How fast can human brain think? You might say very quick, but a new study reveals otherwise

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If we ask how fast the human brain thinks, you might say it operates at an exceptional speed. But what if we told you that’s wrong? A new research suggests it works at a surprisingly slow speed. Scientists found that our brains process only 10 bits per second. This is far below the trillions of operations computers handle.

Researchers Jieyu Zheng and Markus Meister, from Caltech, explored this contrast. They discovered our brains process thoughts in a single-file manner. This creates a bottleneck that slows down internal calculations. Meanwhile, the peripheral nervous system processes sensory data much faster. It collects information at gigabits per second in parallel stream

Zheng and Meister argue this mismatch presents a scientific puzzle. "We extract 10 bits from the trillion sensory inputs," said Meister. "It’s fascinating to think how much is filtered out." The team’s findings suggest even complex tasks require limited brainpower. Solving a Rubik’s cube blindfolded needs under 12 bits per second. Playing a high-level strategy game like StarCraft takes about 10 bits.

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The study raises questions about why the brain works so slowly. Humans evolved in an environment where speed wasn’t critical, researchers said. "Our ancestors lived in a world where change was slow," the researchers explained. "Most decisions required only a few bits per second."

Despite having billions of neurons, the brain processes information sequentially. By contrast, even simpler organisms like fruit flies work more efficiently. A fly’s tiny brain uses distributed processing for quick decision-making.

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Zheng and Meister believe understanding this bottleneck could reshape technology. Linking the brain with artificial intelligence may unlock new possibilities. "Knowing how our minds evolved might help improve AI," the researchers noted.

Their findings encourage a deeper appreciation for taking things slowly. It highlights the beauty of tackling challenges one step at a time.

This study was published in Neuron.