We all have heard about the idea that \u2018we only use a small percentage of our brain\u2019. This is a \u2018common knowledge\u2019 often present in pop culture, seducing us with the idea that we can become smarter by unlocking the rest of our brain (usually in a fast and easy way!). But is there any truth in this affirmation? To answer this question, we first need to understand what it means to \u2018use only a percentage of the brain\u2019. Is it related to a more abstract concept of brain potential? Or does it refer to the number of brain cells that are active at the same time? Or even the presence of \u2018silent regions\u2019 that are inactive in the brain? Let\u2019s try to navigate through each of those possibilities in light of what neuroscience can tell us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
First, most of what we know about \u2018how the brain processes information\u2019 comes from the study of neurons, how they interact with each other and thereby process information in the brain. Each of the approximately 20 billion neurons in our brains are connected to ~10.000 other neurons, making it an extremely complex system. And because of that, it is hard to find a way to improve the functionality of the brain. Is having a more connected brain better? Or maybe having less of one specific neuron type (yes, neurons come in different shapes, sizes etc.)? The answer is, it depends! In some brain regions, richer connections would be beneficial, while in other brain areas, it would be detrimental. If something affects the brain negatively (such as the degradation of brain connections), it does not mean that the opposite will have a positive effect. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A second way to think of the \u201810% brain\u2019 is to consider the number of cells that are active. For example, one could say that we don\u2019t use our full potential because not every neuron is active at the same time. That last part is true, but that is actually a good thing. The brain has a delicate balance between activation and inactivation of cells that prevents all the neurons from firing at the same time. For some people, when this balance is disturbed, their brain enters in a state of high synchrony, with multiple cells active at the same time. And this causes an epileptic seizure; not something you would want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A last alternative to the idea of an \u2018inefficient brain\u2019 could be the existence of inactive brain regions. However, from an evolutionary perspective, it would not make sense to keep cells or whole brain regions that serve no purpose in our brain, since the brain consumes the most of our energy. In fact, imaging techniques (such as the MRI) show the activation of various brain regions even during simple tasks such as eating. There does not seem to be room for the existence of a \u2018secret region\u2019 waiting to be \u2018unlocked\u2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the possibility of \u2018unlocking our full brain potential\u2019 sounds very attractive, there is no concrete evidence that we don\u2019t already use our full potential. Maybe future researchers will discover new evidence that changes this fact. But, for now, there is no shortcut to learning. And, although we can still enjoy a good science fiction, we have to watch out for anyone trying to sell us this \u2018brain myth\u2019 in a scientific disguise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
50 Great Myths of Popular Psychology: Shattering Widespread Misconceptions about Human Behavior<\/a> (2010). Scott O. Lilienfeld, Steven Jay Lynn, John Ruscio, and Barry L. Beyerstein [online boek]<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do we use only 10% of our brain?<\/a> – blog at Donders Wonders<\/p>\n\n\n\n Movie: Lucy<\/a> -> is about this topic, but not scientifically accurate \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We all have heard about the idea that \u2018we only use a small percentage of our brain\u2019. This is a \u2018common knowledge\u2019 often present in pop culture, seducing us with the idea that we can become smarter by unlocking the … Lees verder