Science finally has a definitive list of all of the ways an octopus brain is different to a human brain
Ever wondered what makes us masters of the land and our octopus cousins the masters of the ocean? Comparative neuroanatomy, as always, has the definitive answer.
- It’s a different shape
This is the most obvious difference between a human and a octopus brain! The octopus brain is shaped like a donut, while a human brain is shaped like a brain.
2. It smells more like fish
Phew, what’s that smell? It’s an octopus brain! See, it smells like fish. Scientists aren't sure why the octopus brain smells like fish, given that they are cephalopods, but it could have something to do with the next point…
3. It thinks more about fish
What are you thinking about right now? Chips? The universe? Money? These are all humans things. But if you were thinking about fish, then maybe you’re an octopus in disguise. Scientists in the early 1900s used MRI machines to show that the octopus brain lights up like crazy when it sees a fish, and is also mostly active when it doesn’t see a fish — the obvious conclusion… they’re always thinking about fish! We can’t be certain, but we’re pretty sure.
4. It’s connected directly to its body through nerve cells
The human brain has been wireless for quite some time, safely isolated in the skull and communicating with the limbs, vital organs and senses over wifi. Octopus evolution went down a different track, probably because wifi doesn’t travel well in water. Everything in their body is connected physically to their brain, and it’s through these connections that they understand and control the world around them. Sounds old-fashioned, but the connection is often faster and more reliable.
5. Their Central Nervous System can regenerate
Lost a couple of brain cells? Sorry, you’re out of luck. While the human Central Nervous System is an environment very hostile to regeneration, the octopus is able to regenerate almost its entire brain from just a single limb. Scientists suspect they do this by storing their consciousness elsewhere, as there has been some anecdotal cases of an octopus mind moving from one octopus to another. Creepy hey?
Anyways, that’s pretty much it, I don’t think I’m forgetting anything. If you have any more questions just swing by my office, it’s on the second floor of the anatomy building, just follow the smell of fish!
