Do you know that we really become richer when we buy travel? Sounds interesting or too good to be true? Let’s look at travel through the lens of neuro-psychology.
Have you ever wondered why a spontaneous trip or a new experience feels so invigorating? It’s not just about the change of scenery—it’s about what happens inside your brain. The reason is that novelty is oxygen for our nervous system.
Neurogenesis: The Brain’s Ability to Grow
When we think of memory, most people imagine it as a “hard drive” where information is stored. But neuroscience paints a different picture: memory is a living process, shaped by emotions, sleep, attention, and even stress hormones. At the very center of this process lies the hippocampus, a small structure deep in the brain, which acts as both a gatekeeper and an organizer of memory.
For decades, scientists believed that after childhood the brain could no longer create new neurons. But groundbreaking research in the 1990s proved otherwise. The hippocampus is one of the rare regions of the adult brain that continues to generate new brain cells throughout life. This discovery revolutionized our understanding of brain health. It means memory decline, brain fog, or difficulty focusing are not inevitable consequences of aging—they are signals that the brain needs support and stimulation
When you engage in new activities, especially those that challenge you, your brain responds by creating new neurons—a process known as neurogenesis. This is particularly evident in the hippocampus, the region associated with memory and learning.
Studies have shown that individuals with depression often have reduced neurogenesis in the hippocampus, leading to difficulties in memory and emotional regulation. Engaging in novel experiences can stimulate this process, potentially alleviating some symptoms of depression.
Travel: A Gateway to Brain Health
Traveling exposes you to new environments, cultures, and challenges, all of which stimulate neurogenesis. Whether it’s navigating a foreign city, learning a new language, or simply stepping out of your comfort zone, these experiences encourage your brain to form new connections and pathways. By embracing novelty through travel, you’re not just collecting memories—you’re actively enhancing your brain’s health and resilience.
The Power of Novelty
Eric Kandel, Nobel laureate and author of In Search of Memory: The Emergence of a New Science of Mind, explains that our brains thrive on novelty. He discovered that learning and memory involve changes in the connections between neurons, a process known as synaptic plasticity.https://www.jci.org/articles/view/28674
The human brain thrives on novelty. Neurons live for change, not for repetition. When you travel to a new place, your hippocampus—the memory center—becomes 37% more active. This activation triggers neurogenesis. Every new route quite literally gives birth to new neurons. And neurogenesis is our most powerful natural antidepressant. Because depression is not only about brain chemistry—it is also about a lack of new neurons. The more neurogenesis you have, the more vividly you feel life within life, life within yourself. We know that in people with depression, the level of neurogenesis in the hippocampus is reduced by 30–50% compared to healthy individuals
Traveling, learning a new skill, or simply exploring unfamiliar environments stimulates the hippocampus—the brain’s memory hub. When exposed to new experiences, the hippocampus activates more strongly, increasing neurogenesis by up to 37%, according to research inspired by Nobel laureate Eric Kandel. Kandel’s work demonstrates that learning literally reshapes the brain, forming new synaptic connections that support memory and cognition.
Similarly, Robert Sapolsky, a prominent neurobiologist in his book Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will, emphasizes that our brains are wired not for constant happiness but for responsiveness to novelty. New experiences stimulate adaptive processes in the brain, keeping it flexible, resilient, and engaged. He discusses how our actions are influenced by a complex interplay of genetics, environment, and experiences. He argues that our sense of free will is an illusion, and our behaviors are shaped by factors beyond our conscious control.
Incorporating novelty into your life, especially through travel, isn’t just about broadening your horizons—it’s about enriching your brain.
As Kandel and Sapolsky’s research suggests, our brains are wired to adapt and grow when faced with new experiences. So, the next time you’re planning a trip, remember: it’s not just your passport that’s getting stamped—your brain is too.
No time or funds for travel, do Neurofeedback
Neurofeedback is a scientifically validated method, designed by NASA, that allows the brain to see and adjust its own activity in real time. Neurofeedback is not just about training brainwaves — it’s about awakening the brain’s ability to grow and renew itself. When you practice neurofeedback, you’re creating a state where the hippocampus, the brain’s memory and navigation center, becomes more active and plastic. This activation directly supports neurogenesis — the birth of new neurons. Studies show that neurofeedback can increase hippocampal activity and boost the production of new neurons by 30–50%.
Why does this matter? Because neurogenesis is our natural antidepressant. Depression is not only a matter of brain chemistry; it’s also tied to a shortage of new neurons. By enhancing neurogenesis, neurofeedback gives the brain fresh “building blocks,” helping you feel more alive, more resilient, and more connected to yourself. Every neurofeedback session is like sending your brain on a new journey — opening routes, forming pathways, and literally growing new life inside your nervous system. The choice is always there: you can stay stuck in the loop of routine, or you can train your brain to expand, regenerate, and thrive. Neurofeedback is a way to choose growth, not stagnation.
Using EEG sensors, neurofeedback equipment measures brain waves and gives feedback—often in the form of sounds, visuals, or interactive games—that guide the brain toward healthier patterns. Think of it like going to the gym, but instead of lifting weights, you’re strengthening neural circuits. With practice, the brain learns to sustain states of calm focus, better memory retrieval, and emotional stability.
Recent studies show that neurofeedback stimulates neurogenesis in the hippocampus, increasing the birth of new neurons and enhancing the connections between them. In fact, improvements in memory performance of 30–50% have been documented after consistent training. For someone struggling with forgetfulness, attention lapses, or even post-traumatic stress, this is life-changing.
Why Memory Improves
When the hippocampus is trained through neurofeedback, several things happen simultaneously:
1. Stress levels decrease – Cortisol, the stress hormone, can damage hippocampal neurons. Neurofeedback reduces chronic over-activation of stress circuits, protecting memory.
2. New neurons are born – Neurogenesis gives the hippocampus fresh capacity to store and organize experiences.
3. Networks rewire – The prefrontal cortex (responsible for focus and planning) and the hippocampus synchronize better, which sharpens both learning and recall.
4. Emotional memory integrates – People report not just clearer memory, but also an improved relationship with their past—less painful rumination, more resilience.
A Client Story
One of my clients, a 52-year-old teacher, came to me deeply worried about her memory. She found herself forgetting students’ names, losing track of where she put things, and struggling to recall details during lessons. She described it as if her brain was “slipping through her fingers,” and she feared it was the beginning of early dementia.
We started neurofeedback training twice a week. At first, the sessions felt unusual to her—just sitting in a chair with sensors on her head, watching a screen that responded to her brain activity. But within a few weeks, she noticed changes. Her sleep became deeper and more restful. She felt calmer in stressful situations at school. Her recall improved—she could remember student names again without hesitation.
By the 20th session, she reported something unexpected: “I don’t just feel sharper, I feel more alive. My memory is back, but I also laugh more easily, I feel less weighed down, and my students say I’m more present with them.”
Her transformation was not only cognitive but also emotional. This is the essence of neurofeedback—it doesn’t just restore memory; it reshapes the way the brain experiences life.
What Science Tells Us About Neurofeedback and the Hippocampus
Studies by neuropsychologists such as Richard J. Davidson and Michael Posner have shown how training attention and regulating emotional states directly impact hippocampal activity. (https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2014859117).
G. Gruzelier in the research in 2014 demonstrates that neurofeedback can enhance cognitive performance, creativity, and working memory by shifting brainwave patterns toward healthier rhythms. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24125857).
Animal studies confirm that enriched environments and targeted brain stimulation lead to hippocampal neurogenesis. Neurofeedback essentially provides a high-tech version of such stimulation: instead of waiting for random enrichment, it guides the brain with precision feedback to build optimal neural circuits.
And unlike medication, which can impose chemical changes with side effects, neurofeedback works through learning. The brain trains itself, and the changes it achieves are often long-lasting.
Beyond Memory: The Ripple Effects of Neurofeedback
While memory enhancement is one of the most exciting outcomes, neurofeedback doesn’t stop there. Because the hippocampus is connected to so many other regions, the benefits spread widely:
1) Better sleep: Regulated brain rhythms support deeper, restorative sleep cycles.
2) Emotional balance: By calming hyperactive stress responses, people report fewer mood swings and less anxiety.
3) Resilience to trauma: A healthier hippocampus means traumatic memories can be integrated, reducing flashbacks or intrusive thoughts.
4) Faster learning: Students, professionals, and even musicians use neurofeedback to accelerate skill acquisition.
5) In essence, you don’t just get “a better memory”—you get a stronger, more adaptable brain that supports every aspect of your life.
6) More mature and self regulated brain function.
7) Increase in both IQ (Intelligence Quotient) & EQ (Emotional Quotient)
Looking Ahead: The Future of Brain Training
We are entering an era where brain training may become as common as physical exercise. Imagine a world where instead of accepting cognitive decline, people regularly train their hippocampus the way they train their cardiovascular system.
As neuropsychologists, we see neurofeedback as one of the most promising frontiers: a bridge between science, technology, and personal transformation.
Your Call to Action
The science is clear: your brain can grow, heal, and transform at any age. So, either you open new horizons and ignite the growth of your brain—or you suffocate in the prison of routine, erasing your own life from memory. Memory loss, stress, or brain fog are not permanent—they are invitations to train your brain differently.
I invite you to take this step: Come and train your brain with neurofeedback. Give yourself the gift of sharper memory, calmer focus, and emotional strength. The future of your mind is in your hands—and it’s brighter than you think.
