The link between CBT and neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity is the 'muscle building' part of the brain; With every repetition of a thought or emotion, we reinforce a neural pathway - and with each new thought, we begin to create a new way of being. These small changes, frequently enough repeated, lead to changes in how our brains work. The things we do often we become stronger at, and what we don’t use fades away. That is the physical basis of why making a thought or action over and over again increases its power. Over time, it becomes automatic; a part of us. We literally become what we think and do. CBT can help us learn to 'build' thoughts and feelings which benefit us and bring us closer to who we want to be and what's meaningful. Practice and repetition of more 'healthy' behaviours build neuroplasticity and allows you to think it ways that are flexible, adaptive and ultimately more positive. This interesting article further discusses how CBT can help rewire the brain: https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/can-people-really-change-epigenetics-neuroplasticity-cognitive-behavioral-therapy-cbt-0426184
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