Your brain can be trained, much like your muscles – a neurologist explains how to boost your brain health

Challenging the brain by exposing it to new situations, tasks and skills can improve its efficiency, much like strength training does for our muscles. But maximum efficiency requires optimal rest.

By: Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, University of Pittsburgh, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: January 23, 2026

Words: 1,338

Last Updated: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

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By Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, University of Pittsburgh

If you have ever lifted a weight, you know the routine: challenge the muscle, give it rest, feed it and repeat. Over time, it grows stronger.

Of course, muscles only grow when the challenge increases over time. Continually lifting the same weight the same way stops working.

It might come as a surprise to learn that the brain responds to training in much the same way as our …

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