The myth that we only use 10% of our brains has been around for a while, but scientists have used MRI scanning to determine that we actually use 100% of our brain throughout the course of a day. Want to know more about how much brain power most people use on a daily basis? In honor of Brain Awareness Week, Main Street Radiology, an MRI and diagnostics center in Queens, elaborates.

People Use Just 10% Of Their Brainpower—At Certain Times

According to the Scientific American, there are times when people use just 10% of their brainpower. For example, your brain is not firing on all cylinders when you’re resting; however, it’s important to keep in mind that even if a particular task does not demand a lot of “brainpower,” your body has hundreds of involuntary actions, like controlling your digestive tract, that the brain must simultaneously control.

With the help of MRI scanning, researchers have deduced that humans use virtually every part of the brain, and most of the brain is active and alert most of the time. Scientists have also determined that though the brain only represents about 3% of the body’s total weight, it uses nearly 20% of its energy.

All Regions Of The Brain Are Not Active All The Time

Different parts of the brain control different bodily and cognitive functions, and at any given moment, it is true that not all of the brain’s regions are active simultaneously; however, brain researchers have discovered that, like the major muscle groups, most people use every region of their brain within a 24-hour period.

If you need a radiology procedure in Queens, Main Street Radiology will help. They have four locations in Bayside, Jackson Heights, and Flushing. Check out our website for more information on everything from MRIs and bone density testing to undergoing a mammogram, and then call (718) 428-1500 to set up an appointment today.