Can we really change our brains?

Yes! We can really change our brains!

There used to be a belief that brain development stopped in our 20’s, and then no further changes happened.

Around 15 years ago, there was a scientific breakthrough that said the opposite.

Let’s look into what current science says about how different types of therapy can change our brains and offer us improved mental health.

Neuroplasticity basics

Neuroplasticity is what scientists and therapists call the ability of our brain to change.

Neuro refers to the brain, while plasticity refers to something that can change.

More specifically, neuroplasticity is the capacity for our brain to change pathways, connections, and where information and memories are stored.

In simple terms, neuroplasticity allows our brain to adapt and shift so that we can feel better and be less impacted by past traumatic experiences.

EMDR studies show how we can change our brains

Numerous controlled scientific studies have shown that in the process of EMDR, we can create new pathways within our brain.

With neuroimaging technologies, we can actually see how the brain changes in people with PTSD before, during, and after EMDR treatments.

A study detailed in Frontiers in Psychology details how we are able to see how pathways between the hemispheres of the brain change, and how areas of the brain that handle memories also change with EMDR therapy.

Additionally, the parts of our brains that process emotions are shown to change as well. Scientists can even see a change in how our brains can better distinguish real threats from traumatic memories.

This correlates with less activation within the brain during recall of the traumatic event, and the brain activation actually starts to happen in a totally different part of the brain.

In turn, trauma symptoms start to decrease within our minds and bodies. Numerous studies from 2005 to present day have shown that as EMDR changes the parts of the brain that process trauma and as the brain regulates, symptoms are reduced.

In fact, in a meta-analysis of 20 years of clinical studies of EMDR, researchers found that across the board, EMDR treatments helped people have a decrease in symptoms from PTSD, depression, anxiety, and distress.

We see evidence of brains changing in our work at Cutting Edge Counseling

Every day with our clients, we see people changing negative beliefs into neutral or positive ones. We hear feedback that certain memories or events no longer trigger people the way that they used to.

It truly is possible to have experienced trauma in the past and move on with your life.

Contact us for a free 15 minute call to learn how we can help you. We offer teletherapy to California residents and in-person sessions in West Los Angeles.