Many types of research are going on to understand the dynamics of brain functioning as there are still several things in the brain that spark the curiosity in a researcher to explore the scope and its work. Sadly, there are several misinterpretations or misunderstandings regarding the brain. These are just a few facts to clear some of those misunderstandings.
Damage to the brain is temporary:
Our brain can be damaged and fragile in nature, due to stroke, injury, or disease. The results of these kinds of damages vary in severity, which can be from mild interference in cognitive abilities to permanent impairments. The ability to bounce back from the brain damage relies on the intensity or severity and location of the damage. For example, a blow to the head in an outdoor game might result in a concussion and with time it might heal properly but if a person experiences a stroke then the possibility of complete brain damage is not uncommon. Nonetheless, it is essential to emphasize the plasticity of the brain, which might make it possible for the brain to heal the damage even after experiencing a brain stroke and the brain may even form new connections over the period of time.
Individuals are not totally Left-Brained or Right-Brained:
The concept of being a left-brained or right-brained individual comes from the idea that one side of the brain hemisphere dominates in functioning. Based on this notion, the ones who are left-brained are logical and analytical in nature, whereas right-brained are considered to be expressive and creative. Experts do confirm that certain tasks of the brain are connected with a particular brain location, but no one is left-brained or right-brained completely.
We don’t utilize only 10% of our brain:
We have heard many times that humans only use 10% of their brain, which is an often-cited statistic but its persistent repetition doesn’t make it correct or accurate. Individuals often use this phrase to emphasize that they can do much greater things in their lives (in terms of intelligence level, psychic abilities, or even telekinesis). This statement, if it would have been the truth would all the just care about the 10% but that is not the fact of the consequences of brain injuries. The fact is that even a small injury to any part of the brain can have a magnanimous influence on functioning and cognition. The advanced technologies used for brain imaging have also revealed the functioning of the whole brain even when we are sleeping.
Humans do not consist of the most giant brains:
The size of the human brain in proportion to the size of the human body is definitely big but humans do not consist of the biggest brains of any organisms. The average length and weight of the brain is 15 centimeter and 3 pounds respectively. The biggest brain among animals is in the sperm whale, which is nearly 18 pounds in weight. The elephant is the other biggest brain animal with an average brain size of approximately 11 pounds. Although the human brain is quite big in reference to the human body, there is an animal whose brain is larger in reference to its body, i.e., a shrew whose brain is 10% in proportion to its body.
The human brain consists of billions of neurons:
People say that a human brain has 100 billion neurons, which is an often-cited statistic. No one knows who started it initially, but this number is repeated without knowing the truth about its validity. However, in 2009, a researcher was determined to actually count the number of brain neurons in an adult and it was revealed that the actual digit was a little different. According to this research, there are around 85 billion neurons in the brain of humans.
Throughout our lives, new brain cells are formed:
Traditional views have proposed that brain cells are limited in the adult brain and if they are lost, our brain doesn’t form new cells. While experts in this area have found that new brain cells are formed indeed in adults, and even during old age. This process of new brain cell formation is referred to as neurogenesis, and according to researchers, this happens in the hippocampus in the brain. Although, there is mixed evidence and thus several neuroscientists disapprove of this as a proven theory.
Learning styles are not compulsory:
Learning styles propose that every being has a particular learning style to learn in the most effective way possible. For instance, a theory suggests that visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learning style is more common in individuals. Basically, saying that by seeing, hearing, or doing some individuals learn in the most efficient way. Although, it is an interesting notion, the research to support this idea, that your chosen learning style in real influences your results of learning, is less. In fact, large-scale research was not able to the utilization of learning style assessment tools or instruments.
Alcohol influences the brain cells:
Many individuals note or are alert that alcohol consumption in large quantities persistently can kill brain cells. According to research evidence, alcohol consumption might not kill the brain cells but it definitely impacts negatively the development of new cells. Also, prolonged intake of alcohol can influence brain functioning greatly.
Conclusion:
Our brain plays a huge role in our life, and there are still many mysteries in it that interest researchers. We might not know everything at the moment but knowing more about its functioning can definitely help in having a better understanding of some things that impact or might affect our health mentally.
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