Scientists at Harvard University have discovered preliminary evidence suggesting that when mice engage in “daydreaming” or quiet reflection, their brains undergo rewiring that is beneficial for memory and learning.
The study showed black-and-white images to mice, with subsequent observation of neural activity in the visual cortex and hippocampus. When mice were in a calm state with small pupils, a “daydream” effect occurred, wherein the visual cortex reactivated, exhibiting patterns similar to those associated with the removed image. This phenomenon, akin to the process during sleep, suggests that unstimulated, reflective states may play a role in memory consolidation and learning improvement.
The study sheds light on the intriguing relationship between unstimulated mental states and the brain’s ability to reorganize responses to stimuli, potentially influencing brain plasticity.