Your brain contains 85-100 billion neurons, which are constantly receiving chemical messages from other neurons and passing them on. When you repeat an action, like swinging a tennis racket, the neural communication involved in that action creates strong connections. Next time you swing a racket, the movement requires less energy. Neuroplasticity is science’s term for this type of structural and functional change in the brain as it adapts and learns.

Self-directed neuroplasticity, then, is the ability for the brain to change itself depending on how you direct your thoughts and attention. The “self-directed” piece refers to your ability to intentionally shape your brain by using it in a specific way.

For example, thinking positive thoughts has been shown to produce epigenetic changes in the brain.[1] Whatever is on your mind today is building your brain of tomorrow. That can be good or bad depending on the mindset that you’re engraving into your brain.

We can define meditation as the act of deliberately applying your mind. It uses self-directed neuroplasticity to change your brain for the better. For guided self-directed neuroplasticity exercises, check out the FitMind meditation app.

How Meditation “Trains” the Brain

Self-directed neuroplasticity is the mechanism behind meditation’s transformative potential.

You are using the mind to change the brain, like a child crafting Playdough. It’s empowering to know that you are in control of your own mental fitness.

Let’s say you want to improve your attention muscles. If you practice a concentration meditation technique, repeatedly bringing your wandering mind back to your breath, for example, you’ll begin to sculpt a strong attention.