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How Much Brain Do We Use?

How can we only use a percent of our brain? Evidence shows we can use more.

Scientists and others in the psychological, sociological fields have asserted that humans use maybe .01 to.10 percent of our brain. Without getting all science geek about it there is an easier way of understanding what that means.

First let us clarify, mechanically you use 100% of your brain. Maximizing usage is another subject. So when someone puts a percentage of use on the brain they do not mean that the other say 90% is dormant or useless.

Think of it this way. Let's say your brain is a stereo. When you are using your stereo you are using 100% of it. Here is the x factor. If the volume knob is set at say a 2 level then you are not getting the same usage when compared to turning the volume knob to 8 or 10.

So what scientists are trying to get across to us is we have a lot more room in our cranium to fill. We have more volume to boost. We are not even close to tapping our potential of brain power. The percentage is actually a moot point I would think in reality.

There is no physical data to determine in tangible evidence the amount of usage the human brain has. There are as many as if not more than 100 billion brain cells. Then there is the neuronal and synaptic connections. Interestingly there has been data that has determined that people have increased there brain power however.

Then there are the people who demonstrate mental abilities that are very rare. Some people with autism for example have had the ability to calculate very high levels of math equations without ever having learned how.

There is also more and more variables we are learning about the brain. Studies that suggest that even though our brain is one as a whole we evidently get production out of separate parts of the brain for different mental tasks. We have all heard of the right brain/left brain references for example.

So regardless of how you want to interpret the brain usage by percentage, the fact is it is the most amazing gift we have. A computer is nothing compared to the human brain. And we can build upon our ability to get more out of it. So turn up the volume button and get the old noggin' working.

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Comments (3)
#1 by Enama¥, Jan 12, 2008
Great article, Very informing!

#2 by Xtranger, Jan 12, 2008
Hi:

I have learn that each brain cell can process upto 27,000 millions of calculations per second so if we have use only upto 10% that means 2,700 millions of calculations per second for each neuron .. meaning the fastest computer ever build i think can go now upto 9,000 millions of calculations per second so mathematically is far less superior right now than us ... but they dont posses intelligence and no emotions ..i wonder if the emotional processing is far more complicated than just do math...

what u think?

#3 by AndyPanda, Jan 14, 2008
Thanks for the comments.

As per our brain versus computer the consensus is that the capacity and potential of our brain far exceeds any computer or computers. And of course the ability to reason.

The question of emotional processing versus math is an outstanding question. I never thought about that in that way. Worth some study.

ANDY
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