Silence Is Essential To Regenerate The Brain
Silence has been a source of reflection in any era. We have saturated all the environments in which we live with so many noises that it is difficult, at times, to find a little silence. There are more and more people who ignore noises and who have an abyss within themselves.
Our hearing is a sense that receives too many stimuli. The most serious thing is that these stimuli we receive from the outside are more or less alarming. Noises of cars, chaos, shrill music, whistles, horns… nothing that inspires tranquility.
Beyond the effect that all this noise has on our emotional state, science has shown that there are also consequences for the brain. According to a study conducted in Germany by the Research Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, there are brain processes that can only be carried out in silence.
Until recently, it was thought that neurons were unable to regenerate. However, with the development of neurogenesis, it has become clear that this is not the case. It is still not very clear what exactly favors neuronal and brain regeneration, but some clues suggest it may be silence.
Experience silence
German researchers conducted an experiment on a group of guinea pigs. The mice were left in complete silence for two hours a day. During this time, the scholars observed their brains to see if any changes occurred.
The result was surprising. After a certain period, in all the mice subjected to the experiment, a significant growth was found in the number of cells in the hippocampus, that region of the brain that regulates emotions, memory and learning.
Experts found that the new nerve cells progressively integrated with the central nervous system and then specialized in different functions. In conclusion, the silence had a very positive effect on the brains of these animals.
Silence helps structure information
The brain never rests, not even during the calm state that accompanies us when we are completely relaxed or asleep. This wonderful organ continues to function, but in a different way. When the body rests, other processes begin to develop which complement those that are activated when we are awake.
Basically, some kind of purification occurs. The brain evaluates the information and experiences we are exposed to throughout the day; then, it organizes and integrates relevant information and gets rid of what is not important.
This process occurs on an unconscious level, but it also has effects on a conscious level. For this reason, sometimes we find the answers we seek in sleep or we can see things from another point of view after resting a few hours.
The most interesting aspect is that a similar process occurs even when we are silent. The absence of auditory stimuli has almost the same effect as rest. Silence, in general, leads us to think about ourselves and this purifies the emotions and reaffirms our identity.
The important effects on stress
Silence not only makes us smarter, more creative, and more confident, it also has positive effects on anxiety. We humans are extremely sensitive to noise, so much so that we often wake up with a start when something falls or there is a strange noise.
Research conducted by Cornell University scholars found that stress levels are very high in children living near airports, but that’s not all. These babies also have high blood pressure and high levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.
Fortunately, the opposite also happens. According to a study by researchers from the University of Pavia, in fact, just two minutes of silence are more effective than relaxing music. In fact, blood pressure decreases and those who remain silent feel more active and calm after a few moments of stillness.
As you can see, silence produces both intellectual and emotional benefits. We could say that staying silent, at least for a few minutes a day, is a determining factor for brain health. Consequently, it is also a decisive element in improving emotional and physical health, as well as the quality of life.
Images courtesy of Magdalena Berny
