One of the most prevalent misconceptions is the myth that humans only use 10% of their brains. It, no doubt, arises from the influence of popular culture in our lives. From the movies to the self-help books, the idea of accessing ‘brain hacks’ to discover the untapped potential of the brain seems alluring. Hence, it became a widely accepted notion with the thought that humans have a room for improvement when it comes to developing supreme mental capacities.
The Origins of the Myth and its Impacts
While the exact origins of this myth remain unknown, an insight into it was traced back to the misinterpretations and misquotations of early neurological research. The primary research on brain mapping could be a major fuel for this notion as large regions of the brain seemed to be inactive since scientists were unaware of their functions then. Adding on to that, psychologist William James mentioned that an average human is able to achieve more than 10% of their brain capacity. This was then misinterpreted as 10% of the overall brain and the focus thus shifted from our ‘brain potential’ to the ‘amount of unused brain’. It even became widespread in recent ages due to movies like ‘Lucy’ and ‘Limitless’. The fiction is thrilling to watch and draw on several conclusions, but lack a solid basis in terms of scientific reality. Being widely known is one thing, however, neglecting our current mental capabilities is another. The 10% myth gives a strong hope to improve one’s brain potential but failing in achieving so results in disappointment. People forget their current brain capacity and take it for granted relying on this uncertain miracle. According to the myth 90% of the brain is idle, making it difficult for people to appreciate their mental health, nutrition for the brain, mental stimulation and sufficient sleep – things that aid the brain to be functional.
What Neuroscience Really Says?
We have come a far way in our research methodologies and equipment leading to accumulation of enough evidence to debunk the 10% myth. Brain imaging techniques like functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans depict the activity in the brain in real-time. The scans shed light on multiple brain region activities during problem-solving, reading, day-dreaming and so on. It is a fact that even the simplest tasks in human lives require the interaction of the whole brain. Another piece of irrefutable evidence is the loss of brain functions in case of injuries. If 90% of the brain remained unused, the injuries to specific areas in the brain should not have major impacts. However, we find that such injuries result in the loss of memory, motor skills, speech and overall cognitive skills. To truly appreciate the true potential of the brain, it is crucial to understand its complexity and functionality. Believe it or not, our brain is highly adaptable to changes around us and within itself. It constantly rearranges itself by forming new neural connections or by erasing the old, non-usable ones. This plasticity feature of the brain itself, keeps our brains in a learning mode forever. The brain can repair itself, recover from injuries, learn new things and take over the functions of the damaged areas. Brains also have differentiated parts for diverse functions making it easier to control the sophisticated human body and its processes. Its activity alone takes about 20% of the body’s energy despite occupying only 2% of the body weight. This incredible organ is a museum of thoughts and memories and has a special reserve for cognitive functions that makes us resilient to neurodegenerative diseases. If most of the brain were inactive, it would not be able to perform such complicated tasks in the first place.
Thus, referring to the myth that humans only use 10% of their brains as just a ‘harmless misconception’ directly undermines the true efficiency and potential of our most vital organ. Modern neuroscience adeptly dismisses the myth with approaches like fMRI, PET and elaborated studies. It has given us an insight into the dynamic interactions occurring in the brain on a daily basis to simply live on this planet. Understanding the true nature of brain function can help us appreciate our cognitive abilities, foster better brain health through nutrition, mental stimulation and adequate sleep, and dispel misleading myths that actually hold us back from further developing our brain capacities.
Deeksha, is a Biochemist and an aspiring neuroscientist. Her research interest lies at the intersection of molecular neuroscience and drug discovery.
