HEALTH NEWS YOU CAN USE- Thinking Well
By: Dr. Robert Neposlan
Today we’re going to examine the differences between men and women, and more specifically, how men and women think differently. People like to think that men and women’s brains are fundamentally the same. But research indicates that men and women do in fact have different structures and wiring in the brain, and men and women may also use their brains differently. Men do score better at tasks that involve orienting objects in space (analysis), while women do better at language tests (creativity). Scientists have known for a while now that men and women have slightly different brains, but for many years they thought the changes were limited to the hypothalamus — the part of your brain that controls sex drive and food intake.
In 2001, researchers found that certain parts of the brain were differently sized in males and females. The study found that parts of the frontal lobe, responsible for problem solving and decision-making, and the limbic cortex, responsible for regulating emotions, were larger in women. In men, the parietal cortex which is involved in space perception, and the amygdala, which regulates sexual and social behavior, was larger.
Men also have approximately 6.5 times more grey matter in the brain than women, and women have about 10 times more white matter than men do. Using a computer network as an analogy, the grey matter can be thought of as the actual computers themselves, whereas the white matter represents the network cables connecting the computers together. The white matter is formed from myelin that surrounds the nerve fibers called axons. This myelin is found in almost all long nerve fibers, and acts as an electrical insulation. It plays a critical role in the transmission of impulses. This is important because it allows the messages to pass quickly from place to place. For this reason, women can typically respond more quickly to processes requiring thought or reasoning.
For those of you who may be confused between all this gray matter/white matter “stuff” and the idea that we’re wired differently, I found something that, to me, made perfect sense.
The Inter-working of the Male and Female Brain: A Comparison
Remember, laughter/humour has all kinds of proven health benefits!! With our newfound understanding (female to male), let’s make a point to lighten up…enjoy each other (our relationships) and all the things we have to be thankful for. Laugh a little more!!!
Until next week,
Think Well
Dr. Rob