How to Increase Neurogenesis

The hippocampal region of the brain produces several thousands of new brain cells or neurons every day in a process called neurogenesis. Neurons play a major role in the brain's functions of cognition and memory. However, not many neurons survive beyond a few weeks. A protein called the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor is importantly involved in neurogenesis. Low levels of BDNF are encountered in conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and schizophrenia. For optimum brain function, it is important to increase production of new neurons as well as promote the survival of existing ones.

Instructions

• 1

  Keep learning something new whether it is an academic course of study, a skill, or an artistic pursuit. According to Fred H. Gage, Professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, continually seeking new information helps in neurogenesis.

• 2

  Exercise regularly. Besides being good for general health, it has been found to increase neurogenesis. According to the Society for Neuroscience, researchers have observed that mice that used a running wheel developed new neurons whereas mice that didn't use the wheel did not show neurogenesis.

• 3

  Restrict your caloric intake by modifying your current diet. In their research on mice, J. Lee et al. found that restricting the diet in experimental mice enhances neurogenesis in the hippocampal region and also increases BDNF levels.

• 4

  Practice relaxation techniques to keep stress at bay. According to Science Daily, research results in animals have shown that high levels of stress tend to decrease neurogenesis. In order to increase neurogenesis, it therefore makes sense to keep stress away.

• 5

  Take necessary steps to enrich your environment and receive stimulation. For example, meet new people, make new friends and travel to new places. According to Gage, the complexity of the environment around you ensures your brain receives adequate stimulation and this contributes to neurogenesis.

• 6

  Include turmeric in your diet. Results of scientific research by Ying Xu et al. published in Brain Research show that curcumin, the major constituent in turmeric, causes the levels of BDNF to increase in stressed rats.