What happens to your brain as you age

As the most complex organ in your body, your brain changes radically throughout your life. Starting from before birth and continuing even after you've died. This is what happens to your brain as you age.
00:00 - What happens to your brain when you age?
00:32 - In the womb
01:03 - Childhood
03:19 - Teenage years
04:48 - Early adulthood
05:27 - Middle age
07:04 - Later life
07:36 - Death
Sign up to The Economist’s daily newsletter: econ.st/3QAawvI
Is there a genetic link between endometriosis and the brain?: econ.st/46u9Q31
Even doctors can struggle to diagnose concussions: econ.st/3RlFfQP
Artificial brains are helping scientists study the real thing: econ.st/3Plo6UN
A big advance in mapping the structure of the brain: econ.st/48sx6jJ
Studying broken chromosomes can illuminate neuroscience: econ.st/3rff7we
The troubling link between contact sports and long-term brain injuries, listen to our science and technology podcast, Babbage to find out more: econ.st/3rgN3Zp
Neurons are not the only brain cells that think: econ.st/3PjU1EN
Are brain implants the future of computing? Watch our film to find out: econ.st/3ZxzNfP
How adult brains learn the new without forgetting the old: econ.st/3EDJO1b
Becoming a father shrinks your cerebrum: econ.st/3EH67Df
How to keep the brain healthy: econ.st/3PBe3w4

[@Jonedcc]

"your brain is one of your most important organs" according to your brain

[@bobbeckstead8340]

Depends on what "important" means, doesn't it - important to what? What is accurate is that the brain is the seat of what we call consciousness or awareness and life itself doesn't "matter" (nothing does) without that phenomenon.

[@creaomega2643]

​@@bobbeckstead8340Your brain is being humble to itself.

[@VinayBabuwanted]

@@creaomega2643 You brain is judging other brain

[@iamdmc]

that was the dumbest intro I have ever seen

[@genekendrick679]

😂😂

[@bluedragontoybash2463]

- Brain development starts around 2 weeks after conception with the formation of the neural plate. - The neural tube is formed by week four, creating the nervous system. - At birth, the brain contains about 100 billion neurons, more than an adult. - Neurons form synapses, points of contact for electronic signals, and some become insulated with myelin. - Neurons develop approximately 15,000 synapses per neuron over the first few years of life. - Neuroplasticity allows the brain to strengthen or weaken synapses based on usage. - Between ages 3 and 10, the brain starts to remove unnecessary connections. - Different parts of the brain develop at different rates, impacting behavior and emotions. - Teenagers experience major changes in the limbic system, which controls emotions. - The prefrontal cortex linked to self-control and rationality develops more slowly. - Teenagers are more likely to take risks and experience mood swings. - Post-puberty, brain tissue continues to develop, and white matter volume increases. - Full brain development is typically reached by the 30s, and white matter volume peaks around 40. - Older adults continue to adapt and change through brain plasticity. - Older adults use both brain hemispheres for short-term memory. - Aging leads to greater emotional resilience and reduced reactivity to negative stimuli. - Menopause can affect brain energy consumption and white matter volume. - Postmenopausal women may have higher structural connectivity in some brain regions. - Brain aging begins in the 30s and 40s and accelerates in the 60s and 70s. - Cerebral cortex thins, particularly in the frontal lobe and hippocampus. - White matter shrinks, and fewer chemical messengers like dopamine are produced. - Brain function changes as you age, impacting memory, emotions, and navigation. - Research indicates that brain activity may continue for minutes after the heart stops when you die. - Near-death experiences may involve the brain recalling important life events. - Brain activity can persist even after clinical death. - Subscribing to The Economist for more content is promoted in the transcript. - Brain development continues even after birth. - Brain development affects behavior and emotional control. - The brain's ability to change and adapt is known as neuroplasticity. - Puberty brings significant changes in the limbic system and the prefrontal cortex. - Post-puberty, the brain continues to develop, and white matter volume increases. - Older adults show resilience to negative stimuli and changes in brain activity. - Menopause can affect brain energy consumption and white matter volume. - Brain aging starts in the 30s and 40s, accelerating in the 60s and 70s. - Cerebral cortex thins with age, affecting memory, emotions, and navigation. - Brain activity may persist after clinical death.

[@mamdaero_24]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@JimmyGeorgeB]

You are the best 🎉

[@hriday1341]

When 2x speed is also not enough

[@dk1828]

Thank you 🙏🏼 😊

[@osdenza2]

How can someone be this jobless?

[@juliek.2400]

The near-death memory flash doesn’t happen ONLY when you are about to die. One time we got into a car accident while waiting in a left-turn lane: I was in the passenger seat and saw a speeding car coming towards me. I remember seeing that car coming at me, but also seeing some big life events flashing by like silent film in front of me. Luckily the car turned its wheel a bit and ended up crashing the front wheel of my side as opposed to crash into me. The accident took place super fast: 5 to 8 seconds, probably, but I saw more than 5-8 life events flashing by. Before this accident, I thought the near-death memory flash happens when the brain was about to “shut off.” After this accident where I wasn’t hurt or didn’t lose any consciousness afterwards, I thought it may be some part of our brain, survival-related or stress-related, is activated for the purpose to either make us do something or help us ease the stress. Just my humble opinion, not backed by any science or research yet. My point: my experience convinced me that memory flash doesn’t happen only before death but when your brain is under a special type of stress.

[@i_accept_all_cookies]

We probably evolved this as a survival mechanism, early on in the development of life on earth. A very heightened attention, as if you're perceiving more "frames per second". And a higher memory recall, to see if there's anything you've experienced that can help you get out of this predicament. Those descendants who didn't evolve this way, didn't make it.

[@revenger211]

yes, that's what near death experience means..

[@stellarwind1946]

@@revenger211NDE is when you are resuscitated after heart stops.

[@josiaphus]

is "more than 5-8"....9?

[@IMAS7X]

Can’t agree more. Upon hearing the tragic death of my son’s classmate (aged 25) from medical college, the poem, “Richard Cory”, which I’d been trying hard to recall for a while, miraculously came back to me in a flash. May this young doctor, bearing striking similarities with Richard Cory in every grace, rest in peace.

[@dionwall5519]

Do one on what social media does to your brain

[@miscellaneousz2681]

Turns it into mushy peas

[@FunFactsFactoryYT]

@dionwall5519 Now that is interesting!

[@hellonomasonto]

I'd be genuinely interested in that one.

[@flyhis]

This was such a beautiful video. It felt like you were telling a story of a very charismatic character. So beautiful! Really inspiring! Thank you!

[@FunFactsFactoryYT]

@flyhis Love this

[@gma7205]

Great work! Incredibly well-crafted video, congratulations.

[@MissesWitch]

at the end of the video : "wow that's interesting" when i see the muscoskeleton talking to me: "don't do that, that's creepy"

[@diasboavidachavane9620]

One of the best documentaries i have ever seen, great job

[@antonypaulson5618]

We think we know so much, and we make assumptions based on this little knowledge. We haven’t even begun to scratch the surface when it comes to our brain function.

[@bobbeckstead8340]

And, these pop culture generalizations can be misleading to the uninformed. Such oversimplified presentations lead to the phenomenon of sophomorism whereby one "thinks" he understands, but doesn't. And, that is the foundation of foolishness. For examples, see many of the comments below where people have overstated psychological phenomena or jumped to outrageous inferences.

[@i_accept_all_cookies]

@@bobbeckstead8340 Foolishness is the foundation of wisdom, ignorance of understanding. I find it encouraging that people find this subject matter interesting, even if they extrapolate speculatively. At least they're exploring the subject and some may decide to learn even more.

[@osdenza2]

How do u know that?

[@nilkaur5445]

@@i_accept_all_cookies by the way of you think you know everything then why you watched this video and are using mobile phone man?this is life,if I'm wrong then please show me the path🙏

[@tamerali7631]

So, what do you suggest we should do with the little we know? And what can you contribute to this knowledge?

[@velvet1865]

Great vid. Alongside ability, there's experience. The video touches on it too, but that's key.

[@saranbhatia8809]

Great compilation and informative!

[@omeraksu8640]

ı agree

[@jeanlaurentpyndiah2634]

Thank you the Economist, great content

[@AManWithD]

You should add caption for these kinds of subjects because of advanced terms. Btw, great video tbh.❤

[@DESSERT_X]

Knowledge is Power. Beautiful video. Will share. Thank you.

[@untouchable360x]

Power is power.

[@DESSERT_X]

@@untouchable360x 100% :)

[@onecrem]

Thank you for the informative video of the brain🎉it is complex but practical to learn some specific vocab😅

[@andersjonsson8403]

Thanks a lot for this soo interesting video about our brain! You have now a new subskriber! 😊👍

[@Sujal-More]

Thanks A Million. Great Video made. I got Great Knowledge and it will help me.

[@protection4nature]

Thank you for this video. Would also appreciate if you review the captions as some word spelling is confusing for non-native English speakers. 👍

[@clarawu2348]

I did experience many emonitional swings as a teenager. Never thought this was caused by my brain.

[@oldtimer2192]

It’s “Emotional”, and yes our entire conscious experience is the brain’s interpretation of reality. Mood swings are essentially chemical imbalances.

[@Tommy_007]

You found it more likely that it was caused by your feet?

[@JohnD-do3ge]

@@Tommy_007😂stop

[@neptune1525]

@@Tommy_007 hahaha! Don't be mean!

[@sengsoipomoung-le1jr]

Thanku so much! Have a bright moments!

[@akashrathod595]

Very amazing & informative.

[@hasssan145]

Amazing documentary 👍

[@AVOWIRENEWS]

It's fascinating to think about how our brains evolve as we age! This topic is so relevant to everyone since aging is a universal experience. The changes in the brain over time can lead to a wealth of wisdom and a deepened understanding of the world. It's always intriguing to learn how our life experiences and knowledge shape our thinking and perspective. The continuous growth and adaptation of our brain throughout our lives is a testament to the incredible resilience and complexity of the human mind. Isn't it amazing how our brains keep developing and adapting at every stage of life? 🌟🧠✨

[@Alberto_Cavalcante]

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing!

[@morezco]

Great stuff, thank you!

[@RaqueldaCunha]

Really nice 👌

[@sivanandavelama1136]

VERY INFORMATIVE.....👍👍

[@diptanshukumarroy]

best one - "your brain flashes your life , before you die." seems philosophical .

[@anonymousanonymous31]

It's the brain looking through all your memories trying to find some way to save your life

[@sneakykidugo]

​@@anonymousanonymous31facts

[@juliek.2400]

How does physical exercises affect the emotion part of the brain? I know physical exercise make the brain think clearer, but I’ve also observed that I get upset and cranky easily if I don’t exercise for 5 days. Would love to hear about the scientific explanation. 🤓🤓

[@nayanvaishnavvv]

Exercise releases endorphins which improves one's mood exponentially

[@grannygrammar6436]

@@nayanvaishnavvv Somehat, but not exponentially. The improvement peters out in due course.

[@FutureAIDev2015]

That actually reminds me of how my mom and several of my doctors are struggling encouraging me to start exercising. It might actually help me handle life stress a lot better than I currently am.

[@schrodinger8568]

It's coz you use 🤓🤓 this one

[@FunFactsFactoryYT]

@juliek.2400 exercising releases endorphins, which your brain probably craves after 5 days 😁

[@magorzatawawer7136]

What about making a video on how to slow down the process?😊

[@mshark2205]

I guess it would come down to a few points: - Sleep. - Nutrition - Physical activity like walking - Learning something new - Brain and memory training like sudoku, chess, memory games - Limit alcohol and smoking

[@ANDROLOMA]

One of the best, most interesting videos I've ever seen. Very liked.

[@baixing37]

Anazing explanation ❤

[@muralidharagv]

Informative.

[@GeraldL8]

For someone who has experienced sleep paralysis on multiple occasions, that last part of the video sounds genuinely terrifying.

[@SoaresDean-ls2gl]

*Hey I'll refer you to this dude online who guided me through my first ever experience,he got all kinds of psychedelic stuffs and he also ship discreetly to any location***

[@SoaresDean-ls2gl]

He's on telegram>>>

[@SoaresDean-ls2gl]

Coldtrips ✓✓✓

[@lightlingzooma-69]

recap of video: Happy at start and in the middle and then sad at the end and then happy again

[@abinayasripathy3841]

Super useful video. Thanks

[@jeremyhodge6216]

Very nice video I'm glad I saw it 😌

[@luciagarcia5821]

2 weeks after conception Amazing!!

[@roz1]

Beautiful video

[@kevinkane1405]

Really great video

[@stevendomenech7405]

Excellent video

[@jeffmcguire5092]

Very educational.

[@putrasty]

I just can't imagine going to sleep and never wake up ever again 😢

[@sameerapprevieww]

Thx for the video. I was wanted to know what happens with our brain when we age.

[@SoaresDean-ls2gl]

*Hey I'll refer you to this dude online who guided me through my first ever experience,he got all kinds of psychedelic stuffs and he also ship discreetly to any location***

[@SoaresDean-ls2gl]

He's on telegram………………

[@SoaresDean-ls2gl]

Coldtrips ✓✓✓

[@ludologian]

I think some studies suggest that the brain still can create neurons( or develop )even after 30.

[@adnanbashir4304]

Amazing 😍

[@thirsupitishanti9107]

Thanks from thailand

[@ahmedsuliman9067]

Great videos

[@checkyourbackash7082]

I also heard about the “ by chance “ record said , seems the brain who near die also recall “ happiness memory “ only , if I’m remembering correctly.

[@mukilanru]

I don't know if my experience was real or I was only hearing, when I passed out after blood donation, I experienced like a dream. Forgot after getting conscious again.

[@midcenturymoldy]

What has happened to my brain as I’ve aged? I can’t remember.

[@YuliaGrushevskaya-bi6he]

😊passionate subject

[@jimscheltens2647]

Very well done

[@user-gs1op8sj2q]

Thank you for the informative video of the brain.

[@SoaresDean-ls2gl]

*Hey I'll refer you to this dude online who guided me through my first ever experience,he got all kinds of psychedelic stuffs and he also ship discreetly to any location***

[@SoaresDean-ls2gl]

He's on telegram…………

[@SoaresDean-ls2gl]

Coldtrips

[@user-sh6ms9oz5t]

10 minutes 38 seconds is the maximum time a human brain can remain active after death, according to the research. Turkish author Elif Shafak wrote a novel ‘10 minutes 38 seconds in this strange world’ after she learnt about it. The protagonist dies in the beginning and the rest of the book is a 10-minute 38-second flashback of her life.

[@jackbare4833]

What is the significance or use of having that 10-minute break if it is going to be extinct?

[@chrisadamudu6521]

Scary. When they said you see your life flash by before you die.

[@stinger4712]

This is the type of doci you'd expect from BBC and David Attenborough.

[@toddboothbee1361]

Apparently cognitive processing speed doesn't slow quite as soon as indicated on this doc.

[@John.bww03]

Great video but the end was kinda weird

[@MufazaPT]

This explains why I barely have emotions, my single mom died when I was 11, jumped from living with my grandparents to auties then to my dad, jumping from school to school, guess my brain adapted to it. Interesting actually

[@huongquan259]

Great!

[@weeeeeoow]

_this could be a movie_

[@almondlam6949]

Very interesting

[@lovecupcakex642]

Cool video

[@banicata]

I'm confused on what you mean about those that don't go through menopause. Do you mean women that go through menopause later or earlier or are done with it or what?

[@alessandrof.6546]

I think they mean people that don't experience menopause, like males and women that had their ovaries removed for some reason.

[@banicata]

@@alessandrof.6546 but if a woman has her ovaries removed won't she just go through menopause at that time??

[@stellarwind1946]

Yes they made it sound very arbitrary.

[@anonymousanonymous31]

Some women have their ovaries removed before menopause, thus never experiencing it, for example due to ovarian cancer.

[@banicata]

@@anonymousanonymous31 but in this case they just go through menopause earlier, no?

[@alokyadav-ye2xw]

Brain working even after u are dead is scary😢

[@cushconsultinggroup]

It’s very scary. This explains why Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) advised to pray for relief from the punishment of the grave. In Arabic it’s called “azabil qabr” عذاب القبر In essence we can’t really run away from our problems because they even follow you to your grave, so better to use your time while alive and cognizant working things out and returning to your Creator.

[@fpalenciafp]

It shows how hard we try to survive even after having zero chance of survival

[@ambbarofficial]

“… for *_those_* who go through the menopause….” 😂😂😂

[@paulgilbert2506]

Cant call them women... that would be assuming gender

[@stoomkracht]

The feel the urge to sugarcoat everything in this broad and generalizing video. We don't know shet.

[@Jesuislynda]

It is so interesting

[@malinichaturvedi7455]

How does a hydrocephalus develop?

[@vonoxid]

That expressive face under strobe light in combination with pulse audio was creeping me tf out! In future productions, strongly refrain from using such methods to convey an image!

[@robnewman6101]

Interesting.

[@off00120]

So the brain makes a summary of your life when you die😊

[@Mrdresden]

Great. Now I'm imagining that every human that has ever died in the history of humanity is screaming internally for a few minutes as the realization of their death sets in, but there is nothing they can do about it but contemplate it as the oxygen runs out. Fun times ahead!

[@stoomkracht]

Depends when and how and many other things. Can be like if you can't stay awake and fall asleep. Anyway, where are you when you sleep? Your consciousness? When not dreaming?

[@anonymous_anonymity]

I am trying hard to find a connection between the stock market and this video. Please help me.

[@SoaresDean-ls2gl]

*Hey I'll refer you to this dude online who guided me through my first ever experience,he got all kinds of psychedelic stuffs and he also ship discreetly to any location*

[@SoaresDean-ls2gl]

He's on telegram>>>

[@SoaresDean-ls2gl]

Coldtrips

[@shantanupanwar6164]

Horror clip at the end

[@user-ul5pt1yb8z]

Thanks a lot

[@SoaresDean-ls2gl]

*Hey I'll refer you to this dude online who guided me through my first ever experience,he got all kinds of psychedelic stuffs and he also ship discreetly to any location**

[@SoaresDean-ls2gl]

He's on telegram]]]]]]]]]]]

[@SoaresDean-ls2gl]

Coldtrips

[@user-ej5gx7ph7q]

Unfortunately poverty creates an unhealthy environment for neural development, and in the global economy most people end up in poverty...

[@ANDROLOMA]

Brother, I have lived the truth of your assertion. Mired in poverty from my first days, and it was a hard crawl up from that pit.

[@user-ej5gx7ph7q]

@@ANDROLOMA much harder than us thought, and that is one of the many reasons this system that requires the construction of poverty for zero sum success, needs to be intelligently dismantled and replaced

[@ma2i485]

@@user-ej5gx7ph7q and i just wonder will that ever happen when the current global superpower sustains the privileges of its middle and higher class citizens at the cost of cheap foreign production and labour

[@user-ej5gx7ph7q]

@@ma2i485 the idea for some of us and that number is growing is to change direction that is what the Green New Deal begins. But, you have a key point, super powers ducking up everything for empire has to end, if humans are to be successful in the long term

[@anderbeau]

Your brain at birth: On Your brain when you die: Off Done

[@davidfolts5893]

It shrinks about 25%.

[@fpalenciafp]

I was thinking are the neurons pulses what creates an image in our heads

[@maheshgavaskar8093]

Excellent

[@jkyoft78]

The brain re-animates after death...zombie.

[@ocr5515]

how does the brain change from learning to autopilot mode with age - all mastery is effectively learning transferred to autopilot by repetition and grit - those who strain mentally remain in learning mode and much of it is unpleasant

[@SoaresDean-ls2gl]

*Hey I'll refer you to this dude online who guided me through my first ever experience,he got all kinds of psychedelic stuffs and he also ship discreetly to any location**

[@SoaresDean-ls2gl]

He's on telegram¿¿

[@SoaresDean-ls2gl]

Coldtrips

[@adnanbashir4304]

Love 🥰 it video

[@user-go6il2tm4b]

I wanna watch this but my english is not enough.. 😢😢

[@user-ok3dy5su8s]

Brain and psychology

[@adnanbashir4304]

Need all

[@JoshuaDHarvey]

Thanks

[@SoaresDean-ls2gl]

*Hey I'll refer you to this dude online who guided me through my first ever experience,he got all kinds of psychedelic stuffs and he also ship discreetly to any location**

[@SoaresDean-ls2gl]

He's on telegram>>>

[@SoaresDean-ls2gl]

Coldtrips ✓✓✓

[@catherinegarrido5876]

Fascinating

[@SoaresDean-ls2gl]

*Hey I'll refer you to this dude online who guided me through my first ever experience,he got all kinds of psychedelic stuffs and he also ship discreetly to any location**

[@SoaresDean-ls2gl]

He's on telegram¿¿?

[@SoaresDean-ls2gl]

Coldtrips

[@MrWhatever1234567]

What I don’t get is how do we grow. Cause I used to be a little kid but now I’m an old man. Where did I go?

[@gamma4053]

Keep doing cardio exercises for slowing down your brain's aging. Also don't sit down above 10hrs per day it increases dementia by %8.

[@SoaresDean-ls2gl]

*Hey I'll refer you to this dude online who guided me through my first ever experience,he got all kinds of psychedelic stuffs and he also ship discreetly to any location**

[@SoaresDean-ls2gl]

He's on telegram>>>

[@SoaresDean-ls2gl]

Coldtrips

[@monikabille2716]

Brain development starts at 2 weeks after conception. That means waaaaay before birth takes place.

[@nasrinmita1329]

how can we improve our brain power at the stage of 30..❤

[@abdirisaaqalto4741]

exercise 3 days a week solving puzzles and prayer

[@kprabhakar975]

🎉Great video

[@kenneththomson9344]

6:19 really?????

[@J-tt1lu]

6:30 6:35

[@christiansoto6396]

1:56 AMOG US‼

[@ChaseL25]

Love this channel

[@Dana_inc]

No one should hit someone in their head!

[@fishisnotfishfish2267]

It goes down In function enough said lol

[@SoaresDean-ls2gl]

*Hey I'll refer you to this dude online who guided me through my first ever experience,he got all kinds of psychedelic stuffs and he also ship discreetly to any location***

[@SoaresDean-ls2gl]

He's on telegram>>>

[@SoaresDean-ls2gl]

Coldtrips

[@natasaboroti1608]

It’s unbelievable how can our brain will be developed!

[@SoaresDean-ls2gl]

*Hey I'll refer you to this dude online who guided me through my first ever experience,he got all kinds of psychedelic stuffs and he also ship discreetly to any location***

[@SoaresDean-ls2gl]

He's on telegram]]]]]]]]]]]]

[@SoaresDean-ls2gl]

Coldtrips ✓✓✓