The Neuroplasticity of First Attempts

Key points

Adult brains retain neuroplasticity and can form new motor pathways with practice.

Novelty and movement stimulate structural brain changes, even later in life.

The medial prefrontal cortex helps override fear triggered by the amygdala.

Each first attempt challenges fear circuits and sparks meaningful brain adaptation.

A few weeks ago, I laced up a pair of roller skates for the very first time. Actually, scratch that. I laced up a pair of roller skates for the first time in over two decades - after what can only be described as a disastrous attempt at imitating my younger brother (who was a natural), resulting in me collapsing spectacularly onto the pavement before I’d even taken a step.

Fast forward to now: I’m in my mid-thirties, and my body likes to show its age in cute