While a recent study claimed that there was no such thing as ‘baby brain’, a new piece of research has offered a different take on the phenomenon.

 

According to a study carried out by scientists at the University of British Columbia, a woman’s brain is permanently changed once she experiences pregnancy and enters motherhood.

 

The study’s lead expert, Dr Liisa Galea, looked at the effect that hormones have on the brain during pregnancy, with her findings showing that the surge in female sex hormones can influence the development of various parts of the central nervous system.

 

Specifically, Dr Galea found that an increase in oestrogen during pregnancy can alter neuroplasticity – the re-growth of nerve cells and the ability of your brain to adapt in response to stimuli - in an area of the brain called the hippocampus, which controls certain aspects of memory and spatial awareness.

 

 

While much of the work was carried out on laboratory rats, Dr Galea and her team said that the findings are applicable to humans as the exact same hormones and brain cells are involved.

 

Commenting on the findings, Dr Galea said: “Our most recent research shows that previous motherhood alters cognition and neuroplasticity in response to hormone therapy, demonstrating that motherhood permanently alters the brain.”

 

“Hormones have a profound impact on our mind. Pregnancy and motherhood are life-changing events resulting in marked alterations in psychology and physiology of women,” she added.

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