What If We Used the Full Capacity of Our Brains?

Brain size relates more to proportion than it does to intelligence. Your brain is smaller than a whale’s because your body is smaller. However, your brain is structured in a way that enables you to survive, and succeed.

But after all that, would you believe that humans only use 10% of their brains?
Let’s make it 100%.

Watch more what-if scenarios:

"Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it, we go nowhere." — Carl Sagan

Produced by Underknown in Toronto, What If is a mini-documentary web series that takes you on an epic journey through hypothetical worlds and possibilities. Join us on an imaginary adventure — grounded in scientific theory — through time, space and chance, as we ask what if some of the most fundamental aspects of our existence were different.

[WhatIfScienceShow]

Hey, there are more body-related episodes. Check them out:

[koreng]

The last time i watched a person use 100% of her brain's capacity, she became a usb

[Paul-ttoi]

We can't use full capacity of our brain because that feature has been blocked by the developers.

[necurrence]

What I find fascinating about the brain is that you never truly forget anything. Of course you may miss some daily tasks when tired. But given the right impulse you can remember things vividly from tens of years ago. Can you possibly imagine how much data your brain stores ? Holy cow

[maxtube]

“Would you believe that humans only use 10% of their brains?”

(Looks at Karens, Flat Earthers, The creators of that Sonic design from the first trailer, etc.)

Yes. Yes I would.

[ridvirgo]

How can we use the brain at full capacity when humans still can't turn signal/blinker before changing lanes. That's another episode for what IF.

[noseboi]

Full brain mode activated:

*water is wet.*

[OreadNYC]

Even if we could use all of our cerebral cortex (the 10% which the video talks about) at once, we'd most likely go completely insane because every neuron in our cerebral cortex would be firing at once. We'd essentially be simultaneously reliving every experience which is stored in our memory and we would probably also be experiencing constant physical pain throughout our entire bodies as well. (Please reference "The Sky Is Falling", Episode 5 of the six-part audio drama podcast Zero Hours.)

[siangzalianthang]

The fact that our Brain itself is figuring how it works.

[harrisdodiya]

10% : that's not funny
100% : laughn't

[anthornic]

What if we use 0% of the brain?
Apple: 999$ stand

[alanw]

We already do use our brain at full capacity. The 10 % thing applies to our ability to use our brain at will: decision making, creativity, logic, emotional response, day dreaming, etc. The rest of the 90% of our brain is for autonomic functions: blood pressure, heart beating, breathing, body temperature, metabolism, digestion, respiration, pupillary dilation, urination, and much more.

[RCSXDV]

If I used 100% of my brain, I watch EVERY animation tutorial and finally start a FULL web-series since I know how to COMPLETELY animate.

[tylerboles]

Me: i want to use 100% of my brain.


EA: that'll be $19.99

[BINIgnitOnTop]

Finally! A “what if” video where humans don’t die

[TheMessiahOfThePercent]

“All of our neurons firing at once is called a seizure.”
- Someone wise

[blackout.youtube]

Our brains are like a device that we can use to discover and do everything but no one has discovered it’s full potential on how to do that and it’ll take ages for people to do so

[jeromefinau]

My brain at full capacity:

Me: 9+10= 21

[syedhassam]

First thing I remembered from this video is a movie named Lucy.

Anyone else like me?

[gamergenics]

What I think of when discussing the ability to use our brain to it's full capacity is being able to do subconscious actions consciously. Imagine being able to regulate your own pain. You get hurt but know you'll be okay? Turn off your pain receptors in that area. Childbirth? Can regulate that pain as well.
Another action could be the ability to access all your memories at a moments notice, clear as day. Better yet, being able to learn something almost instantly. Obviously there is are things we allow our subconscious to do that we don't want to have control over, i.e. breathing, heartbeat, etc. Best leave that to the pons.
Anyway, that's what I think of. Given that the conscience isn't fully understood and what it actually is, is still up for debate, I think it would be a cool thing to explore.