Lefties are a rare breed.
Did you know that only about 10% of the world’s population1 is left-handed? While being a southpaw may seem like a minor quirk, research has uncovered a surprising number of ways that left-handedness can impact your life, from your physical and mental health to your creativity and even your earning potential.
Here are 17 intriguing facts that science has discovered about left-handers.
1. Your Brain May Be Wired Differently
Studies have found that the brains of left-handers show different patterns of connectivity compared to right-handers. (ref)
The hemispheres of lefties’ brains appear to be more in sync, especially in regions involved with language processing. This unique wiring could influence how left-handers think and perceive the world.
2. Genetics Play a Role, But It’s Complicated
While handedness does run in families, the inheritance pattern isn’t straightforward. Children of left-handed parents are more likely to be left-handed themselves, but most children of lefties are still right-handed.
Researchers believe that many different genes, perhaps up to 40, contribute to determining handedness. (ref)
3. It Starts in the Womb
Ultrasound scans have shown that handedness begins to develop before birth.
By the 15th week of pregnancy, 90% of fetuses prefer to suck their right thumb. This early establishment of hand preference suggests that handedness has its roots in fetal brain development.
4. Lefties May Have a Slight Intellectual Edge
An analysis of 400,000 people in the UK also discovered that the brains of lefties showed better connectivity in regions related to language and reasoning. However, other research has failed to find a consistent advantage in intelligence for southpaws. (ref)
5. But Left-Handedness is Linked to Some Learning Difficulties
While lefties may excel in certain areas, studies suggest they are also more prone to conditions like dyslexia and ADHD.
Left-handed children may initially lag behind their right-handed peers in school, especially in writing and language skills, but most catch up over time.
6. Lefties are More Likely to Have Mental Health Issues
Research has found higher rates of mood disorders, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress disorder among left-handers.
One study discovered that 40% of people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were left-handed. The different brain lateralization in lefties may play a role. (ref)
7. But Being a Southpaw Has Advantages in Sports
In interactive sports like tennis, boxing, and fencing, left-handers have a competitive edge. Right-handed opponents are less accustomed to facing off against lefties, and may be thrown off by a southpaw’s moves.
At times, nearly half of top baseball players have been left-handed.
8. Left-Handedness Was Once Linked to the Devil
Historically, left-handedness was viewed with suspicion and hostility. During the Middle Ages, the devil was believed to be left-handed.
The English word “left” comes from the Anglo-Saxon term meaning “weak”. In many cultures, the left hand is still considered unclean or rude to use.
9. Some of History’s Greatest Minds Were Lefties
From Leonardo da Vinci to Albert Einstein, a surprising number of geniuses have been left-handed. Other famous southpaw thinkers include Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, and Benjamin Franklin.
Some experts hypothesize that left-handedness is associated with divergent thinking and creativity. (ref)
10. Left-Handed People Face Daily Challenges in a Right-Handed World
Many everyday objects, from scissors to desks to computer mice, are designed for right-handers. This can make life tricky for lefties, who often have to adapt to using tools and devices meant for the opposite hand.
Lefties frequently deal with smudged writing from dragging their hand across the page.
11. Drinking Alcohol May Affect Lefties Differently
Left-handed people tend to drink more frequently than righties, although they aren’t necessarily more prone to alcoholism.
Scientists aren’t sure why this is, but it could be related to the different ways alcohol impacts the left-lateralized brain.
12. Some Professions Have More Left-Handers
Certain jobs and fields seem to attract more lefties, including the arts and sports. Left-handers often excel in professions that involve spatial reasoning and “outside-the-box” thinking.
13. There are Left-Handed Animals Too
Humans aren’t the only species that show a hand preference. Studies have found that chimpanzees, gorillas, and other primates display individual handedness.
Interestingly, wild chimps seem to be mostly left-handed when fishing for termites, but use their right hands more for cracking nuts. (ref)
14. Ultrasounds & Twins May Increase Odds of Left-Handedness
Some evidence suggests that increased use of ultrasound scans during pregnancy could be causing a slight rise in left-handedness rates.
Twins are also more likely than single births to be left-handed, with about 21% of twins being southpaws.
15. Lefties Have an Advantage in Hand-to-Hand Combat
The “southpaw advantage” doesn’t just apply to sports – it seems to have evolutionary roots in survival.
Researchers believe that in prehistoric societies, being left-handed gave an edge in close-range combat, since most right-handed opponents would be less prepared to defend against lefty attacks.
16. Four of the Last Seven U.S. Presidents Were Left-Handed
Left-handers may make up a small minority of the general population, but they’re overrepresented in the Oval Office. Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and Barack Obama were all southpaws.
This could be related to lefties’ purported strengths in language and reasoning.
17. Much Remains Unknown About the Causes & Effects of Left-Handedness
Despite the many studies on handedness, scientists are still working to understand exactly why some people are left-handed and how it shapes the brain.
The complex interplay of genetics, environment, and chance in determining handedness means there’s still a lot left to learn about what makes lefties unique.
Source:
1. Washington Post Article
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Martha A. Lavallie
Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.
