11 Fun Facts About Your Brain

1.  Sixty percent of the human brain consists of fat, making it the fattiest organ in the body. These fatty acids are essential for optimal brain function, so it's crucial to nourish it with healthy, brain-boosting nutrients.
2. Brain development continues until around age 25, starting from the back and progressing to the front. Consequently, the frontal lobes, responsible for planning and reasoning, are the last to mature and form connections.
3. With approximately 86 billion neurons and up to 1 quadrillion connections, the brain's storage capacity is virtually limitless. However, diseases like Alzheimer’s can damage neurons, particularly affecting memory.
4. Information travels through the brain at speeds of up to 268 miles per hour, facilitated by electrical impulses between neurons. Disruptions can lead to conditions like epileptic seizures.
5. By around 4 years old, the spinal cord stops growing. It serves as the primary conduit between the brain and body, transmitting messages throughout.
6. Neurological conditions like ALS and MS disrupt communication between the brain and body. ALS causes neuron death, affecting muscle control, while MS damages nerve fiber coverings.
7. Contrary to the myth, humans use all of their brain, even during sleep. Neurologists affirm that the brain is always active.
8. While the human brain weighs around 3 pounds, size doesn't necessarily correlate with intelligence. Men generally have larger brains than women.
9. Brain freezes, or sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia, occur due to cold affecting brain coverings and artery dilation, causing rapid headaches.
10. Even a tiny piece of brain tissue contains thousands of neurons and synapses. Damage, such as in strokes or Parkinson’s disease, can lead to loss of function in affected areas.
11. The brain can produce about 23 watts of power, equivalent to a lightbulb, emphasizing the importance of adequate rest. Sleep deprivation may contribute to Alzheimer’s risk due to increased protein buildup.