What is neuroplasticity?

“Neurons that fire together, wire together” Carla Shatz

Neuroplasticity is our brain’s ability to form new nerve cell (neural) connections throughout our life, adapting to the environment with changes to the nerve structure, function or chemical activity. Neuroplasticity means our brain is constantly learning, evolving and changing. The consequence of this is that whatever we repeat – thoughts, feelings, behaviors – will change the connections and structure of our brain. Factors which can change our brain include traumatic events, chronic illness, chronic stress, social interactions, meditation and other relaxation activities, emotions, learning, paying attention, new experiences, and exercise.

Some neuroplastic changes occur beneath our awareness and control. One such change, associated with changes that amplify pain signal transmission and linked to the development and maintenance of persistent pain, is known as sensitization. 

Central nervous system sensitization happens when the nervous system starts to adapt adversely to pain signals, after prolonged stimulation of nociceptors. The nervous system then goes through a process of changes that increase our reactivity and vigilance to less stimulus, amplifying pain signals. One more factor contributing to central sensitization is the use of opioids, commonly prescribed to treat pain. Opioid exposure can induce long-term alterations in pain sensitization that facilitates the initiation or maintenance of chronic pain. So things that were a little painful are now more painful, and things that weren’t painful are now painful.

This increased sensitivity can also apply to other processes in our bodies, such as perception of smell, touch, vision, sound, and taste, as well as emotional distress, anxiety, fear, and stress.

To sum up, through neuroplasticity your brain becomes increasingly more skilled at producing the pain you’re feeling. The good news is that your brain can also unlearn these pain neural pathways, and you can intentionally harness neuroplasticity to this aim.

Learn more about the role of neuroplasticity in pain - and recovery in the next blog post about nociplastic pain.