineer, I said that because profession matters to become how skilful ,resourceful ,neat and organized you are as a person. He also meditates two hours everyday, one hour in the morning and one hour in the night, I have noticed how innovative, skilful ,resourceful and how easily he can use his brain to make things easy at home with his own innovations ,that normal people would probably buy things outside . He’s engineered his mind to such an extent that it’s naturally innovative,his mind is thinking and free to explore confidently to various solutions that is used to fix things at home.

[@googledoodle3977]

For every problem at home, he has many solutions , and he fixes things easily,and it’s neat and organized,does everything with a calm mind,my daughter and I are in awe with him, some things has rubbed off her too, she now thinks much more freely ,learns,works and tries to do something original each and every activity she picks up.

[@googledoodle3977]

Mindfulness is important, to have food made of whole grains, nuts,seeds,legumes ,fruits,vegetables keeps your mind working, and kids should avoid social media that inhibits their thinking capacities,and makes them aggressive.

[@googledoodle3977]

He grew up in a very good environment with very little hardships and rigidity, grew up to become a free thinker.

[@ss_avsmt]

​@@artoffact3482Ah yes... The typical internet response. A person expresses heartfully their life experiences - destroy them with an unrelated one liner from the shadows.

[@georgeeliot2012]

But he can’t cook a meal or otherwise feed himself and he doesn’t know enough to pick up his socks or how to turn off the lights when he leaves a room

[@PositivelyPJ-tq7ur]

I find this topic so fascinating. When you combine Neuroscience with Quantum Physics and Epigenetics, for me anyways demonstrates just how powerful we as individuals when combined in community can be.

[@giannisci]

thank you so much

[@fredamariebrown4727]

It's amazing to hear this. The metaphysicians and alchemists have been saying and living this forever! So glad to see science come on board with TRUTH.

[@taylor.london]

Thank you modern science, and also thank you Hindu and Yogic texts, Jesus, and Egyptian esotericism for having talked about the spiritual and PHYSICAL benefits of meditation and mindfulness thousands of years ago ❤

[@Takeitlightly6]

I dont understand a single word but i loved the scenery

[@SunShine-dk6rk]

This is a great upload,I have read many comments as interested how people try to help themselves or others to be healthy, I have ADHD,Aspergers and Vitilago and have just found Acupressure on youtube and tried it for fun,just self Acupressure I can do lying down,at first I used a time counter whilst applying pressure,later I just counted 30 seconds on each pressure point,sometimes I play Lofi coffee music at the same time, I find it relaxing and it takes about 30 mins and sometimes I do less,sometimes I doze off as find it meditative. Thanking the uploader and team,sending them,there family,friends and fellow viewers best wishes.

[@SunShine-dk6rk]

In addition I find the Acupressure calming and with practice found relaxation during practice and a feeling of wellbeing,in addition I can focus on things better and feel more relaxed energy is better too, I learnt Acupressure from 2 channels on here , Motivational Doc also Dr Baritz. Best Wishes to eveyone ❤.

[@danielwalker6436]

Really great insight into neuroscience here.

[@BeStillLittleTree]

That's interesting because the neuroscientist Andrew Huberman has said that certain hormones realeased during stress, such as adrenaline, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine, are necessary for neuroplasticity. I wonder if that starts to change when the stress goes from acute to chronic.

[@Reverihealth]

💜

[@brynleytalbot778]

It begs the question of whether meditation without the Eastern philosophy of life Buddhism imparts is really that beneficial over the long term and whether modern day stressors are being channeled by it giving the illusion of peace to allow greater productivity and success, something I consider will ultimate result in a catastrophic breakdown. Who wants to live on a constant knife edge if meditation is only masking the harmful consequences on one’s body.

[@BeStillLittleTree]

@@brynleytalbot778 Speaking from my own experience, when I first started practicing mindfulness meditation I did so as a subtle way of making how I felt go away. Ultimately, that didn't work. Once I decided to start using mindfulness meditation as a practice of building the skill of allowing things to be as they are, things changed. It's funny, things changed because I chose to accept them as they were. Without that attitude shift, it was sort of like I was stepping on the gas really hard and then pulling over to try to cool off the engine, then stepping on the gas really hard and pulling over again to cool off the engine. I finally stopped stepping on the gas really hard.

[@BeStillLittleTree]

@@Reverihealth

[@kahyui2486]

​@@BeStillLittleTreehave you looked into DBT? It's essentially what you're talking about, Buddhism mixed in with CBT. One of the focuses of the therapy is about acceptance of the moment. (Eckhart Tolle book called the power of now also covers this).

[@SimonTransparently]

Great report that affirms the meditations / self hypnosis guided journeys I’ve enjoyed from Joe Dispenza. Thank you for this well explained video 😊

[@rainbowcake3896]

He is a quack imo

[@jimc6382]

Dispenza is clever in that he recognised this would be a popular area and jumped into it and makes millions from it. I wouldn't go around believing the things he says, though.

[@KailuaChick]

Dr. Joe has helped a lot of people. Yeah he makes tons of money from it but he’s not causing any harm. He’s literally telling people they have the power to heal themselves through meditation. No one is going to hurt themselves by meditating and focusing on healing.

[@aiden9716]

His voice is so conscientiously gentle

[@brain-feed]

These are great ways to improve neuroplasticity but what about nutrition? Studies have shown certain nutrients provide the right resources for the brain’s neuroplastic abilities. Healthy brain fats like DHA increase the production of new brain cell connections & enhance the protective layer of the brain cells.

[@its_iviej]

Yes! I read before that dha in omega 3 is great for that.

[@wonderwoman5528]

When’s the next ep? Very interesting. I’ve always believed meditation can starve off depression and stress

[@jakesdiner]

It's already out, all 4 parts are. The link to part 2 is in the description, then you can get to the other two parts.

[@wonderwoman5528]

Oh thank u v much@@jakesdiner

[@usbodyandmind]

This is astonishing to me, I do love science, but so much science and explanations to show something as simple as, you slow down your negative thinking and everything returns to its natural perfect state, and this includes all organs of our body, so also the brain. Stress is a result of negative thinking and all negative conditions and functioning in our body are also a result of negative thinking. Being present in the moment, appreciation and meditation are obviously great ways to quiet the negative thinking or thinking in general, which creates space for our positive self to dominate our energy and nothing else than health and well-being can occur.

[@mellem4653]

I find the act of meditation itself stressful. To me being present and in the moment means thinking and doing whatever I want from moment to moment.

[@omegaduckie]

So, practice! The difficulty comes from resistance. If it were easy, you would already be where you wanted to be.

[@amalksuresh286]

Being mindfull feels like we are on some kind of drug.Its feel really good to see the reality without the noise of thoughts.You can see the beauty of a flower or a drop of water like never before

[@mellem4653]

@@omegaduckie Everyone is where they should be.

[@averyintelligence]

That's the point. Once you overcome pushing through those thoughts that prevent you from sitting still, that's when it actually starts to benefit you Also you don't have to be still you can do qigong mediation. You love your body instead of being still. Please go on Google and look for a list of different mediation techniques. You will find one that suits you best. They don't all require sitting still or in silence

[@Oxsasuna]

It takes so much meditation time to reduce stress, that it would only stress me out.

[@silverhandle]

That’s just a thought about it, which is stressing you out :) It takes a relatively small amount of time to achieve more peace and increased clarity ❤

[@clarissaadams1676]

I’ve always LOVED her voice ❤

[@StarBoundFables]

Cool, I look forward to future episodes