Take a mental note; March 10-16 is Brain Awareness Week – a worldwide initiative to educate and inform people about the progress in brain research as well as new developments in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the brain, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke, schizophrenia and depression.
Brain Awareness Week is organized by the Dana Foundation, a private philanthropic organisation based in New York and dedicated to advancing neuroscience and society by supporting cross-disciplinary intersections such as neuroscience and ethics, law, policy, humanities, and arts.
The brain is the most complex organ in the human body. It’s part of the central nervous system, along with the spinal cord, and is responsible for a wide range of functions. The brain is composed of billions of neurons that communicate through synapses—tiny junctions where signals are transmitted via neurotransmitters and electrical impulses.
The brain’s main functions are broken down into the following categories:
Thought
- Problem-Solving: The brain helps us think, plan, and organize
- Learning: The brain controls how we learn and remember
- Decision-making: The brain helps us make decisions
Movement
- Motor skills: The brain controls how we move our arms and legs
- Balance and coordination: The brain helps us maintain balance and coordination
Sensation
- Sensory processing: The brain processes information from our senses of sight, smell, hearing, touch, and taste
- Interpreting sensations: The parietal lobes of the brain help interpret sensory information such as touch, temperature, and spatial awareness
Vital life functions
- Breathing: The brain controls breathing
- Heart rate: The brain controls heart rate
- Body temperature: The brain controls body temperature
- Digestion: The brain regulates digestion
The idea that we only use 10% of our brain is a complete myth. Scientists affirm that we use our brains everyday as our neural networks are rapidly firing and processing massive amounts of information at any given moment. The brain’s constant use takes a huge amount of our body’s energy, consuming almost 20% of our calories despite weighing approximately three pounds in grown adults.
The human brain is also incredibly adaptable to learning new things, thanks to its “plasticity” or ability to change or rewire itself allowing individuals to learn new things, acquire new skills, overcome obstacles and adapt to new challenges.
Driven by a profound curiosity of the complexities of the human brain, Dr Konstantin Sonkin, Neuroscientist and Founder of i-BrainTech, is passionate about advancing the conversation around neuroscience and performance optimization.
The i-BrainTech training platform lets athletes control an immersive sports video game using only their minds, turning brain activity into real-time in-game actions. This process strengthens neural pathways, improving focus, tactical awareness, and decision-making. With real-time feedback, athletes can train their brains for consistent performance, better recovery, and sharper execution.
Discussing the integration of neuroscience and machine learning, Dr. Sonkin explains: “Understanding the athlete’s brain is key to unlocking their full potential. Professional neurofeedback technology equips athletes with the tools to develop essential cognitive skills for peak performance. Among the brain’s many remarkable functions is its ability to learn and expand our potential in any chosen path. Initiatives like Brain Awareness Week are crucial in supporting neuroscience research, enabling scientists to advance our understanding of the brain—not just to promote health, but to help individuals excel and thrive in their daily lives.”
The i-BrainTech training platform is trusted by elite soccer clubs in LaLiga, Serie A, and MLS, along with top basketball teams, and is set to expand into more sports.
For more information visit https://www.i-brain.tech/
About i-BrainTech
i-BrainTech is redefining brain training as an essential pillar of peak performance and recovery—just like physical exercise. Using cutting-edge neurotechnology, athletes control an immersive sports video game with their minds, translating brain activity into real-time actions that strengthen neural pathways. This breakthrough bridges mental agility with peak physical performance, sharpening cognition and enhancing movement. Trusted by elite clubs in Serie A, LaLiga, and MLS, i-BrainTech is transforming how athletes train, compete, and recover.