The 3 Most Annoying Myths About The Brain
The brain is by far the most complex and poorly understood organ in the human body
The star of the nervous system and one of the most fascinating organs in the body has to be the brain. It consists of 86 trillion neurons that transmit information either within the brain or between the brain and the rest of the nervous system.
When you think, speak, reminisce or even learn, your brain is active. After all, all your cognitive processes depend on this organ.
Every process that happens in your body whether voluntary or involuntary is guided by your brain.
However, despite being such an important part of your body, chances are that you believe in a myth about the brain.
Here are three annoying brain myths that need to be debunked:
Myth #1: You Can’t Produce New Brain Cells In Adulthood
Let me introduce you to a concept known as neurogenesis.
Neurogenesis is the process through which your brain creates new neurons.
Even as an adult, your brain can produce new brain cells.
Traditionally, it was thought that the brain stops growing when you reach adulthood. Recent studies state the opposite.
Neuroscience research reveals that adult neurogenesis can occur in the hippocampus, a region of the brain associated with memories and emotional regulation.
According to Dr. Brant Cortright, clinical psychologist and author of ‘The Neurogenesis Diet and Lifestyle’, there are things you can do to boost brain growth. In his book, he states that low rates of neurogenesis are associated with high rates of anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline. Whereas, high rates of neurogenesis are associated with better emotional regulation and fewer depressive symptoms.
Not only can your adult brain produce new brain cells but you can also influence the rate at which it does so.
Don’t fall for the myth that your brain can’t produce neurons in adulthood. Instead, figure out ways in which you can enhance your cognitive abilities by boosting brain growth.
Myth #2: You Only Use 10% of Your Brain
Have you ever come across a quote by Albert Einstein that suggests you use only 10% of your brain?
If you did, you might be surprised to learn two facts:
- Albert Einstein probably never said it
- It is a false statement altogether
This is one of the most well-known myths about the brain.
While speaking to Scientific American about the 10% myth, Barry Gordon, a neurologist stated that ‘we use virtually every part of the brain’.
It is a rather annoying myth that people continue to perpetuate even though it has been debunked time and time again.
Myth #3: Men and Women Have Different Brains.
People have been led to believe that males and females have vastly different brains. However, the differences aren’t as huge as one may think.
Sex differences in the brain are tiny and inconsistent, once individuals’ head size is accounted for. — Neuroscientist, Lise Eliot
On average, a male’s brain is larger than a female’s brain owing to head size. However, that doesn’t necessarily make it a different type of brain altogether.
The truth is that there are no universal, species-wide brain features that differ between the sexes. Rather, the brain is like other organs, such as the heart and kidneys, which are similar enough to be transplanted between women and men quite successfully — Neuroscientist, Lise Eliot
There is very little reason to believe that males and females have phenomenally different brains. In fact, the opposite is true.
Final Takeaway
The brain is a complex and misunderstood organ that plays a vital role in our lives. One of the best things we can do is exercise it by learning new things and dispelling myths.
