november 9, 2024

12 interesting facts about the brain

While you think your stomach or arms are the fattest in your body, think again! Your brain is 60% made up of fat, making it the fattest organ. 

Fattest organ

Your brain fully develops when you’re 25. So when you think you have everything sorted at 18, wait a few years to understand how much your thinking will change in a few years. 

Full development

Men tend to have slightly larger brains than women, but this doesn’t have an impact on their intelligence levels.

Brain size

The brain is constantly active and uses electricity to function. It generates nearly 20 watts of electrical power, which is enough to power a low-wattage LED bulb, even while you're at rest.

Electricity

Unlike a computer, the human brain has no known storage limit. It can store millions of pieces of information and form a complex network of memories throughout your life.

Storage limit

The brain can remain highly active during sleep—processing thoughts, emotions and memories. This process is what leads to dreams and may even help in emotional regulation and problem-solving.

Dreams

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to reorganise itself by forming new neural connections. This means that the brain can adapt to injuries, learn new skills and adapt by itself. 

Neuroplasticity

For visually impaired individuals, the brain can repurpose certain areas to enhance other senses. This allows them to experience the world better through sound, or touch. 

Repurposing senses

By age two, a child’s brain has about twice the number of neural connections as compared to an adult. They gradually diminish to optimise learning and focus, making the brain more efficient. 

Neural connections

It is a myth that humans only use 10% of our brains. We actually use all of it, using more than 10% even when we sleep. 

Brain usage

The brain can’t feel pain as it lacks pain receptors. However, it interprets pain signals sent to it as it experiences all the sensory signals coming from the body. 

No pain receptors

The human brain starts to lose some memory abilities along with some cognitive skills by your late 20s. However, some cognitive abilities improve with age as well. 

Cognitive function

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