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It’s getting harder to resist the temptation to pull up a chatbot and switch off your brain for simple tasks, like replying to emails. Loading audio narration… But that convenience comes with a downside: If you stop engaging in tasks that require critical thinking, creativity, and judgment, those mental muscles…

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Dr. Majid Fotuhi, a neurologist and adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University, who researches neuroplasticity and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. He is also the author of “The Invincible Brain.” The following has been edited for length and clarity.Neuroplasticity is your brain’s…

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Mark Seguin, who was surprise-diagnosed with colon cancer five years ago at age 35. It’s been edited for length and clarity.I’ll never know for sure why I got colon cancer at age 35.Sure, I can look back now and point to…