Returning to the Land of Oz: Your Miracle Brain

Brain cells have the amazing ability to grow new communication pathways to take over the jobs of non-functioning or under-performing cells. Entire networks of brain cells can be routed around damaged areas of the brain, bringing back skills that were lost due to traumatic head and brain injuries. Plasticity is the brain’s ability to rewire itself and to grow new communication links. It is the brain’s ability to adapt and change throughout our life. Because of the brain’s plasticity, damage caused by free radicals and other factors are repaired to insure that our brain cells continue doing what they were created and programmed to do, which is to help us to learn, to remember, and to expand our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. It is as if within the fluid structure of the brain is a guardian angel protecting it to make sure it grows, expands, and heals. 

I have worked in the capacity of Executive Director for two traumatic head and brain injury facilities and have marveled at the incredible healing that occurred with people who one would think would never recover, due to the seriousness of their accidents. Using a combination of brain building exercises, group support, recreation therapy, adaptive physical education, speech therapy, relaxation,  meditation, and creative imagery processes, I witnessed dramatic improvements in the lives of dozens and dozens of patients.

The brain is amazingly resilient and can repair itself with the proper interventions. Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz was correct in wanting a brain so that he could think, communicate, and problem solve. Have no doubt about it, you possess a miracle brain and the aging process will not significantly impact the full functioning of your brain IF you continue to learn new things, build your attention skills, read and ponder the storyline and themes in the books and articles you read and the films you watch, draw upon creative solutions to daily life experiences AND feed the brain healthy and nourishing food. If you take care of your miracle brain it will surely take care of you. 

John A. Tamiazzo, PhD is the author of Returning to the Land of Oz: Finding Hope, Love, and Courage on Your Yellow Brick Road available at Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com both as a paperback and as and e-Kindle book and Nook book.