Now there is still some controversy over what enhances or strengthens this environment, but as I stated earlier no one questions the benefits of exercise and an enriched environment. So lets start here with exercise and environmental richness.
John Ratey in his book "Spark" states on page 51 "if we are going to have new cells, we'll need fertilizer for them, and from the get-go neurogenesis researchers have been into BDNF." (brain derived neurotrophic factor).
He states that it is Miracle Grow for making new brain cells. He also says that "BDNF gathers in reserve pools near the synapses and is released when we get our blood pumping." When we exercise.
There are literally thousands of animal and human studies that go on and on about the benefits of exercise for enhancing the brain. I am sure everyone remembers the memory experiment done by Fred Cage's lab at the Salk Institute wherein they exercised some mice and not others. They then submerged a small platform on which the mice could stand without constantly swimming. The exercised group once they ascertained its location in subsequent swims, swam directly to it; they remembered. Not so with the sedentary group.
Further several neuroscientists and lay people (myself included), believe that a rich environment; one that promotes new learning, challenge and repetition also builds new neuronal connections and strengthens existing ones. Experience seems to generate neuronal networks and strengthen LTP.
Further -- Lawrence Katz in his book Keep Your Brain Alive coins the term 'Neurobics' which is kind of an aerobic workout for your head.
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He convincingly contends that some very basic activites done in new ways will create neurotrophins. He states that,“ Neurotrophins are a family of proteins that enhance the survival, development and function of neurons.”
Three criteria must be satisfied to ensure an activity is neurobic
1. Involve one or more of your senses in a novel context. 2. Engage your attention. 3. Break a routine activity in an unexpected, novel way (novelty just for it's own sake is not highly neurobic). So think neurobically and exercise aerobically.
