10 Surprising Facts About the Human Brain

News that’s easy to swallow:

The human brain is an incredible organ responsible for controlling all bodily functions and enabling us to think, feel, and perceive the world around us. Here are 10 surprising facts about the human brain that you may not have known:

1. The brain is the most complex organ in the human body. It comprises more than 100 billion nerve cells (neurons) and trillions of supportive cells called glial cells.
2. The brain is the only organ in the body with a blood supply. It receives 15-20% of the body’s blood flow, even though it only makes up about 2% of its weight.
3. The brain can generate more electrical impulses in a single day than all the telephones in the world combined.
4. The brain is the fattiest organ in the body, with about 60% of its weight made up of fat.
5. The brain is the most flexible organ in the body. It can adapt and change in response to new experiences and learning, a process known as neuroplasticity.
6. The brain is the only organ in the body to repair itself after injury. This process, called neurogenesis, occurs mainly in two areas of the brain: the hippocampus, which is involved in learning and memory, and the olfactory bulb, which is responsible for the sense of smell.
7. The brain is the only organ in the body that can feel pain. It has no pain receptors, but it can perceive pain by stimulating special nerve fibers called nociceptors.
8. The brain is the only organ in the body to create painkillers. When we experience pain or emotional distress, our brain releases natural chemicals called endorphins that help to reduce the sensation of pain.
9. The brain is the most energy-hungry organ in the body, using about 20% of the body’s total energy supply.
10. The brain is the only organ in the body that can perceive time. It does this by creating mental maps of the events that occur around us and using these maps to estimate the passage of time.

The human brain is a remarkable organ capable of incredible feats of perception, learning, and adaptation. It is a testament to the incredible complexity and adaptability of the human body.