The Brain That Changes Itself

In his book, The Brain that Changes Itself, Toronto psychiatrist and researcher Dr. Norman Doidge presents the concept of neuroplasticity, or the ability of the brain to change and rewire itself, through research that includes meetings with the top researchers in the field and the people whose personal stories prompted this research.

For example, one woman who herself had learning problems used self-created brain exercises to stimulate the weak areas of her brain and went on to establish a program and school for children and adults with learning diffficulties based on this method. Reading the book gave me hope not only for those with brain damage, but for all of us, as it highlights the brain's ability to adapt and change.

Dr. Norman Doidge was one of the featured speakers at a recent seminar titled "The Role of Brain Education in Global Mental Health" held at the United Nations. The seminar was hosted by Ilchi Lee, the founder of Brain Education, and co-sponsored by the International Brain Education Association (IBREA), Korea of Brain Science (KIBS), the NGO (Non-governmental organization) Committee on Mental Health, and the NGO Section of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), United Nations.

You can watch the CBC documentary, The Brain That Changes Itself, based on Dr. Doidge's best-selling book here on David Suzuki's The Nature of Things:

http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/natureofthings/2008/brainchangesitself/index.html