deepstash
Beta
Why You May Have Heard Humans Only Use 10% of the Brain and Why That's Wrong
The 10 percent myth
A common myth is that humans only use 10 percent of their brainpower. About 65 percent of Americans believe this, according to a 2013 study. A 1998 study showed that a third of psychology majors, who focus on the brain, also believe this.
However, scientists have consistently shown that humans use their entire brain throughout the day.
112 SAVES
SIMILAR ARTICLES & IDEAS:
3
Key Ideas
The critical window of childhood
There is an assumption that in the first years of life the vast majority of the brain’s development occurs, and after this period, the trajectory of human development is more or less fixed.&...
The idle-brain theory
Irrespective of what a person is doing, the entire brain is generally active and, depending on the task, some areas are more active than others.
People can always learn new ideas and new skills, not by tapping into some unused part of the brain, but by forming new or stronger connections between nerve cells.
The left/right brain hypothesis
The theory that most people are either dominantly analytical (and left-brained) or creative (and right-brained) is false.
The two hemispheres of the brain are linked and communicate extensively together; they do not work in isolation.
Recent studies suggest that engaging all the senses in a variety of ways (for instance, audiovisual and tactile) can help employees retain new content.
10
Key Ideas
Re-reading and highlighting
Both of these study strategies are relatively ineffective. Passively reading the same text over and over again won’t do much for recall unless it’s spaced out over time.
Different learning styles
Systematic studies of learning styles have consistently found no evidence or very weak evidence to support the idea that matching the material to a student’s learning style is more effective.
Right or left-brained
There is no conclusive evidence that people preferentially use the left or right hemisphere.
Certain functions are processed more by one region of the brain than others, and this is known as lateralization. But we all use our entire brain equally.
2
Key Ideas
The Second Brain In Our Gut
The brain and the gut are linked and in constant communication, and about 100 million nerve cells reside in the gut.
Gut bacteria produce dopamine and similar neurotransmitters that are c...
Take Care Of Your Gut
Exposure and consumption of good bacteria are essential for a balanced brain, as it reduces inflammation and makes us more resilient to depressive states and trauma.
These new findings point towards better ways of treatment for psychiatric disorders. It is essential to take care of your gut bacteria for better mental health and a sharper brain.