Brain Differences In Men and Women

One of the most attractive fields of neuropsychiatry is to know how that mass of neurons that we call brain, functions. However, what has been most interesting in recent times are the different ways in which the brain works in men and women.

It is a fact that jokes have always been made about the brain differences between men and women. That if some think more about sex and others about headaches, sports vs clothes, remote control vs gossip, and so a whole other list. And also, that some have little ability to concentrate or others in handling computers, little aim to pee or difficulty understanding various jokes, among others. In short, they not only look different, but the antagonistic truth is that there is a lot of myths and a lot of truths.

Some theorists consider that the psychological differences between men and women are mainly the result of social and cultural influences, while others maintain that these differences are largely determined by a biological component.

Reality is much more complex and each perspective contributes to the solution, but each one is also right in its own way. Science has managed to establish with greater certainty gender, differences when it comes to thinking, feeling and acting.

According to different investigations, both brains have their differences, from birth and childhood to adolescence and adult life, for example:

1) Two minds - The cognitive differences between men and women: This article talks about how the scientist, Nirao Shah, made a theory about the behavior of the male and female brain by observing the neural circuits of each one.

2) Study finds some significant differences in brains of men and women: This article written by Michael Price and published by ScienceMag.org, talks about how the body of both men and women can significantly influence the brain of each. He also talks about both their physical and psychological differences.

3) Can brain biology explain why men and women think and act differently?: This article written by Marilyn Larkin and published by Elsevier explains how the differences in the brain are the cause of the lack of communication and other problems/issues in couples.

4) More evidence that male and female brains are wired differently: In this article, the scientific researchers of the UCLA University analyzed the physical differences that exist in the insular cortex of the brain of men and women. A deep study is carried out on the brain of both sexes, yielding impressive results.

5) Male Vs Female The Brain Differences: A study is made from the development of the brain over the years, of both women and men. Here is an analysis of its characteristics, of what it is and how it works.

• Men have bigger brains than women.
• A man's brain weighs approximately 1325 grams, while that of a woman weighs 1144 grams.
• The brain of women has a higher percentage of gray matter, while that of men has a higher percentage of white matter.
• Blood flow is faster in women's brains than in men's.
• Women lose less brain tissue as they age, while men lose more.
• The female cerebral hemispheres are more balanced than those of the male brain.
• Men have a bigger amygdala than women, which is why sex can be a determining factor when it comes to showing reactions to stress.
• The hippocampus (crucial for memory storage and for calculating space and spacial navigation in the physical environment) is larger in women than in men.

• Women: they are more prone to chronic depression and anxiety, due to serotonin levels in the brain.
• Men: they are more prone to mental illness. They are also more likely to be dyslexic, to language disabilities, autism and Tourette's syndrome.

• Women have a better performance or verbal ability. When a woman becomes pregnant, she releases pheromones, which produces a 33% reduction in testosterone in men and a 20% increase in prolactin, that is, the masculine energy is calmed down, to prepare it for fatherhood.
• Men tend to be better and have greater skills at math. Adolescents look for a partner and concentrate intensely on emotions and communication. Talking on the phone and going out with your group of friends is an important part of your activities.

These tendencies have, in some cases, affected current relationships; because men are generally more reserved with their feelings or do not know how to express them clearly; while women sometimes become so emotional that their partners think they are trying to manipulate them or simply find it hard to hear them.

Although there are demonstrated biological differences between the male and female brains, there is also strong evidence that they can be similar in certain circumstances. This represents times of better communication, intimacy and affective harmony in the couple. And you, have you noticed these differences?