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BDNF is a protein that allows the brain to reorganize and adapt as a person ages.

Healthy habits—such as eating better, exercising, and sleeping well—boost BDNF.

Ketamine increases BDNF, which has been shown to strengthen neuronal connections.

Over the past several decades, we’ve learned more about neuroplasticity, which is the intrinsic property of the brain that allows it to adapt and reorganize itself. Neuroplasticity allows an aging brain to make the adaptive changes needed to maintain cognitive functioning and resilience. One particular brain protein, BDNF, plays an important role in neuroplasticity—and boosting it can help improve our brain’s health and stave off cognitive decline. Anyone can do that by making some changes to their daily habits, but there’s another way to increase BDNF: ketamine.

BDNF, or brain-derived neurotropic factor, not only helps brain cells grow, but also helps with synaptogenesis (extending the branches of neurons, which can improve connectivity and efficiency of neuronal signaling). BDNF also supports neurogenesis, or the birth of new neurons. BDNF is especially important in neurogenesis in the hippocampus, which is the seat of our ability to learn and remember new things. As neural networks reorganize over time, supported by the interaction of experience and neuroplasticity, the brain can develop greater emotional regulation, creativity, pattern recognition, and what we describe as wisdom.

Healthier Aging for Your Brain

It's a bit of a paradox, then, that the BDNF that helps support resilience in aging naturally decreases as we age. Luckily, there are ways to boost BDNF—not to reverse aging, of course, but to take advantage of its power to protect cognition. Even better, the keys to boosting........

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