The neurologist spoke about the effect of ambidexterity on brain function
The ability to perform actions with both hands by itself does not increase the load on the brain and does not give a person guaranteed advantages in intelligence, memory, or information processing speed. Fatigue is more dependent on the complexity and duration of work, the quality of sleep, stress levels, and the need to constantly maintain attention. Galina Chudinskaya, a neurologist at Medicine JSC (Academician Roitberg Clinic), told Izvestia about this on September 11.
Ambidextrity refers to a person's ability to perform actions well enough with both hands. At the same time, it is important to distinguish true ambidexterity, in which both hands are approximately equal in skills, from mixed lateralization, when a person prefers different hands for different actions.
"This is not a disease or a pathology. Lateralization is individual for each person and is formed under the influence of the peculiarities of brain development, genetics and experience," the specialist explained.
According to the neurologist, it would be wrong to assume that ambidextrous people automatically switch between tasks faster. Interhemispheric interaction is indeed involved in the performance of many complex cognitive tasks, and less pronounced manual lateralization may be accompanied by features of hemispheric interaction.
"However, this does not mean that a person constantly "switches" the work of the brain from one hemisphere to the other. Moreover, studies of cognitive abilities show mixed results: there is no universal advantage of ambidexterity in information processing speed or intelligence," Chudinskaya noted.
The doctor called the idea that ambidextrous people get tired faster due to the constant "synchronization of the hemispheres" rather a beautiful neuromythology. Using both hands by itself does not mean that the brain is under increased stress.
She explained that fatigue depends primarily on the complexity of the task, the length of work, sleep, stress, the need to constantly keep attention and switch between different activities.
Some studies have linked less pronounced lateralization to features of interhemispheric interaction, cognitive flexibility, memory, and information processing. However, this does not mean that an ambidextrous person will necessarily have a better memory or higher intelligence. According to the neurologist, large surveys generally do not find significant differences in overall cognitive abilities between people with different types of leading hands.
At the same time, scientists are studying a possible connection between atypical lateralization and some features of neurodevelopment. Thus, a meta-analysis of 68 studies revealed an increased proportion of mixed manual preference among people with dyslexia.
"However, this is a statistical relationship, not a cause-and-effect relationship: ambidextrity does not mean that a person will necessarily have problems with reading or learning," Chudinskaya emphasized.
A similar situation is observed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Research indicates some connection between atypical lateralization and ADHD, but it is not specific enough to use the type of leading hand as a sign or diagnostic criterion for the disorder. Meta-analyses also show a higher prevalence of atypical manual preference in ADHD, but the results regarding mixed lateralization remain ambiguous.
Therefore, ambidextrity should not be corrected or specifically developed for the sake of a perceived intellectual advantage. It is better for children to be allowed to form a leading hand naturally and not force them to write or perform precise actions with an uncomfortable hand.
If a child gets tired quickly, has difficulties with writing, reading, concentration or learning, it is necessary to evaluate not the fact of ambidexterity itself, but specific skills and possible causes of difficulties. The doctor recommended that adults distribute their workload wisely, take breaks during long-term work, alternate activities, and maintain normal sleep and physical activity.
"If you experience severe fatigue, concentration problems, or decreased performance, you should not explain everything by the peculiarities of "two-hemisphere work." It is much more useful to look for the real causes, from chronic lack of sleep and stress to attention disorders or other conditions that require specialist evaluation," concluded Chudinskaya.
On July 8, Medical Xpress reported on the dangers of hiding ADHD symptoms for mental health. According to the publication, such attempts can lead to exhaustion, anxiety and depression, and in the long run can worsen the symptoms of the syndrome itself. Eliminating so-called masking is said to be a lengthy process that requires time and support.
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