Your Brain on Travel

Scientists used to believe that the brain was unchangeable and only degraded with age. It wasn’t until the 1960s that neuroscientist Dr Marian Diamond proved the complete opposite.
She found that if the body was in an enriched environment which provided new challenges and stimuli, the brain could be shaped by that environment and continue to flourish, no matter the age. This was a revolutionary finding that paved the way for modern neuroscience and our understanding of brain plasticity. It showed us that our external environment, the outside world can actually change our brain’s anatomy, physiology and function.
In this video, we are going to explore how travel can provide this enriched environment for our brains, boosting our brain health and wellbeing no matter our age.
If you’re new here, my name is Roberta, I am a medical doctor and science writer. If you are a returning viewer, thank you so much for coming back!
Travel challenges our brain, increasing our cognitive flexibility and contributing to our cognitive reserve, which is this idea that people develop a reserve of thinking abilities during their lives, and that this protects them against losses that can occur through ageing and disease. Travelling can also boost our creativity and increase our chances of entering a complex emotional state known as awe. Scientists advise us to seek out these moments of awe because they’re linked with a decrease in markers of inflammation and less emotional stress. Some believe that awe moments may help us relax more by slowing our heart rate, relieving our digestion, and deepening our breathing. When we’re in awe, we shift our focus from ourselves to the world around us. This shift may also contribute to quieting our negative self-talk by deactivating parts of our brain involved in self-perception. People in awe also tend to be more generous, less individualistic, and feel a greater sense of connection to others and the world.
If you’re in the fortunate position of being able to choose whether or not to travel, why not take the plunge and explore the world - your brain will only thank you for it!
If you liked this video, do check my other ones too. I make videos about pretty much everything and anything in science in medicine. I sometimes focus on the latest, but also on the prevention side of things, how we can approach life through a more optimistic lens and live a healthier version of ourselves.
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Thank you for stopping by and see you in the next one!

[@encircle259]

As a traveler myself I absolutely enjoyed this video! Thank you for sharing the science findings on this topic! Looking forward to seeing more content from you!

[@RobertaAngheleanu]

I am glad you enjoyed the video! Thank you for your support!🙌🏻

[@user-xu9wl2oe3e]

❤

[@chichaakram4276]

Thank you ❤

[@RobertaAngheleanu]

Thank you for watching! 🙌🏻

[@VruttiPatel346]

Amazing information.. ❤️❤️i really like your videos... 😇😇😇diii(Big sister) lots of love... ❤️from India.... 🫶❤️

[@RobertaAngheleanu]

Thank you so much for your support!! I am glad you enjoyed the video!!🙌🏻

[@VruttiPatel346]

@@RobertaAngheleanu 🫶