Science proves you can change your brain/body with the power of your thoughts!

My new obsession is epigenetics and neuroplasticity of the brain!!

Epigenetics is the field of study in genetics, that takes into account how environmental factors, or external factors influence which genes will be turned on or off in your body! This is crazy! Previously, they had always thought that genes are static and whichever ones you were born with would be expressed as your phenotype (visible traits) via cells reading our DNA genotype. More recently, they have found out that your own experiences and environment, even your parents experiences and environment previous to you being born influence the genes that are utilized in your own self.

Basic explanation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp1bZEUgqVI

Neuroplasticity refers to the changes in neural pathways and synapses due to changes in behaviour, environment, neural processing, thinking and emotions, or resulting from injury. Prior to this notion, scientists also believed that the brain was more or less static, but are finding that the brain is adaptable to change.

Basic explanation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELpfYCZa87g

These two concepts mean that WE HAVE CONTROL OVER OUR LIVES! The genes you were given were just a baseline, but you ARE able to rewire your brain by positive thoughts, practice, and discipline. Therefore, what you think about yourself/others/or life, how you react to situations, what you eat, exercise, MATTER. You are constantly expressing those certain genes, and rewiring your brain. Choose wisely what you want to be expressed.

My personal example:

I have a family history of anxiety and nervousness. Since the day I was born I was extremely scared and nervous and these feelings debilitated me from performing daily tasks/functions. It restricted me from functioning at my full potential and succeeding at minor things other people could do, like swimming lessons, or speaking in front of people. If it was up to me, I would have not joined any clubs, or performed any activities, and would have enjoyed remaining at my house, or my “safe space/comfort zone.” However, with the help of many people in my life, experiences I have made myself be a part of, persistence, and opening my mind to possibiilties of mental awareness through Oprah – “Super Soul Sundays”, faith, Deepak Chopra’s book – New Earth, I am soo proud to say that I have FINALLY conquered every single one of these fears and could not be more confident and content. I thought I was going to have to live within those conditions my whole life, but at age 23 I am free of them! It is completely possible.

There are many examples below that are great resources to view some of these theories in action!

Here are some Ted Talks: