Entropy is an interesting concept that I frequently studied in my college physics and chemistry classes, and I love it. Defying entropy has been a dream of physicists, chemists, and scientists for ages, but so far entropy keeps winning. In a nutshell, entropy is a way to measure spontaneous change in a system, or as some say, the measurement of a system to fall into disorder and eventual chaos. The second definition sounds a lot more dramatic, and I like that. Entropy suggests that as time progresses all things (as long as no external, extra energy is applied) eventually break down and fall apart. I think we can all agree with that, even if you have no clue what entropy is. Just drive down an older town’s streets, and you’ll see entropy at work.

So how does entropy affect you? Let’s compare the brain to a giant road framework. Your brain’s synapses, just like roads fall into disrepair when rarely used, and those that are used more frequently are eventually reinforced and built out, but this requires energy and time. Well guess what? So far, the only way we know how to counteract entropy is by inputing energy into a system over time. And this system is your brain. Do you understand? Use it or lose it.
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