Brain power.....? Does anyone really know why we can not use more of our brains then we currently do?

Question

This question has really been on my mind for sometime now and I have begun searching for ways to maximize its use. Please, serious answers only.

Answer 1

I am not a medical doctor or psychiatrist, but I think the main reason most people do not effectively use most of their brain is because they have not taught themselves how to use it.

There are several tasks that the brain performs.

1. Memory. The recall of facts, experiences, sights, sounds, smells, tastes, tactile sensation, etc.

2. Processing of Sensory information. The brain must learn how to "see", hear, control the rest of the body, etc.

3. On a little higher level, the brain can combine memory with its processing capabilities to think internally and create its own sensory input; for example the ability to visualize, write, speak, make music, imagine, dream, etc.

4. The Human brain also has the ability to direct how it processes information. Some may call this will-power. This is the key to enhancing "brain power". When we are young children, we rely on our environment to direct how we "form" our brains through observation and imitation. As we mature, most people reach a limit in the amount of "external guidance" on forming their brains they receive from their families, schools, and environment. So, the burden to direct the individual's mental development shifts from the parents, school, society, onto the individual him/herself. Essentially this boils down to learning how to control your own thought processes. We are such creatures of habit that learning to control how you think is not easy. But this ability is necessary to really tap the potential of the human brain. When you can learn to control how your mind thinks and processes information, you can teach yourself how to fully utilize your brain. This is something only humans can do.

Well, I hope that answers your question.

Answer 2

Don't worry about using "more" of your brain, so much as what you do with it. If there's anything on earth where quality is more important than quantity, it's mental activity. There's really no new fancy trick to this. Get a good education, read things that stretch you abilities, be curious, seek out arguments with smart people whom you respect but disagree with. Writing things that others will read is important too for organizing and improving on your own thoughts so as to "pass review" by the others. The brain is like any other part of you body; use it or lose it.

Answer 3

I read a study on other animals that I think may apply...

Birds, dogs, etc. can have varying degrees of intelligence, depending on what they need to do. Some birds seem to be utterly unintelligent, while there are crows in the Pacific that use sticks (with their beaks) to fish for grubs out of rotten wood. The intelligence of animals tends to develop at the rate that they need it to develop.

I believe the human condition is similar. Look how intelligent we are now vs. 2,000 years ago, or 200 years ago. At the same time, if you look at couch potatoes who watch stupid TV all day- these people are probably dumber than your typical person 200 years ago. Our intelligence generally grows at the speed it is required to manipulate the tools & conditions we need to exist/prosper.

Answer 4

the subconscious is evil, it wants to hide information from u, and constantly manipulates the way u think. every word, action, event is being photographically recorded by the subconsciousness, but it is not always cooperative with your consciousness. if u can learn to undualize the mind (consciousness) and the brain (subconsciousness) u will be able to open up the parts of our brain that can make us nearly superhuman. the subconscious in a sense, controls u. u may think u r in control but the subconsious is the the ruler of your mind and it decides what u remember and what u forget. right now, my subconsious is preventing me from closing out this answer effectively, but i guess i'll just end it at this.

Answer 5

through childhood and adolescence, we have more synapses for learning things quickly. In later adolescence, the number of synapses decreases so that our brains can operate more efficiently and require less consumption of energy. i'm not sure though if the brains use even comes close to maximum use during childhood

Answer 6

We use different parts of our brain at different times. The 10% is a myth.

Answer 7

We use all of our brain, but at different times and for different things.

Basically, you can't do math with the bits that control your foot, and if you try to walk with the bits that do math you will fall down.