Brain Games To Improve Your Life
The brain, a complex organ weighing roughly 3 pounds, remains one of the most profound and least understood areas of scientific study. Despite our brain crucial role in controlling every aspect of our thoughts, actions, and bodily functions, it baffles researchers. Over the past 15 years, we have made significant strides in unraveling its mysteries, uncovering new insights into neural networks, cognitive functions, and the ways the brain adapts and changes—what is known as neuroplasticity. However, these advancements represent just a fraction of what remains to be discovered.
Scientists and health experts acknowledge that much of the brain’s inner workings, including how it generates consciousness, stores memories, or fosters creativity, remain much of a mystery. Diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and even mental health disorders still lack clear explanations. Much illumination needs to take place so we can fill the gaps in our understanding. If you are like me and you love to learn the following is great news, the consensus is that our current knowledge, while expanding, is dwarfed by what we have yet to learn. As technology and research methods improve, We will continue to unlock the secrets of this extraordinary organ, paving the way for new breakthroughs in both learning, neuroscience and medicine.
There are plenty of facts about the human brain that have not reached the public yet.
These lists introduces the basics first, transitions into brain health and concerns, and ends on memory and mental capacity. Are you ready to get to know your brain a little better? Let’s start with some basics first:
1. Your Brain is an Energy Hog
The human brain weighs about 3 pounds, which is just 2% of your body’s total weight. No wonder deep breathing and yoga work!! Consequently, our brains use 20% of our body’s total energy and oxygen intake.
2. Your Brain Requires Hydration – water, water, water and minerals
While every cell in our body needs hydration, your brain has special needs. Since your brain is roughly over 73% water, just 2% dehydration can negatively affect your focus and memory. Please remember water in appropriate amounts. Overdoing water can have negative effects.
3. Your Brain is Fat
60% of the dry weight of your brain is fat, making it the fattiest organ in your body. This is why consuming healthy fats is so important! Start a diet of healthy fats. Such as coconut oil, avocado, nuts and seeds.
4. Your Brain Requires Cholesterol
Cholesterol is vital for every cell in your body, and 26% of it resides in your brain. Eating cholesterol-rich foods, like meat and eggs, is essential for brain health.
5. Your Brain Has a Lot of Cells
Your brain contains approximately 86 billion brain cells, each playing a unique role. There are numerous types of brain cells or neurons. A recent atlas of the human brain revealed more than 3000! The atlas was created by sequencing the RNA of more than 3 million cells from 106 locations across the brain.
6. The Brain Takes A While to Mature
The brain doesn’t fully mature until around age 25. And that varies person to person. You know those peoplevwho just adult better than others? This might also explain why young people often make riskier decisions!
7. Your Brain is a Super Power
The human brain can generate between 12 to 25 watts of electricity—enough to power a low-wattage LED light!
Now let’s move on to some health facts about the brain. Spoiler alert – some of these facts are disturbing:
8. Your Negative Emotions Can Shrink Your Brain
Researchers from Yale found that chronic stress and depression can cause measurable brain shrinkage.
9. Low-fat Diets Are Bad for Brain Health
Since your brain is 60% fat, it needs dietary fats to function properly. When deprived, brain cells can begin to cannibalize themselves, which is why low-fat diets can be harmful.
10. Your Kids Are Not Getting Smarter
Since the Victorian era, the average human IQ has decreased by 1.6 points per decade, totaling a drop of 13.35 points.
11. Multitasking is a Myth
Despite being praised in modern society, multitasking isn’t possible. The brain can only toggle between tasks, which negatively impacts attention span, learning, and memory.
12. Cell Phones Damage the Brain
Electromagnetic frequencies from cell phones and other electronic devices affect over 140 proteins in the brain.
And now, let’s close with some interesting facts about your brain and memory:
13. Memory is a Skill
Exceptional memory isn’t just something you’re born with; it can be developed through practice and memory techniques.
14. Your Brain VS the World Wide Web
The brain’s memory capacity is estimated to be a quadrillion bytes—equivalent to the storage needed for the entire internet!
15. Memory Loss is Avoidable
Good news!!! Memory loss isn’t an inevitable part of aging. Staying mentally active through reading, learning, and engaging activities can help keep your memory sharp.
