True or False?

Is it a fact that we only use 10 percent of our brain capacity? No this is a myth. There has never been any scientific proof to support this claim. We use 100 percent of our brain but not all at the same time. It is an accepted opinion that while we may not live up to our full potential that does not mean we have diminished brain functioning. Brain scans performed during scientific research reveal activity in all centers of the brain at different times. The brain sends messages to the central nervous system that run our mental and physical processes. If 90 percent of the brain was inactive the physical processes such as seeing, breathing and feeling sensation would be lost similar to what happens when the brain is injured.

Why is This Such a Popular Quote?

One opinion is that this saying resulted from a misquote from philosopher William James. His statement referred to laziness and not inability. Advertisers like to use this statement to sell educational products. They fool consumers into thinking if they buy the program they will be smarter than they were. It is true that the brain is a very complex organ and science still has a lot to learn about its functions and abilities.