Unleash your brain's FULL POTENTIAL

Summary

In this neuroscience-focused video, Dr. Sidhart Warrior, a neurologist, discusses the concept of neuroplasticity and how anyone can enhance their brain's capabilities regardless of age. He outlines five key functions of the prefrontal cortex, including goal-directed behavior, pattern recognition, language, inhibition, and movement, and provides practical exercises to strengthen each area. From adding timers to to-do lists for better prediction to practicing speech and physical exercises for enhanced motor control, the video offers actionable tips to improve focus, creativity, and productivity.

Takeaways

• 🧠 Everyone starts with the same brain structure, but capabilities can vary due to differences in brain function.
• 🌟 Neuroplasticity allows anyone at any age to learn skills and improve their brain capabilities.
• 👨‍⚕️ Dr. Sidhart Warrior, a neurologist, discusses how to train the brain to be more productive.
• 🎯 The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is a key area of the brain for planning, attention, and risk assessment.
• 📅 Goal-directed behavior involves planning and predicting actions, which can be improved by using timers on to-do lists.
• 🧩 Pattern recognition is a function of the PFC, and can be practiced through puzzles and games like Sudoku and crosswords.
• 🗣️ The PFC's language area can be strengthened by practicing speech and writing, such as journaling.
• 🚫 Inhibition, or the ability to say no, is crucial for sticking to goals and can be developed through practice.
• 👀 The PFC controls eye and body movement, and exercises like the candle test can help improve focus and attention.
• 🏃 Movement and physical exercise are essential for building neural networks related to the PFC, and can also boost motivation through dopamine spikes.
• 🚀 A simple hack for increasing motivation is to take a short walk, which can elevate dopamine levels and help kickstart productivity.

Q & A

Do all humans have the same number of neurons in their brains?

Yes, according to the script, everyone is born with approximately 100 billion neurons in their brain.

What is the role of the prefrontal cortex in the brain?

The prefrontal cortex, especially the frontopolar area, is responsible for planning ahead, predicting future actions, and is involved in goal-directed behavior.

How can one practice pattern recognition to strengthen the prefrontal cortex?

Playing games like jigsaw puzzles, Rubik's Cube, Sudoku, and solving crossword puzzles can help practice pattern recognition and strengthen the prefrontal cortex.

What is the function of the 'broadcast area' in the prefrontal cortex?

The 'broadcast area' in the prefrontal cortex is responsible for determining what words to use and what to say, which is crucial for language processing.

How can journaling or writing down thoughts help in strengthening the prefrontal cortex?

Journaling or writing down thoughts can strengthen the broadcast area of the prefrontal cortex, which is involved in language and speech.

What is the role of the prefrontal cortex in inhibiting actions or saying 'no'?

The prefrontal cortex helps in developing the ability to inhibit actions or say 'no', which is crucial for sticking to one's goals and resisting distractions.

How can practicing saying 'no' to small things improve self-control?

Practicing saying 'no' to small things can strengthen the neural network responsible for inhibition, leading to better self-control and focus on goals.

What are the two movement areas in the prefrontal cortex and their functions?

The two movement areas are the visual eye field, which controls eye movement, and the primary motor cortex, which controls the movement of the rest of the body.

What is the 'candle test' and how can it help in strengthening attention networks?

The 'candle test' involves gazing at a candle flame without letting the eyes move or flicker away. This exercise can strengthen attention networks by improving focus and concentration.

How does physical exercise affect the primary motor cortex and motivation levels?

Physical exercise helps build the neural networks in the primary motor cortex and can increase dopamine levels, which in turn can boost motivation levels.

What is the 'kickstarter strategy' mentioned in the script and how does it work?

The 'kickstarter strategy' refers to the act of moving, such as walking and swinging arms, to increase dopamine levels in the brain, which can help in boosting motivation when feeling low.

Outlines

00:00

🧠 Unlocking Brain Potential Through Neuroplasticity

The video script introduces the concept of neuroplasticity and its implications for brain development. Dr. Sidhart Warrior, a neurologist, explains that despite all humans having the same number of neurons, some brains are more capable due to differences in focus and creativity. The script emphasizes that anyone can improve their brain function through learning and training. It also introduces the prefrontal cortex (PFC) as a key area for enhancing productivity, outlining five specific functions of the PFC that can be improved: goal-directed behavior, pattern recognition, language, inhibition, and movement. The importance of prediction, practicing cognitive games, journaling, and physical exercise is highlighted as methods to strengthen these areas.

05:00

🏋️‍♂️ Boosting Motivation and Brain Function with Movement

The second paragraph delves into the role of movement in enhancing brain function, particularly the PFC. It discusses the link between physical activity and dopamine spikes, which are crucial for motivation. The 'kickstarter strategy' is introduced as a method to increase motivation by simply moving, which in turn raises dopamine levels in the brain. The summary also mentions the importance of eye and body movement exercises, such as the candle test and trataka meditation, to strengthen attention networks and the primary motor cortex. The paragraph concludes with a reminder of the video's educational purpose and an invitation for viewers to engage with the content by liking and subscribing to the channel.

Keywords

💡Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's ability to change and adapt in response to experiences, learning, and environmental stimuli. In the video, it is highlighted as a positive attribute that allows individuals to learn new skills and improve their cognitive abilities at any age, emphasizing the potential for personal growth and development.

💡Prefrontal Cortex

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is a part of the brain that is highly evolved and associated with higher cognitive functions such as decision-making, planning, and sustained attention. The video discusses the importance of training the PFC to enhance productivity and outlines specific strategies to improve its functions.

💡Goal Directed Behavior

Goal directed behavior involves planning and executing actions to achieve specific objectives. The video script mentions that the frontopolar area of the PFC is responsible for this, emphasizing the role of prediction in strengthening this area of the brain.

💡Pattern Recognition

Pattern recognition is the ability to identify regularities or patterns in information, which is crucial for understanding complex situations. The video suggests that engaging in activities like puzzles and Sudoku can enhance this skill, thereby improving the PFC's function.

💡Language

Language in the context of the video refers to the cognitive processes involved in understanding and producing speech. The script highlights the 'broadcast area' in the PFC, which is responsible for language, and suggests that activities like journaling and public speaking can strengthen this area.

💡Inhibition

Inhibition in the video is described as the ability to resist distractions and maintain focus on goals. It is linked to the PFC's role in saying 'no' to distractions, which is crucial for sticking to a path and achieving goals.

💡Movement

Movement, as discussed in the video, involves the control of eye and body movements, which are linked to the PFC. Exercises like the candle test and physical activities are suggested to strengthen these neural networks and improve focus and motivation.

💡Dopamine

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and motivation. The video script explains that movement can trigger dopamine spikes, which can increase motivation. This is referred to as the 'kickstarter strategy' for boosting motivation.

💡Journaling

Journaling is the act of writing down thoughts and experiences. The video suggests that this activity can strengthen the 'broadcast area' in the PFC, thereby improving language skills and cognitive function.

💡Trataka Meditation

Trataka meditation is a yogic practice that involves focusing on a single point, such as a candle flame, to improve concentration and mental clarity. The video script mentions this as a method to strengthen the visual eye field and the PFC.

💡Kickstarter Strategy

The 'kickstarter strategy' is a term coined in the video to describe the act of moving briefly to increase dopamine levels and boost motivation. It illustrates a practical application of the connection between physical movement and cognitive function.

Highlights

Everyone is born with a similar brain structure, having 100 billion neurons, yet there are differences in capabilities such as focus and creativity.

Neuroplasticity allows individuals of any age to learn skills that can enhance their brain's capabilities.

Dr. Sidhart Warrior, a neurologist, discusses how to improve brain productivity through training the prefrontal cortex.

The prefrontal cortex is responsible for planning, sustained attention, and risk assessment.

Training the prefrontal cortex involves understanding its five key functions: goal-directed behavior, pattern recognition, language, inhibition, and movement.

Goal-directed behavior involves planning and predicting outcomes, which can be practiced by adding timers to to-do lists.

Pattern recognition can be improved by playing games like jigsaw puzzles, Rubik's Cube, Sudoku, and crossword puzzles.

Language skills in the prefrontal cortex can be strengthened through journaling, speaking, and teaching complex subjects.

Inhibition is the ability to say no, which can be practiced by resisting temptations and distractions.

Movement training includes eye exercises like the candle test and physical exercises to strengthen the prefrontal cortex.

Dopamine spikes from movement can increase motivation, a strategy referred to as the 'kickstarter strategy'.

The 'kickstarter strategy' suggests that a short walk can boost motivation by increasing dopamine levels.

Physical exercise helps build neural networks in the primary motor cortex, part of the prefrontal cortex.

Yogic meditation practices like trataka can improve attention networks by maintaining gaze on a focal point.

Solving Sudoku and crosswords can delay the onset of memory problems in older individuals.

The broadcast area in the PFC is responsible for language formulation and can be enhanced through speech and writing practice.

The lyic system, an older part of the brain, is constantly seeking pleasure or avoiding harm, often distracting from goals.

Strengthening the prefrontal cortex can lead to improved productivity and cognitive abilities.

Transcripts

everyone's born with the same brain

right all brains have 100 billion

neurons so why are some brains more

capable than others some people are able

to focus more be more creative While

others procrastinate struggle with

everyday tasks why is there so much

difference the good news is that because

of

neuroplasticity anyone at any age can

learn skills that can make them as good

as anyone else and that is what we are

going to talk about in today's video hi

everyone I'm DR sidhart warrior I'm a

neurologist and welcome back to my

YouTube channel where we talk about

neuroscience and everything if you

haven't subscribed to it yet consider

doing so you will find more such videos

on your timeline and that'll only

benefit you so if you've been following

my channel you already know that the

prefrontal cortex in your brain is the

most evolved part of the brain and it is

responsible for some very important

tasks like planning your future or

sustained attention or even calculating

the risk of something bad happening to

you so if you want to train your brain

to become more productive you are

actually training your prefrontal cortex

so let's understand five things that

your prefrontal cortex does and how you

can improve each one of them number one

is goal directed Behavior the prefrontal

cortex are specifically a part called a

frontop polar area in the PFC is

responsible for planning ahead this part

has the job of planning what you will do

later and also predicting how will you

do it and the key word here is

prediction the better you are able to

predict your own behavior the stronger

your prefrontal cortex gets a simple way

to do this is to add a timer to all your

to-do lists and predict how much time

will it take for you to complete a

particular task the second thing that

your PFC does is pattern recognition

your PFC has the job of quickly

analyzing a situation breaking it down

into smaller parts and putting it

together to understand a situation in

its own way how you can practice this is

by playing games like jigsaw puzzles

Rubik's Cube and even games like Sudoku

and solving crossword puzzles Studies

have found that older people who solve

Sudoku and crosswords have a later onset

of memory problems like dementia and

Alzheimer's disease the third thing that

your PFC does is language there's an

area in the PFC called broadcast area

which is responsible for figuring out

what words you are going to use and what

will you say the way to make this area

stronger is to practice speech and

writing I've made a video already on how

you should Journal so if you want to see

that you can check it out here but today

I'm here to tell you that the act of

journaling or writing down your thoughts

is a way to strengthen your broadcast

area so the more you speak up out

complex things the more you teach other

people or the more you write abstract

thoughts the stronger the language area

becomes and the stronger your PFC

becomes the fourth thing that your PFC

does is inhibition or in other words it

develops the ability to say no now

remember that the lyic system which is

the old part of your brain is constantly

chasing after something that is

pleasurable or running away from things

that it considers as a harm in other

words it is constantly trying to sway

your attention from your goal now the

only way that the PFC can stick to its

path is if it develops the ability to

say no now the good news is that the

ability to say no is a neural network

just like anything else the more you

practice saying no the easier it becomes

so practice saying no to small things to

everyday things for example go to a

supermarket take a walk and don't buy

anything and come out or the next time

you feel like binge eating something eat

one chip and put the packet away

practice saying no to yourself more and

more and you will see how much more in

control you feel and finally the fifth

thing that your PFC does is movement

your prefrontal cortex has two movement

areas one is the visual eye field which

controls where your eyes will go and the

other is the primary motor cortex which

controls the rest of your body's

movement the more you practice these two

movements the strong stronger your PFC

gets so how do you control your eye

movement a simple eye exercise is the

candle test put a candle in front of you

and gaze at the flame and do not let

your eyes move or flicker away from it

the longer you're able to hold your gaze

the stronger your attention networks

become there's a yogic meditation

practice called trataka meditation which

talks about the exact same thing try it

out and tell me how long you are able to

maintain your Gaze on the candle flame

when it comes to your body's movement

and your primary motor cortex all forms

of physical exercise helps build those

networks now here's a very important

point that I wanted to share with you

all movement is based on dopamine spikes

now you know that dopamine is the

pleasure or motivation chemical so here

is a very simple hack for anytime you

feel that you are low on motivation just

get up walk for a minute swinging your

arms and come back and sit and see if

your motivation level has changed what

happens is just by the act of movement

the dopamine levels in your brain go up

and you will feel more motivated than

you did before I call this the

kickstarter strategy I compare it to

kickstarting a scooter that wouldn't

have started otherwise just by moving

you get more motivation try it out and

tell me if this works for you so these

are five different training techniques

for you to try at home to strengthen

your prefrontal cortex I hope this video

was useful if you liked it hit the like

button subscribe to the channel it means

a lot to me and I will see you guys in

the next one bye everyone take care