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Eva Keiffenheim

Learn Letter: Myelination - Why White Stuff Matters, How to Learn Faster, Strategies to battle mental fatigue

Published over 2 years ago • 2 min read

32nd edition l Artwork by Dids

Hi learners,

you know about effective strategies such as spaced repetition and interleaving — but have you ever wondered why learning needs repetition?

In the past decades, neuroscientists argued neurons in gray matter would be a key factor for learning.

You might have heard about some of their findings. For example, musicians' brains look different (thicker regions of auditory cortex) than non-musicians' brains and medical students' brains have more gray matter when they studied for an exam.

But more recently neuroscientists revisited this assumption. They used magnetic resonance imaging to observe the brain's structure while learning.

Below the gray matter surface lies the white matter. It's white because it contains billions of axons that are coated in with a fatty substance called myelin.

Gray matter vs. White Matter (Source).

These myelin-coated axons play a critical role in learning: they connect the neurons in the gray matter into circuits. The myelin works like an electrical insulation and, as researchers write, boosts the speed of transmission by 50 to 100 times.

Hence, myelin (the fatty white substance around the axons) is a critical factor for learning as it determines your brain's information transmission speed. Myelin makes signals faster, stronger, and more precise.

But what has repetition to do with all this neuroscience stuff?

Every time you repeat a practice, the myelin layer thickens. The more you practice a specific skill, the better insulated the circuit becomes. In return, your thoughts and behavior becomes faster and more precise.

The authors of one of my favorite education science books 'Make it Stick', write: "The thickness of the myelin coating correlates with ability, and research strongly suggests that increased practice builds greater myelin along the related pathways, improving the strength and speed of the electrical signals and, as a result, performance."

And that's it. Now you know why repetition plays such a crucial role in learning :-)

P.S.: If you want to learn more about white matter any myelin, check out this in-depth 10-minute read.

P.P.S.: I'm building an evidence-based online course that helps you transform into a consistent writer and attract an Audience, create career opportunities, and become a better person.

The first cohort will start end of November. It'll be a small beta group at a significant discount over the final price. If you're interested you can pre-register here.


Featured Articles

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Learning Nuggets

🧠 How to Learn Faster for Your Exams

This video by AsapScience explores different strategies to better remember what you're intending to learn:

  • Learn before you go to sleep and learn in the morning.
  • If you exercise or do something else like a sport, you will remember things faster.
  • Say things you have to remember out loud.
  • Stay hydrated while studying.

🧱 What can you do if your brain is too tired for clear thinking?

This article by Becky Kane suggests seven concrete things you can do when you feel mental fatigue. What was new for me is Becky's suggestion for structuring tasks based on energy-levels and Daniel Pink's tips for strategic breaks:

  • Something beats nothing. A short break is better than none.
  • Moving beats stationary. Always get up and move.
  • Social beats solo. If possible, connect with people.
  • Outside beats inside. A short walk outside is always a great idea.
  • Fully detached beats semi-detached. Close your computer and shut your phone to fully enjoy break time.

“The real substance of teaching is done by the learner himself. The teacher can only provide the game: the environment, the system, some tools."

Mason Hartman


Eva Keiffenheim

Make the most of your mind

Eva Keiffenheim is a TEDx speaker and learning expert. She advises startups, education foundations, policymakers, and NGOs on strategic initiatives related to the future of education and learning.

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