Neuroplasticity: A New Metaphor for Rewiring Your Brain

Before we could peek inside brains without a scalpel, folks thought once our noggins wired up, that was it—set in stone! They said mental health troubles were just wonky brain chemistry, and a pill was the cure-all. Turns out, not so much. Meds might take the edge off, but true healing? That's a whole different ballgame.

Finally, science caught up with what therapists knew all along: our brains are like Play-Doh, not concrete. We can mold 'em, shape 'em, and even sprout new pathways. It's called neuroplasticity, and it's our brain's superpower.

Think of it like hiking through the woods. Your brain loves a good beaten path—easy, familiar, like a well-worn trail. Even if that trail leads to a pit of despair, we stick to it, 'cause hey, at least it's a familiar pit. But breaking free from those old routes? Like bushwhacking through the Amazon. It's tough, it's messy, but darn it, it's worth it.

Now, I've got a different brain metaphor for ya. Picture this: a 100-year-old house with ancient wiring. When I heard I had to rewire, I freaked—ripping out walls, sky-high bills, the works. But my contractor had a trick: we kept the old wires and snuck in some shiny new ones. Same house, new vibe, way less mess.

That's neuroplasticity in action, my friends. We don't erase the old, we upgrade it. Sure, those old thought wires still spark now and then, but we've got a safer, shinier system in place.

So, here's the deal: you can stick to the old wiring, play with fire, or upgrade to the modern setup. Your call.

And hey, there's this idea of being "recovered." Some folks swear by it, but truth is, those old paths? They'll always be there, like a stubborn stain. But with time and some TLC, they fade into the background, 'til one day, you hardly notice 'em. It might also be worth checking out what is being done with psychedelics and other alternative medicines and the research being done by John's Hopkins and others. Even treatment modalities like the Jedi master tricks trained licensed therapists do with EMDR can help with the more pesky traumatic triggers.

There are a host of healthy wellness practices that get to the same place. To name a few: meditation, prayer, gratitude, laughter, effective affirmations, yoga, exercise and the list goes on and on.......

So, here's your daily brain workout/meditative thought: Today, I'm going to trust in my brain's remodeling skills and the healing power of my Higher Power, lean on my crew of wise friends when things get hairy, and keep the fire extinguisher handy, just in case.