Top 10 Brain Facts!

It is possible that your brain could be the most complex object in the universe! Some scientists have devoted their lives to researching & learning how the brain functions. So in attempt to dispel some of the mystery, following are my pick for Top 10 Brain Facts:

• The brain is made up of about 75% water and consists of about 100 billion neurons.

• The old saying of humans only using 10% of their brain is NOT true. Every part of the brain has a known function.

• There are no pain receptors in your brain, so your brain can feel no pain.

• Sleep at night may be the best time for your brain to consolidate all your memories from the day. Lack of sleep may actually hurt your ability to create new memories.

• The average number of thoughts that humans are believed to experience each day is 70,000.

• The connection between body and mind is a strong one. One estimate is that between 50-70% of visits to the doctor for physical ailments are attributed to psychological factors.

• Laughing at a joke is no simple task as it requires activity in five different areas of the brain.

• A study of 1 million students in New York showed that students who ate lunches that did not include artificial flavors, preservatives, and dyes did 14% better on IQ tests than students who ate lunches with these additives.

• Yawns are contagious. Ever notice that you yawned after someone around you did? Scientists believe this may be a response to an ancient social behavior for communication that humans still have.

• Your brain is actually very much like a muscle. The brain’s structure changes over time and it may be possible to “bulk up” your brain throughout much of adulthood. Continuing to stimulate and challenge your brain as you get older might promote its growth — just as exercise builds muscle.

Sources:

Nursing Assistant Central December 31, 2008