10 Fun Facts About Your Brain
Our brains are incredibly fascinating things that we constantly learn more about every day. The more we learn, the more we want to know. A few fun facts we have learned about the brain over the years include:
The Brain’s Storage Potential is Considered to be Essentially Infinite
The human brain contains somewhere around a billion neurons. Each of these neurons can form about 1,000 connections to other neurons, which means there can be over a trillion connections between the neurons, allowing for ample storage capacity within the human brain.
Water Makes Up an Estimated 75% of the Brain
Have you ever experienced brain fog when you were feeling dehydrated? That’s because your brain is made up of about 75% water, meaning that, even if you are only a little dehydrated, your brain functioning can be affected.
Humans Actually Use All of Their Brains, Not Just 10% of It
Many of us have heard that we only use 10% of our brains. As a matter of fact, Hollywood has capitalized on this idea through movies like Lucy (2014), a film that depicts a person using all of their brain power. However, research has proven that “fact” is nothing more than a myth. However, evidence suggests that, throughout a single day, we tend to use our whole brain.
As You Get Older, Your Brain Tends to Get Smaller
As you get older, many parts of you shrink. Your brain is no exception. Research has suggested that brain volume and/or weight declines as a person ages at a rate of approximately 5% per decade after reaching the age of 40.
The Average Brain is Estimated to Weigh About Three Pounds
On average, an adult human brain tends to weigh about three pounds (1300 to 1400 grams). Meanwhile, a newborn baby’s brain is estimated to weigh about ¾ of a pound. That means our brains have a lot of growth to do before reaching full maturity!
The Brain Does Not Reach Full Maturity Until About 25 Years Old
Speaking of our brains reaching full maturity, did you know that your brain will not reach full maturity until your mid-to-late 20s? One of the final areas of the brain to mature is the prefrontal cortex.
The Brain Can Transmit Information At Speeds Up to 268 Miles Per Hour
Signals along the alpha motor neuron, which sends information to and from the brain, are estimated to travel at the incredible speed of up to 268 miles per hour!
Your Brain is Made up of Nearly 60% Fat
The brain is very fatty, being made up of nearly 60% fat. That makes it the fattiest part of the human body!
Men’s Brains Tend to Be Larger Than Women’s
After considering body weight differences, the average male brain is about 100 grams larger than the average female brain.
Women’s Hippocampus Tends to Be Larger Than Men’s
While men may tend to have a bigger brain, women tend to have a larger hippocampus, the part of the brain most often associated with learning and memory.
Isn’t the brain a fascinating thing? It is also something worth caring for. Part of maintaining a healthy brain includes caring for our mental health. If you have found that your mental health is struggling, our therapists are here for you. Contact us today, and we will work with you to help you feel healthier and happier!
References
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-is-the-memory-capacity/
https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/water-you-water-and-human-body
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/do-people-only-use-10-percent-of-their-brains/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20329590/
Keywords: brain, cognitive functioning, healthy brain, brain facts