Do We Only Use 10%?

What brain imaging really shows

You've probably heard that humans only use 10% of their brains. It's one of the most popular brain myths out there. But brain imaging studies show that you actually use virtually all of your brain, even during simple tasks.

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Every region of your brain has a known function, and damage to even small areas can have serious consequences. The myth likely persists because it suggests untapped potential, which is a comforting idea. The real story is more interesting: your brain is already working incredibly hard, and the goal is to use it more effectively, not more.

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We Only Use 10%

Related Research

Beyerstein, B. L. (1999). Whence cometh the myth that we only use 10% of our brains? In S. Della Sala (Ed.), Mind Myths: Exploring Popular Assumptions About the Mind and Brain (pp. 3–24). John Wiley & Sons.