Study: Scientists uncover brain’s surprising speed limit

Researchers have measured the speed of human thought, revealing that the brain processes information at just 10 bits per second—millions of times slower than the sensory inputs it receives. Sensory systems like the eyes and ears gather data at a rate of a billion bits per second, but the brain filters most of this input, leading to a paradox: what happens to the rest of the data?

The study, published in Neuron, found that while individual neurons can transmit over 10 bits per second, the brain’s slow processing speed limits humans to focusing on one thought at a time. This constraint affects tasks like decision-making and future planning.

Scientists speculate this speed limit evolved from early nervous systems focused on survival. They warn that as machines with superior processing speeds advance, humans may struggle to compete in certain domains, echoing the need for adaptation in future environments.