Brain activity by the numbers

1. The human brain contains around 100 billion neurons, or nerve cells, that communicate with each other through electrical and chemical signals.

2. Neurons can fire up to 1,000 times per second.

3. The brain consumes about 20% of the body's energy, despite accounting for only 2% of the body's weight.

4. The average adult human brain weighs about 3 pounds (1.4 kilograms).

5. The brain is capable of producing around 10 watts of electrical power.

6. Electroencephalography (EEG) measures the electrical activity of the brain and can detect activity as small as a single neuron firing.

7. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can detect changes in blood flow to different parts of the brain, which can indicate which areas are active during a particular task or thought.

8. The default mode network is a collection of brain regions that are active when the brain is at rest, and not focused on a specific task. This network is associated with introspection, self-reflection, and theory of mind.

9. The prefrontal cortex is a region of the brain that is involved in executive functions, such as decision-making, planning, and working memory.

10. The limbic system is a group of brain structures involved in emotions, motivation, and memory. It includes the amygdala, hippocampus, and hypothalamus.

Overall, understanding brain activity is a complex and ongoing field of research, with many exciting discoveries yet to be made.