Need another reason to laugh? Laughter can help to increase Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) which can be instrumental when trying to change habits and behaviors. Let’s explore how you can increase BDNF through laughter!
Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)
So what is BDNF and ? It is a protein that assists with neuron survival.
Why is it important to increase BDNF? Because BDNF also helps with growth and differentiation of neurons. It can also help to form new neural pathways. As Marci Evans says, its miracle grow for the brain!
The new neural pathways are what is crucial in changing habits and behaviors. You know how you can zone out and go into autopilot when commuting to work and yet somehow know exactly where to go? Or you find it incredibly difficult to stop a behavior and feel like it’s almost out of your control? It’s because the more we engage in a behavior or habit, our neurons develop more dendrites and the communication and messaging in the brain becomes stronger and faster. Cue BDNF, which assists us in making new neural pathways to alter habits and behaviors. Let’s explore how to increase BDNF through laughter.
Need another reason to laugh? Laughter can help to increase Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) which can be instrumental when trying to change habits and behaviors. Let’s explore how you can increase BDNF through laughter!
What is BDNF?
So what is BDNF? It is a protein that assists with neuron survival. BDNF also helps with growth and differentiation of neurons. It can also help to form new neural pathways. As Marci Evans says, its miracle grow for the brain!
The new neural pathways are what is crucial in changing habits and behaviors. You know how you can zone out and go into autopilot when commuting to work and yet somehow know exactly where to go? Or you find it incredibly difficult to stop a behavior and feel like it’s almost out of your control? It’s because the more we engage in a behavior or habit, our neurons develop more dendrites and the communication and messaging in the brain becomes stronger and faster. Cue BDNF, which assists us in making new neural pathways to alter habits and behaviors.
If you are in recovery and trying to stop certain behaviors or if you are trying to alter habits and behaviors in your life that no longer serve you, try laughing.
BDNF and depression
I also want to note that those with depression often have lower levels of BDNF and cortisol, the hormone we release under stress, can also lower levels. I know it can be hard to even think about laughing when you’re in a dark place. However, one sure fire way (usually) to get at least a chuckle in, is to watch cute and funny animals!! Stop scrolling through curated feeds of influencers (which are also probably feeding into your depression and anxiety) and start checking out all of the adorable fur babies on the gram.
Let’s explore more ways how to increase BDNF.
How to increase BDNF:
-
(again) Animals being silly and cute
-
Babies being silly and cute
-
Watch a funny movie or tv show
-
Go to a comedy show
-
Reminisce with a friend about a funny memory
-
Watch someone genuinely laughing (it can be as contagious as a yawn!)
What’s your favorite way to laugh?
Feel free to comment in the comments section! Together we can all learn more ways as to how to increase BDNF within ourselves.
If you are in recovery and trying to stop certain behaviors or if you are trying to alter habits and behaviors in your life that no longer serve you, try laughing.
BDNF and depression
I also want to note that those with depression often have lower levels of BDNF and cortisol, the hormone we release under stress, can also lower levels. I know it can be hard to even think about laughing when you’re in a dark place. However, one sure fire way (usually) to get at least a chuckle in, is to watch cute and funny animals!! Stop scrolling through curated feeds of influencers (which are also probably feeding into your depression and anxiety) and start checking out all of the adorable fur babies on the gram.
Let’s explore more ways how to increase BDNF.
How to increase BDNF:
-
(again) Animals being silly and cute
-
Babies being silly and cute
-
Watch a funny movie or tv show
-
Go to a comedy show
-
Reminisce with a friend about a funny memory
-
Watch someone genuinely laughing (it can be as contagious as a yawn!)
What’s your favorite way to laugh?
Feel free to comment in the comments section! Together we can all learn more ways as to how to increase BDNF within ourselves.