Can you reproduce brain cells?

Question

I just wanted to know if its possible to regenerate brain cells lost from smoking. If so, at what rate?

are you sure? because i heard somewhere that they do regenerate..just at a much slower rate then u kill them

Answer 1

Humans are actually born with far more brain space than we ever use. Brain cells are far more complex structurally than other types of body cells, so they are less likely to regenerate. In young children, whose brains are still growing and developing, I think that brain cells can in a sense regenerate. However, after a certain age, our brains lose their "plasticity," or their ability to change and recover lost cells and connections. What our brains can do, however, is strengthen and make new connections between cells. These connections are just as or more important than the cells. They're like the roads along which our thoughts travel. Good connections mean faster thinking and clearer thinking. What is most damaging is when brain cells are lost in certain parts of the brain, since different parts of the brain are responsible for different things: memory, emotions, cognition (thoughts), etc. For instance, when brain cells in the hippocampus are destroyed, memory loss results.

I am not a doctor, but I am pre-med and have taken several psychology and neuroscience classes. I suspect that the only damage smoking could do to your brain would be a result of getting less oxygen while you smoke. The extent of the damage always depends on how long you have been smoking, how heavy you were smoking (how many cigs a day), and how young you were when you began smoking (younger means more damage, since smoking early on can stunt brain development somewhat, which continues into your early 20's). You may not be able to regenerate those brain cells, but that doesn't mean you can't do anything. You can strengthen and develop your brain connections by excercising your brain just like working out strengthens your muscles. Doctors encourage everyone, particularly people over the age of forty, to do this. There is scientific proof that doing so fights off problems like dementia in old age. You may not be sixty, but working your brain out still strengthens it. Doctors recommend things like word puzzles. Anything that makes you think hard (you can feel it when your brain's really working, so trust that) works well. A lot of board games are great for this--Catch Phrase, Password...games that keep you on your toes and require you to use strategy, like Risk and Mastermind, are also great. If you like working crossword puzzles or mazes, go with that. Most computer and video games do not fit into the brain-strengthening category (unfortunately), so keep a tab on your electronics time. However, working out the rest of your body (jogging, rock climbing, biking, whatever you enjoy) strengthens your heart and lungs, ensuring that your brain gets a good helping of oxygen. So staying in shape (thought you don't have to be a health nut) is also important. Any hobbies you have--drawing, home improvement, reading, being a history buff--are also great, because they keep your brain both active and engaged, which is important for a happy and healthy brain.

Worrying is something that won't help anything, so don't do that. :) If you're really concerned, or if you feel like you're showing signs of neurological problems like forgetfulness or trouble thinking, then do go see your doc and explain the changes to him/her. Hope this helps, and if you've quit smoking, congrats!

Answer 2

Do Brain Cells Reproduce

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Can you reproduce brain cells?
I just wanted to know if its possible to regenerate brain cells lost from smoking. If so, at what rate?

Answer 4

Nope.

Every 7 years every cell in your body has been replaced by a new one except for braincells. You lose one it is forever.

Besides. Your brain is storage and has 'learned' to function like that. You need to learn again if you lose parts of your brain. That can be done. This rewiring is a painful long road but theoretically any function you have lost by parts of your brain being busted can be learned again.

Answer 5

reproduce brain cells

Answer 6

The skin, liver, gut, and perhaps other organs are also thought to have their own stem cells that replace injured and dead cells. Not so the brain.

Because it would have a hard time holding on to memories if its cells were constantly being replaced.

Answer 7

You have to have to put them together in the enclosure, maybe set some mood music. Some bamboo to snack on afterwards... You know? And make sure no one's watching them cuz they get nervous... Give them some priva- wait? What? Brain cells??

Ohhhhhh, sorry. That was for PANDAS.... My bad... =\

The Dude may need to get more brain cells himself...

Answer 8

no u can´t they don´t reproduce by them selves but some scientists might b trying that but it´s ur fault if u lost brain cells by smoking

Answer 9

actually there are receptors that will regenerate after time that go away when you harm the brain. but as in braincells we have a lot so unless you get brain damage your fine

Answer 10

Man, I sure hope so. Cause I have fried a lot my friend.