Does Immigration make people insane?
Tuesday, July 21st, 2009
Some time ago, I read a book by Norman Doidge, called, The Brain That Changes Itself
In the author’s word….
Immigration is hard on the brain…..Each time the plastic brain acquires culture and uses it repeatedly, there is an opportunity cost: the brain loses some neutral structure in the process, because plasticity is competitive.
The book further adds that
Immigration is usually an unending, brutal workout for the adult brain, requiring a massive rewiring of vast amount of our cortical real estate.
When I was reading this, I didn’t think a great deal about this. Now, when I think about that, it makes a lots of sense why some people (atleast people I interact with regularly) are behaving in a particular way. I didn’t mean to offend any one and I’m not in a position to tell that my point is scientifically correct. I always have the question about the sudden changes in the behaviour and personality in some adults of my community once they migrated to Canada and it dawned to me this could be the reason.
On a different note, researchers have found that meditation increases the gray matter in the brain. The research also confirmed that those who meditate regularly has better focus and good control over their emotions. Interesting !!!!
What is your opinion?
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