this post was submitted on 31 Dec 2025
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Neurodegeneration is caused by biological processes like disease and aging.
However, a lack of stimulation to promote learning and engagement will result in the brain losing its ability to learn efficiency and effectively and a loss of motivation to engage in these activities.
This isn't neurodegeneration.
It's brain plasticity. The brain adapts to the needs of the person. And the needs are determined by what activities they engage in and the stimuli of the environment.
Research often focuses on what is called "enriching environments/activities" to support that these things promote good memory, attention span, and general intelligence.
Early life environments make the biggest impact on someone but can't make up for a lifetime of low stimulating environments.
Low effort cognition will result in lower abilities.
The brain works like a muscle. Use it or lose it.