Have you seen a movie by the name LUCY? It is a fantastic movie that deals with what will happen if humans use 100 per cent of their brain power.

After the effects of a performance-enhancing drug inside her, the protagonist obtains exceptional physical and mental talents. It is just a movie, but in reality, the human brain is very complex and has numerous doubts associated with it, one of which includes ‘Do we use only 10 per cent of our brains?’

The reality behind 10 per cent brain usage

Lucy isn’t the only film that promotes the misconception that we only employ 10% of our brains; there are others as well. Consider this: if we only require 10% of our brain, the vast majority of brain injuries would have no noticeable repercussions since the wound would occur in areas of the brain having no use. 

According to neuroimaging studies, all brain areas are always functioning, regardless of what a person is doing. Some sections of the brain are more energetic than others at any one time, but no part of the brain is dysfunctional until it faces some damage, irrespective of the source. The human brain constitutes manifestos and performs exquisite formulations to equations executing millions of banal activities. It’s the storehouse of knowledge and self-awareness. Furthermore, it serves as the origin of all human sensations, emotions, and events. Do you honestly believe that all of this is possible with only 10% of the brain?

Why does this belief of 10 per cent brain usage exist?

Several theories have sprung up via numerous plays and films, and some people believe the writings of psychologist and philosopher William James. He was of the side that humans use only a tiny part of their possible mental and physical resources. He also mentions in his book The Energies of Men. In addition, studies revealed in the 19th and early 20th centuries that they can remove many portions of an organism’s brain without affecting conduct. It misled scientists to conclude that a small region is required for psychological processes to function.

How much of our brain do we employ? 

If humans only used a small percentage of their brains, people might not have grown such big brains. The human body’s approximately 20 per cent energy goes to the brain. If we use only 10 per cent of our brains, why this large amount of energy? Brain imaging scans show that almost the entire brain is active during relatively simple tasks. Laboratory tests of brain function reveal that many parts of the brain “lit up” during even mundane activities, demonstrating that a large portion of our brains is active during nearly any intellectual processing. Furthermore, while studies occasionally indicate parts of the cortex where neurotransmitters are not firing, neuroscientists noted that these neurons are receiving information from other neurons.

There exists equilibrium between cells transmitting signals and cells that are temporarily silent. It is critical for the brain’s ability to convey knowledge.

Other myths that are somewhat related to 10 per cent myth are as follows:

1. Adolescence marks the end of brain growth. People who cross this age are left behind with no brain growth.

2. The brain is inactive when we sleep. If this is real, how do you see dreams, and how do these dreams stack in your memory?

3. Harm to the brain results in perpetual functional impairment, especially in the older age range.

4. Brain exercise improves IQ and reduces the ageing of the brain. Why isn’t everyone attending this course if this is the case? 

5. In later life, brain function deteriorates substantially. It is 100 per cent a myth. If it was true, then no person of this age shall come under the category of a successful man.

6. There are two types of people: left-brained and right-brained.

We’ve now learned that humans use more than 10% of their brains, but have you ever thought about what else you could do to improve their functioning? Following points state about the to-do list for the best performance:

1. The more a person exercises his brain, the greater his mental abilities develop. As a result, brain strength training is a brilliant approach to keep your brain in good shape. The most successful bring about new ways to boost the brain’s quickness and ability to grasp complex data sets fast.

2. Your brain’s health is influenced by how well you sleep. According to some ideas, sleeping allows your brain to eliminate aberrant proteins and solidify thoughts, which improves your overall cognition and mental focus. Sleep continuously for 7-8 hours and do not break it very often.

3. Mega fatty acids, such as those found in excess olive oil and other essential fats, are necessary for cell function, appear to lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases and improve attention and concentration.

Key Takeaways 

With this, we have reached the end of this blog. However, it was just a brief about the human brain since it is a very complex structure and requires a deep understanding. After reading this blog, you will guide people about the 10 per cent brain myth. All this isn’t to argue that humans don’t have immense possibilities; it’s just that we employ all of our minds to accomplish these incredible things.

Also published on Medium.