Buzz
Do you consider yourself left-brained or right-brained? The truth is, neither is correct. Discover the scientific explanations behind this and seven other widespread brain myths.
1. A LARGER BRAIN MEANS GREATER INTELLIGENCE.
Not true. While humans pride themselves on being the most intelligent species, elephants have brains three times the size of ours, and whales? Their brains are even larger.
Intelligence isn’t determined by size alone. While human brains account for roughly 2 percent of our body weight, tree shrews boast brains that make up 10 percent of their body mass, and their primary occupation? Enjoying fermented beverages.
Brain size isn’t the ultimate measure of intelligence. Although hominid brains grew larger over time, researchers attribute our cognitive prowess to complexity. Neuroscientist Gerard Edelman famously called the human brain “the most intricate object in the universe.” With 19 to 23 billion neurons in the cerebral cortex, each capable of forming tens of thousands of connections, our brains are unparalleled in their sophistication.
2. THE LEFT-BRAIN/RIGHT-BRAIN DIVIDE IS A MYTH.
While some tasks may engage one hemisphere more than the other, both sides of the brain are involved in everything you do. The idea that the right brain is creative and the left brain is logical stems from a 1970s study by CalTech neuroscientist Roger W. Sperry. Although Sperry noted differences between the hemispheres, he cautioned against oversimplifying his findings. Unfortunately, the media popularized the myth, and it stuck.
The only individuals with truly one-sided brains are those who’ve had hemispherectomies—a surgical procedure removing half the brain. Surprisingly common, this surgery often leaves patients with no significant cognitive impairments, enabling them to lead normal lives. Later this week, we’ll share the inspiring story of a young woman whose life was transformed by this procedure.
3. THE 10 PERCENT BRAIN MYTH IS FALSE.
Think about it—what part of your brain are you using right now? While not every region is active simultaneously, essential functions like breathing, sleeping, and digesting food require the entire brain to function.
Advanced brain imaging technology has provided clear evidence of the entire brain in action, debunking this myth. Despite this, the idea that we only use 10 percent of our brains persists, fueled by movies and psychics claiming the “remaining 90 percent” has untapped supernatural potential. This is entirely false. We’ll explore this myth further later in the week.
4. AGING DOESN’T MEAN LOSING YOUR COGNITIVE ABILITIES.
The reality is more nuanced. While aging can lead to declines in short-term memory, attention, and language learning, other mental abilities, particularly social and emotional skills, often improve. These gains are frequently overlooked because laboratory tests tend to prioritize analytical tasks over practical, real-world mental capabilities.
Research indicates that older individuals often possess larger vocabularies and use them more effectively than younger people. They also report higher life satisfaction and maintain more harmonious relationships. With age comes a wealth of experience, creating a mental library of past challenges and solutions that aids decision-making. Scientists refer to this as a “cognitive template,” but it’s commonly known as wisdom.
5. CLASSICAL MUSIC DOESN’T BOOST INTELLIGENCE.
Listening to symphonies won’t increase your IQ, whether you’re an adult or a baby. A 1993 study [PDF] suggested that Mozart temporarily enhanced spatial reasoning, but the effect lasted just 15 minutes. Subsequent research, including a 2010 review of 40 studies, failed to replicate these findings, casting doubt on the original claims.
Baby Mozart videos aren’t beneficial either. Studies show that infants and toddlers exposed to TV, even educational content, learn fewer words compared to those who aren’t.
Classical music isn’t a health food like broccoli. You can’t disguise it with cheese, and the only reason to enjoy it is if you (or your baby) genuinely appreciate it.
6. CROSSWORD PUZZLES AREN’T A MAGIC BRAIN BOOSTER.
Crossword and Sudoku puzzles are enjoyable, but they only benefit you if you genuinely like doing them.
In a The New York Times interview, neuroscientist Molly Wagster from the National Institute on Aging was clear: “Lifelong puzzle enthusiasts don’t have a cognitive edge over others.”
The primary skill crossword puzzles enhance is solving crossword puzzles. As you tackle more puzzles, you’ll become better at spotting patterns and recalling common clues.
7. THE IDEA THAT MEN ARE INHERENTLY BETTER AT MATH THAN WOMEN IS A MYTH.
Just as women aren’t inherently better at washing dishes, men aren’t naturally superior at math. Let’s be real.
Numerous studies [PDF] reveal that the disparity in math and science scores between genders stems from cultural influences, not innate ability. This phenomenon, known as the stereotype threat, shows that when individuals are reminded of negative stereotypes about their group, their performance drops. For example, simply marking “female” before a test has been shown to lower scores significantly. The more someone is exposed to expectations of failure, the more likely they are to underperform.
A University of Wisconsin study analyzed test scores [PDF] from 86 countries and found no difference in average math performance between girls and boys. Even in the U.S., the gap is shrinking.
"We need to stop promoting T-shirts for girls that say, ‘I’m too pretty to do math,’" study co-author Jonathan Kane told CNN. "These stereotypes are damaging our math education."
8. YOUR BRAIN IS CAPABLE OF CHANGE AND HEALING.
Do you think the brain you’re born with stays the same forever? Think again.
The human brain is incredibly adaptable, capable of adjusting to extreme conditions. For instance, individuals who lose their vision often experience a significant enhancement in hearing, as the brain reallocates more resources to auditory functions. Even those who undergo hemispherectomies—removal of half the brain—can lead normal lives, as the remaining half compensates for the loss. The brain is far from being rigidly fixed.
The brain is also not a limited resource. While cells in other parts of the body continuously regenerate, scientists once believed brain cells were an exception and couldn’t repair themselves. However, we now know this isn’t true.
