Neuroplasticity: What It Is and How It Works

Neuroplasticity describes your brain’s ability to adapt to different experiences throughout life. This gives humans the opportunity to learn new things, strengthen their cognitive function, and recover from a brain injury or stroke.

At Klarity Clinic, we offer medically supervised intravenous (IV) infusion therapies to support cognitive function and optimize brain health.

Our medical experts use high-quality ingredients like nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and ketamine that work directly on your cells to improve your brain’s neuroplasticity.

Infusion therapies help you overcome addiction, mental illness, and other chronic health issues, so you can live a higher quality, more fulfilling life.

Understanding Neuroplasticity

The term neuroplasticity can be broken down into two words:

Neuro - Refers to neurons, the nerve cells that are the foundation of brain and nervous system function
Plasticity - The brain’s ability to change and adapt

How Your Brain Develops

Your brain is made up of an estimated 100 billion neurons. In the early years of life, the human brain grows rapidly, and each neuron has about 2,500 gaps (synapses) between them. By age three, it’s estimated that synapse count increases to about 15,000 per neuron.

Adult brains have about half the number of synapses a child does. This is because life experiences strengthen some brain connections and eliminate other connections – a process known as synaptic pruning. The neurons you use most become stronger, and the ones you rarely use ultimately die off.

By creating new synaptic connections and getting rid of weak ones, your brain is able to keep changing with your environment. You’re able to learn new things, recover lost brain function, and enhance your overall mental fitness.

Factors That Influence Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity is an ongoing, lifetime process. However, there are certain ages where the human brain typically experiences great periods of change.

Early childhood and young adulthood are periods of such change when the brain begins to mature and organize its connections. Older brains may not be as sensitive to experiences as a young brain, but they are still able to change and adapt.

Environmental and Genetic Factors

In addition to age-related brain changes, a person’s neuroplasticity can also be influenced by their environment and genetic background. Factors like:

Learning new skills - Challenges the brain to form new connections
Physical exercise - Promotes neuron survival and growth
Social interactions - Strengthens cognitive resilience
Stress levels - Chronic stress impairs neuroplasticity
Nutrition - Proper nutrients support brain health

How Ketamine Enhances Neuroplasticity

One of the most exciting discoveries about ketamine therapy is its ability to rapidly enhance neuroplasticity. Research shows that ketamine:

Stimulates the growth of new neural connections
Repairs damaged synapses
Increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)
Supports formation of new neural pathways

This is why ketamine works so quickly for treatment-resistant depression – it literally helps your brain create new, healthier thought patterns.

Tips for Enhancing Neuroplasticity

Our Klarity Clinic medical team can discuss your options for infusion therapy to restore brain health and cognitive function during a consultation.

Our providers also offer the following tips you can use to boost your neuroplasticity on your own:

Engage in Daily Activity

Consistent exercise helps prevent the loss of neurons in the part of the brain that regulates memory. Physical activity has also been shown to encourage new neuron formation.

Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week. Activities like walking, swimming, yoga, or cycling all support brain health.

Focus on Fun

Incorporating more fun into your lifestyle is a vital part of preserving your brain’s neuroplasticity. Get your friends and family together to play cards, board games, and other playful activities on a regular basis to enhance your brain health.

Novel experiences – trying new restaurants, learning a musical instrument, or traveling to new places – create new neural pathways.

Get Your Sleep

Sleep is essential to brain health and strong neural connections. During sleep, your brain consolidates memories and clears out toxins that accumulate during waking hours.

Aim to get eight to nine hours every night and create a quiet, comfortable space that supports high-quality sleep. Maintain consistent sleep and wake times, even on weekends.

Challenge Your Mind

Learning new skills, reading, solving puzzles, and engaging in mentally stimulating activities all promote neuroplasticity. The key is consistency – regular mental exercise keeps your brain adaptable and resilient.

Support Your Brain Health with Ketamine and NAD+

If you’re struggling with depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, or addiction, ketamine and NAD+ therapy can help restore your brain’s natural plasticity. These powerful treatments work at the cellular level to support healing and cognitive optimization.

Call the Klarity Clinic office in Upland, California, or Las Vegas, Nevada, today to schedule a consultation or book an appointment online.