Did you know that every journey, even a short one, literally “pumps up” your brain – new cities, smells, languages, and even a different route to work trigger complex processes in your head that can make us smarter, more resilient, and happier.
What happens to our brain when we travel / © Credits
We are constantly traveling, even when we don’t realize it. The morning commute to work, a trip to a new cafe, or a long-awaited vacation – all of these change how the brain works, PureWow reported.
According to neuropsychologist Paul Nussbaum, travel is not just a change of location; it is a complete brain workout that stimulates its development just as much as sports stimulate the body.
Brain Workout
When you find yourself in a new environment, your brain encounters two key things: novelty and complexity.
And that’s when the magic begins. Our synapses – connections between neurons – multiply actively to process new information, such as unfamiliar streets, a different language, new food, or new social situations. This is literally a physical process of learning, so the more new experiences, the more new neural connections.
How the Brain Works During Travel
Travel is not a single function but a complex “operation” of almost the entire brain:
-
Frontal lobe – when you adapt to new people and situations
-
Olfactory cortex – when you sense smells, such as lavender or the sea
-
Taste system – when you savor local cuisine
-
Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas – when you try to speak a foreign language
-
Motor functions – during walks, hikes, or activities
-
Visual cortex – when admiring landscapes
-
Parietal lobe – when navigating in a new city
In other words, the brain receives a full “load.”
Travel Makes the Brain Stronger
During new experiences, the brain forms so-called “chemical alliances” between cells. Important neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, GABA, and glutamate are released. As a result, the brain becomes denser in terms of connections, like a jungle.
And here comes the key concept – cognitive resilience. The more connections there are, the harder it is for age-related or pathological processes to “destroy” the brain.
The Importance of Travel
Neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to change – works at any age. Travel stimulates thinking, slows cognitive aging, and helps adapt to changes. It can even reduce the risks of neurodegenerative diseases.
The Need for Balance
Even the best “gym” doesn’t work without recovery, so for travel to be beneficial, it’s important to alternate activity and rest, get enough sleep, and take breaks from overload. So-called “positive stress” should be dosed.
Is it Necessary to Fly Far Away
The effect of travel can be achieved even in everyday life, simply by changing your route to work, exploring new neighborhoods, going without GPS, and trying new activities.
A classic example is London taxi drivers. Taxi drivers who constantly navigate have a larger hippocampus, while bus drivers with fixed routes have a smaller one. The conclusion is simple – the brain grows where there is a challenge.
Travel is not a luxury or an escape from reality, but an investment in your own brain. Every new road, city, or even an unusual turn on a familiar street creates new neural connections, broadens thinking, and makes us more flexible. And perhaps that’s why after traveling, we feel not only happier but somewhat different.
Comments Sort: New Old Popular Submit
Source: tsn.ua