There has been a common misconception for many years that we only use 10% of our brain.  Unfortunately, this myth has been perpetuated even by more recent Hollywood movies such as “Lucy,” staring Scarlett Johansson. Of course the idea of only using 10% of our brain makes us more optimistic about having 90% untapped potential, ready to change our lives.

The good news is that despite this not being true, we can indeed remain extremely optimistic about the potential to change our brains, but not because of this reason. It is because of the extraordinary capacity of the brain to be able to undergo change, which is the process of Neuroplasticity. This is the most exciting area of science for me, as I now know that I can change my biological destiny. I will address this miracle of the brain in a future blog.

We are in fact using our brain all of the time, even when sleeping. However, any

unused parts of the brain will die off, to free up resources needed to strengthen those connections that are most often used.

Professor Bruce Hood delivered a series of demonstrations explaining the “Cells that fire together wire together,” and “Use it or lose it” principles of brain connectivity. So anyone who practices hard, to master a sport, musical instrument , etc., will increase the connectivity between neurons, the greater their expertise becomes.

Professional musicians as a result of their years of training, have great connectivity and activation of those regions of the brain that control their finger movements and those that bind sensory and motor information.

So, in a nutshell, do not expect to make the most of your brain if you are lying around eating grapes all day every day.