MythBuster: Left brain vs. right brain
You’ve probably heard it before: The left side of your brain controls logic, while the right side fuels creativity. Some even say left-brained people are analytical and detail-oriented, while right-brained individuals are artistic and imaginative. But is this common belief fact or fiction?
Let’s break it down.
The Truth: Your Brain Works as a Whole
The idea that people are strictly left-brained or right-brained is a myth. While different regions of the brain do specialize in certain functions, both hemispheres work together in everything you do.
Yes, the left hemisphere is often linked to language, logic, and numbers, while the right hemisphere is associated with visual imagery, spatial awareness, and creativity. But that doesn’t mean people are divided into strictly logical or artistic types. Brain scans show that both sides of the brain are active, even when performing tasks commonly attributed to just one hemisphere.
So, where did this myth come from?
The Origins of the Left Brain vs. Right Brain Myth
This idea dates back to research from the 1960s. Neuroscientist Roger Sperry conducted split-brain studies on cats, monkeys, and epilepsy patients, showing that different brain hemispheres specialize in different tasks. His work was groundbreaking, but it was later oversimplified into the myth that people are either left-brained or right-brained.
In reality, both hemispheres are in constant communication. Even when you’re solving a math problem, a supposedly left-brained activity, your right hemisphere is involved in understanding spatial relationships and recognizing patterns. Similarly, creativity isn’t just a right-brain function. Logical problem-solving plays a huge role in artistic expression.
What Science Says
Modern neuroscience confirms that the brain doesn’t work in isolation. Studies using fMRI scans show that both hemispheres activate in almost every cognitive function. Whether you're reading, solving puzzles, playing an instrument, or painting, your whole brain is engaged.
For example, language processing is mostly associated with the left hemisphere, but the right side helps interpret context and emotion in speech. Likewise, while the right hemisphere is key for recognizing faces and spatial reasoning, the left hemisphere contributes to processing details.
Can You Train One Side of Your Brain?
Some claim that you can train one side of your brain to become more creative or more logical. However, because both hemispheres work together, it’s more accurate to say you can strengthen certain skills—not one half of your brain.
Want to boost your analytical thinking? Try puzzles, coding, or learning a new language. Hoping to enhance creativity? Practice drawing, playing music, or brainstorming new ideas. But remember, no matter what skill you’re developing, you’re using your whole brain.
Did you miss our February MythBuster? Read MythBuster: Lightning Never Strikes the Same Place Twice here! Stay tuned for next month’s myth.