Introduction
As the control center for our body and mind, the brain is
perhaps one of the most fascinating organs out there. Scientists are still
uncovering new ways in which the brain works, even mysteries that had been
previously solved. Here are ten mind-blowing facts about this amazing organ:
1. We use only 10% of
our brain
The myth of the 10% brain use is one that has been around
for a long time. It’s often used as an excuse for people not to try new things
or to give up on something they are bad at. However, recent studies have shown
that this number is actually much higher. It’s true that we use only a small
portion of our brains to complete everyday tasks. But that doesn’t mean that
the other 90% is useless. In fact, the majority of the brain is used for
processes like memory and thinking. So the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed.
2. The Brain can't do multi-tasking
Everyone knows that multitasking is a myth, right? While it
may seem that you’re effectively using your time by doing multiple things at
once, science has proven that you actually cannot focus on more than one thing
at a time. When people say they’re multi-tasking, what they usually mean is
that they’re rapidly switching back and forth between different tasks or
information streams. This might feel like multi-tasking to us, but our brains
can only do one thing at a time and we have to take short breaks in order to
shift our attention from task to task.
3. The Brain is
sensitive to emotions
The brain is very sensitive to emotions and can be easily
influenced by them. When people are happy, their brains release a chemical
called dopamine, which makes them feel good. When people are sad, their brains
release a chemical called cortisol, which makes them feel bad.
4. It is possible to teach people to respond more
quickly by using only one side of their brain
Something that was once thought to be impossible. The left
hemisphere of our brain controls language and logical thinking, while the right
side is used for visual and spatial recognition. Researchers from San Diego
State University found that using only one hemisphere at a time allows us to
respond more quickly than if we were using both sides of our brain
simultaneously.
5. Gender affects the Brain
Gender also appears to affect the way the brain processes
information. For example, women are better at multitasking and remembering
faces, while men are better at processing spatial information and solving
problems. These differences likely arise from the different ways in which the
male and female brains are wired.
6. Even when asleep, your brain is more active than
when you are awake
A process called sleep spindles controls memory and
learning. This is an excerpt from Brain Rules, a book written by Neuroscientist
John Medina. He says: In one experiment in my lab, electrodes were implanted in
humans' brains while they slept so we could detect activity patterns associated
with certain types of memory. We found that slow brain waves fired during deep
sleep seem to cement memories of facts learned just before bedtime such as
vocabulary words or lists of paired items into long-term storage. Slower brain
waves during REM sleep appear to strengthen memories of facts learned earlier
in the day.
7. The Brain remembers everything?
The human brain can remember everything that happens to us -
but our working memory only retains 40 bits of information for about 20
seconds. But researchers have now found a way to boost it by 50 per cent,
allowing them to store around six items in short term memory. They believe
there could be potential implications for future treatments for conditions like
Alzheimer's and schizophrenia, which are associated with lapses in memory.
8. Each Brain has its own fingerprint, like a snowflake
There are an estimated 86 billion neurons in the human
brain. Each one has its own unique fingerprint, just like a snowflake. This
means that each person’s brain is different, and no two brains are alike. This
is incredible news because it means that each of us has the potential to be
creative and innovative in our own way. We all have the ability to think
differently and come up with new ideas. The next time you feel stuck or like you
can’t come up with anything new, remember that your brain is unique and there’s
no one else in.
9. The Brain is Constantly Active
The brain is constantly active even when people are asleep.
In a study published in the journal Nature, scientists found that while people
were sleeping, their brains were constantly active, even when they were in a
deep sleep. The study used a type of MRI scanner called functional MRI (fMRI) to
measure the brain activity of nine people as they slept. The results showed
that the brain was constantly active, even when people were in a deep sleep.
The team also found that different parts of the brain were active at different
times during sleep.
10. Can we change our Brains?
The answer to this question is still being studied, but
scientists are working hard to figure it out. Studies have shown that our
brains are plastic, meaning they can change and grow throughout our lives. This
means that we may be able to train our brains to be better at certain things or even change our personalities.
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