<p>I have heard it so often that we use only 12% of our brain. I truly don't understand this. All neurons in the brain are are firing within a small amount of time. Even in my sleep this is going on.</p>
<p>What is meant by 12%?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-08-06T17:35:33.973Z
Possible duplicate of [Interpretation & Actual Result of “10% of your brain” Myth](https://psychology.stackexchange.com/q/12281/7001)
Arnon Weinberg
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-09-01T21:50:41.060Z
That's just a myth and is not scientifically proven. As you mentioned, the brain is working even during sleep, and you cannot say that only x% is working, because the brain uses the capacity it has. The capacities can be improved - but then it will still be using what it has (=full capacity).
Alina Zamaletdinova
<neuroscience><brain>
What is meant by the so often heard phrase that we only use 12% of the brain?
Deschele Schilder
# What is meant by the so often heard phrase that we only use 12% of the brain?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-08-06)

I have heard it so often that we use only 12% of our brain. I truly don't understand this. All neurons in the brain are are firing within a small amount of time. Even in my sleep this is going on.

What is meant by 12%?

**Tags:** neuroscience, brain

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Possible duplicate of [Interpretation & Actual Result of “10% of your brain” Myth](https://psychology.stackexchange.com/q/12281/7001)  
> **username_2**: That's just a myth and is not scientifically proven. As you mentioned, the brain is working even during sleep, and you cannot say that only x% is working, because the brain uses the capacity it has. The capacities can be improved - but then it will still be using what it has (=full capacity).  

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## 0 answers

