Neural Pruning
“Neural pruning, also known as synaptic pruning, is the process where the brain eliminates unused or redundant neural connections to increase the efficiency of its circuits. It is a vital part of brain development.
Timeline of Neural Pruning
The process of neural pruning begins in early childhood, typically around age 2. During this time, the brain has an overabundance of synapses, far more than it will need. Pruning is a “use it or lose it” process: frequently used connections are strengthened, while those that are rarely or never used are weakened and eventually eliminated.
Pruning continues throughout childhood and accelerates during adolescence. It was once thought to be complete by the onset of sexual maturation, but modern research using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has shown that it continues into early adulthood, typically completing in a person’s late 20s. The prefrontal cortex, which is involved in complex behaviors like decision-making and critical thinking, is one of the last areas to be fully pruned.” – Gemni.ai
Commentary
I SUSPECT that people with early or unusual brain development, such as people on the Autistic spectrum, keep some of these ‘extra connections’ and use them for creative/mystical purposes.
I know that I had a ‘browning out’ thing that I fought with my entire being from youth to my early adulthood.
I suspect that some ‘born mystics’ keep quite a few of these ‘extra connections’ and that if
we gave creative love and support to our children and our youth, rather than torturing them and implanting false religious and societal narratives, that we might get to meet the ‘new
kind of human’ that we all want.
I’d say that advanced mystical practices in later life somewhat reverse this unfortunate
(but understandable) neural apocalypse.
I have heard MANY stories from born ‘spiritual people’ and ‘born experiencers’ about how psychic they were as children but how it faded. How they went through a lengthy ‘dark night of the soul’ around this time.
It certainly was that way for me.
I think this is the answer.
Now, we are far MORE than just neural circuits, but the brain is a tool that we use here as humans, and the remapping of it for creative and imaginal purposes is the very basis
of human potential. I would say that there are many psychological factors as well, for example in my case, I was beaten with wooden, plastic and metal rods in my childhood, and with the first such abuse,
much that was wonderful inside me died and has never fully returned.
It appears to me, that three factors are the major factors in how we destroy our children as a culture:
1) Neutral Pruning without creative and loving countermeasures.
2) Child abuse
3) Toxic societal programming.
Kevin Cann
Public Domain
8/13/2025