How Much Brain Do We Use?
How can we only use a percent of our brain? Evidence shows we can use more.
Scientists and others in the psychological, sociological fields have asserted that humans use maybe .01 to.10 percent of our brain. Without getting all science geek about it there is an easier way of understanding what that means.
First let us clarify, mechanically you use 100% of your brain. Maximizing usage is another subject. So when someone puts a percentage of use on the brain they do not mean that the other say 90% is dormant or useless.
Think of it this way. Let’s say your brain is a stereo. When you are using your stereo you are using 100% of it. Here is the x factor. If the volume knob is set at say a 2 level then you are not getting the same usage when compared to turning the volume knob to 8 or 10.
So what scientists are trying to get across to us is we have a lot more room in our cranium to fill. We have more volume to boost. We are not even close to tapping our potential of brain power. The percentage is actually a moot point I would think in reality.
There is no physical data to determine in tangible evidence the amount of usage the human brain has. There are as many as if not more than 100 billion brain cells. Then there is the neuronal and synaptic connections. Interestingly there has been data that has determined that people have increased there brain power however.
Then there are the people who demonstrate mental abilities that are very rare. Some people with autism for example have had the ability to calculate very high levels of math equations without ever having learned how.
There is also more and more variables we are learning about the brain. Studies that suggest that even though our brain is one as a whole we evidently get production out of separate parts of the brain for different mental tasks. We have all heard of the right brain/left brain references for example.
So regardless of how you want to interpret the brain usage by percentage, the fact is it is the most amazing gift we have. A computer is nothing compared to the human brain. And we can build upon our ability to get more out of it. So turn up the volume button and get the old noggin’ working.
Liked it
10 Responses to “How Much Brain Do We Use?”
On January 12, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Great article, Very informing!
-¥
On January 12, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Hi:
I have learn that each brain cell can process upto 27,000 millions of calculations per second so if we have use only upto 10% that means 2,700 millions of calculations per second for each neuron .. meaning the fastest computer ever build i think can go now upto 9,000 millions of calculations per second so mathematically is far less superior right now than us … but they dont posses intelligence and no emotions ..i wonder if the emotional processing is far more complicated than just do math…
what u think?
On January 14, 2008 at 4:50 am
Thanks for the comments.
As per our brain versus computer the consensus is that the capacity and potential of our brain far exceeds any computer or computers. And of course the ability to reason.
The question of emotional processing versus math is an outstanding question. I never thought about that in that way. Worth some study.
ANDY
On June 13, 2009 at 1:46 pm
what if we use 20%
On August 2, 2009 at 11:42 am
Josh, if we were to use 20% of our brain you would have your answer and you may feel a little left out.
For the emotions question, I think there is much more to it then calculations. Human emotions fluctuate so rapidly the a calcalution for it could be endless. Then you have to factor in all the different area’s of emotions and the low, mids, and highs of them and so on and so on.
Is it worth the study though? Of course, it never hurts to see what can be figured out. All I know is comparing the human brain to a computer is crazy. Computers are as fast as your are able to make them go, there is no limit for the human brain speed wise.
Just pay attention to how fast you react to something and then think about how much faster your brain reacted to it before you did. It’s like when you go to say something without even thinking about it. It just automatically pops in your head faster then you can think of the first letter of the word, sentance, or paragraph that you may say.
So calculations are cool to read about and all but I don’t see it being as accurate as they hope for it to be. It’s probably one of those things that won’t be figured out(atleast in our lifetime). No matter what, keep studying it and giveing us the good information.
On August 5, 2009 at 11:56 pm
i wanna know as much as i can bout the brain can any one help me out???
On September 4, 2009 at 6:09 am
There are countless sources of information on the brain. Go to the library.
@josh – again we confuse people with the percentage measure. The fact I was trying to point out is that if your brain was a stereo, we only have it turned up to a low volume compared to what it can be turned up too.
On September 27, 2009 at 4:34 pm
if we could use all of our brain, think of the stuff u may be able to do
On November 7, 2009 at 5:42 am
Can u calculate how much percent of ur brain do u use, is there an easier way than mri? i want to present this topic to my class, but i also want some interesting stuff to make it nicer, can u help me plzz?
On November 10, 2009 at 9:12 am
The point is that technically speaking we use 100% of our brain but we are not using it to it’s capacity and/or potential.
The debate has long been as to how much of the 100% we are using. It has been estimated from .01 to .10 % for the most part.
If you want to get you class thinking about why not use my illustration of a stereo.
When you turn your MP3 player on it is 100% on. But that does not mean you are using it to the fullest extent possible. For example the volume may go up to 10 but you put it on 4.
Post Comment