How to Optimize Brain Function and Promote Neuroplasticity with Nicole Vignola

The ability of the brain to adapt and change due to experience is called neuroplasticity. This umbrella term refers to the brain’s ability to change, grow neural networks, and reorganize.

It can involve functional changes due to structural changes while you’re learning or can be altered due to brain damage. How does neuroplasticity affect us in the long run? And how can we develop it to help optimize our brain function better?

Our Guest 

In this episode, we would like to introduce you to Nicole Vignola. Nicole is a neuroscientist that focuses on cognitive neuroscience that investigates high-risk decision-making.

Her previous research drew upon adult synaptic plasticity, whereby she reconstructed a section of the adult mouse somatosensory cortex using computer-based analytics to explore the wiring diagram of the human brain.

This served as a springboard for further interest and research into the plasticity of mindset change and how these principles can be adopted into everyday living.

Nicole is also a business owner and entrepreneur who coaches individuals and consults with organizations on brain health, longevity, mindset change, and optimization using science-based evidence.

Questions for our Guest

The questions below are some we’d like to tackle. We often go off-topic, so we don’t expect to hit them all. If you have any ideas, please let us know.

Looking forward to our conversation!

These are the questions you had in Calendly. We’ll go off your questions and wherever else our conversation goes.

1. Can you give us a little background about yourself?
2. What are your previous research experiences?
3. What is optimal brain health everyone should be aware of?
   • How do you optimize your brain for maximal performance? 
4. Talk to us about the neuroplasticity of mindset change. How can you adopt the principles into everyday life?
5. What are science-based methods for mental resilience and managing burnout? 
6. What happens in the default mode network? 
7. Knowing everything about brain and mental health, what does your day-to-day routines? 

ENDING QUESTIONS

Before we end the show, we have one last question we like to ask all our guests.

If you had the opportunity to have a Cup of coffee with anybody one last time, who would it be & why? 

Links: 

Connect with Nicole on Instagram and learn more about how our brain works at @nicoleneuroscience

Or visit her website at https://www.nicolesneuroscience.com/

Here’s how you can benefit from changing your mindset, watch this full episode 👇👇👇

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction
02:11 About Nicole Vignola
03:35 How to enhance judgment under pressure
10:21 Does the brain react differently to physical stress compared to emotional stress?
12:40 The positive effects of sleep
14:04 The optimal sleep cycle for enhancing mental health
20:31 Actions you can take to sharpen your brainpower
25:10 Do cold baths and marijuana aid in sleep?
28:08 Tips on improving cognitive function
29:03 Does alcohol aid in sleep?
30:00 How neuroplasticity works
34:55 How long does it take for someone to form a habit?
36:53 Neuroplasticity versus addiction
40:18 Tips for developing mental strength
44:06 Amazing cognitive benefits of exercising
50:51 Where does consciousness comes from
52:11 Wrapping up the show