You stop growing new brain cells when you turn 25! I heard that line so much in college and still do from the kids that just graduated now.
I believed it when I heard it in high school when my biology teacher would casually mentioned it. Obviously I thought it was a way to motivate us to pay attention and learn something. I couldn’t stand the thought that my brain would stop developing at the age of 25.
Growing New Brain Cells Before 25
At 19, I constantly remind myself that I only had SIX years to expand my brain power as much as possible. I became obsessed with ready all kinds of self help and leadership books (Dale Carnegie, Robert Greene, Joko), podcasts (art of charm, when Jordan was the main host), any youtube video.
It wasn’t just self improvement, but because I saw this old movie called Wall Street (check out the documentary on Carl Icahn), I become obsessed with stocks. I had this Fidelity trading account opened at the time because I worked for X company where I got RSUs.
In addition to buying my first stocks, I found all kinds of beginner resources. I spent the time between my classes reading random articles about trading stocks.
Can I Grow New Brain Cells?
By 23, I had abandoned the common thinking that you can’t grow new brain cells after 25 (AKA fully developed brain).
At the bars I would refute that point with anyone who brought it up. I just kept saying mind over matter, you can do anything.
After reading this article about adults growing new brain cells, I was right the whole time (confirmation bias).
The methods behind my madness came from research papers I read during school for assignments.
There was an article I read where doctors were able to help stroke victims gain some (minimal) function on their paralized side using electrotherapy for their PT. The conclusion here was that using the electric currents would retrain the muscles to generate the energy to contract their muscles.
The next article I read was how researchers found an increase in brain activity when people used their non dominate hand for activities. In these examples it was writing and brushing your teeth.
How Do I Grow More Brain Cells?
I always connect the dots while on my walks. While walking to the gym, I but these two ideas together. If my activities always keep my brain activity high then I must be able to grow new brain cells.
If you keep your brain activity high and your synapses firing then you must be able to grow new brain cells.
Using your non dominate side for activities, pick up a new sport, explore new places, and meet new people. Then you will always being growing new brain cells way past 25.
That’s another reason why I started this Urbn Gentleman page, so that I can continue keeping the brain busy.
The actual reason people stop growing brain cells is because they get into their routines by 25. The routine of going to the same bars, never meeting new people, exploring new places.