While the brain is one of the most fascinating organs in the human body, it is also one of the most misunderstood. Sensational headlines promise mind-reading technology, claim to uncover a “neuroscientific basis” for voting patterns or tout brain-boosting products and miracle cures. But the brain is as complex as it is fascinating – if not more so. Without accurate context, these bold claims risk being accepted without question – shaping how we understand the brain and ourselves.
In celebration of Brain Awareness Week, we’re busting some of the most persistent myths about the brain.
1. Left-brained people are more analytical and methodical, while right-brained people are creative or artistic.
“Are you left-brained or right-brained? Take this quiz to find out!” This popular myth has been widely repeated, from online quizzes to daily speech. According to this idea – based on outdated research conducted in the 1960s by psychobiologist and Nobel Prize winner, Roger W. Sperry – the left brain is more analytical and methodical, while the right brain is creative and intuitive.
But modern science tells a different story, A 2013 review using magnetic resonance imaging on 1,011 people found no proof of this theory being correct. While the brain is divided into two hemispheres, these halves work together seamlessly through information highways like the corpus callosum. In reality, your personality isn’t controlled by one side of your brain—it’s the product of both working in harmony.
2. Brain plasticity stops with age.
“You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” or so the saying goes. For years, scientists believed something similar about the human brain—that brain plasticity, or the brain’s ability to change, peaks in youth and declines with age. Under this view, the brain was seen as a rigid machine: if a region was damaged, its function was thought to be lost forever.
But according to Dr. Lara Boyd, this idea is outdated. “We now know that our brains, unlike machines, have the capacity to grow and change throughout our lives, shaped by our experiences and habits,” she explains.
At the Brain Behaviour Lab, Dr. Boyd’s research shows that the brain remains adaptable at any age. By engaging participants in movement exercises, her team has observed measurable neuroplastic changes and improved motor learning—offering new hope for recovery after stroke.
3. Memories are stored perfectly in the brain.
We like to imagine memory like a digital camcorder – preserving a perfect copy of an experience, ready for recall at any time. However, memory is now conceptualized as reconstructive – we piece together the past using experience, but also general knowledge, emotion, expectations and assumptions. As a result, memories can be false or error-prone.
In fact, studies of eyewitness testimony show that our memories can be influenced by “leading questions,” which can subtly shape or distort what we recall. Far from being a flawless record, memory is a dynamic process prone to error and reconstruction. In Dr. Daniela Palombo’s Memory and Imagination lab, research explores how emotion affects what we remember, further highlighting the fluid nature of memory.
4. Classical music can make babies smarter.
Ever listen to baby Mozart? Many believe that playing Mozart for infants can significantly improve general intelligence. While there’s no harm in enjoying a little classical music, this myth is based on an oversimplification of minor scientific findings.
In the early 90s, a study found evidence for better performance on a spatial memory test after listening to Mozart than after ten minutes of silence or a monotone voice. However, the effect was small and short-lived. Despite the limited evidence, this study sparked the “Mozart Effect,” a concept that remains popular today. Although it may not make babies smarter, music still offers therapeutic benefits—an approach the Brain Wellness program uses to enhance quality of life of older adults.
5. The brain cannot generate new neurons in adulthood.
The common belief is that we are born with a set number of brain cells – and once they’re lost, they can’t be regenerated. However, over the past decades, researchers have found that neurons are regenerated in at least one brain region in humans and most mammals: the hippocampus.
In the Snyder lab, Dr. Jason Snyder and his team investigate adult born neurons and how they affect memory and mood. Adult neurogenesis has the potential to improve various disorders that impact the hippocampus, such as age-related cognitive decline, depression, and schizophrenia.
Avoiding brain myths
As we’ve seen, many of the common myths surrounding the brain are based on outdated research or oversimplified ideas. The truth is, the brain is far more complex, adaptable, and resilient than we often give it credit for. From the idea of left- and right-brained people to misconceptions about memory and plasticity, modern science continues to challenge what we thought we knew about how the brain works. Understanding the reality of these myths not only helps us appreciate the intricacies of the brain but also empowers us to be more critical of popular claims. So, the next time you come across a sweeping statement about the brain, remember: it’s always worth questioning and exploring the science behind it.
