New research shows how slowly we actually think

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The human brain is often considered the most complex organ in the body, yet much of its functioning remains unexplored.

Despite decades of scientific research, much remains to learn about how the brain processes information and controls human behavior.

New research has provided surprising insights into the brain’s ability to process thoughts and how it compares to its sensory systems.

Conscious thoughts work at a slower pace.
A study by the California Institute of Technology found that while the brain receives sensory information at a rate of over one billion bits per second, only 10 bits per second are actively used for conscious thought.

This discovery sheds new light on how much information the brain filters to focus on what is important.

According to WP, the researchers studied a variety of human behaviors, such as reading, writing, solving puzzles, and playing video games.

Their findings, published in Neuron, show that while the nervous system collects vast amounts of data, conscious thought occurs more deliberately and slowly.

A typical Wi-Fi network processes about 50 million bits per second.

In comparison, the 10 bits per second used by the brain for decision-making seem surprisingly low.

Nevertheless, this targeted processing speed is sufficient to cope effectively with everyday life, as most environments do not require rapid responses to huge amounts of sensory data.

The researchers suspect that this limitation has evolutionary roots.

Early organisms had to make clear, unambiguous decisions, such as moving towards food or fleeing predators.

This approach has probably shaped how human cognition works today, prioritizing clarity over speed.
This slower processing speed is evident in tasks that require concentration, such as planning chess moves or imagining future scenarios.

The brain explores one possibility at a time rather than analyzing multiple options simultaneously.

While this method ensures clarity, it also poses challenges for advanced technologies, such as brain-computer interfaces, that aim to expand mental capacity.