by Stephanie Andrews

Created on: July 17, 2008   Last Updated: February 10, 2012

I have heard this question asked so many times, and I'm always so shocked at how many people believe this statement to be true. As someone who has studied Neuroscience extensively, I can say without a doubt, that we use every bit of our brain. Our brain is an amazingly complex piece of anatomy, and while researchers are still trying to understand what parts of the brain specifically react to different disorders, emotions, and countless other issues, there is so much we have already discovered that proves this theory incorrect.

From an evolutionary perspective, it seems almost absurd that humans would have developed such a complex and resource-dependent organ only to use ten percent of it. Why would the other ninety percent even need to develop, let alone continue to exist? Furthermore, evolution has caused massive changes over time (e.g. people born without appendixes), and wouldn't it seem advantageous if future generations began developing with only the ten percent that we need? This hasn't happened because even evolution knows that humans need, and use, one hundred percent of our brains.

" The Brain that Changes Itself" by Norman Doidge really helps reiterate just how vital all parts of our brain are to functioning. This intelligent and inquisitive novel takes a look into the concept of neuroplasticity. In laymen's terms it is the brain's ability to rewire itself when situations arise that change the chemistry of our brain. This novel proves that like muscles in our body, our brain also needs exercise. Our brain needs constant stimulation to increase neuronal connections and neuronal responses to situations. It is a known fact that if we don't exercise for extended periods of time we develop atrophy. Remember the old adage " use it or loss it?" The same thing can be said about the brain! Our brain needs constant mental stimulation in order to survive. Like other muscles, the brain would surely atrophy if left unused for such an extended period of time. If this were in fact the case, many researchers running patient MRI scans would easily be able to see atrophied parts of the brain across all populations, which has yet to happen. Plus, why would a diagnoses of traumatic brain injury ever be made if the majority of our brain is unused anyway? And why when parts of the brain stop functioning, do other parts sometimes decide to pick up those specific functions and carry on as if it was its duty all along? Because we use all of our brain!

Traumatic Brain Injury

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