Neuroplasticity Depression (MUST SEE) How to Rewire Your Depressed Brain

Summary

This brain training video by Dave Asprey, a breakthrough mindset specialist, explores the concept of neuroplasticity as a means to overcome depression. He explains how negative thoughts can shape the brain, leading to depression and anxiety, and emphasizes that these patterns are not permanent. Asprey suggests practical steps to rewire the brain, such as writing down and replacing top ten depressing thoughts with positive ones, and practicing these new thoughts with emotion. The video encourages viewers to take control of their mental health without relying on medication, highlighting the power of self-talk and beliefs in shaping one's reality.

Takeaways

• 🧠 Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to change and remodel itself based on learning and experiences.
• 🌟 Depression and anxiety often go hand-in-hand, with negative thoughts and beliefs influencing brain chemistry and physical sensations.
• 💡 What we think and believe can have a profound impact on our mental and physical health, both chemically and epigenetically.
• 🌱 Depression and anxiety are not permanent states; they can be changed through awareness and practice of new thoughts and behaviors.
• 🤔 The brain creates neural networks based on repeated thoughts, which can reinforce negative attitudes and behaviors.
• 🔄 To change negative thought patterns, one must actively practice and rehearse new, positive thoughts and beliefs.
• 📝 Writing down and confronting one's top ten favorite depressing thoughts, then creating positive alternatives, is a suggested method for change.
• 🕒 Consistent practice of these new thoughts for a few minutes each day can help rewire the brain and change one's mindset.
• 🚫 Big pharmaceutical companies may not always provide the solution for depression; self-empowerment through mindset change is crucial.
• 🌱 Just as weeds can overtake a garden if only fed, negative thoughts can dominate the mind if not actively countered with positive ones.
• 🌟 The brain is capable of learning and adapting at any age, debunking old beliefs about a finite number of brain cells and declining IQ with age.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the brain training video?

The main focus of the video is to provide strategies to utilize the brain's neuroplasticity to overcome depression without the use of antidepressants.

What does the speaker mean by 'neuroplasticity'?

Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's ability to change and remodel itself in response to learning and experiences.

How does the speaker describe the feeling of depression?

The speaker describes depression as feeling lethargic, low-energy, losing interest in things that used to be enjoyable, and experiencing apathy towards things that normally matter.

What is the relationship between anxiety and depression according to the video?

The video suggests that anxiety and depression often go hand-in-hand, with depressed and anxious thoughts creating chemistry in the brain that the body then expresses.

How does the speaker define 'stinkin thinkin'?

'Stinkin thinkin' is a term used to describe negative, depressing thoughts that, when practiced and rehearsed, create neural networks or pathways in the brain.

What are the key ingredients for creating depression and anxiety as mentioned in the video?

The key ingredients for creating depression and anxiety are having a negative thought or belief, an emotional reaction to that thought or belief, and practicing it repeatedly over time.

How does the speaker suggest we change our mindset to overcome depression?

The speaker suggests writing down top ten favorite depressing thoughts and creating positive, present opposite versions of those thoughts, then practicing repeating these new thoughts with strong emotion.

What is the role of the subconscious mind in creating our reality according to the video?

The subconscious mind follows orders without judgment and creates our personal version of reality based on the thoughts, ideas, and beliefs we repeatedly tell ourselves.

What does the speaker suggest about the effectiveness of pharmaceutical drugs for depression?

The speaker suggests that while pharmaceutical drugs may suppress symptoms of depression, they do not put individuals in control of their own health or thinking and are not the solution to overcoming depression.

How does the speaker relate the concept of 'watering the weeds' to negative thoughts?

The speaker uses the metaphor of watering weeds to illustrate how focusing on and practicing negative thoughts can cause them to grow stronger, overshadowing the positive aspects of one's life.

What question does the speaker leave the audience with at the end of the video?

The speaker asks the audience to consider what three things they would change about themselves if they could, encouraging them to reflect on their own mindset and beliefs.

Outlines

00:00

🧠 Unlocking Neuroplasticity for Overcoming Depression

The speaker, Dave, introduces the concept of neuroplasticity and its role in depression. He shares personal experiences with depression and emphasizes the prevalence of the condition. Dave, a breakthrough mindset specialist, neuro-programmer, and mindset ER, explains that the brain can change and remodel itself based on learning and thoughts, which can lead to depression and anxiety. He discusses the negative impacts of persistent negative thoughts and beliefs on the brain's chemistry and function, and suggests that by changing these patterns, one can break free from depression without the need for antidepressants.

05:01

🌱 Cultivating a Positive Mindset to Starve 'Mental Weeds'

In this paragraph, the speaker uses the analogy of a garden to explain how focusing on negative thoughts is akin to watering weeds, allowing them to overtake one's mental landscape. He encourages viewers to stop feeding these 'weeds' by shifting their focus to positive self-talk and beliefs. Dave dispels old myths about a fixed number of brain cells and IQ decline with age, stressing the importance of changing one's belief system to adapt to new information. He provides practical steps to harness neuroplasticity: writing down negative thoughts and their positive opposites, practicing these new thoughts with emotion, and focusing on them consistently to rewire the brain towards a healthier mindset.

Keywords

💡Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's ability to change and remodel itself based on learning and experiences. It is central to the video's theme as it underpins the idea that our thoughts and behaviors can alter the brain's structure and function. The script mentions that neuroplasticity allows the brain to adapt to changes in our environment and our reactions to it, which is key to overcoming depression without medication.

💡Depression

Depression is a mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest, and low energy. The video discusses depression as a state that can be influenced by neuroplasticity. The script describes the personal experience of depression, including lethargy and apathy, and positions it as a condition that can be overcome through mental exercises and changing thought patterns.

💡Anxiety

Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. The script links anxiety with depression, suggesting they often occur together and are created by negative thought patterns. The video implies that by changing these patterns, one can affect the brain's chemistry and potentially alleviate both conditions.

💡Mindset

Mindset refers to a set of beliefs or attitudes that determine how an individual views the world and themselves. The video emphasizes the importance of a breakthrough mindset in overcoming depression. The speaker, Dave Asprey, identifies himself as a 'breakthrough mindset specialist,' indicating that changing one's mindset is a critical step in utilizing neuroplasticity to combat depression.

💡Neuroprogramming

Neuroprogramming is a concept that involves training the brain to think in new, more beneficial ways. The script does not explicitly define neuroprogramming, but it implies that the speaker uses techniques to reprogram negative thought patterns associated with depression and anxiety, suggesting a process of mental reconditioning.

💡Stinkin Thinkin

Stinkin Thinkin is a term used in the script to describe negative, depressing thoughts that can become habitual and impact one's attitude and perception of the world. The video suggests that by identifying and consciously changing these thought patterns, one can rewire the brain and improve mental health.

💡Subconscious Mind

The subconscious mind is the part of our consciousness that operates below the level of awareness but can influence our thoughts and behaviors. The script explains that negative thoughts and beliefs become ingrained in the subconscious mind, shaping our reality. Changing these subconscious inputs is presented as a way to change one's mental state.

💡Chemistry

In the context of the video, 'chemistry' refers to the brain's neurochemical processes that can be influenced by our thoughts and emotions. The script suggests that negative thoughts can chemically affect the brain and body, contributing to depression and anxiety, but also that positive thoughts can create a healthier state.

💡Epigenetics

Epigenetics is the study of changes in organisms caused by modification of gene expression rather than alteration of the genetic code itself. The video briefly touches on the idea that our thoughts and beliefs can have epigenetic effects, influencing the expression of genes related to mental health and physical well-being.

💡Practice

Practice, in the video, is portrayed as a tool for changing thought patterns and, by extension, brain structure and mental health. The script emphasizes the importance of consistent practice in reinforcing new, positive thoughts to counteract the effects of 'stinkin thinkin' and to create lasting change in one's mindset.

💡Weeds

The term 'weeds' is used metaphorically in the script to represent negative thoughts and behaviors. The video suggests that by 'watering the weeds' (feeding negative thoughts), they grow stronger, but by stopping this process, they wither, allowing for positive growth in one's mental landscape.

Highlights

Introduction to three key strategies to utilize neuroplasticity to combat depression.

Explanation of neuroplasticity: the brain's ability to change and adapt through learning and healing.

Correlation between anxiety and depression and how negative thinking can lead to these conditions.

Insight on how repeated negative thoughts create neural pathways in the brain, leading to automatic depressive responses.

Discussion on how the subconscious mind stores negative thoughts and how they become conditioned responses.

The concept of 'stinkin thinkin' and how negative thinking patterns impact one's perception and actions.

Practical steps to change harmful subconscious programming and replace it with positive thoughts.

Explanation that depression and anxiety are learned skills through negative thought patterns.

How practicing negative beliefs strengthens the brain's ability to produce anxiety and depression symptoms.

Comparison of negative thought practice to learning a new skill like playing the piano.

Critique of pharmaceutical solutions for depression and the emphasis on self-control over one's mental health.

Analogy of watering weeds to explain how negative thoughts can dominate one's mental landscape if not addressed.

Encouragement to stop reinforcing negative thoughts and start focusing on positive, new learning experiences.

Practical exercise: Write down top ten negative thoughts and their positive opposites to start reprogramming the brain.

Advice to practice new, positive thoughts with strong emotion and consistency to create lasting change.

Reassurance that practice makes thoughts permanent, not perfect, and the goal is to create positive permanence.

Final motivational question: If you could change three things about yourself, what would they be?

Transcripts

in this brain training video I'm going

to give you three things that you can do

to change your mind and utilize your

brains fantastic abilities to break out

of depression so then you don't have to

spend another minute trying to figure

out what's going on when you feel

depressed

we're talking about neuroplasticity and

depression let's do it I know what it

feels like to feel oppressed it feels

awful but you know what everyone's

experienced depression now and then in

life and it's human in fact many people

out there are depressed and they don't

even know it they just assume that's

what life is like when I've gotten

depressed in the past I didn't I didn't

want to do anything

I felt lethargic low-energy I lost

interest in the things that used to turn

me on

apathy set in and I just didn't care

about the things that normally matter to

me

maybe you know what that's like the good

news is that you can break through

depression and feel better today without

antidepressants hey I'm Dave writer I'm

from breakthrough mindset calm I'm a

breakthrough mindset specialist neuro

programmer and a mindset ER I've worked

with people in groups for over 20 years

all around the world for the past ten

years and there's one thing I can tell

you about depression man it is

depressing so let's talk a little bit

about neuroplasticity real quick

neuroplasticity in a nutshell is the

brain's ability to change and remodel

itself around learning what we learn and

healing the human brain is dynamic and

it adapts to changes in our environment

and our reactions to it did you know

that anxiety and depression they go

hand-in-hand they are thinking depressed

and anxious thoughts creates chemistry

and neuroplasticity in the brain and

then the body expresses it and we feel

it that's how we create depression and

anxiety what we think and believe can

actually be damaging to our mind in our

body chemically and also epigenetically

because

produce disease and dysfunction but

don't worry all of this stuff can be

felt like it can all be turned around

once you become aware of what you're

doing and start to change when we

practice and rehearse depressing

thoughts they actually create neural

networks or pathways in the brain that

become automatically conditioned we call

that stinkin thinkin for a reason

these negative depressing thoughts they

affect our attitude towards change the

way that we see the world in ourselves

and our or perceived options as well as

the actions that we take or don't take

to change the situation but they are not

permanent you need to do certain things

to be anxious and depressed it's a skill

and here are the key ingredients for

creating depression and anxiety are you

ready you have to have a negative

thought or belief and then an emotional

reaction to that thought or belief and

then you have to practice it over and

over on a regular basis that's it that's

how do we create anxiety and depression

and it's this combination that causes

the brain to model itself around the

thoughts making them seem real and then

creating neural networks of related

thoughts ideas memories experiences that

are then stored in the subconscious mind

what we know and do with our clients

every day is change the harmful stuff

that they put inside of their own

subconscious mind so it's absolutely not

permanent the parts of the brain that

get wired for depression and anxiety if

we continue to practice the same

negative thoughts and beliefs will get

stronger and more efficient and

producing the symptoms of anxiety

depression it's just like learning how

to play the piano right we get better

with practice in other words the brain

is listening and it learns what we tell

ourselves to be true on a regular basis

the subconscious mind follows orders

without judgment our magnificent brain

then starts to create our personal

version of reality around what we've

been drilling into our head until we

take control and start to put awesome

thoughts ideas and beliefs in your own

head so that our minds will begin to

take us where we want to go

instead think about it what option does

your mind have when you constantly

practice limited negative thoughts and

ideas nothing your mind doesn't have

anything else to go on do you remember

those days when you used to cram for

tests in the high school in college how

did you remember all that information

that you never used that's right

practice and repetition is how you learn

then and it's how you learn now so let's

take a step back and think for a moment

what are the big pharmaceutical

companies have to say about depression

well they won't hesitate to tell you

that you have a problem and may have the

solution some of the time the drugs

actually suppress the symptoms but most

of the time they do not they certainly

don't put us in control of our own

health or thinking or a belief system

you aren't prozac deficient that's not

your problem

your only problem is that you haven't

yet learned how to produce the results

of health and well-being we change our

chemistry and our biology with our inner

self talk and beliefs epigenetically so

we create the seasoned disorder and

dysfunction and so forth or health and

wellness what would happen if you

started the water the weeds in your

garden only water the weeds in the

garden that's right the roots would grow

deeper and they would get bigger and

they soon would overtake the entire

garden when you stop watering the weeds

stop feeding the weeds they start to

wilt and they shrivel up then all of a

sudden the rest of the garden gets a

chance to thrive isn't that amazing so

how soon are you gonna stop watering the

weeds in your mind

don't keep stuck into your negative

thoughts your brain is either doing one

or two things it's either affirming what

you've already what you already know or

it's learning something new even if it's

not true right

I remember growing up we learned that we

had a limited number of brain cells and

that our IQ actually went down as we

aged we got stupider because our brain

cells they stopped growing and where

they died after the

thirty that was back then that was

leading-edge BS B s stands for belief

system by the way if you don't change

your thinking the world will do it for

you with its own agenda guaranteed so

here's what to do if you want to use

your brains brilliant abilities

neuroplastic abilities to start to make

positive changes in your life number one

write down your top ten favorite

depressing thoughts on a piece of paper

then write down a positive and present

opposite version of the same thought

number two practice repeating this new

healthy thought variation with strong

emotion and using a stopwatch timer

pickin beyond yourself no matter what

not number three concentrate and focus

on this once or twice a day for five

minutes if you go longer before warms

you might feel better so be careful do

not do this if you'd like to fill the

president be consistent with your

practice you are practicing what you

will believe about yourself in the

situation and the cool thing is is that

you can believe anything you want you

are training your brain to see things in

a different way remember practice makes

what perfect

no that is that's actually not the case

perfect is a fantasy it doesn't exist

the goal behind practice is to make

permanent practice makes permanent so

let me leave you with this question if

you could change three things about

yourself what would they be

please leave your answer in the comments

below so I can make more videos thank

you for watching I hope you enjoyed this

video

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