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BRAIN FACTS

 


### 1. **Your Brain Generates Enough Electricity to Power a Small Bulb**  

   When all your neurons are firing simultaneously, your brain can produce up to **20 watts** of electrical power—enough to dimly light a bulb.  


### 2. **The Brain Is Not Fully Formed Until Your Mid-20s**  

   The prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision-making and impulse control, isn’t fully developed until around **age 25**, which is why teenagers often take more risks.  


### 3. **Your Brain Can Rewire Itself (Neuroplasticity)**  

   If one part of the brain is damaged, another can sometimes take over its function—a phenomenon called **neuroplasticity**. Blind people, for example, often repurpose their visual cortex for enhanced hearing or touch.  


### 4. **The Brain Doesn’t Feel Pain**  

   The brain itself has **no pain receptors**, which is why brain surgeries can sometimes be performed while the patient is awake (though the surrounding tissues do feel pain).  


### 5. **You Have a "Second Brain" in Your Gut**  

   The **enteric nervous system** in your gut contains over **100 million neurons** and communicates directly with your brain, influencing mood and behavior (hence "gut feelings").  


### 6. **Forgetting Is Actually Good for Your Brain**  

   Your brain intentionally forgets trivial details to **optimize memory storage** and prevent information overload—a process called **"active forgetting."**  


### 7. **The Brain Shrinks When You’re Dehydrated**  

   Just **two hours of intense sweating without water** can temporarily shrink your brain, affecting focus and decision-making.  


### 8. **Yawning Cools Down Your Brain**  

   Contrary to popular belief, yawning isn’t just about oxygen—it helps **regulate brain temperature** by increasing blood flow and drawing in cooler air.  


### 9. **Your Brain Can Predict the Future (Sort Of)**  

   The brain constantly makes **micro-predictions** (like anticipating a ball’s trajectory) based on past experiences, helping you react faster.  


### 10. **The Brain Cleans Itself While You Sleep**  

   During deep sleep, the **glymphatic system** flushes out toxins (like beta-amyloid, linked to Alzheimer’s) using cerebrospinal fluid—meaning **sleep is like a brain detox**.