5 common myths about the human brain
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The human brain is mysterious. While we try to understand its behavior, we need to free ourselves from falsehoods and half-truths
Scientists are discovering the secrets that surround the functioning of the brain and, although they have revealed a lot of relevant information about its operation, the truth is that there is still much to investigate about what goes on inside our heads.
For your peace of mind, next, we will tell you 5 common myths about the human brain that you must discard to understand this complex and fascinating organ.
Leer en español: 5 mitos comunes sobre el cerebro humano
What do we know about the brain?
The human brain is the command center for the nervous system, receives signals from the sensory organs of the body and sends orders to the muscles. It is one of the largest and most complex organs of the body; it is composed of 86 billion nerves that communicate in billions of adhesions called synapses.
The brain is made up of numerous specialized areas that work together. The cortex is the outermost layer of the celebratory cells and is where thoughts and voluntary movements begin. On the other hand, the brain stem lies between the spinal cord and the rest of the brain organ.
It controls essential functions such as breathing and sleep, is also responsible for the coordination of our movements and balance. Being so important, it is necessary to delve into myths related to the brain for a dismantling of misconceptions that abound today.
Myths and truths about the brain
1.- MYTH: Humans use only 10% of our brain
TRUTH: This myth is likely that you have heard it in articles, books, or movies. It has spread so much that it can even be considered in an urban legend to imply that our brain is capable of doing much bigger things, such as being super intelligent, developing psychic abilities or even obtaining telekinesis.
About the myth, the ABC media comments: "The origin of this uncontrolled lie is in a lecture by psychologist William James, who said that normal people, in their daily tasks, do not use more than 10% of their intellectual potential "
You may also be interested: 5 myths and realities about the mental health
The reality is that research suggests that all areas of the brain perform a function, and although it is true that we have some brain reserves, experiments using PET or IRMR show results that show large parts of the brain involved in simple tasks.
2.- MYTH: "Left Brain" and "Right Brain"
TRUTH: To say that we develop a left rational brain and a right, artistic side is crazy. The reality is that humans use both hemispheres of the brain to perform cognitive functions. The myth of the two cerebral sides is born of studies that showed that there were people who processed the language more in the left hemisphere and developed special abilities and emotional in the right. What he knows so far, according to the VIX portal, is that the brain functions are related to the distribution of the lobes. However, nobody has a left brain or right.
3.- MYTH: Our brain is wired
TRUTH: This myth is one of the oldest myths that has endured in time. Who has not heard the metaphor 'our brain is a wired circuit'? Although there is some truth in the expression, that our brain is organized in a specific standard to assume certain tasks, there is no such thing as a brain wiring.
4.- MYTH: The brains of men and women dictate learning skills
TRUTH: It is true that there are differences in the brains of men and women that could lead to differences in the way their brains work, however, there is no research in this regard that demonstrates gender-specific differences in how networks of neurons connect to make way for learning facilities. Following the context, the blog thinkbig, clarifies that "the learning process does not include gender." These differences are small and based on average, so they are not necessarily relevant for men and women.
5.- MYTH: Drinking alcohol kills brain cells
TRUTH: This is a myth that is related to the idea that brain cells die permanently and that drinking alcohol can cause cell death. Nothing could be further from reality. Adults really get new brain cells throughout their lives, so you drink a lot or little; there is no research that affirms the death of brain neurons due to alcohol consumption. On the other hand, the portal unciencia specifies that "Neurons do not die from exposure to alcohol, although they do change their functioning and connections." It is well known that excessive or chronic alcohol abuse can have health consequences, but there is no relationship between cell death and alcohol consumption.
LatinAmerican Post | Pedro Lunar
Translated from "5 mitos comunes sobre el cerebro humano"
