Health & Society
Do we really only use 10 percent of our brains?
One of the favorite topics of many writers and screenwriters of science fiction films is that of the vast possibilities of the human brain. Especially popular is the claim that we use only 10% of its capabilities, and if we could “unlock” the remaining 90%, it would turn us into real superheroes. As appealing as this idea is, scientists note that it is nothing more than a widespread delusion. According to them, the human brain functions at full speed almost continuously.
The tireless brain
The claim that we use only a small part of our brain’s capabilities has nothing to do with the truth. This was stated by Prof. Craig Bailey from the Department of Biomedicine at the University of Guelph, Ontario.
“It is not serious to claim that we only use 10% of our brain. The truth is that a healthy person uses his full capacity. Of course, it doesn’t function at 100% all the time,” he emphasizes.
Lawrence Ward, a professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia, agrees.
“The brain and its networks are constantly active, whether we are awake, asleep or unconscious. While the brain is alive, that is. while there is metabolic activity, it cannot “rest”. From this point of view, it is not only false, but even pointless to claim that we use only 10% of it,” he added.
“We know that basic communication cells, called neurons, fire at different frequencies as they work. We also know that certain areas of the brain play an important role in performing specific tasks, such as thinking, moving or storing memories. Depending on what we are doing at any given time, some neurons may be more active than others. However, the results of all the research carried out so far show unequivocally that we use our whole brain,” notes Prof. Bailey.
“The questionable 10% is a myth that Hollywood loves. My guess is that most people have seen at least one movie that deals with the subject in question. This is not particularly surprising – the idea that an ordinary person can become a superhero who performs incredible feats with the power of his mind (as in the Marvel universe) is very attractive. However, it is only a fantasy. However, I do not rule out the possibility that at least some of it will come true one day, especially given how fast technology is developing,” adds Prof. Ward.
The opinion of scientists
What, in fact, is due to the conviction of scientists that we do not use only 10% of our brain? First of all, if this were true, most brain injuries and diseases would not have serious consequences because they would affect parts of it that do nothing. Furthermore, natural selection does not encourage the development of useless anatomical structures. Put another way, our distant ancestors would not have needed a large brain to survive and cope with the challenges they faced on a daily basis. Instead, in the course of evolution, they would have acquired a more resistant immune system, stronger muscles or thicker hair.
There is other irrefutable evidence. Using methods such as positron emission tomography and functional magnetic resonance imaging, doctors and scientists can map brain activity in real time. The data clearly show that large areas of the brain – well in excess of 10% – are used for all sorts of activities. Among them are both seemingly simple actions – such as resting or looking at pictures, as well as more complex – such as reading or solving mathematical problems. Experts have yet to discover an area of the brain that does nothing.
And what is the origin of the myth that we only use 10% of our brain? Historians note that most often it is incorrectly attributed to the 19th century psychologist William James. He assumed that we use a small fraction of our mental potential, but he never specified an exact percentage. Albert Einstein is also cited as the author of this idea, but there is no evidence that he ever stated anything like this. In fact, the concept of the 10 percent gained considerable popularity after it was mentioned in American author Dale Carnegie’s bestseller How to Win Friends and Influence Others, published in 1936.
The information that floods us
When it comes to brain activity, there are different aspects that need to be considered separately, notes Prof Ward. One of them is memory. “We can always store more information, learn more new things, accumulate more impressions, all of which will be turned into memories. In practice, however, there are mechanisms by which the brain removes some of them to avoid overload. This is an extremely important balance,” he emphasizes.
While we are awake, our senses are bombarded with vast amounts of information. “Selective attention keeps this information flow down to levels we can handle without our brains ‘overheating.’ I suppose from this perspective it is possible to process more information, but it is still not clear how we can achieve this. Even in this regard, however, the 10 percent idea is flawed. We process a very small part of the information that floods us daily, but nevertheless the amount is staggering,” adds the expert.
“We should also not forget about our ability to solve problems. Some of us are very good at it, some not so good. We can safely say that we as a species have existed for tens of thousands of years, which means that we cope with this task relatively well. There’s no denying that there’s always room for improvement—in an ideal world, every average person would possess the intelligence of some of the greatest geniuses ever born. That would certainly be wonderful. Still, 10 percent is an absurd figure,” concludes Prof. Ward.
Illustrative Photo by MART PRODUCTION: https://www.pexels.com/photo/technology-computer-head-health-7089020/
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The European Commission is getting ready to review citizens’ proposals and one controversial idea on the table is the ‘PsychedeliCare’ initiative that supports the exploration and implementation of psychedelic treatments for mental wellbeing issues. Advocates of this initiative highlight the advantages of using psychedelics in addressing mental health concerns; however it’s crucial to carefully assess the consequences of making these substances mainstream for therapeutic use, it already happened with way too many “pharma products” and end up being dangerous street drugs, as this is what they actually were from the beginning.
The Illusory Promise of Psychedelics
Supporters of this “therapies” frequently promote these substances as amazing remedies for profound mental health challenges like depression and anxiety disorders such as PTSD are regularly highlighted by them in support of their claims. However, these early research findings are willfully misinterpreted and exaggerated. The “positive outcomes” observed in limited research studies do not automatically translate to safety and effectiveness across wider and more varied demographic groups, often the contrary. Throughout history the fascination with a quick fix for mental health issues has often resulted in disappointment and harm, if not death.
A Lack of Comprehensive Understanding
The insufficient scientific knowledge about psychedelics raises concerns within the community as the intricate workings of the human brain remain a mystery when influenced by these substances. There are risks such as psychological distress and worsening of preexisting mental health conditions that make it unthinkable to integrate psychedelics into mainstream therapy practices at all. It is crucial to acknowledge the variations in individual experiences and biological compositions to prevent unintended harm rather than aiding in treatment efforts.
Regulatory and Ethical Concerns
The push for government endorsement of psychedelic therapies raises numerous ethical questions. Should substances with known psychoactive properties be part of mainstream health care? The regulatory environment surrounding these compounds is fraught with challenges, including ensuring quality control, standardizing dosages, and preventing misuse. With the legalization movements in various regions, the potential for recreational abuse expands, risking public health and safety.
Historical Context and Social Implications
Looking back, the late 1960s and early 1970s were marked by a psychedelic counterculture that resulted in societal turmoil and increased drug abuse. The legacy of this era still looms large; many young individuals romanticize psychedelic use without regarding the severe consequences that accompanied its earlier popularity, including addiction, mental health crises, and a societal disregard for safety protocols.
A Dangerous Precedent
By calling for a more prominent role for psychedelics in treatment protocols, the advocates of the ‘PsychedeliCare’ initiative may unintentionally set a dangerous precedent. Replacing established, evidence-based treatments with unproven psychedelic therapies could detract from the very real progress made in mental health care. It could shift focus away from holistic approaches that consider lifestyle, therapeutic counseling, and medication tailored to individual needs.
Conclusion
The debate surrounding the ‘PsychedeliCare’ initiative should prompt a vigilant and cautious examination of the implications of endorsing psychedelics as treatment options. While there is a critical need for innovative approaches in mental health care, rushing to embrace unproven therapies poses significant risks. It is paramount that we prioritize rigorous scientific scrutiny, ethical considerations, and the well-being of individuals over the allure of quick solutions. The only clear path forward is one grounded in proven therapies, comprehensive research, and unwavering commitment to public health.
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Chocolate is a favorite delicacy for people, but for cats and dogs it is a real poison, writes the magazine ” Sciences et Avenir” and explains why pets should not be “pampered” with chocolate under any circumstances.
For them, chocolate is toxic, because it is not properly absorbed by their body. This is due to the alkaloid theobromine, which is contained in cocoa and therefore in chocolate.
The substance becomes dangerous to health when large amounts of it are stored in the liver. About 12 grams of theobromine are contained in dark chocolate, twice as much in milk chocolate, and very small amounts in white chocolate.
Theobromine does not harm humans, as the human body manages to break it down quickly.
However, it takes 20 hours for dogs to get rid of this molecule. It can build up in their liver and cause poisoning if large amounts of chocolate are ingested at once.
Among the symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea, rapid pulse, convulsions.
The same is true for cats. However, they are less attracted to chocolate than dogs because they cannot taste sweets with their tongues, although there are exceptions.
In addition, pet obesity is the subject of a number of educational campaigns aimed at owners.
A court in North West England has banned a British man from keeping pets for the next 10 years because his Dalmatian became too fat. wrote the English tabloid “Sun” in November 2009.
40-year-old man John Green, a resident of Macclesfield in Cheshire, showed extreme irresponsibility towards his dog Barney and fed him chips and chocolate.
Thus, in just three months, it became several times fatter than normal for its breed and reached 70 kg.
Green was tipped off by alarmed, vigilant fellow citizens.
Animal control officials warned Green that his dog’s health was in danger and recommended that he be put on a diet.
However, he did not follow the recommendations and the dog continued to gain weight.
The Dalmatian was eventually removed from his owner’s home in June and put on a diet in a private kennel, where staff made sure he got enough exercise.
As a result, Barney, who is eight years old, lost 40 kg.
Green pleaded guilty to causing his dog unnecessary suffering, but the court found some mitigating circumstances because the man treated Barney more like a friend than a dog and did not realize he was harming him.
That’s why Green was only sentenced to 200 hours of community service and to pay £780 in costs.
Illustrative Photo by Glenn: https://www.pexels.com/photo/high-angle-photo-of-a-corgi-looking-upwards-2664417/
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Health & Society
Russian Orthodox Church calls on mass culture to abandon ‘images promoting alcoholism’
On the occasion of the Day of Sobriety celebrated in the country today, the Russian Orthodox Church called on mass culture not to promote alcoholism, TASS reported.
The agency recalls that the All-Russian Day of Sobriety is celebrated on the initiative of the Russian Orthodox Church on September 11 to remind people of the harm caused by alcohol. On this day, in some parts of Russia, the sale of alcohol is limited or completely prohibited.
“The culture of attitude towards this is very important. There are many “nice jokes” about alcoholism in our everyday culture. There is nothing good about that. We know what the state of intoxication leads to. Those who deal with mass culture should make an effort that the image of the “dear drunkard” should still leave our mass culture,” said the head of the synodal department of the Moscow Patriarchate for Church Interaction on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg Forum of United Cultures with society and media Vladimir Legoida.
Asked whether it would be appropriate to ban or restrict the sale of alcohol across the country, he said “that would be wonderful”. “But it is important that people do this consciously, independently, not because someone is forcing them, and also that there is, as it is customary to say, a public consensus,” he stated.
Legoida noted that the category of “sobriety” is important for the church in general, which refers not only to abstinence from alcohol.
Meanwhile, during a press conference dedicated to the All-Russian Day of Sobriety, Russia’s Deputy Health Minister Oleg Salagai said that alcohol abuse can reduce a man’s life expectancy by six years and a woman by five years.
“The systemic measures that were adopted allowed us to really reduce alcohol consumption. Today, it can be confidently said that Russia is not one of the most drinking countries in the world,” said the deputy minister, who pointed out that in 2023 alcohol consumption in the country was about 8.4 liters per person, while at the beginning of the century the indicator was in double digits.
Illustrative Photo by EVG Kowalievska: https://www.pexels.com/photo/selective-focus-photography-of-assorted-brand-liquor-bottles-1128259/
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