Neurologists Debunk 11 Brain Myths | Debunked | Science Insider

Neuroscientists Dr. Santoshi Billakota and Dr. Brad Kamitaki debunk 11 myths about the brain. They explain what IQ tests actually measure, the difference between a seizure and epilepsy, and why the size of your brain doesn't matter. They also talk about how to prevent a stroke — plus which memories improve as you age.

0:00 Intro
0:33 The bigger the brain, the smarter the creature
1:44 IQ tests are always an accurate measure of intelligence
3:17 We only use 10% of our brains
5:03 Video games rot your brain
6:08 Memory gets worse as you age
7:15 Left-brained people are logical, right-brained people are creative
8:26 You can't prevent a stroke
9:40 Eating fish makes you smarter
10:44 You can always trust your senses
11:39 Different sexes have different brains
12:33 If you have a seizure, you have epilepsy

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Neurologists Debunk 11 Brain Myths | Debunked | Science Insider

[babybirdhome]

The most surprising thing to me is how many of these myths originated back in the 1800s! Why are they still being spread today?!?!? It’s remarkable how out of touch we can be and how easily it can happen.

[emic]

My wonderful mom has always said that “everyone is smart in their own way, ” as Dr. Kamitaki also so empathetically expressed, and in my 43 years of life I’ve seen this to be *so true*! There are so many ways in which a person can be talented and brilliant if we just look for it and appreciate it!

[slept]

He's so calm. I would definitely want him to be my therapist.

[mugglepuff]

I have epilepsy and I can confirm how important it is to take medication and see your neurologist at least once a year. Everytime I have a tonic clonic seizure, I always call my neurologist to let him know.

[nazaa]

Our body is so complex it’s interesting to learn about it

[pandorabox]

The IQ one has always bothered me. I am a "gifted" person with ADHD. While I ranked above average in IQ tests, I struggle to function because simple tasks like doing laundry and remembering appointments are incredibly daunting. It's like whoever chose my stats had a really fucked up sense of priorities

[Joseph-mwrl]

IQ is kinda like horsepower. Even if you have high horsepower, if you have poor grip, down force, high weight, poor aerodynamic, your car is still gonna be slow as hell😂

[adamalderson]

From what I’ve read, most parts of the brains do not make new brain cells, but neurogenesis does occur in the hippocampus and glial cells are possibly able to thicken or regrow as well.

Just wondered about that since I often heard that it’s a myth that we only have a finite number of brain cells after we become adults.

They stated that myth at the very end of the video.

[billyalarie]

I want everybody to know that as soon as the left versus right brain myth was debunked in this video I got an ad for Twix, saying it doesn’t matter if it’s the left or right.

I was PROFOUNDLY confused bc I was merely listening to this, so I didn’t see that it had changed. It was a supremely jarring experience. Kinda terrifying, actually.

[KristenRowenPliske]

I’ve been an RN for almost 30yrs & the stuff I learn about brains has changed so much since I was new. We’ve learned SO much but still some things we just shrug & say “i don’t know. Brains are weird.”
Also, does being ambidextrous change how one’s brain reacts? (As opposed to be left or right-handed?) just curious.

[niklaswahlgren]

I did the high school test without food and drinks after a military exercise where we didn't get to sleep a lot. Without preparation, once. Definitely noticed a difference. Everyone is dumb as a rock if they are tired enough.

[userk]

This is probably the first "debunked" where i have known and believed half of the myths. I am mind-blown

[taxusbaccata]

Thanks for debunking the myth about male/logical female/emotional myth. I'm a woman and I can think pretty rationally when I need to. The only thing I become emotional over is cats, but it's a luxury I allow myself.

[bharanieinstein]

I had been having these doubts for a very long time ... thank you guys for addressing these topics 😊

[Sunset]

School staff made a big enough deal about my measured 1Q that my parents made big changes in my life. I realize the doctors put IQ test numbers in the appropriate place because people can have many skills and abilities those tests don’t measure. For me, however, my childhood and the peaks of my life have been highlighted my verbal ability and executive functioning. Lives can be significantly influenced by the experiences and opportunities given to a child. If you are young, try all the good things. You might find an extraordinary version of yourself no one yet sees.

[LilFoxyCosplay]

When i feel useless because im not talented at sport like my classmates were i remember my costumes and props ive made 😊 "no one can do everything but everyone can do something" - fav quote from a poster in high school

[RebelAlliance]

Ok so on the subject of IQ tests, I have an 11 year old son with global developmental delays, he can't read or write yet, but boy, he can tell you about a LOT of things, and in great detail! Unfortunately this world is based on paper and ink, so to speak, so people like my son are considered intellectually disabled, but that's just not true, my son is very intelligent, so who cares if he can't write it down or read it? There's videos on literally everything these days, and literally everyone has different ways of learning and communicating, so why are we still measuring a person's intelligence by literacy alone? It doesn't make sense.

[rolmodel.]

Lol, the size of the brain myth has always made me chuckle. Saying someone/thing is smarter because of a larger brain, is like saying a giraffe would be better at basketball than a primate, because it is taller. 😏

[mexa_t]

the videogame thing is so true. There's obviously trash in all entertainment and videogames are no exception, some really do feel like they're slowly strangling each of my neurons, but I've found that games like Snowrunner really make you think logically and do a lot of risk vs reward calculation, throwing in variables like your vehicle's capability or potential obstacles on the road. Same as sim or sim-adjacent racing videogames, you have to be aware of your own capability as a driver, your car's capability, your tyre wear, changing weather if it's a feature, strategy, other drivers...Videogames really do give you hand on experience to form connections regarding quick decision making, strategy and risk vs reward thinking that a book, a school lesson or a documentary can't teach you, specially for younger kids that can't get into IRL situations that build those connections.

[jayasmrmore]

7:00 one key thing about memory problems they forgot to mention is how certain chemicals can cause them. Household paint without ventilation, spray paint or stroke paint either way, is highly toxic. Same thing with glue, solvents, degreasers. You can use these chemicals just make sure to do so with ventilation and protection.