Many people think of the brain as a mystery. We don’t often think about what intelligence is or how it works. When you do think about what intelligence is, you might think that a person’s intelligence is predetermined at birth – either you are a “math person” or not – and stays that way for life. New research shows that the brain is more like a muscle – it changes and gets stronger when you use it. Scientists have been able to show how the brain grows and gets stronger when you learn. Everyone knows that when you lift weights, your muscles get bigger, and you get stronger. A person who can’t lift 20 pounds when they start exercising can get strong enough to lift 100 pounds after working out for a long time. Muscles become larger and stronger with exercise. When you stop exercising, muscles shrink, and you get weaker. That’s why people say, “use it or lose it.”
Most people don’t know that when they practice and learn new things, parts of their brain change and get larger just like muscles. This is true even for adults. So, it’s not true that some people “just can’t learn.” You can improve your abilities as long as you practice and use good strategies. People aren’t “smart” or “dumb” at math. At first, no one can read or solve equations. But with practice, they can learn to do it. The more a person learns, the easier it gets to learn new things – because their brain “muscles” grow stronger. This is true even for adults who have struggled for a long time to learn something. A scientist from Wake Forest University said, “We used to think adults couldn’t form new brain connections, but now we know that isn’t true… The adult brain is like a muscle, and we need to exercise it.”
People who don’t know this can miss out on the chance to grow a stronger brain. They may think they can’t do it, or that it’s too hard. It does take work to learn, just like becoming stronger physically or becoming a better juggler does. Sometimes it even hurts. When you feel yourself get better and stronger, you realize that all the work is worth it.
Take my brother, for example. When he retired, he decided to take up learning Italian and playing chess. At first, he could barely understand a word of Italian, and his chess skills were rudimentary. But he committed to practicing both every day for about 20 minutes each. Now, he can speak and understand Italian to the degree that a 5-year-old could, and he has become very proficient at online chess.
Every morning, he starts his day with a cup of coffee and an Italian language app. He practices speaking, listening, and even reading simple Italian stories. It’s not easy, and there are days when he struggles with pronunciation or understanding a particular phrase. But he keeps at it, pushing through the challenges. Over time, he has noticed improvements. He can hold basic conversations, order food in Italian restaurants, and even enjoy Italian films with subtitles.
After his language practice, he moves on to chess. Initially, he was frustrated by his frequent losses. Chess, with its strategic complexity, seemed daunting. But just like with Italian, he approached it with patience and persistence. He studied different openings, learned from his mistakes, and gradually improved his tactics. Today, he enjoys playing chess online and often wins against players from around the world.
My brother’s journey illustrates how the brain, like a muscle, grows stronger with use. His daily practice has not only made him proficient in Italian and chess but also kept his mind sharp and engaged. He proves that it’s never too late to learn something new and that with dedication, anyone can grow smarter. His story is a testament to the incredible plasticity of the adult brain and the power of consistent effort. So, if you think you can’t learn something new, remember my brother. With patience and practice, you too can strengthen your brain and unlock new potentials.
