Welcome to ATP—All Things Psychology, a newsletter that brings bite-sized research pieces from Psychology and Neuroscience straight to your inbox, with one goal: To help you leverage science to improve your life.
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Last week, someone asked me how I got into neuroscience.
In case you’re wondering the same: It wasn’t planned at all! I started studying Psychology when I was 18, and my idea was to become a therapist and help people with mental health problems.
But then, I sat in Neuroscience lectures, and it was so fascinating. I said: “Ok, forget therapy. THIS is what I want to do!”
And to this day (over 20 years later), the brain continues to fascinate me, and probably you’re on this email list because it’s the same for you!
In this edition, I’ve compiled 7 of my favorite brain facts. Maybe you know them already, or maybe you find some surprising new things in this list (personally, #3 continues to baffle me)!
So, here’s my compilation:
1. Your brain consumes a tremendous amount of energy.
Your brain makes up only 2% of your body weight. Yet, it consumes around 20% of your energy every day.
It’s your most energy-hungry organ!
2. Your brain is constantly changing.
The brain is never fixed.
It forms new connections throughout your life and adapts to changes and new experiences.
This phenomenon is called neuroplasticity.
3. Your brain has no pain receptors.
This one is crazy, because even though pain is processed in the brain, the brain tissue itself doesn’t have any pain receptors.
4. Your brain has its own waste disposal system.
While you sleep, your brain removes waste and toxic proteins. It’s like having a team of cleaners work for you while you rest.
This system is called the glymphatic system, and it wasn’t discovered until 2012.
See why sleep is vital for brain health?
5. Your brain operates on electricity.
Yes, you read that right. Information travels through your brain via electric currents (and also chemical signals).
6. Your brain is over 70% water.
Your brain contains various fluids vital to its function, and there is constant blood flow to and from it.
It can only work at its fullest when you’re properly hydrated.
So make sure you drink enough water!
7. Your brain stores a nearly infinite amount of information.
Your brain’s information storage capacity is huge and far exceeds the capacity of any computer or storage device.
Wrapping up
The brain is such a fascinating organ, and even though neuroscience has made significant progress over the last few decades, there’s still so much we don’t know yet.
But what we know for sure: It’s doing fascinating work every day and night, so it deserves good protection.
That’s it for today!
And now?
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Until next time!
Best wishes,
Patricia (Dr. Schmidt) from creatorschmidt.com
