Neuroplasticity
The brain's ability to physically change its structure and neural connections in response to experience and learning — documented on imaging even in adults, not just in childhood.
Number of studies
1
Safety
Moderate
Time to effects
Noticeable, imaging-measurable structural changes usually require months to years of intensive, regular practice.
Who it's for
Table of contents
TL;DR
The brain's ability to physically change its structure and neural connections in response to experience and learning — documented on imaging even in adults, not just in childhood.
- →Proves that the brain's capacity to learn and adapt persists throughout adult life, not just in childhood
- →Explains why long-term, engagement-demanding skills (language, music, navigation) change brain structure
- →Points to sleep, physical exercise, and learning as factors that strengthen neuroplasticity through a shared mechanism (BDNF)
| Intervention type | A biological property of the brain, not a single intervention |
|---|---|
| Level of evidence | Strong — documented on imaging (MRI) across many independent studies |
| Target group | Anyone learning new skills, regardless of age |
| Time to effects | Noticeable structural changes usually require months to years of intensive practice |
| Preparation needed | Not applicable — a process that occurs naturally with appropriate stimulation |
| Status | A well-documented biological phenomenon, an active subject of neuroscience research |
Understand
Overview
Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to reorganize its structure and function in response to experience, learning, or injury — encompassing both the formation of new synaptic connections and, in certain regions, the creation of new neurons. For most of the 20th century, the prevailing view was that the adult human brain was structurally 'fixed' and that the capacity for change was limited to childhood — today we know that this is a simplification.
One of the most famous imaging studies found that in London taxi drivers, who memorize a detailed map of the city over years of practice, the posterior hippocampus (a structure responsible for spatial memory) was significantly larger than in non-drivers, and its size correlated with years of professional experience. This is one of the most compelling pieces of evidence that intensive, long-term learning physically changes the structure of the adult human brain.
Who can genuinely benefit from this? Anyone who wants to deliberately invest in learning new skills at any age — neuroplasticity means that the capacity to learn doesn't end in childhood, though its pace and scope naturally decline with age. This is not, however, proof of the effectiveness of commercial 'brain training' sold as a universal tool for improving intelligence — the strongest evidence concerns specific skills that require long-term engagement, not short games on an app.
Mechanism of action
At the cellular level, neuroplasticity involves several mechanisms: strengthening or weakening existing synaptic connections (synaptic plasticity), forming entirely new connections between neurons, and, in limited brain regions (including the hippocampus), generating new neurons through a process called adult neurogenesis. Repeated activation of specific neural pathways — for example, through learning a new skill — strengthens these connections according to the principle 'neurons that fire together, wire together.'
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a key role in this process — it supports neuron survival, the formation of new synaptic connections, and neurogenesis. Physical exercise, sleep, and intensive learning increase its secretion, which partly explains why these lifestyle factors support cognitive abilities independently of one another.
Synaptic plasticity
Repeated activation of neural pathways strengthens existing synaptic connections.
Formation of new connections
Intensive learning leads to the formation of entirely new connections between neurons.
Adult neurogenesis
In limited brain regions, including the hippocampus, new neurons are generated throughout adult life.
Role of BDNF
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor supports neuron survival and the formation of new connections, boosted by physical exercise and sleep.
Evidence: strong — based on 1 study in this database.
Benefits
Common myths
MythThe brain's capacity to learn ends in childhood.
FactImaging studies, including the one on London taxi drivers, have shown measurable structural changes in the adult brain in response to intensive, long-term learning.
MythShort, commercial 'brain training' apps significantly improve overall intelligence.
FactThe strongest evidence for neuroplasticity concerns the long-term mastery of specific, complex skills (language, navigation, music), not short training-game sessions.
Practice
Frequently asked questions
Yes, the pace and scope of neuroplasticity naturally decline with age, but the capacity for structural brain change persists throughout adult life.
The evidence is much weaker than for the long-term mastery of real, complex skills — the effects of commercial apps are often limited to the specific game being played, without transferring to general cognitive abilities.
A combination of regular physical exercise, good-quality sleep, and long-term, engagement-demanding learning of new skills has the strongest support in research.
Dosage & timing
Typical dose
Not applicable — a biological property, not an intervention with dosing
Form
Not applicable
The strongest evidence concerns long-term, engagement-demanding learning of specific skills, not short-lived 'brain games.'
Best times to take it
- Not applicable
Safety
Side effects & contraindications
Possible side effects
Not applicable — this entry describes a biological property, not an intervention
Contraindications
Not applicable
Interactions
Not directly applicable
Is it worth taking?
Who it's for
- Anyone learning new, engagement-demanding skills, regardless of age
- People interested in neuroscience and the mechanisms of learning
Not for
- Not applicable
Evidence
Worth knowing
The 2000 study of London taxi drivers is one of the most frequently cited pieces of evidence for neuroplasticity in adults.
BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) rises after physical exercise, which partly explains the link between physical activity and cognitive function.
Studies
The posterior hippocampus in London taxi drivers was significantly larger than in a control group, and its volume correlated with years spent in the profession — evidence that intensive spatial learning physically changes the structure of the adult human brain.
Maguire EG et al., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), 2000
Navigation-Related Structural Change in the Hippocampi of Taxi Drivers
Strong evidenceMaguire EG, Gadian DG, Johnsrude IS, et al. · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) · 2000
An imaging study showing a larger posterior hippocampal volume in London taxi drivers compared with a control group, correlating with years of professional experience.
View studySources & bibliography
Citations are illustrative for this demo version and require full bibliographic verification by the editorial team before production publication.
Compare with similar entries
About the authors of this entry
Author
dr Anna KowalczykEditor-in-Chief, Molecular Biology
Anna oversees the editorial process and scientific review of every publication in the knowledge base. She previously researched autophagy and mitochondrial biology.
50 publications on this site
Medical review
Julia WiśniewskaEditor, Neurohacking & Sleep
Julia writes about nootropics, chronobiology and recovery protocols.
45 publications on this site
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Comments (2)
- KW
Kasia W. 2 weeks ago
Very clearly explained, especially the interactions section — I hadn't seen it laid out this well anywhere else.
- MT
Marek T. a month ago
Are you planning to update this with the newest study from this year? I saw an interesting meta-analysis.