GOOD Rules That Boost Brain Efficiency By 34%

In this article, we’ll explore insights from Dr. John J. Medina, a developmental molecular biologist, who has dedicated much of his career to studying mental health and the genes involved in human brain development. His extensive research culminated in the book ‘Brain Rules,’ where he shares various methods to enhance brain performance by up to 34%. Let’s dive into these scientifically-backed brain rules and discover how they can benefit us.

To begin, it’s important to note that vision trumps all other senses. Our brain allocates 50% of its resources to vision, which explains why we remember images and videos more effectively than written or spoken words.

Another critical aspect is that the human brain evolved over millions of years. Initially, we only had a ‘reptilian brain’ that managed basic functions like breathing and sleeping. As we evolved, the limbic system developed, enabling learning and environmental responses, followed by the neocortex, which allowed for deep communication and enhanced memory and processing power.

Stress is another factor that significantly impacts brain performance. The release of adrenaline and cortisol during stressful situations can damage blood vessels over time, potentially leading to heart attacks or strokes.

Moreover, everyone’s brain is wired differently, as demonstrated by Michael Jordan’s struggle when transitioning from basketball to baseball. This highlights how different physical activities can rewire our brains in unique ways.

It’s also essential to recognize that we can only focus on one thing at a time. Multitasking is not something our brain is designed to handle. Research indicates that when we attempt to multitask, our brain discards most of the information to concentrate on just one task.

To enhance memory, it’s crucial to stimulate your senses. The more senses you involve in the learning process, the better your brain will retain the information.

Repetition is key to memory retention. The fifth rule, ‘repeat to remember,’ suggests that revisiting information in the same environment where it was learned can improve memory. Similarly, the sixth rule, ‘remember to repeat,’ emphasizes the importance of connecting new information with related concepts and reviewing it periodically to retain it long-term.

Exercise plays a significant role in boosting brain power. Through various experiments, it was found that individuals who engage in aerobic exercises, which elevate the heart rate, perform better in memory and spatial thinking tasks. This is because exercise delivers blood, energy, and glucose to the brain while removing toxic electrons.

Sleep is equally vital. Contrary to the belief that sleep is a waste of time, science shows that insufficient sleep can have severe consequences. A study revealed that a brief 26-minute nap could enhance a NASA pilot’s performance by 34%.

Additionally, the way male and female brains function under stress differs. Women’s left hemisphere becomes more active, focusing on emotional details, while men’s right hemisphere takes over, concentrating on the overall situation.

Lastly, it’s essential to remember that we are natural explorers. From childhood, we possess an innate curiosity and a drive to learn and discover the world around us.

In this article, we’ve covered a variety of brain rules, including how vision dominates other senses, the evolution of the human brain, the impact of stress, the unique wiring of each brain, the limits of multitasking, the importance of repetition, the benefits of exercise, the significance of sleep, gender differences in brain function, and our inherent nature as explorers.