Is there really such a thing as a more dominant left brain or right brain, that is, implying one side of our brain is really stronger than the other?

Weighing at roughly 1.36kg, our brain is divided into two cerebral hemispheres, namely the left brain and right brain, connected by the corpus callosum.

Muscles on the left side of the body is controlled by the right brain and vice versa. Thus, if there’s damage to one side of the brain, it affects the opposite side of the body.

There is a common thought that a person is either left or right brained. It has been said that a left-brained person is better at calculations and logic whereas a right-brained person is more creative and empathetic. However, that is quite a gross oversimplification of a person’s personality.

Here’s what we know about the brain’s left and right hemispheres :

The Left Hemisphere

• Language processing and speaking is mostly handled by the left brain
• Carries out logic and mathematical calculations
• Retrieving trivia from memory is the left brain’s job

The right hemisphere

• Spatial abilities such as navigation, understanding or fixing equipment, estimating distance and more
• Performs rough estimation and comparisons
• Interprets context and tone in language

Did You Know?

It may look like a clear-cut definition but this is not the actually not the case as according to neuroscientists, both sides of the brain collaborate to perform a broad variety of tasks where the two hemispheres communicate through the corpus callosum.

MYTH

It is true that certain parts of the brain have its own function but it’s false to think that a person favours one side of their brain more than the other.

Neuroscientists from the University of Utah (US) looked at the brains of 1000 people aged 7 to 29 and found that none of them favoured either the left or right brain network. Both sides of the brain were almost equal in their neural networks and connectivity.

TRUTH

Our brain remains malleable even into late adulthood. It can still form new connections between brain cells which allows us to learn new things and change our behaviour. Hence, it’s never too late to learn. Don’t let a myth limit your potential!