The human brain has reached the physical limits of intelligence and is physically impossible for us to become any smarter, according to researchers.
A team at Cambridge University, led by Professor Simon Laughlin, says this is because the people are unable to provide the amount of extra energy and oxygen needed to become more intelligent.
The scientists have based their findings after analysing the structure of the brain and worked out how much energy its cells use up.
"You pay a price for intelligence. Becoming smarter means improving connections between different brain areas but this runs into tight limits on energy, along with space for the wiring," said Ed Bullmore, a professor of psychiatry at Cambridge.
As increases in brain power require disproportionate increases in energy consumption, human intelligence faces tight constraints, the study said.
Researchers even claim that the human brain could shrink in size over time, towards our Neanderthal ancestors, in order to reduce the amount of energy it needs.
Speaking on the topic, Professor Simon Laughlin said, “We have demonstrated that brains must consume energy to function and that these requirements are sufficiently demanding to limit our performance and determine design.”
Researchers also claim that the human brain’s network of fibres that link different areas to one another can’t get any better.
The scientists have based their findings after analysing the structure of the brain and worked out how much energy its cells use up.
"You pay a price for intelligence. Becoming smarter means improving connections between different brain areas but this runs into tight limits on energy, along with space for the wiring," said Ed Bullmore, a professor of psychiatry at Cambridge.
As increases in brain power require disproportionate increases in energy consumption, human intelligence faces tight constraints, the study said.
Researchers even claim that the human brain could shrink in size over time, towards our Neanderthal ancestors, in order to reduce the amount of energy it needs.
Speaking on the topic, Professor Simon Laughlin said, “We have demonstrated that brains must consume energy to function and that these requirements are sufficiently demanding to limit our performance and determine design.”
Researchers also claim that the human brain’s network of fibres that link different areas to one another can’t get any better.
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