Fun Fact: The Human Brain Generates About 20 Watts of Electricity, Nonstop

The brain is estimated to produce around 20 watts of power which is just about sufficient to keep a tiny light bulb glowing. None the less, this power though seeming diminutive is enough to support a person’s complete life, from thoughts, memories, movements and even emotions.

How Much Electricity Does the Brain Produce?

The brain has power equal to 20 watts which is produced from the endless web of nerve cells, known as neurons. Each of these cells sends tiny diminutive electrical signals through ions of sodium and potassium. The energy produced by the brain is approximately enough to power a bulb, when the neural signals from 86 billion neurons are integrated.

The brain which makes up only 2% of a person body mass is said to consume 20% of the body’s energy. This goes to explain why, even in a dormant state (sleep ), a person can dream, think and stay alive.

Brain Power vs. Everyday Devices

Comparing the energy produced by a brain in watts to conventional digital gadgets is quite amusing. Controlling the body requires the brain to expend 20 watts which in comparison is much less than the energy a refrigerator or a laptop requires. The brain which is the epicenter of thoughts, love, memories and awareness is the reason a person is alive, compared to a lamp which merely illuminates a room.

The physicians utilise EEG exams to conduct tests which monitor and record activity in different regions of the brain utilising electronic sensors and assess the other components of the brain’s functionality as well. Such readings assist in the diagnoses of sleep issues, seizures, and more.

Amazing Brain Energy Facts

• Each second in your life an electric composition is made in the brain.

• Almost all of this electricity is used for communication between the brain’s neurons.

• Without an energy pulse, the brain cells cease function in a few minutes.

Final Thought

The energy your brain uses, may only be equivalent to the energy used by a light bulb, yet it powers everything about you. Each thought you’ve had today, is powered by those 20 watts of electricity. Minuscule in quantity, yet boundless in influence.

References

• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke – Brain Basics

• Scientific American – How Much Power Does the Brain Use?

• MIT School of Engineering – How much energy does the brain use?

• Live Science – How much of your brain do you really use?