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Can neuroscience give my brain the plasticity of a child's?

aeon.co

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Re: Can neuroscience give my brain the plasticity of a child's?

#5
A much better overview:

http://www.gwern.net/Nootropics

I am a bit torn about this subject. So, in my day job as a biomedical researcher, we would like to have a lot of evidence that something works before giving it to people.

But the FDA/research system is not set up to deal with things like this, that are not to treat a disease per se, but rather to enhance a healthy human. Many MDs would see cognitive enhancement as "cosmetic" and not worth any level of risk. You will note how almost all the evidence for putative nootropics comes from AD and similar research. Not healthy, young or middle-aged normals.

I almost wish there were some kind of network for DIY biohackers to investigate nootropics by setting up blinded studies. Because that kind of research will not otherwise be funded or performed, and despite the risks and dubiousness of data that comes outside the IRB/clinical trial system, it seems better than nothing.

Re: Can neuroscience give my brain the plasticity of a child's?

#6
I don't get this "Child's brains are better" thing. A Child needs up to 10 years to speak, read and write correctly in their native language. An adult can do it in a couple of years, months sometimes (not my case!)

I have a small kid and yes, their intelligence development is shocking and completely unlike any other creature on earth. But are there any proof that childrens are actually better/faster at anything than an adult?

Re: Can neuroscience give my brain the plasticity of a child's?

#7
post #6

I don't get this "Child's brains are better" thing. A Child needs up to 10 years to speak, read and write correctly in their native language. An adult can do it in a couple of years, months sometimes (not my case!) I have a small kid and yes, their intelligence development is shocking and completely unlike any other creature on earth. But are there any proof that childrens are actually better/faster at anything than…

Learning a second language is not the same as learning a first language. There are many things you use from your first language that you use to learn a second.

Re: Can neuroscience give my brain the plasticity of a child's?

#8
post #6

I don't get this "Child's brains are better" thing. A Child needs up to 10 years to speak, read and write correctly in their native language. An adult can do it in a couple of years, months sometimes (not my case!) I have a small kid and yes, their intelligence development is shocking and completely unlike any other creature on earth. But are there any proof that childrens are actually better/faster at anything than…

> A Child needs up to 10 years to speak, read and write correctly in their native language. An adult can do it in a couple of years, months sometimes.

Er, what? Can you cite any research that an adult with no prior language can acquire language proficiency faster than a child with no prior language?

Re: Can neuroscience give my brain the plasticity of a child's?

#9
post #6

I don't get this "Child's brains are better" thing. A Child needs up to 10 years to speak, read and write correctly in their native language. An adult can do it in a couple of years, months sometimes (not my case!) I have a small kid and yes, their intelligence development is shocking and completely unlike any other creature on earth. But are there any proof that childrens are actually better/faster at anything than…

>But are there any proof that childrens are actually better/faster at anything than an adult?

Feral Children say otherwise. Chances are if you missed the ability topic to pick up language in your first 5-9 years, you will never learn language at all.

Re: Can neuroscience give my brain the plasticity of a child's?

#10
post #5

A much better overview: http://www.gwern.net/Nootropics I am a bit torn about this subject. So, in my day job as a biomedical researcher, we would like to have a lot of evidence that something works before giving it to people. But the FDA/research system is not set up to deal with things like this, that are not to treat a disease per se, but rather to enhance a healthy human. Many MDs would see cognitive enhancement…

Neat. I take Modafinil or its enantiomer Nuvigil sometimes to be smarter or compensate for lack of sleep. Officially, it's for sleep apnea, which I had to take a sleep test to show. I don't see zero risk for cosmetic surgery (note the issues with any surgery), so perhaps that can serve as an analogue as we look more into enhancing "normal" people.
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