- What do you think you know about the differences between male and female brains?
We all know male and female brains are different. But how different are they really?
Female’s Have Busier Brains
Duh. But really though, is anyone surprised by this? A 2017 study on over 80 areas of the brain showed that in 70 of those regions were significantly more active in women than in men. Women’s brains are just much busier than mens and when problem-solving women use several areas of their brains where men will usually rely on a more localized effort when figuring something out.
Women’s Anterior Cingulate Gurus Work Harder
This area of the brain known as ACG is also known as the brain’s gear shifter. This area can help you shift your attention and recognize errors. Higher activity in this area increase the tendency to get stuck on negative thoughts or negative behaviors and focusing on what’s wrong instead of what’s right. It would make sense why this area is known as one of the brain’s worry centers. The more activity you have here, the more worries you tend to have. Men and women worry very differently. Did you know about this difference between male and female brains?
Women’s Intuition..
Brain imaging research has shown that females have larger areas of the brain dedicated to tracking gut feelings. This is especially true in the frontal lobes, the insula and the ACG. The female brain is faster to “seeing” the thoughts of others with limited information, including gut feelings and hunches.
Men’s Visual and Coordination Centers Work Harder
Men have more active visual and coordination centers. This is seen when they’re typically good with directions, judging distances and knowing where in the parking lot they parked the car. Does this make sense to you about male and female brains?
The PFC Is Less Active In Men
Or as some would say, a little sleepier. Men tend to have less activity in their prefrontal cortex, or the area of the brain that plans, makes judgment calls and has to do with empathy and impulse control. This makes men more likely to take risks, also leaving them more vulnerable to head injuries, which can potentially further brain activity in this area. We are really different fundamentally, we are thinking about different things from a different perspective than the other really even could.
Serotonin Systems Are Different
Women have 52% higher production of the neurotransmitter serotonin, according to a foundational brain imaging study. Serotonin is calming and comes into play with your mood, sleep, pain, and other issues. Low serotonin levels are frequently seen in people presenting with depression, anxiety, obsessive worrying and pain syndromes. Did you know this about male and female brains?
Women Have More Activity in Their Emotional Center
Women show higher levels of activity in their limbic/emotional system. This part of our brain can color out emotions and involves bonding, nesting and emotions. This is easily seen with women being primary caretakers of both children and elderly. “So it’s almost like as men, we have to work a bit harder to get access to some of those things that come a bit more naturally to women and probably vice versa,” according to Christian Langdon. Higher activity in this area is also associated with an increased risk of depression and anxiety.
There are so many differences between male and female brains. Let me know what you think in the comments!