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The Brain that Changes Itself

by Norman Doidge, M.D. (2007)Scribe Publications Pty. Ltd.
P.O. Box 523 Carlton North, Victoria Australia.

Many years ago when I was studying Anatomy and Physiology I was taught that the Brain was unable to regenerate and that when damage occurred that there was in effect no ability to return to its previous state.

Of course nowadays with CT; PET scans and MRIs the brain can be studied actually working and scientists have insight into its function under actual normal operating conditions.

In 2000 I suffered a stroke and had some residual weakness and balance problems. I was able, with some physiotherapy and hard work on my part, to recover and today I have no lasting problems.

With that experience I was interested to listen to Norman Doidge being interviewed on the radio, and as a result I bought the book.

The concept of neuroplasticity was a remarkable reinforcement of my own experience and I found the book breathtaking in its ability to explain the concept and its influence on brain function.

For 25 years I worked in the field of aged care particularly with stroke patients and people with brain injury and disease and I wish I had known of Dr Doidge’s work then as it certainly would have assisted me in my understanding of rehabilitation in brain damaged patients.

In fact this book challenges the concept that you cannot teach an old dog new tricks and I recommend it to those readers who would wish to understand more about how the brain functions and how it can change and repair itself.

Del

I found this a very interesting book as it brings out biomechanics have their own in built memory that exists throughout the body which makes sense as the body developed before the brain.

Those practised in the higher meditative states will see many aspects that re-enforce what they know that the authors seem unaware of. And that is what I found most interesting because I used what could be called the body's memory to re adjust my own bio imbalance 25 years ago. I did have a great deal of success but not complete.

Although it re enforces the point to those who say “he’s got no degrees so why should we listen to him.” Well the facts are I have been far ahead of science all these 25 odd years and now even as science is vindicating everything I have said they are still using that catch cry to ignore me because it has not been confirmed despite all the evidence pointing to my being right. It is not being taught because they do not know and never will until definitive research into understanding Allostatic Load is carried out, followed by the consequences of Allostatic Overload which goes far beyond the myopic PTSD approach.

As Del and I say “if we are wrong; prove it!” Up to date however we just keep ticking the boxes where we have been proved correct.

Mac

The Challenge

Are you objective?

Do you have an open mind?

Can you think outside the box of your speciality?

Do you understand the effects on homeostasis of Allostatic Load?

You will need to if you are to come to terms with Allostatic Overload as it affects all aspects of the human body.

Have you ever thought that there might be areas of your study or speciality that might be influenced by Allostatic Load or Overload?

Have you realised that there was not as much attention paid to the criteria parameters of a human study that would guarantee a flawed or predetermined result.

Do you know how and who can have an AO problem, most people have no idea of the scale of the problem. It is extremely important in control groups and that is why many results are unclear or flawed outright.

If so send a paper and share it.

Together we hope to add to the increasing body of knowledge of the effects of long term stress (Allostatic overload) on human body systems in order to force meaningful research into the problem.

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