To find out how to get your neurons fired up, go to: http://www.hellobrain.eu
Funded by the European Commission under the Seventh Framework Programme.
Hello Brain! What makes my brain work?
Your brain weighs less then a builders brick at 3 measly lbs! It's about the size of your two fists held side by side. Sound a bit underwhelming? Well it isn't because your brain allows you to do everything. Balance, remember your anniversary and time those terrible jokes. To do this, it employs over 80 billion nerve cells called neurons. They prompt you to think, feel, they even set your heart rate. And they do it by sending messages, more electrical impulses in a single day then all the telephones in the world, combined. These messages whizz around even faster then your dream sports car and they are even active when you're asleep!
So is that it? Sit back relax and let your brain do the work? not exactly. You brush your teeth everyday to keep those pearly whites gleaming and its similiar for your brain. You need to keep those neurons in top shape! So they need some care and attention. Remember those piano skills you hated practicing as a kid? Well as you plunked away at the keys your neurons hammered out hundreds of electrical signals a second forging connections in the brain. Its not just music that can do that. Reading a book, doing a puzzle, taking a walk. When your active your neurons get fired up. Using enough electricity to power a 25 watt lightbulb! Which is very good for your brain.
And means it actually you that makes your brain work! You and a few billion neurons!
