A neurologist has named the age when the brain works best

neurologist, neurophysiologist, scientific director of the Clinic of Restorative Neurology

The brain is capable of changing throughout life, as brain cells reorganize their functions according to age. So what is the most productive period for the human brain?

We consume an enormous amount of information in a day, and each of us goes to bed with the phrase “brains are boiling” when we get home. Day in and day out, we are faced with new tasks, situations, and problems that obviously put the gray matter to work. With the increasing pace of life, we keep looking for ways to increase our brain’s productivity.

Of course, we shouldn’t expect a magic pill like in the movie “Areas of Darkness”. The brain is one of the most difficult organs to study and learn all its functions, and, unfortunately, instructions for its use are not given from birth. But we managed to find answers to the questions of what period of life we are most productive and how to maintain effective brain function.

Learning ability

The maximum ability to learn falls before the age of 20, but this does not mean that then the brain can not perceive, analyze and remember information. If you constantly maintain this function, then cognition will also be preserved.

The fact is that neural connections are not formed in childhood. Therefore, the child’s brain does not yet analyze incoming information and responds to any information from the outside.

At first, the brain adapts to the information flow, learns to comprehend, so it is most prone to change (plastic). This has a negative feature – the brain can not yet separate information into positive and negative and perceives absolutely everything.

Children have excellent memory for images and numbers, and they also have quick visual-motor reactions in response to external stimuli.

Logical thinking ability

After 20-25 years of age, the ability to learn may decrease, and logical flexible thinking, as well as the creation of complex images, systematization of data in the training of these skills comes to the fore.

Since neural connections have already been formed, it becomes possible to accumulate life experiences. It is also important to keep the brain working to develop new neural connections: trying new hobbies, making new acquaintances, adapting to a new team when changing jobs.

The brain is still trying to retain the information it has received, but there is more and more of it. Its resources are not infinite. In order to prevent overload, some functions are slowed down. Because of this, it may take longer to learn new skills.

Much of adult life consists of habits. By performing the same actions, the brain does not spend a lot of resources on them, which is a very good thing. Energy is freed up to deal with other problems. It is worth understanding that the adult brain is the result of what was with him in childhood and adolescence: his actions, skills, knowledge, experience.

It is also worth noting such a process as neurogenesis in adults. It is responsible for increasing the number of neurons.

Neuroplasticity is important for learning and memory processes. This means that at any age it is possible to increase the productivity of the brain by learning new information and learning something new.

Brain training options

Avoid habits. Our brain likes to get used to a certain system. We memorize a certain chain of actions, store it in our memory and then act on “autopilot”. It is important to periodically change such chains and get out of the comfort zone. For example, take a new route on the way home or rearrange the house.

Read every day. No matter how many myths there are that reading has no effect on brain development – our gray matter needs to consume new information. When you read, your brain focuses on abstract signs and symbols (aka letters), synthesizes them into thoughts, and develops memory.

Don’t think. Yes, as strange as it may sound, it’s also good for your brain to rest. Sometimes you need to find 15-20 minutes a day to sit in silence, meditate, look at the birds in the park and do not load your brain with complex tasks. Most importantly, do not get carried away with “not thinking” – it is fraught with slowed reaction time.

The place of power is in the head

Our brain is one of the most important organs in the body: it is responsible for emotions, feelings, reactions, movements, behavior, perception and absorption of information.

Taking time to develop its productivity is necessary not only for general intellectual development, but also to prevent many diseases. Therefore, it requires special attention every day.