• Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Directory
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
The Brain Health Magazine
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Directory
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
The Brain Health Magazine
No Result
View All Result

Busting the Neuromyth of Left-Brain Versus Right-Brain Dominance

Can you really specialize in one hemisphere of the brain?

in Brain Function, Functional Neurology, Nervous System
March 30, 2022
0
Busting the Neuromyth of Left-Brain Versus Right-Brain Dominance

by Dr. Amy Moore

I remember calling myself a “right-brained thinker” in college because I was creative, musical, highly emotional, and full of big-picture out-of-the-box-ideas. I struggled to relate to classmates who enjoyed math. They were polar opposite left-brainers who analyzed everything. Imagine my surprise in graduate school when I found myself truly enjoying my research methods and statistics courses. That just didn’t line up with my right-brained persona. I began studying the research on hemispheric domination, the idea that some people are right-brained creative thinkers, while others are left-brained analytical thinkers. I discovered this belief in hemispheric domination to be incredibly pervasive, but simply not grounded in science.

What does science say about left-brain versus right-brain dominance?

The research on hemispheric domination doesn’t support the theory of left-brain versus right brain personality or learning style. In a fascinating study of more than 1000 brains using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), Nielsen and his colleagues at University of Utah found no global left-brained or right-brained types. Nielsen scanned participants’ brains while they lay still and again while reading. The scans did confirm  areas of the brain are predominantly responsible for different functions. For example, the left side of the brain houses most of the brain’s language areas and the right side of the brain largely controls attention. But, they found no evidence the networks in the left or right sides of the brain were stronger than others with no significant variations among the participants.

How did the neuromyth of left-brain versus right-brain dominance start?

How the myth of hemispheric domination became so universal is perplexing. This dichotomous thinking implies scientists aren’t creative and writers aren’t analytical. But what about science writers? Or accountants who play a musical instrument, fashion designers who operate global businesses, surgeons who sing and dance, and statisticians who paint and sculpt? These and infinitely more people are all creative and analytical. So where did the myth originate? A series of studies Roger Sperry conducted in the 1950s and 1960s of ”split-brain” patients might be the origin of this theory.

Sperry performed tests on human volunteers whose corpus callosum—the part of the brain connecting the left and right hemispheres—had been surgically severed to treat epilepsy. In the first experiment, he instructed patients to cover one eye at a time as he showed them an image. Patients could only describe the image when shown to the right eye, which the left side of the brain controls. In the second experiment, he showed patients the same images and asked them to draw what they saw. The drawings were better when crafted with the left hand, which the right side of the brain controls. These studies provided the first evidence of hemispheric lateralization, or that different sides of the brain can perform certain tasks better than the opposite side of the brain. The mainstream media picked up on this evidence and eventually adulterated the results into left-brain versus right-brain personality typing. This happened through the process of the telephone game where you start with one sentence and end up with a far-fetched story after spreading it through dozens of people.

How common is the belief in left-brain versus right-brain dominance?

To my knowledge, no studies have examined this belief among the general public, but they have assessed the pervasiveness of the belief among educators. Sanne Dekker and colleagues at LEARN! Institute conducted a study on teachers’ beliefs about the brain and found 91% of them believed imbalances between the right and left side of the brain explain individual learning differences, and 88% believed we should improve integration between the left and right sides of the brain with exercises. This may help explain why the idea of left-brain and right-brain dominance infiltrated the education system, influences curriculum planning and development, and even serves as the basis for several commercial interventions.

Why should we bust the neuromyth of left-brain versus right-brain dominance?

Despite the fact science simply doesn’t support the theory that hemispheric domination exists or explain differences in personality or learning, busting this neuromyth is important for several other reasons. First, believing you are left-brained or right-brained can impede your personal or educational growth. For example, you may not try something new because you believe you may not be successful at it. Believing you are only competent at certain skills becomes self-limiting. Second, this neuromyth perpetuates stereotypes. For example, it encourages us to think of scientists only as analytical thinkers who aren’t creative or to think of artists only as creative thinkers who aren’t skilled at math or science. Finally, perpetuating this neuromyth wastes valuable time and resources developing tests to determine your “type,” interventions to integrate the two sides of your brain which already work together or instructional practices targeting your dominant side, which doesn’t exist. These resources could be better used to support and encourage the use of the analytical and creative skills present in every brain.

Dr. Amy Moore is a cognitive psychologist and brain training researcher in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at the headquarters of LearningRx, the largest network of cognitive training centers in the world. She specializes in rehabilitation of cognition and learning in neurodevelopmental disorders, brain injury, learning disabilities, and age-related cognitive decline. She is also a TEDx speaker, editor-in-chief of Modern Brain Journal, a board-certified Christian counselor, and co-host of the podcast Brainy Moms. Learn more about her work at www.AmyMoorePhD.com and www.LearningRx.com

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare Via EmailPinterest
Next Post
The Curse and Blessing of Neuroplasticity After Concussion

The Curse and Blessing of Neuroplasticity After Concussion

SIGN UP

BLOG

Persistent Neurofatigue, Most Common After TBI

Persistent Neurofatigue, Most Common After TBI

By Deborah Zelinsky, O.D., Executive Research Director of the Mind-Eye Institute “I’m tired and I want to go to bed.” That second line of the 1925 song Show Me the Way to Go Home characterizes what we all recognize as normal fatigue, but fails to depict the kind of debilitating fatigue following traumatic brain injury […]

Read more
Fatigue and TBI

Fatigue and TBI

By James A. Heuer, PA One of the most common symptoms individuals experience after a traumatic brain injury is fatigue. Types of fatigue include and are not limited to: cognitive, mental, physical, and psychological. Reportedly, 70% of individuals with a TBI suffer from fatigue, expressing it as their most debilitating symptom post injury. Fatigue affects […]

Read more
Athletic Therapy and Healing the Nervous System

Athletic Therapy and Healing the Nervous System

By Ian Hebeisen At a young age, Matthew Bennett adopted the mindset that “health is wealth”. Several of his family members would get really sick, and watching them combat these illnesses showed Bennett the importance of maintaining healthy habits. “We’re given one body, one life, one brain, one opportunity. That kind of drove me,” said […]

Read more
Is Fatigue Endangering Our Teenagers?

Is Fatigue Endangering Our Teenagers?

by Aanika Parikh Public speakers, environmental activists, multi-sport athletes: there is very little our youth are not capable of pursuing. After all, most teenagers are free from responsibilities such as paying bills and providing for a family, allowing them to put their youthful determination and energy into action. In fact, UNICEF identifies teenagers as the […]

Read more
Caregiver Corner: the Wonders of a Walker

Caregiver Corner: the Wonders of a Walker

By Ian Hebeisen My mom first sustained her traumatic brain injury over seven years ago, leading to frequent fatigue. She’d come home from work and flop down into a chair, trying to regain enough energy to get through dinner. Our family struggled to understand at first – she’d been fine before, so the sudden bouts […]

Read more
Fatigue and Traumatic Brain Injury

Fatigue and Traumatic Brain Injury

Dr. JoAnne Silver Jones Ed. D, MSW Fatigue. My nemesis. My constant companion. The reminder that my brain is injured, some parts irreparably. Fatigue wakes up with me and follows me to sleep. It’s so hard to explain how after 8 hours of sleep, a CPAP machine, medication, and meditation, I can wake up tired. […]

Read more
Quinoa Tabbouleh

Quinoa Tabbouleh

by Amy Zellmer, Editor-in-chief What You Need: 1 cup (170g) quinoa 2 medium tomatoes, finely diced 1 small cucumber, finely diced 1 bell pepper, finely diced 1 red onion, finely diced ⅔ cup (15g) parsley, chopped ⅔ cup (15g) mint, chopped juice of 2 limes 2 tbsp. olive oil Cook the quinoa according to instructions […]

Read more
When Long Covid Fatigue Met Yoga

When Long Covid Fatigue Met Yoga

By Ed Roth Nikki Matthews is exhausted, but you’d never know it. A little over two years ago, the 47-year-old executive recruiter just finished visiting family and friends in the Poconos, heading to Florida. When she boarded the plane in Philadelphia, she felt fine, but by the time she landed in Orlando, she felt like […]

Read more
How to Use Sunstone to Beat Burnout and Fatigue

How to Use Sunstone to Beat Burnout and Fatigue

By Kristen Brown Burnout and deep fatigue are a real challenge in today’s overscheduled and constantly changing world. Whether caused by true over-work, a healing body or brain, or too much routine and sameness, it’s important to take steps to soothe and uplift the body, mind, and spirit. One powerful way to give yourself an […]

Read more

INSTAGRAM

Follow Us!

  • I was only 6 months out from my Traumatic brain injury  when Robin Williams took his life. It hit me really hard because I had been thinking a lot about suicide myself. 

I was in SO much physical pain and doctors kept telling me nothing was wrong and to give it more time. I just wanted the pain to stop. 

Doctors know so little about brain injury, and many of the things they say to patients can be damaging. 

People with a brain Injury are 10x more likely to have suicidal ideation, and 3x more likely to act on those thoughts. 

Please know there are doctors who DO know how to help you ... no matter how far out you are. There is always hope! 

Yoga played a critical role in my recovery. Due to all the physical injuries I could only do a handful of poses, but I did those poses every day for a few minutes. Yoga gave me purpose each morning. Over time, I was able to do more poses and start to explore my body again. 

It literally took me YEARS to get some of my range of motion back, but I never stopped. I never lost faith in yoga as a healing modality — not only physically but mentally and spiritually as well. 

I love teaching yoga to other survivors, and empowering them on their journey towards greater well being. 

Join me: www.Patreon.com/amyzellmer

#functionalneurology #funcneuro #neuroplasticity #neurorehab #braininjury #brainhealth #concussion #pcs #tbi #brainrehab #cognitiverehab  #yogaforbraininjury #brainboostingyoga
  • It all starts at the keyboard!! Check out the May/June issue with your FREE digital subscription! 

LINK IN BIO 

#brainhealth #braininjury #concussion #tbi #pcs #postconcussionsyndrome  #magazinelife
  • Everything’s going to be ok ... even if it all feels impossible right now. Right now isn’t tomorrow or the next day. When we lose hope, we lose sight of our future. Have gratitude, and allow yourself some grace and compassion. You haven’t come this far to only come this far! 
💚💚💚💚💚

#tbi #braininjury #traumaticbraininjury #aquiredbraininjury #abi #concussion #pcs #postconcussionsyndrome #headinjury #headtrauma #stroke #recovery #rehab #rehabilitation #attitude #gratitude #movingforward #lookingahead #compassion #grace #kindness #bekindtoyourself #selfcare #zebra #hope #abundance
  • Have you listened to “Faces of TBI” yet? Available on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. With over 225 episodes, you’re sure to find something helpful for your recovery!  LINK IN BIO 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/faces-of-tbi/id1068345802?mt=2

#brainhealth #braininjury #concussion #pcs #tbi #neurorehab #neurorehabilitation #podcast #braininjurypodcast
  • When I was in high school I had dreams of working for a magazine ... I already knew I would be a photographer and writer so it seemed like a natural fit. School counselors thought I had my head in the sky and discouraged me. I honestly can’t even remember what they suggested I should pursue. 💕

I went to college as a Mass Comm major with a Photojournalism emphasis. I didn’t do well in college so instead I dropped out and got married. That lasted a few years and I eventually went back to school. ⭐️ 

I graduated with a BA in Organizational Leadership which taught me a lot about how to be a leader and a visionary. 💥

Fast forward a decade or so and I fell on the ice, landing full force on the back of my skull. I began a journey unlike anything I could have ever imagined — both in bad ways and good ways. 💚

A few years ago, my neighbor and friend who publishes a children’s cooking magazine suggested I start a brain injury magazine because there wasn’t really anything out there for the community. 🤯

The voices from the school counselors started chatting inside my head. Not to mention the fact that the only magazine experience I had was photographing cover stories for Savvy MN Magazine and a few fashion spreads for another local mag. 🤷‍♀️ A few years passed by and the thought continues to percolate in my silly little head. When all of a sudden I woke up one day and said “I’M GONNA DO IT!” — and here I am — Editor-in-chief of the @thebrainhealthmag 🦋

It’s been an incredible journey and the first three years have flown by! 😍

Please consider ordering your print subscription. If you’re a doctor/provider or professional Pleaae consider a directory listing or sponsored content. 💋

#brainhealth #concussion #pcs #tbi #neurorehab #magazine #advocacy 

📸 audrey nicole photography
  • We are currently accepting Directory Partners for 2023 … and will include the Nov/Dec issue for FREE!! Deadline is 9/1 
LINK IN BIO 

#brainhealth #TBI #concussion #braininjury #magaZine
  • Did you know: Bringing the palms together in the Anjali Mudra connects the right and left hemispheres of the brain. The Anjali Mudra connects the practitioner with spirituality. The mudra promotes respect for oneself and others.

#yogapractice #mnyoga #mudra #prayerpose #neuroplasticity #brainhealth
  • Some of our book award goodies arrived today … the swag looks pretty good with this book 🥇 

#ConcussionDiscussions #author #publisher #writer #blogger #braininjury #tbi #concussion #pcs #anthology #FunctionalNeurology
  • I am thrilled to share that Concussion Discussions has won TWO book awards for excellence in publishing. A huge thanks to all of the contributors who helped make this book award-winning:
@steadmanshane 
@dr.perry.maynard 
@integratedbraincenters 
@dockeiser 
@portlandchiropracticneurology1 
@midcoastbrain 
@drszimmerman 
@neurowellnessdoc 
@learningrx_brain_training 
@healingresponse 
@dr.habanova 
@rezzimaxpaintuner 
@bagnell_brain_center 
@nurenbergparis 
@frameworktms 
@northwestfunctionalneuro 
@drerikreis 
@mindeyeinstitute 
@functionalhealthunlimited 
@michironeuro 
@deltasperformance

© Copyright 2019 | The Brain Health Magazine

  • Advertise With Us
  • Submission Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Contact Us

DISCLAIMER: THIS MAGAZINE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE - View PDF

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Directory
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used.