According to the latest estimates the number of human protein-coding genes is between 19,000 and 20,000. Meanwhile a human newborn brain after nine months contains 100,000,000,000 nerve cells. That is 100 billion! There is no way our skimpy DNA can spell out the wiring diagram for our brains. The best it can do is provide a framework. From there the brain gets wired primarily by the input it senses from the outside environment. In simple terms, as nerves are fired they reach for a spot in the cortex to connect. If a connection is made, wiring takes place, learning takes place, and behaviors are formed. This process continues at a rapid pace throughout childhood. After early adult it slows down, but we now know it doesn’t stop. Nerve cells and the pathways they form can be changed through mindfulness and directed mental force. Your genes do not determine how your brain is wired. They simply don’t have the muscle to do that. Only your environment, your experiences, and especially the way you use your mind to influence your brain can do that. Check the numbers.
Of course you can learn how to use your mind power this way by enrolling in the Emergent Meditation course here.
Image credits:
By Zephyris at the English language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6285050
By Pseudounipolar_bipolar_neurons.svg: Juoj8derivative work: Jonathan Haas (talk) – This file was derived from Pseudounipolar bipolar neurons.svg:, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18271454
