That's right folks! Step right up and get your neurons right here! Delivered fresh and delivered daily to your brain, whether you knew it or not! Use it or lose it, people! Save the whales or save those neurons? Well, how about both? Give the old noodle upstairs a regular workout or those new neurons are toast! Learning ain't just for children, folks! We adults have the capability to keep on keeping on getting a whole heck of a lot smarter, should we choose. Adults, get your brainy groove on!

Scientists in the early 1990's rocked the neuro-biology world by discovering that the adult brain is capable of producing new neurons, disproving the previous believe that only young brains were capable of doing so and that neurons were lost with age. Neuroscientists like Tracey J. Shors of Rutgers University continues her studies of neurogenesis, sharing her findings in a recent article in Scientific American, March 2009.

To break it down: adults produce new neurons in the hippocampus part of their brains, everyday. If these young neurons are not stimulated or challenged within approximately 2 weeks, they die. Their survival and maturation depend entirely on learning, mindful activity and the rule of thumb, is that the more challenging, the better. The rats who were given easy problems to solve did not manage to sustain as many neurons as the rats who were given really hard puzzles to figure out.

So don't be afraid to start learning a new language, musical instrument or brush up on your tango or Italian. Adults are just as capable as children when it comes to learning new skills and retaining new information. Its just a matter of stepping up to the challenge that you may or may not be creating for yourself.

Things that inhibit the birth of those smart cells are alcohol, nicotine, and general sloth. Just say no to hours of television and daily happy hours. I know its hard right? (Not really.) Step life up a notch and join an astronomy or public speaking club, attend a lecture on how to convert your home and business to solar thermal energy, take a martial arts class (and kick some ass why don't ya?), fly a plane, or even doing crossword puzzles count. Things that promote the exponential production of new brain cells are physical exercise as well as mental exercise, blueberries, and believe it or not- antidepressants. Get your hippocampus' groove on and consider blueberry shakes for breakfast before a jog around the neighborhood while practicing your French verb conjugations. And if you are severely depressed or have Alzheimer's- don't forget the antidepressants. Apparently, it really helps those baby neurons to escape the deadlock.

So the moral of this story and the continuing studies of neuroscientists is to continue to challenge yourself to learn, eat lots of blueberries, and exercise your body. By doing these things, you will avoid losing your mind as you approach the latter part of your life and upon arrival, will enjoy the respect of being a 'wise elder' instead of a doddering old fool. Immediate perks are, you get to be smarter and smarter everyday until then. Your brain gives you the ammunition to become a survivor and to be the fittest- no matter what comes your way. Keep up the good work and build those brain muscles along with that tight fanny and thank yourself now and later, by warding off the degenerative condition of mind and body as the years slip on by.

Neuroscience continues to search for a cure for Alzheimer's disease and without a doubt, they will find their answers. (Thank-you, dear rats. We salute you.) Until then, we know that challenge is a welcome element to both our brains and our bodies when it comes to good health, longevity, and human intelligence.