Last Monday, I had the pleasure of attending another lecture in “The Brain and its Mysteries” series, presented by Ethan Newnham, a talented neuroscience student at U3A Box Hill. This session focused on “Brain Myths” and, as expected, it was an engaging and thoroughly enjoyable experience that provided authoritative answers to some of the most common misconceptions about the brain.
Ethan’s approach to debunking or confirming these brain myths was particularly innovative, as he styled the session after the popular show “Mythbusters,” which resonated with many in the audience, including myself. This creative angle not only made the content more accessible but also added a layer of entertainment to what could have been a purely academic discussion.
The lecture began with the well-known myth that we only use 10% of our brains. Ethan skillfully dismantled this misconception by walking us through the various brain regions and their functions, highlighting how different areas are activated simultaneously during even the simplest tasks, such as speaking. His thorough explanation made it clear that this myth is completely “busted.”
Next, Ethan tackled the myth that bigger brains are better. Here, he discussed the complexity of the human brain in comparison to other species, such as the sperm whale, which has a brain significantly larger than ours but without the same cognitive capabilities. Ethan’s balanced analysis led to the conclusion that while there is some correlation between brain size and intelligence, it’s not a straightforward relationship, making this myth “plausible” but not confirmed.
The third myth—that sleep deprivation shrinks the brain—was both intriguing and concerning. Ethan presented research showing a small but significant reduction in brain volume following sleep deprivation, especially in older adults. While the evidence was not entirely conclusive, it was strong enough to “confirm” this myth, albeit with some reservations due to the limitations of the studies.
The final myth discussed was the idea that people are either “left-brained” or “right-brained,” with the left hemisphere being logical and the right hemisphere being creative. Ethan traced the origins of this myth back to early neuroscience experiments but ultimately showed that while certain brain functions are lateralized, the idea that people are predominantly left- or right-brained is not supported by current scientific evidence. This myth, too, was “busted.”
Throughout the presentation, Ethan’s enthusiasm for the subject was contagious. He frequently engaged with the audience, shared personal anecdotes (like his excitement over receiving his U3A name badge), and even sprinkled in some humor, which kept the mood light and enjoyable. His ability to make scientific concepts understandable and fun is truly impressive.
In summary, Ethan Newnham’s lecture was a captivating exploration of the brain’s mysteries, dispelling common myths with clarity and wit. His knowledge and passion for neuroscience shone through, making it an memorable experience for everyone in attendance. I left the lecture not only with a better understanding of the brain but also with a renewed appreciation for the importance of questioning what we think we know.
Presentation slides and supporting material can be found in our course resources.