Left Brain vs. Right Brain----The Truth will Surprise you
I’ve always been amazed at how we humans work, particularly how our mind/brain work intimately among its different parts to allow us to function the way we do. It’s no easy feat. As a Life Coach NYC and Mindset Coach, I now appreciate it even more.
Let’s look at the most amazing and most vital organ of the central nervous system: the brain. The truth about its structure and how it actually works will surprise you….
More specifically, we’ll see how the left brain vs. right brain function differently yet, still have to work well together for you to function well.
THE HUMAN BRAIN:
Your brain is about 3 pounds, makes up around 2% of your human weight and only takes up about 20% of the body’s total energy. It contains around 100 billion neurons (nerve cells) and 100 trillion connections. Your brain is your command center-----------of all you think, feel and do.
Your brain is divided into 2 halves or hemispheres. Within each of the halves, particular regions control certain functions.
Although the 2 sides of your brain may look very much alike, there’s a huge difference in how they process information. Though they work differently, they don’t work independently of each other.
The 2 hemispheres of your brain are connected by the corpus callosum (or callosal commissure), which is a big bundle of myelinated nerve fibers. This corpus callosum allows communication between the right and left sides (hemispheres) of your brain.
Each hemisphere is in charge of the opposite side of the body. So, your right brain controls your left hand. The right hemisphere takes in sensory input from your left side and vice versa. The brain is actually segmented into regions called lobes. The right and left hemispheres function interdependently.
These 2 sides of the brain communicate with one another to perform all vital bodily processes. Lack of integration between the different components could result in some forms of impairment.
The human brain has the ability to recognize itself and to learn and adapt to change.
Now that we’ve gone over a bit of the anatomy of the right and left hemispheres, let’s now go over their functioning and characteristics.
The LEFT HEMISPHERE of the Brain:
The left side of the brain controls the right side of the body. If the left side of your brain is dominant, you tend to be more logical and analytical. You probably excel in academics, like math and science. This left hemisphere is also called the digital brain and is responsible for:
-analytical
-order
-verbal
-reading
-writing
-computations
-sequencing
-logic
-math
-linear thinking
-thinking in words
Those who are left hemisphere dominant usually excel in these fields:
-business analyst
-programmer
-scientist
-reporter
Some of the FUNCTIONS & CHARACTERISTICS of the LEFT BRAIN:
-it involves the movement of large muscles, such as walking
-it plays an important role in maintaining balance.
-it’s in charge of involuntary body functions: digestion, the heart’s beating and breathing.
-it controls the immune system.
-it can understand the sum of any situation.
-it affects the ability to pay attention to detail.
-Fine motor skills.
-it’s responsible for non-verbal communications.
-It converts sounds to language and translates meaning.
-it can sense smell, taste and sound.
-it’s responsible for emotional functions.
-it’s stimulated by new experiences.
The RIGHT HEMISPHERE of the BRAIN:
The right side of the brain controls the left side of your body. If you’re right hemisphere dominant, you typically excel in arts. It’s visual and intuitive. It’s also called the analog brain and is responsible for:
-creativity
-imagination
-intuition
-holistic thinking
-arts
-feelings visualization
-non-verbal cues
-daydreaming
-rhythm
-emotions
If you’re right hemisphere dominant, you may excel in the following fields:
-musician
-painter
-graphic design
-interior design
-psychologist
-counselor
-manager
Some of the FUNCTIONS and CHARACTERISTICS of the Right Brain (hemisphere):
-it’s responsible for some of the COGNITIVE functions, such as attention, processing of visual shapes and patterns, emotions, verbal ambiguity, and implied meanings.
-It allows young kids to grasp the concept of more vs. less.
-Children below 3 years old are predominantly governed by the right brain. This may not be altogether surprising to you. The society, community and culture (ie: western world) hasn’t yet come in to push it toward left-brain thinking.
RIGHT BRAIN vs. LEFT BRAIN:
Hemispheric dominance varies from one person to another.
When you understand which part of the brain is dominant in a person, you can determine which learning style is more effective. Left hemisphere dominant people are often visual learners, while right hemisphere dominant people are often auditory learners.
The left-brain hemisphere is needed for rational thinking and logical skills, like math and language.
The right side of the brain is responsible for creative activities like arts and connecting to other people in an emotional way.
So, generally, if you’re left-brain dominant, you’re more logical and if you’re right brain dominant, you’re more emotional.
One way of being is not necessarily better than another.
Though the 2 brain hemispheres may look alike, they do not function similarly but they do have to work together for a healthy brain.
In the next post, we’ll get more into more specifics of the 2 hemispheres and what can happen when there is injury to one hemisphere or the other.
Don’t you find it amazing that our brain and body contain so much detail and specificity, yet we function well most of the time? We are so fragile and so strong at the same time!
With smiles and love,
Dr Gigi
PS: Sign up for your Free Clarity Call @www.gigiarnaud.com and feel free to leave comments, questions and suggestions on the social media links below.
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