Using Play to Rewire & Improve Your Brain | Huberman Lab Podcast #58

🌰 Wisdom in a Nutshell

Essential insights distilled from the video.

1. Play and device usage impact learning and focus.
2. Play is a crucial tool for personal growth, learning, and social skills.
3. Cultivate playfulness for personal growth, performance enhancement, and neuroplasticity.
4. Play postures and expressions serve multiple functions in social interactions.
5. Play triggers neuroplasticity, enhancing brain development and learning.
6. Play, especially with novel movements, can promote neuroplasticity and personal growth.

📚 Introduction

Play is not just for children, it is a powerful tool for personal growth and performance enhancement. In this blog post, we will explore the various aspects of play and its impact on our brain, behavior, and neuroplasticity. From the importance of play in learning and social skills to the role of playfulness in creativity and discovery, we will uncover the science behind the transformative power of play. Get ready to embrace the joy of play and unlock your full potential.

🔍 Wisdom Unpacked

Delving deeper into the key ideas.

1. Play and device usage impact learning and focus.

The power of play, not just for children, can change our nervous system and improve performance. It can enhance focus, creativity, and is being researched as an ADHD treatment. A study on device usage found that comprehension is poorer on devices, especially smartphones, compared to paper. Reading on smartphones suppresses physiological sighing, a natural breathing pattern crucial for brain function. Engaging in deep breathing and sighing every five minutes while reading on a smartphone can improve focus and learning. Reading printed materials or books can also improve focus and learning, suggesting the importance of considering the size of the visual window when consuming information.

2. Play is a crucial tool for personal growth, learning, and social skills.

Play is a fundamental aspect of human development, crucial for learning, social skills, and personal growth. It allows us to test different roles, explore contingencies, and expand our brain's capacity. Play is not just about fun, but also about experimentation, testing, and self-discovery. It helps us establish our personal play identity, which influences our behavior and approach to different activities and relationships. Different forms of play, such as role play and imaginary play, are particularly important in establishing our future selves.

3. Cultivate playfulness for personal growth, performance enhancement, and neuroplasticity.

Playfulness, characterized by a low-stakes, focused, and serious approach, is a powerful tool for personal growth and performance enhancement. It allows for the expansion of the prefrontal cortex, increasing neuroplasticity and adaptability. This mindset, often associated with tinkerers and explorers, can be cultivated through activities that are contingency-exploring and not filled with adrenaline or competition. Examples of playful individuals include Richard Feynman and street artists like Banksy. Playfulness can lead to great discoveries and is a key aspect of many successful individuals' lives.

4. Play postures and expressions serve multiple functions in social interactions.

Play postures, such as the 'play bow' in dogs and wolves, and the 'head tilt' in humans, are observed in animals and humans. These postures, like the 'play bow', are used to establish eye contact and signal a playful intent. Partial postures, like approaching with fur down or body size reduced, are also observed during play. The most extreme play expression is the eyes wide open and tongue out, seen in primates and some humans. These play postures serve multiple functions, including testing rules, low-stakes contingency, and rule breaking. They are also used to limit power and express bodily expressions in a deliberate way, as seen in playful activities like dirt clod wars, where rules are established and violating them can lead to consequences.

5. Play triggers neuroplasticity, enhancing brain development and learning.

Neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to change and adapt, is enhanced through play, which triggers the rewiring of brain circuits and the release of chemicals that support learning. Play, a fundamental aspect of our nervous system, can change our brain and is crucial for brain development, allowing us to explore and change our neural connections. It is important to engage in at least one hour of pure play per week, focusing on novel and repetitive activities. Play extends beyond beginner's mind and is about exploring contingencies with low stakes. It opens up neuroplasticity and allows us to access neurochemical combinations that promote well-being. The brain is built for play, and the circuits for play do not disappear in adulthood.

6. Play, especially with novel movements, can promote neuroplasticity and personal growth.

Play, especially when combined with novel movements and low stakes, can be a powerful tool for neuroplasticity and personal growth. It can help individuals access new ways of thinking and behaviors, and can be particularly beneficial for those who have experienced trauma. Activities like chess, dance, and sports that involve dynamic movements can open the portals for plasticity, as they activate the vestibular system and cerebellum. While high levels of adrenaline can inhibit play behavior, engaging in play as adults can reactivate and reopen the plasticity in the brain. Play can also be a way to release trauma and access new ways of thinking and behaviors.

💡 Actionable Wisdom

Transformative tips to apply and remember.

Embrace the power of play in your daily life. Set aside dedicated time for playful activities that bring you joy and allow you to explore new possibilities. Whether it's engaging in a hobby, trying out a new sport, or simply letting your imagination run wild, prioritize play as a tool for personal growth and performance enhancement. Remember, play is not just for children, it is a fundamental aspect of human nature that can positively impact your brain, behavior, and neuroplasticity.

📽️ Source & Acknowledgment

Link to the source video.

This post summarizes Andrew Huberman's YouTube video titled "Using Play to Rewire & Improve Your Brain | Huberman Lab Podcast #58". All credit goes to the original creator. Wisdom In a Nutshell aims to provide you with key insights from top self-improvement videos, fostering personal growth. We strongly encourage you to watch the full video for a deeper understanding and to support the creator.