Sensory enhancement theories have a new study to back up claims that could help further research on how we can improve our sensory perceptions. Hearing impaired individuals, for example are thought to be able to achieve a higher level of adaptability when it comes to the other functioning sensations. This study asserts that sensory changes in blind mice show improved hearing. To translate that to humans, it is thought that small encounters of visual obscurity could allow someone to learn a new way of taking in sounds for the purpose of adapting to the world around them.

From a very informative piece by Scientific American, we learn that brain cells are able to adapt in ways we previously were not aware of. They wrote:

The researchers played sounds of different frequencies and intensities to the mice, and watched how their brain cells reacted. The results “showed that neurons in visually deprived animals can ‘hear’ much softer sounds” than in control animals, says Lee. “They also have much finer discrimination ability as far as identifying pitch goes.”

These fortifying neuron connections were originally thought to occur in early stages of development. Our brains are constantly evolving. The way we think and feel changes the our relationship with the world. Knowing that our brains can adapt and connect to neurons in new ways, helps us to understand the importance of mind/body health for the purpose of creating and sustaining wellness for as long as we can.