The 10% myth debunked: Scientists prove that most of us use all of our brain every day
Despite what you may have heard, claims that a tiny proportion of brain power is used in daily tasks is actually incorrect.
You may have heard the claim that humans only use 10% of their brain. It’s usually mentioned in relation to some promise of unlocking the remaining 90%, whether that be through meditation, medication or some other method.
Anyone’s who has watched the film ‘Limitless’ will have an idea of what those brain-expanding powers claim to do. ThoughtCo cites a 2013 study that found that 65% of Americans believe in the idea of 10% daily brain use.
But the reality is actually quite different, as scientists have repeatedly proven.
Neuroscience experts have found that different areas of the brain are responsible for different functions. Those different uses can range from problem solving to color recognition, along with countless other functions.
Developments in brain imaging techniques, such as positron emission tomography or functional magnetic resonance imaging, have allowed scientists to study how the brain handles daily tasks. They have found that all parts of the brain remain active throughout the day, but there are noticeable spikes of activity in areas that correlate with functions.
For example, most will be familiar with the images from scans which show a grey brain, dotted with spots of color to represent activity. This misleadingly suggests that nothing is happening in the gray areas but that is not actually the case. In reality the spots of color just denote areas of increased activity, compared to lower levels elsewhere.
Far from being ‘underused’, the brain is actually incredibly demanding in terms of energy use. The human brain typically equates to around 2% of body mass but it consumes more than 20% of the body’s energy.
This huge energy draw suggests that the brain is already running pretty close to full capacity. And it certainly disproves any claims that there is a way to access a further 90% of the brain’s capabilities. Unfortunately, we’re about as good as we’re going to get.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.