Are you a hardworking student looking to learn some fascinating facts about the brain? Or a curious reader? Look no further! The human brain is one of the most complex and mysterious organs in the body, capable of amazing feats that give rise to art, sports, personality, and morals. Despite all of its complexities, there are still many amazing facts to learn about this incredible organ. As a student, you work hard to retain all sorts of information, and these facts about the brain will help you see just how amazing your brain truly is. And if you ever need some help to rest your thoughts– there are services out there, like thesisgeek.com, that can work instead of you. So sit back, relax, and prepare to have your mind blown with these 18 amazing facts about the brain, psychology, and mind.
Amazing Facts about the Brain, Psychology & Mind
1. It can store approximately 2,500,000 gigabytes
Paul Reber, Northwestern University Professor of Psychology, says that the human brain can store approximately 2,500,000 gigabytes. This is equivalent to 300 years of TV shows.
2. Human attention spans are shorter than those of a goldfish
Research has shown that attention spans have decreased by on average 12 minutes in the past 10 years. The human attention span today is less than that of a goldfish. Studies even showed that multitasking can lead to decreased attention spans. For example, scrolling through social media while you watch TV.
3. The average adult brain weight is three pounds
The average adult brain weighs 3 pounds. This is roughly equivalent to the weight of a cantaloupe.
4. Memories can be stored both for short-term and longer-term purposes
For many years, neuroscientists knew that the hippocampus stored short-term memories. Neuroscientists have known for a long time that the hippocampus stores short-term memories.
5. Vitamin B1 may help with memory improvement, both short- and long-term
Vitamin B1 is vital for the production of the brain chemical acetylcholine. This is necessary for memory storage and concentration. A study in Australia found that people who took folic acid and B1 supplements for two years had better long-term and short-term memories.
6. It can be difficult to remember information when you have easy access to it
It is easy to find information quickly, i.e. It is actually harder to remember information thanks to the invincible Internet. The more data we have to access, the easier it is to remember.
7. Memories begin to form in the womb
As this is an important time for brain development, memories begin to form in the womb. Memory recall may occur as early at four months of pregnancy.
8. It consumes 20% of the body’s total oxygen, energy and nutrients.
20 percent of total oxygen and energy in the body is used by the brain. This energy travels through blood vessels to the brain. The brain’s nerve cells require a lot of energy. Without enough oxygen and energy for the central nervous system tissue and brain, it can cause impairments in brain function and neurological disorders.
9. It is mostly water
Water makes up 73% of the brain. Only 2 percent of dehydration can affect memory and attention.
10. It produces 12-15 watts of electric power.
The brain can produce between 12 and 25 Watts of electricity, enough to power a low-wattage lightbulb!
11. A quiz taken twice is 65% more likely for people to recall the facts
Revision of a quiz increases the likelihood that a person will remember 65 percent of the facts.
12. Learning new things increases the grey matter in your brain
Learning something new causes the brain to form new connections between neurons, which leads to an increase in visible grey matter.
13. Emotions are more important than memory
Emotions are the most important factor in memory. This also means that many of our memories are flawed fiction and unintended. Emotions can also alter brain function. Brain scans and grey matter studies can show the chemical reactions that emotions cause.
14. On average, it receives between 50,000 and 70,000 thoughts per day
An average brain can think between 50,000-70,000 thoughts per day. Surprisingly, 60 to 70 percent of these thoughts are negative.
15. It can’t form memories if it is intoxicated
The brain can’t form memories when it is intoxicated. You didn’t forget what happened last night. It was simply not possible to form a memory.
16. It is similar to tofu in texture and consistency
The consistency and texture of the human brain are similar to that of tofu. It’s not surprising that the brain is primarily composed of grey and white matter as well as water.
17. 95% of all decisions can be attributed to the subconscious
The subconscious mind is responsible for 95 percent of all decisions. This means that 95 percent of our actions and behaviors are due to brain activity that is beyond our conscious awareness.
18. The brain cannot feel pain
The brain processes pain, but the organ cannot feel it. Brain surgeries can be performed while the patient is still awake and without any discomfort.
This list could go on. We learn more about how the brain works and how to keep it sharp. Learn how memories are stored and how your brain responds to learning.
It doesn’t matter how good the brain is at turning short-term memory into long-term memories, it’s important to keep those memories preserved for future generation.