Human Thought Speed Measured as The Brain Processes Signals at 10 Bits Per Second

Scientists have discovered the brain processes signals at just 10 bits per second, millions of times slower than the sensory input rate of a billion bits per second. This finding highlights fundamental aspects of brain function and raises questions about information filtering and the brain’s vast number of neurons.

Markus Meister’s team at Caltech found that despite having 85 billion neurons, humans only extract 10 bits of information for perception and decision-making. The research, published in Neuron, suggests the brain operates in two modes: fast sensory and motor signal processing in the “outer” brain and slower behavior control in the “inner” brain. This discovery calls for further research into the brain’s architecture.