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Does Neuroplasticity Decrease With Age?
Age can change the way your brain works, but it’s not always significant. Here’s what you need to know about neuroplasticity and aging.
If you’ve ever forgotten where you put your keys or struggled to recall a name that used to come easily, you’ve probably wondered: Is my brain slowing down? Does neuroplasticity decrease as I get older?
The short answer is yes, but not in the way you might think.
Let’s explore what neuroplasticity is, how it evolves during human aging and affects cognitive function, and most importantly, how you can nurture your brain health at any age.
What is neuroplasticity?
Neuroplasticity is the human brain’s ability to change, adapt, and form new connections. It’s how we learn new skills, recover from setbacks, and rewire old habits.
When you practice a new language, learn to play an instrument, or take up a hobby later in life, you’re actively reshaping your brain and benefiting your overall cognitive health.
Even if you can't do something the same way you used to, your brain can forge a new path to the same destination.
Does neuroplasticity slow down with age?
Neuroplasticity decreases gradually with age, but that doesn’t mean it disappears. In childhood and early adulthood, the brain is incredibly open to change. This is why kids seem to soak up new skills like sponges.
As part of the normal aging process, the brain prioritizes efficiency, which sometimes means it holds onto old patterns tightly and forms new ones slowly.
Even if things slow down due to age-related changes, a healthy brain never loses its ability to adapt. The process may shift gears, but it doesn’t shut off. Many people find that with consistent practice, they continue to grow mentally and emotionally well into their 60s and 70s — especially alongside healthy lifestyle choices.
How to support neuroplasticity at any age
Think of neuroplasticity as something you can nurture. It may not be as rapid as it was when you were a child, but it’s still alive throughout healthy aging. The way you live your life can either feed it or let it fade.
Here are a few gentle, effective ways to support your brain’s natural ability to grow.
Keep learning new things
Challenge your mind regularly. Read books that stretch your perspective. Try new recipes. Learn a language. Take up watercolor painting, dancing, or calligraphy, for example. Your brain loves novelty and thrives on building new connections.
Move your body
Physical activity supports blood flow to the brain and strengthens the connection between movement and mental clarity, thus supporting overall cognitive functioning. Even walking or doing some light yoga can help keep the connection strong and support long-term stability.
Prioritize healthy sleep
Rest is when your brain does some of its most powerful organizing. Getting good sleep and allowing for quiet moments during the day supports memory, processing, and emotional balance.
Some people find that CBD for sleep helps to naturally support their bedtime routine without leaving them feeling groggy the next day.
The bottom line
Aging doesn’t mean the end of growth, and age-related declines in neuroplasticity don't mean that your brain is done learning. It just means the growth takes on new shapes.
Neuroplasticity might slow down with time, but it doesn't necessarily fully go away. The capacity to shift, learn, soften, and strengthen is always there.
So be kind to your brain — mindful choices like prioritizing your wellness can help you grow and combat the effects of age.
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Sources:
Neuroplasticity | National Library of Medicine
Neuroplasticity: How the brain changes with learning | Science of Learning Portal
Your Brain Is Incredibly Creative and Adaptable | Psychology Today