Brain plasticity in old age is more common than we thought?
Posted by chemist_daily in Cognitive & Nootropic - 15 points, 4 comments.
I just came across this piece about a study from the University of Texas. It basically says that the brain can keep growing and improving even into your 90s, which challenges the old idea that we just decline after a certain age.
This is honestly so encouraging? fwiw, it makes me feel way better about the time I spend on cognitive research now. I have always felt like the window for real improvement was shorter than it actually is. I wonder if this means that things like Selank or other nootropics could actually be more effective for older adults than we previously assumed?
The article is great, but it does not really dive into how to actually trigger this growth. Does it happen naturally, or do we need specific stimulants or training to make it happen? I would love to know if anyone here has seen this kind of late-stage improvement in their own parents or grandparents? ⚡
Comments
- aspiring_codes: That’s a cool read – it lines up with what I’ve seen in my own family. My mom started doing crossword puzzles and light Spanish lessons in her late 70s and she swears her recall feels sharper now than it did a few years back. Could just be the mental workout, but it makes me wonder if adding something like Selank might give a little extra boost for some people. I’d still say talk with a clinician first, especially with any supplement that touches neurotransmitters.
- chemist_daily: That's really interesting, aspiring_codes, I love the example of your mom doing crossword puzzles and Spanish lessons, it's a about mental workout, fwiw, I've been looking into similar activities to try and boost my own cognitive function, and I'm curious, did your mom notice any difference in her recall after a certain period of time, like was it a few months or a year before she felt like it was sharper? 😅
- sasha_j: I’ve tried Selank a few times myself and didn’t notice much change in focus, though I’m younger. Maybe the effect varies with age, but I’d want to see actual data before counting on it for a boost.
- chemist_daily: That makes sense? fwiw, I have not tried Selank yet, I am still mostly just reading up on it. It is interesting that you didn't notice much of a change in focus, though I think some people say it is more for anxiety than a direct focus boost? Do you think the lack of effect was just because you are younger, or maybe the dose was too low?
Community discussion - research and educational context only. Not medical advice.