15 Facts About How Your Brain Powers Your Every Move

The brain is the most complex organ in the body that’s constantly working behind the scenes to keep you alive, thinking, and feeling.

As we go about your day, this powerful brain of ours is making it all possible. Have you ever wondered just how amazing your brain really is and how it works?  

1. Your Brain Uses a Lot of Energy

Did you know your brain uses about 20% of your body’s energy? Despite being only about 2% of your body weight, it consumes a significant amount of your energy. (ref)

This high energy use is essential for maintaining brain function, from thinking and problem-solving to regulating basic bodily functions.

2. You Have Billions of Neurons

Your brain is home to about 86 billion neurons. (ref) These neurons are the building blocks of your nervous system, transmitting signals throughout your brain and body.

Each neuron can form thousands of connections with other neurons, creating a complex web of communication.

3. Your Brain Can Rewire Itself

Your brain has an amazing ability called neuroplasticity, which allows it to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections.

This means that your brain can adapt and change throughout your life, helping you learn new skills, recover from injuries, and adjust to new experiences.

4. You Process Information Quickly

Your brain processes information incredibly fast. For instance, it can recognize familiar faces in just a fraction of a second.

This rapid processing is thanks to the brain’s specialized regions and efficient neural pathways that work together to interpret and respond to stimuli quickly.

5. Your Brain is Highly Active During Sleep

Even when you’re asleep, your brain remains highly active. During sleep, it performs essential functions like consolidating memories, clearing out toxins, and organizing information from the day.

This activity is crucial for maintaining cognitive functions and overall brain health.

6. Your Brain Has a Built-In Painkiller

When you experience pain, your brain releases chemicals called endorphins. These natural painkillers are designed to help reduce discomfort and boost your mood.

They work by binding to the same receptors in your brain as opioids, providing relief and a sense of well-being.

7. Your Brain is More Active When You’re Resting

When you’re resting or not actively engaged in a task, your brain’s default mode network (DMN) becomes more active. This network is involved in daydreaming, recalling memories, and planning for the future.

It’s like your brain is working behind the scenes, keeping track of your thoughts and experiences even when you’re not consciously focused.

8. You Have a Unique Brain Signature

Just like your fingerprints, your brain’s patterns of activity are unique to you. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans can reveal these individual patterns, known as your brain’s “neural signature.” (ref)

This uniqueness can be used to identify specific brain functions and even individual identities in research and clinical settings.

9. Your Brain Can Create New Neurons

For a long time, it was believed that you only had a set number of neurons throughout your life. However, research has shown that your brain can generate new neurons through a process called neurogenesis. (ref)

This is particularly true in the hippocampus, a region associated with learning and memory.

10. Your Brain’s Right & Left Hemispheres Specialize Differently

Your brain is divided into two hemispheres, each specializing in different functions. The left hemisphere is often associated with logical thinking, language, and analytical tasks, while the right hemisphere is linked to creativity, spatial abilities, and emotional processing.

However, both hemispheres work together and communicate constantly to perform complex tasks.

11. Your Brain’s Storage Capacity Is Astronomical

Your brain’s storage capacity is estimated to be around 2.5 petabytes, which is equivalent to about 2.5 million gigabytes. (ref) This immense capacity allows you to store a vast amount of information, from detailed memories to complex skills and knowledge.

It’s like having an incredibly sophisticated and expansive hard drive built into your head!

12. Your Brain Can Process Visual Information Instantly

Your brain processes visual information extremely fast. For example, it can recognize and identify familiar faces in as little as 100 milliseconds. (ref)

This rapid processing is due to the brain’s specialized visual areas and the efficiency of neural pathways involved in interpreting visual stimuli.

13. Your Brain Can Sync with Others’ Emotions

Your brain has the ability to sync with the emotions of those around you. This phenomenon, known as emotional contagion, happens through mirror neurons and empathetic responses.

When you see someone expressing an emotion, your brain’s mirror neurons activate, allowing you to experience a similar emotion and create a sense of connection.

14. Your Brain Uses a Significant Amount of Oxygen

Despite its small size, your brain uses about 20% of the oxygen you breathe.(ref) This high oxygen consumption is necessary to fuel the brain’s intense activity and maintain its intricate network of neurons.

Without a steady supply of oxygen, cognitive functions and brain health could be compromised.

15. Your Brain Has a Built-In GPS System

Your brain has a built-in “GPS system” located in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex, which helps you navigate and understand spatial environments. (ref) This system allows you to create mental maps of your surroundings and remember the locations of objects, routes, and landmarks.

Incredible, isn’t it? Your brain is a powerhouse of activity, constantly working in amazing ways to keep you functioning and thriving.