Agency Dictionary
Neuroplastic
adjectivePronunciation: /ˌnjʊə.rəʊˈplæs.tɪk/
In Portuguese: Neuroplástico
Science & Health
Psychology & MindWhat does “Neuroplastic” mean?
Relating to or exhibiting the structural and functional adaptiveness of neural networks within the brain.
Etymology
A modern compound formed from two Greek-derived learned elements: the prefix neuro-, from neuron (nerve, sinew), and the adjective plastic, from Greek plastikos (moldable, capable of being shaped), from plassein (to mold, to form). The compound names the capacity of neural tissue to reorganize its structure and connections in response to experience, injury, or learning. It became current in cognitive science and neuroscience during the second half of the twentieth century.
Usage note
The noun neuroplasticity is far more common than the adjective. The adjective neuroplastic is used mainly in technical contexts and scholarly writing.
Word family
Rhymes with
- elastic
- fantastic
- sarcastic
- drastic
- gymnastic
Concepts
- NeuroplasticityNeuroplasticity is the brain's inherent capacity to reorganize its structure and functional pathways in response to experience, learning, or biochemical stimulation. It…
- Psychedelic-Assisted TherapyPsychedelic-assisted therapy is a clinical treatment modality combining controlled doses of psychoactive compounds with professional psychotherapeutic preparation and…
Source editions
Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.
Words of the same theme
- Equationnoun
- A complex statement or problem involving balancing multiple interdependent factors, variables, or meanings.
- vocationnoun
- A strong innate inclination or sense of purpose toward a particular career, craft, or calling.
- Synchronicitynoun
- The simultaneous occurrence of events that appear meaningfully related yet lack a direct causal connection.
- Astronautnoun
- A person trained and equipped to travel and operate beyond the atmosphere of the Earth. In space exploration, astronauts perform scientific experiments and navigate spacecraft under extreme conditions.
- Decompositionnoun
- The natural biological or chemical process of decay, breakdown, or disintegration into constituent elements.
- eppur si muoveother
- An Italian phrase meaning and yet it moves. It is used to affirm that a fact remains true no matter who denies it.
- Resiliencenoun
- The capacity to withstand or recover quickly from difficulties, tough conditions, or shock.
- Stigmanoun
- A mark of social disgrace, shame, or prejudice associated with a particular circumstance, trait, or behavior.
- clevernessnoun
- The mental quality of being quick-witted, agile, and ingenious in solving specific situational problems.
- Pollinationnoun
- The transfer of pollen grains from the male anther to the female stigma of a flower, enabling fertilization and seed production.
- Regenerativeadjective
- Relating to or capable of renewing, restoring, or reforming biological vitality and structural equilibrium.
- collective consciousnessnoun
- The set of beliefs, ideas and feelings shared by the members of a society, which exists beyond any single person. By extension, what a community knows and repeats in common.
Also from these editions: terms
- Chacronanoun
- The tropical shrub Psychotria viridis whose leaves provide dimethyltryptamine in the preparation of ayahuasca.
- Decoctionnoun
- The process of extracting soluble chemicals and active compounds from tough plant materials by continuous boiling in water.
- Entheogenicadjective
- Relating to or possessing the capacity to induce religious, spiritual, or sacred altered states of consciousness.
- Hinarionoun
- A consecrated book or collection of received spiritual hymns sung in rhythm to structure and guide ceremonies in Santo Daime.
- Jagubenoun
- The woody liana Banisteriopsis caapi native to the Amazon rainforest, containing beta-carbolines that inhibit MAO enzymes.
- Macerationnoun
- The softening or mechanical breaking down of plant tissues and fibers by pounding, soaking, or steeping.
- Miracaonoun
- A vivid visual, symbolic, or spiritual visionary experience occurring during the peak effects of an ayahuasca ceremony.
- Pan-Amazonianadjective
- Encompassing, spanning, or characteristic of the entire geographic and cultural territory of the Amazon basin.
- Rezonoun
- A formal spiritual prayer or spoken invocation chanted to inaugurate, direct, or conclude a traditional sacred gathering.
- Serotonergicadjective
- Related to, producing, or activated by the neurotransmitter serotonin or its corresponding receptors.
- Syncreticadjective
- Characterized by the fusion or combination of different forms of belief, cultural practices, or theological doctrines.
Also from these editions: concepts
- Amanda VicentiniAmanda Vicentini is the author of a work on the theology of Santo Daime cited in Research.2 of the Agency editorial, an edition published only in Portuguese. The edition…
- Antônio CostaAntônio Costa is a figure in the origin story of Santo Daime as told in Research.2 of the Agency editorial, an edition published only in Portuguese. The edition presents…
- Raimundo Irineu SerraRaimundo Irineu Serra, known as Mestre Irineu, was the Brazilian religious leader who founded the Santo Daime, a religion born in Acre that uses ayahuasca as its…
- Sebastião Mota de MeloSebastião Mota de Melo, known as Padrinho Sebastião, was a Brazilian religious leader of the Santo Daime. Research.2, an edition about ayahuasca published only in…
- AyahuascaAyahuasca is an ancestral Amazonian psychoactive brew prepared through the decoction of Banisteriopsis caapi vine and Psychotria viridis leaves. It produces profound…
- EntheogenAn entheogen is a psychoactive substance used in sacred, religious, or spiritual rituals to induce divine or transcendent experiences. The term was coined in 1979 to…
- EthnopharmacologyEthnopharmacology is an interdisciplinary scientific field evaluating the biological and therapeutic properties of natural preparations developed by traditional cultures…
- FeitioFeitio is the traditional sacred production process through which ayahuasca or Daime is prepared from jagube vine and chacrona leaves. It encompasses strenuous collective…
- Pan-Amazonian ShamanismPan-Amazonian shamanism is an archaic cosmological and spiritual continuum shared across dozens of diverse indigenous nations inhabiting the Amazon River basin. It…
- Purgative HealingPurgative healing is an ethnomedical process wherein physical vomiting, perspiration, and diarrhea are interpreted as therapeutic purifications of toxic somatic and…