The human mind is full of mysteries and potentials, and our brains are undoubtedly the most powerful computers in the universe, yet their potential has not yet been fully explored.
A simple example is the brain's ability to accurately distinguish between cold and hot water with just a short sound, which is amazing. What's even more amazing is that research has revealed that our heart rate involuntarily increases in the face of adverse situations, which seems to indicate the existence of a mysterious system in the body capable of predicting the future.
Here are the 11 mysterious powers of the human mind!
1. A woman's vagina can be activated earlier than the brain
Despite such rumors, research shows that men are no more susceptible to "visual stimuli" than women. It's just that the stimulus signal is sometimes hidden – even the women themselves can't detect it. The vagina is automatically lubricated to prepare, which is usually long before the brain becomes aware of sexual arousal.
2. Detect the female ovulation period
It turns out that there is a perfect date time every month. Ovulation only lasts 16 to 32 hours a month, but it is the most important time to give birth. At this point, the egg is released from the ovaries and is ready for fertilization. Research has shown that humans are very good at perceiving this, even if it is often unconscious. Women can do this just by looking at another woman's face. Males have similar abilities. Men are more likely to be attracted to women who are ovulating, even if it's just by smelling their clothes. Now, there are even "scent dating services" designed to match people based on their scent.
3. The sense of smell is as sensitive as that of a dog
When it comes to olfaction experts, we usually use dogs – for drugs, food, and hunting. But humans also have a very sensitive sense of smell. An experiment was tested on a football field with a group of students who had to track a 5-meter-long rope soaked in chocolate with only their noses. Most people succeeded.
According to one study, humans can smell more than a trillion different scents. In the part of the brain that is associated with the sense of smell, the olfactory bulb, humans have a similar number of neurons to mice. We are just as keen as dogs when it comes to smell, such as amyl acetate, a smell that smells like bananas. Food seems to be our forte.
4. Laughter
Laughter is essential because it is mysterious. There seem to be many reasons why humans laugh. Evolutionary psychologists believe that laughter is likely a way to connect socially. Laughter tells others that there is no danger. Other animals laugh for this reason.
From the inside, endorphins circulate in the brain, lowering adrenaline levels and making you more relaxed. It begins with electrical waves in the brain and involves the left part of the cerebral cortex (responsible for analysis), the frontal lobe (responsible for social-emotional), and the motor part. Laughter seems to be an exercise for the brain.
5. Hallucinations
Losing some parts of the body doesn't always reach the brain. "Phantom limb sensation" is very common – 80% to 100% of amputees report it. These sensations are produced by nerves in the spinal cord and brain, which are used to send pain signals to the limbs.
These sensations can be beneficial when using a prosthesis, but they can also be very painful.
6. Sleep
The average person spends about one-third of their life sleeping. Scientists have known the importance of sleep for centuries. Three days without sleep is enough to trigger hallucinations, and the longest period of not sleeping ever is 11 days. Sleep deprivation has been linked to a range of health problems – from mental health and stress to heart disease and stroke. The big question is why humans have evolved to the point of becoming sleep-dependent.
This starts with our circadian rhythm, which changes with the Earth's cycle of light and dark. It goes deep down to the cellular level. Studies have found that sleep may be an essential activity required to circulate cerebrospinal fluid and "remove cellular debris." But the debate is still raging, and there is no clear answer yet. 4
7. Your brain produces enough electricity to light a light bulb
The brain is the engine of the body – and it is. The 100 billion neurons in the brain consume about 20% of all the body's energy. What does the brain do with this energy? In short, it's computing. The brain is constantly processing and transmitting information through electrical signals.
All of these processes run at about 12 watts, which is enough to power a small light bulb, but about 15 times less than the average computer. Considering that supercomputers still can't compete with humans on many tasks, our brains are very efficient processors.
8. Change the structure of the brain
Although the brain is the most powerful organ, it is probably the most flexible organ in the human body. When you learn a new language, a new knowledge, a new skill, or anything else, the brain is actually rewiring. Information is passed between synapses, and synapses can be combined in different ways to form a staggering 150 trillion connections.
As you learn, information is sent along specific paths, creating new types of connections and revolutionizing the physical structure of the brain.
9. Be your parent
Although many of us may try to avoid it, being a parent is a normal part of life. This is because of the way our brains absorb information. At an early age, through implicit memory, we develop emotional and behavioral patterns from our caregivers. Socialization and environment as we grow up are important, but one of the most important factors in shaping our core beliefs is our early relationships with our parents.
Secure attachment or impaired attachment can have lifelong effects on a child. Neglected children's brain development can be disrupted – certain circuits related to behavior, learning, and health can be impaired. Children who receive health feedback and care will experience improved cognitive performance and overall well-being.
10. Exercise is equally good for the brain and body
We all know that exercise is good for the body, helping to lose weight, improve the cardiovascular system, and reduce the risk of disease. But did you know that it's just as important to the brain? Aerobic exercise can increase the size of the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for learning and language memory, which can improve cognitive performance. It also promotes the production of chemicals that help the brain grow new blood vessels.
11. Cholesterol is the key to learning and memory
For many people, cholesterol is a derogatory term. However, 25% of the body's cholesterol is found in the brain. And it's not the kind of cholesterol we eat.
Instead, the brain makes cholesterol on its own. But that doesn't mean what you eat doesn't affect your brain. A type of cholesterol known as "HDL," such as nuts, oats, avocados, and olive oil, may help fight brain tissue linked to Alzheimer's disease.