Demystification The Ten Percent Myth

You've heard it, right?

We only use 10% of our brain capacity.

It's been used many times as a plot device, not to mention in money-making schemes and advertising campaigns.

And it's so appealing, isn't it? It's wonderful to believe that, lying deep within your brain, is this amazing potential. Who knows what you could do if you could unlock that extra 90%? Heck, even an extra 10%? You could be a genius! See auras or move things with your mind! Cure the common cold! Do calculus in your head! Smite your enemies with laser beams from your eyes!

Surveys show that A LOT of people believe this to be true. But everything we know about the human brain suggests it's ... um ... crap.

First, if you suffer a head injury, do you think you could lose 90% of your brain and be in good shape? Terry Schiavo lost 50% of her cerebrum, and that was sufficient to devastate all her higher mental functions. And research shows that if ANY part of your brain is significantly damaged, functioning is deeply affected. It's hard to explain that if you're not using 90% of it.

And then there's evolution. The brain doesn't account for a huge percentage of your body weight, but it sucks up 20% of your oxygen intake. If most of it was really useless, why would we have developed like that?

Oh, and the actual brain studies. At this point, with all the technology we have (and all the cool acronyms: EEG, PET, MRI, fMRI), scientists have been able to determine the functions of most of the brain's structures. All parts of the brain work pretty hard. No slacking allowed.

So, unfortunately, as much as it would be cool to locate and activate some unused part of our brain, it appears all that real estate is already sold. Still, enough people believe this that if you want to use it in your psychic plotline, you probably won't be called on it.

Now tell me: if the 10% myth were true, what would you want to use that other 90% for?

I'll go first: I'd want to be able to remember people's names after hearing them only once, have an in-depth understanding of the differences between fuzzy and Bayesian logic, play the piano, and comprehend the popularity of shows like the Bachelor. Oh, and probably be a better writer.

How about you?

Oh, and be sure to check out Lydia's Medical Monday post and Laura's Mental Health Monday post!