Made up of gray fats and proteins, the human brain doesnโt look like much. Nevertheless, it is one of the most complex and mysterious organs known, giving life to art, sport, personality, and morals. With over 86 billion neurons, 2.5 million gigabytes of storage, and over 50,000 thoughts per day, the human brain is truly astounding. Here are some human mind facts that will make you think twice.
10 facts about mind
1.According to Paul Reber, Professor of Psychology at Northwestern University, the human mind can store an estimated 2,500,000 gigabytes. Thatโs equivalent to 300 years worth of TV shows. [Scientific American].
2.More than 100,000 chemical reactions take place in the head every second.
3.95% percent of all decisions take place in the subconscious mind. This means that the vast majority of our actions and behaviors occur due to brain activity that lies beyond our conscious awareness. [Science Daily]
4.
The brain itself cannot feel pain
Although pain is processed in the brain, the organ itself cannot feel pain. This is why surgeries can occur while a patient is awake, without discomfort. [Time]
The list goes on and on. As more research is conducted, and we learn more about the human brainโs capabilities, we also learn how to keep our minds sharp. Find out how we recall memories and how the mind changes when.
5.Practicing recollection can help aid PTSD. There are a variety of psychological treatment methods that mental health care providers use to help those suffering from PTSD safely confront and cope with traumatic experiences.
6.The average mind has between 50,000 and 70,000 thoughts a day. Upsettingly, the majority (an estimated 60-70 percent) of the thoughts are negative. [Huffington Post]
7.Memories start forming in the womb, as this is a critical time for neurons development. Memory recall can occur as early as four months into pregnancy.
8.Vitamin B1 is essential to producing the brain chemical acetylcholine, which is needed for concentrating and storing memories. An Australian study revealed that those who consumed B1 supplements and folic acid for two years improved long and short-term memory. [Huffington Post]
9.Research shows that the average attention span has decreased by an average 12 minutes over the last 10 years. Today, the human attention span is shorter than a goldfish. [Time] Studies have even shown some links between device multi-tasking โ for example, if youโre scrolling through social media while watching TV โ and declining attention spans.
10.Neuroscientists have known for a long time that the hippocampus stores short-term memories. However, a recent study revealed that while short-term memories are formed in the hippocampus, they are simultaneously stored in another part of the brain for long-term memories.
Bonus
- Did you know your cerebrum weights 3 pounds? Yep, all that knowledge, information and memory weighs less than your grandmaโs dumbbells.
- About 75 percent of the brain is comprised of water. Even slight dehydration can affect the way your brain operates. Drink up!
- The brain will grow three times its size in your first year of life, but when you reach 18 years old, it stops.
- Itโs a myth that you use only 10 percent of your brain. You use all of it, even when youโre sleeping. In fact, during sleep, your brain waves are more active than when awake.
- Speaking of sleep, your dreams are proof that the brain is always on the go. Dreams are considered a combination of neurological and psychological factors, as well as your imagination.
- There are 100 BILLION neurons present in the head. Thatโs a billion tiny cells transmitting nerve impulses that tell you what to think, feel, see, hear and do. Crazy! Whatโs even nuttier is that those neurons can travel up to 250 miles per hour!
