4 Myth Busting Brain Facts

The human brain is often considered one of the most perplexing mysteries on earth. It astounds scientists, and is deeply complex. While we still don’t know everything about how the brain works, we are much more informed now than ever before. However, there are still myths about the brain which are sometimes perpetuated by the media, so we’ve compiled a list of these myths so you can stay informed.

1. We have 5 senses

The idea that humans have 5 basic senses was first put forth by Aristotle. He claimed that humans have 5 senses, which are vision, hearing, taste, touch and smell. Indeed, these are all senses possessed by humans, but we also have many more. For example, humans are always aware of where their body parts are in relation to their body, which is a sense called proprioception. In addition, we have a sense of balance, which is due to our fluid filled vestibular system. This is also the system which gives us our sense of acceleration through space. We can also sense when we are hungry, thirsty, and are in pain. So as you can see, Aristotle was right to say that vision, hearing, taste, touch and smell are all inbuilt senses felt by humans, but they are by no means the only senses we feel.

2. We only use 10% of our brains

Everyone has heard this one, and it was first declared by a psychologist called William James in 1907. He believed that we only use a small amount of our brains, prompting others to suppose that the brain is incredibly powerful, but we just cannot access it all. This is untrue, and has been proven so by brain scans, which show that humans use all parts of the brain, but all regions are not active at the same time.

3. The bigger the brain, the more intelligent

In recent years, scientists have discovered that it is actually the amount of neurons within the brain, not the size of the brain, which denotes intelligence. So an animal could have a very large brain in relation to its body, but it doesn’t mean it will be intelligent.

4. You cannot make new brain cells

Brain cells continue to be made as we age, to keep our brains pliable. While we are born with most of our brain cells, new ones are made throughout our life in an area of the brain called the hippocampus, and are then released to the rest of the brain.

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