Student contemplating math equations on a blackboard Student contemplating math equations on a blackboard

Two Halves, One Mind: How Your Brain Hemispheres Work Together, Not Apart

There must have been a lot of instances where you would have heard people say to you or talk about others saying things like- she is very creative in her approach, she must be right-brained, or something like he is so intelligent he must be left-brained.

So, have you ever thought about what exactly is being right or left-brained, what are the parts of the brain, and how they function? Because I always had such questions in my mind. And I can’t relax until I get answers to all my queries. So, I researched a lot and I’m here to share some piece of information with you guys. Let’s Begin-

What do the Different Sides of the Brain Do – and is any side Mathematical?

Based on the studies conducted by Roger Sperry, the famous American neuropsychologist and neurobiologist, we can distinguish some features of the right hemisphere and that of the left hemisphere of the brain.

But not just Sperry, a lot of research has been conducted and some understanding has been obtained about the different sides of the brain. So, let’s see which side of the brain supports what characteristics.

Split Brain; Psychobiology.

Usually, it is said that the right brain is far more intuitive than the left brain and also very visual. It is known as the analog brain; which is considered a very creative although less organized side of the brain. It is the hemisphere responsible for imagination, arts, intuition, rhythm, daydreaming, and nonverbal clues.

It also helps in holistic thinking, interpretation of 3D forms, and musical awareness and additionally, the right hemisphere controls the left side of the body.

Similarly, it is said that the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body and this hemisphere is like the logical hemisphere, more academic; therefore the left side of the brain is known as the analytical brain.

So, breaking into skills, the left brain helps with sequencing, linear thinking, mathematics, logic, and facts. It also helps with writing ability, numerical skills, and, language and reasoning.

Left Brain vs. Right Brain- What Research Says?

No matter how much people assert that they are left or right brain, according to scientific studies, it has been proven that the two halves of the brain do not function independently. So they are not dichotomous as believed.

Indeed for a lot of subjects, it is the better working and integration of both sides that actually produces the best results. So, no preference should be given to any side of the brain.

The two sides of the brain are known as the hemispheres, the right hemisphere, and the left hemisphere; and these two communicate with each other using the corpus callosum.

Before we actually dig any deeper we need to understand that although the brain looks like a small organ, it actually is a neurologically very complex organ of the body. It has billions of neurons and a trillion of connections among them. Both the hemispheres look identical obviously, how they differ is just the functions that they perform or the ability that they fire for.

And although, people believe that since they know which side of the brain is used for which kind of work, they can try preferential usage of the same. This holds false because the activity can be more in one hemisphere as compared to the other.

But it is not possible to control the brain hemispheres’ on your will. In essence, nobody is left-brained or right-brained, indeed they are both.

The Need Is to Keep Your Brain Healthy

You can be right-brained or left-brained, but more important is whether both parts of the brain are working well or not. You need a good integration of both sides to actually have a healthy brain.

So, here are some ways to ensure that your brain works sharply and stays healthy.

1. Excercise

Exercise for the body is also exercise for the brain. You must be doing activities that help you to think critically, you must still follow a small exercise routine or yoga every day.

Believe me, even a small exercise helps your brain develop cognitive skills. It is more useful and necessary as you age.

2. Keep your Brain Working

Keeping your mind active is very important for the good working of your brain. Try to keep up the work by doing challenging activities, in any field not just academics. You can keep the brain working and engaged to help it work better.

The psychological well-being of the brain is as important as the critical working and to keep that up, you need to maintain a steady session of social interactions. Socializing with different people and different mindsets helps you grow better.

3. Eat Healthy

What you eat is very important for your whole body and also your brain health. Make sure you intake a well-balanced diet that comprises fruits, vegetables, and all the requisite proteins, vitamins, and minerals in optimal quantities.

4. Healthy Sleep Schedule

Sleeping is the most essential activity for your brain. It helps you rest well and the brain needs to be well-rested to function properly. However, we often ignore that.

Healthy sleep and healthy sleeping habits help you to maintain a good cycle of the body, keep your brain healthy, and help in proper mental functioning.

Can you Really Pick Any Side of the Brain?

You will see that there are a lot of ways in which people will try to decipher the workings of your brain and its different sides. There are a lot of online games and quizzes that will commit to answering this detail or bring clarity to it. But you must know that there is not any online simulation that can actually achieve the same.

But what I understood from studies is that it’s the left side of the brain that is mathematical and is involved in numerical thinking. The different sides of the human brain are involved in different functions and help in different kinds of skills.

Last Updated on May 17, 2024 by Pragya

Authors

Anushree Khandelwal
Pragya
  1. “Fascinating read! Exploring the correlation between mathematical prowess and brain hemispheres adds a new dimension to our understanding. Can’t wait to delve deeper into the intricacies of the brain-math connection.”

  2. Thanks for this amazing info about this complex organ in our body. It is interesting to know what things our brain is capable of.

  3. As someone who is often engaged in mathematical tasks, I’ve often wondered the part of the brain involved in this amazing role. This article brilliantly highlights the left brain’s strength in sequencing, linear thinking, mathematics, logic, and facts. Additionally, it provides valuable insights on maintaining a healthy brain through nutrition and sleep. A truly amazing read!

  4. Great breakdown of the left and right brain functions, Anushree! It’s fascinating to see how both hemispheres contribute to our abilities, debunking the common left-brained or right-brained myth. The tips for keeping the brain healthy are valuable too. Do you have more insights on brain functionality and its impact on daily activities?

  5. Great breakdown of the left and right brain functions, Anushree! It’s fascinating to see how both hemispheres contribute to our abilities, debunking the common left-brained or right-brained myth. The tips for keeping the brain healthy are valuable too. Do you have more insights on brain functionality and its impact on daily activitiees

  6. I found this article on the roles of the left and right hemispheres of the brain quite intriguing. Drawing from Roger Sperry’s studies and other research, it sheds light on the distinct features of each hemisphere. The notion of the right brain being intuitive, visual, and creative, while the left is logical and analytical, adds a fascinating perspective. It’s interesting to explore how these aspects influence skills like imagination, mathematics, and language. The article also challenges the common belief in the strict dichotomy of left and right brain functioning, providing insights from scientific studies.

  7. This article examines the notion of left and right brain dominance, particularly in relation to mathematical abilities. It challenges the oversimplified belief in distinct left or right-brained traits, emphasizing the integrated functioning of both hemispheres. The importance of overall brain health through exercise, mental engagement, a balanced diet, and healthy sleep patterns is highlighted. The conclusion cautions against simplistic assessments of left or right-brained tendencies.

  8. Wow, this was a mind-boggling article. After reading this I am sure my left side of brain is totally dead. Because whenever it comes to maths, I turn really dumb. It was the only subject that used to screw my results. In other subjects I was a bright student but only maths was the one where, I was not even sure that 2+2 will be 4. So it’s safe to say I forgot to start or upgrade my left side of brain.

  9. Delving into the exploration of the brain’s hemispheres and their roles in creativity and analytical thinking was both enlightening and intriguing. The article navigated through the distinctions highlighted by Roger Sperry, shedding light on the intuitive and visual aspects attributed to the right brain, contrasting with the logical and analytical traits of the left brain.

    The breakdown of skills associated with each hemisphere, from artistic and holistic thinking to mathematical precision and logical reasoning, provided a comprehensive understanding. I appreciated the acknowledgment that, despite common beliefs, the brain’s halves do not function independently, emphasizing the synergy between both sides for optimal results.

    Overall, this article offered a well-rounded insight into the complex interplay of the brain’s hemispheres, making the exploration of what side of the brain is mathematical a thought-provoking and informative journey.

  10. The article explains that the left side of the brain is associated with mathematical abilities, among other analytical functions. It discusses the general perceptions about being right-brained or left-brained and highlights the characteristics attributed to each hemisphere based on studies by Roger Sperry and other research. The information emphasizes that both hemispheres of the brain work together and that a healthy brain requires a good integration of both sides. Additionally, the article provides tips for maintaining brain health, including exercise, mental stimulation, a balanced diet, and a healthy sleep schedule. Overall, it suggests that while there are preferences for certain functions in each hemisphere, the brain’s optimal performance involves a coordinated effort between both sides.

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