10 bite-size facts about your brain that you probably didn't know!
1. Energy-Hungry: Although it only makes up about 2% of body weight, the brain uses roughly 20% of the body's energy—primarily to maintain and fuel neurons!
2. Electricity Factory: A single neuron can transmit up to 1,000 electrical impulses per second.
3. Second Brain: The gut is often called the "second brain" because it has around 100 million neurons that communicate closely with the brain.
4. Memory Capacity: The brain's storage capacity is estimated to be around 2.5 petabytes, equivalent to roughly 3 million hours of TV shows.
5. Rapid Thoughts: On average, the brain produces about 60,000 thoughts per day.
6. Synaptic Highways: Each neuron in the brain can form up to 10,000 connections with other neurons, creating trillions of synaptic connections.
7. Neurogenesis: we can grow new neurons throughout our lives. These baby neurons are called neuroblasts, which can migrate long distances to help regenerate injured brain regions.
8. Gender Differences: While male brains are on average 10% larger, female brains have more connections between the hemispheres, enhancing communication between areas that handle emotion and memory.
9. Smell and Memory Link: The brain’s olfactory bulb is directly linked to the hippocampus, the area responsible for memory. This is why smells can evoke vivid memories.
10. No Pain Sensation: While the brain processes pain from all over the body, it has no pain receptors itself. This is why brain surgeries can be performed while patients are awake!
#Brain #Cognition #Neuroscience