BRAAAIIINNNSSS

The human brain is one of the most unique things on this planet. No two are alike (we're all snowflakes!), but they are all orders of magnitude more powerful than other animals'. But a lot of us aren't using them properly...

Neurons are always firing

Our brains evolved as our greatest tool in the fight for survival - instead of claws or fangs or speed or strength. They also evolved during a CONSTANT STATE OF EXERCISE! Sitting around without a lot of physical activity is a luxury only available to humans in the last 100 years - before that, all the way back to the first mammal 300 million years ago, ours and our ancestors' bodies and brains have been MOVING.

Basically, your brain probably isn't getting the amount of blood that it's genetically used to. Fortunately, even a minimal amount of exercise can do wonders for your abilities. Whenever a frustrated person says "I'm going for a walk," there is a biological reason for that: our brains work better when our bodies are moving - and the affects last for awhile even after you stop.

Be the turtle.

So when you take a break from school work, throw on your headphones and go take a walk! You live in one of the most beautiful places in America (I almost like it more when it's raining), and there's probably an errand you can run at the same time.

Your brain is also exercising anytime you're doing school work! That's part of why you have to go through high school, to force your brain muscles to flex - just like your muscle-muscles, your brain improves whenever you use it. No matter WHAT you want out of life, your brain will be the primary factor in helping you get there - TAKE CARE OF IT!

And if you haven't seen Firefly, I highly recommend it - it's on Netflix

This is also why you shouldn't use marijuana or drink when you're underage - I know that they're both super common and it seems like everyone is doing it, but it really isn't that common at all. Also, the effect that they have on your young brain is significantly different from how they affect adults (check that sentence for the crucial difference between effect and affect). The MOST PROVEN negative side effect of marijuana is what it does to young adult brains; don't get stuck with your teenage brain when it still has maturing to do - your brain doesn't stop growing until you are 23-25 years old.

Really.

In related brain news, scientists are modelling circuit boards on the way the brain works, with fantastic results.