Growing up, you've probably heard the stories about human beings only using a fraction of their brain to think — usually said to be around 10%.
The question is, is this true?
In fact, while I was in school, I heard that Albert Einstein was the only person who used 100% of his brain. According to what I heard, when he died, scientists took permission from his relatives to examine his brain. The scientists were said to be astonished after discovering how intelligent he was. Some even described him as the most intelligent man on earth.
Another version of the story claimed that he went mad because he used almost all the percentage of his brain — and honestly, I don’t know which version to believe.
But do we really use just 10% of our brain?
Well, according to science, the answer is no. In fact, it's a myth. According to neurologists at Johns Hopkins University, this claim is completely false. Brain imaging studies like fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and PET scans have shown that nearly every part of the brain is active at different times — even when we're resting or sleeping.
So Where Did the 10% Myth Come From?
No one knows exactly where it started, but some believe it may have come from a misinterpretation of early neuroscience studies in the 19th or 20th century. Others think it was popularized by motivational speakers trying to encourage people to "unlock their hidden potential."
What Does Science Say?
Brain imaging technologies like fMRI and PET scans show that almost every part of the brain is active at different times — even during sleep! Each area of the brain has a specific role, from controlling movement to managing emotions and storing memories. If we only used 10%, injuries to the other 90% wouldn’t matter — but they clearly do.
Also, the brain uses about 20% of the body’s total energy, even though it makes up just about 2% of our body weight. That wouldn’t make sense if most of it were “inactive.”
Why Does This Myth Stick Around?
Probably because it’s hopeful. The idea suggests that we have untapped potential. And while it’s true that humans are capable of learning and improving, that doesn’t mean 90% of our brain is asleep.
In Conclusion
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), we use virtually every part of the brain, and most of it is active almost all the time.
So the next time someone says you’re only using 10% of your brain, you can smile and say,
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