Hello and welcome to IBOT!
I’m glad you could join me today, cause I have some extremely important information to convey.
What I’m about to tell you, will not only change your lives, but give a whole new meaning to PMT.
If you’re a gentleman, no doubt you are thinking about scrolling to the bottom just to add your link, or possibly, heaven forbid, leave the page altogether. Please don’t. This information is for your own good.
Trust me.
I’ve been watching this DVD series about the human brain. It’s quite fascinating, learning how it all works, how a memory is formed and the toxic effects of stress. But what I gleaned from the last episode was so enlightening, I couldn’t help but share it.
It’s how to win an argument.
Or, more accurately, when to win an argument.
Now when it comes to the male and female brain, there are many differences. The male brain is larger (because their skull is larger), but the woman’s is more densely packed. Certain structures of the brain vary too between the genders. For instance the part of the brain that is responsible for communication and words is 11% bigger in females.
It’s no secret we like to talk.
In fact, the average female needs to communicate 25 000 words a day, as opposed to the average male, who only needs to say 15 000.
Being the mother of three girls, I can lay testament to that fact.
Now it’s not just the fact that we have much more to say, because of our brain structure, as a general rule (FYI this post is full of broad, gender-typical stereotypes) we are more linguistically gifted than our Y-counterpart.
Partuclarly on a certain day of the month.
The 12th.
Now if you’re a fan of the rhythm method, or you have one of those nifty apps on your phone, you will know that in the average female, the 12th day is the first day of ovulation. Which is also when our levels of Oestrogen are at their highest, and this is what is significant.
Now if you want the facts, all the drama happens in the hippocampus. According to Dr Caroline Leaf,( the woman who made the series I’m watching):
“The hippocampus deals with short term memory and memory processing.
It is larger and more active in women so it becomes like the elephant that never forgets.
It is oestrogen sensitive….”
Now at this point, you’re probably thinking ‘so?” what’s that got to do with anything?
Well I’m about to tell you.
Not only, do women have this large hippocampus which makes us recognise all the detail from everything ever, we also have a larger Insula which processes the feelings and emotions of others better (think 6th sense), and a more developed hypothalamus which helps us manage emotion better than men. Add to that the fact that our communication areas are 11% bigger, it basically makes us super humans who are able to sense the vibe of a room and its occupants, combine that with detail from past experience, determine how to manipulate the attitude and then use our incredible linguistic skill to take charge.
And that’s just on a normal day.
That’s right. 29 or 30 days of the month, a woman has all the skills necessary to convince a man she is right. But on the 12th of the month, with the increase in her oestrogen levels, she is even more extraordinary.
The Hippocampus
That hippocampus that is wonderful on an average day, turns super human on the 12th. All those linguistic skills that make us superior in conversation (sorry guys, but we do have more practice) become even stronger so basically, if you’re a male and you know what’s good for you, don’t start a fight on the 12th of the month.
You will never win.
Not to mention that those excess Oestrogen levels also make a woman hornier and if you wanna get laid, you better be nice.
In terms of being a woman, this means we should wait till that one day to have all our confrontations.
In terms of blogging, we should just write a whole months worth of posts, cause they will no doubt be brilliant.
And in terms of how this effects the Y chromosome? Guys get yourself the app, time her cycle, and on the 12th do nothing but listen attentively and give her a foot rub. It will be definitely worth your while. 
Just quickly, for those among you who have passed the procreation stage, never fear. According to Dr Leaf, Menopause does what wisdom teeth do not. Strengthens the connections between the amygdala and some other part of the brain (I’m not an expert) and makes you very wise.
And if you’re pregnant? I have no idea. Just plead baby brain.
Did this information totally rock your world?
Whose thinking of ovulation in a whole new light?
Ooo that is very interesting! I remember learning lots about the brain when I studied Psychology in my first year at Uni. It really is fascinating. What is the series you are watching?
Catherine Rodie Blagg recently posted..Grave danger!
It’s called ‘Who switched off my brain,” by Dr Caroline Leaf. It’s absolutely fantastic!
Jess recently posted..A Public Service Announcement
Love it Jess! Sounds like a fantastic series. Happy IBOT Lovely
Rhianna recently posted..Darwin – The Most Unique Capital City Ever
You too!
Jess recently posted..A Public Service Announcement
I knew there was a reason I am an excellent arguer! And I definitely consider myself to be always right.. well there have been a handful of exceptions, but mostly!
iSophie recently posted..Poor Mrs Zebra, I think we all know how you feel.
Well it’s good to let others win occassionally. Helps keep you humble
3.47am is a lil early to be learning about what you learnt about the human brain.. or I think thats what it is from what I quickly scan read… as always I am back to bed before the lil squirts wake up..
as always… I leave you with my doona is totally more important at this time of morning as I am sure my brain will function a little better in 2 hours time when I get up.. and come back to comment on everyones posts..
xx
Yvette @ Little Bento Blog recently posted..christmas bento lunch 13/11/12
Very interesting! That would explain why we are always right! I’ve read a few of Dr Leaf’s articles, and it’s quite eye opening.
Deb @ Aspiring Mum recently posted..In My Corner.
It’s amazing really. I’ve found it so helpful in learning how to think more positively.
Hmmm, that would be great if I had a cycle that would be considered regular. Or ovulated.
Sadly, none of those are in my life.
However, the Welshman, when I’m on the pill and have a vaguely regular cycle, program’s it into his phone so he knows what days I will need help and what days to just smile and nod. Not to mention what days to shower and off to bed early
Kim-Marie from Kimba Likes recently posted..Fox in Flats : Breakfast at Tiffany’s Dare
Damned auto correct. I typed programs damn it!
Well he is a clever man then isn’t he?
Ah yes, I live with four blokes and one wee lass and the boys sure don’t say much by comparison. Do let us know the name of the series. The brain is fascinating and new research offers so much hope.
Seana Smith recently posted..What I Did On My Digital Holidays
It’s called Who Switched off my brain.
My boy does talk a lot, but not like my girls! They just don’t shut up!
I was reading that article and absolutely fascinated…until I realised I was reading a word wrong. I thought hippocampus was hippopotamous and I was thinking to myself what on earth does a hippo have to do with a woman’s brain and who in their right mind would compare a woman a hippo during ovulation lol. Very interesting information, however I’m always right….just ask my partner, he threw out all of his Encyclopaedias when we met
Tegan recently posted..Dissection
There probably are a few similarities with hippos and ovulating women. I certainly feel about as bloated as one!
I love this – makes perfect sense!
Francesca recently posted..Toddles
Thanks for that information! The 12th is my new favourite day! Bugger, that was yesterday. Never mind. I’ll stock pile a few things for next month
Tracey @ Bliss Amongst Chaos recently posted..The November 30/30 Challenge – Day 13. HI YA!
Well you might have lingering super-awesomeness in your system?
I’m lucky and have an implant in my arm. This not only stops my period but I haven’t had mood swings for years and years. I know that not everyone reacts that way but it’s awesome for me. Rachel x
Rachel from Redcliffe Style recently posted..Lola Versus Review and a giveaway
I had the implant for a while. It was fine while I was breastfeeding, but then when I stopped my body went crazy!
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I think I have only ovulated a few times in the lat 5 years (and three of those have produce my girls) but I will keep this in mine when it happens again.:) I love that we are both solving the world’s marriage problems today. My post is about not talking while your hubby is watching the sport news.
Beaten you and I Lisa, there should be some very healthy marriages in the blogosphere!
And men say our cycles are baffling are confusing! Tell me, do our powers wax and wane, or just switch on and off?
Michelle @ Blundermum recently posted..Setting goals and kicking butt
I have no idea.
That might be because it’s not the 12th day…
Are you sure we don’t just win the argument because we are more persuasive when we are horny?
Née recently posted..Mindful Parenting Workshop Wrap Up
I think that’s possibly very likely!
Was it the 12th day of my cycle yesterday? mmmmm no? Damn what is my excuse! Thanks for the very interesting post.
Eleise recently posted..My story of Anxiety
We’re you particularly extraordinaire yesterday? Maybe that’s just how you naturally function.
Wow! The human brain really is quite amazing….I love reading about it and using research to back up well known theories!
Yeah I’m a bit of a biology geek. Can’t get enough of it.
I might be part man because just reading all that made my brain go WTF!? HA! It doesn’t matter, I’m always right, no matter the time of the month (as are, I see, lots of other lovely ladies!)
Aroha @ Colours of Sunset recently posted..There’s Always One
That’s all that matters really
Sssshh Jess, you shouldn’t have let out our “secret” to th guys! Now they will be on guard haha j/k :p
Ai Sakura recently posted..Art + Play | Year-End School Holidays Kids Art Workshops
Oh bugger! Didn’t think of it like that!
oh man! I wrote an awesome 3am comment.. and in my sleepiness I obviously forgot to ‘submit comment’.. damn it!!! it was awesome.. trust me… hahahahahahaha
So now I have full read your post.. my brain is working overtime!! Definitely understand why I chat more before going to sleep.. just to get out that last 100 words to reach my 25000 goal! hehe I shall inform hubby tonight before we go to bed of this post
loving your work as always
xx
#teamIBOT
Yvette @ Little Bento Blog recently posted..christmas bento lunch 13/11/12
Nah your comment just went to spam. Obviously my blog was having a hormonal moment of it’s own.
I’m sure my kids use bed time as time to get out all their last words as well!
Oh what awesome information. Now I know why my other half is hopeless at understanding certain stuff that I need him to understand. Its cause he was not designed to be able to.
Lisa recently posted..Ultra Care+ Micro-Dermabrasion Kit from Nutrimetics
And that’s the crux of it. When you discover how different our brains are, you wonder how we understand each other at all!
The beautiful thing though is that we were designed to work together, so where one is weaker, the other is stronger.
That is also the day I usually get a migraine- which means I lose vision, go numb down one side and lose the ability to speak and have to spend at leat 6 hrs in bed throwing up with a banger headache – and that’s the day Im supposed to be fabulous? I have no chance – lucky I’m always right and awesome the other 29 days of my cycle really
Yeah they didn’t say that on the DVD.
But you are fabulous so I wouldn’t worry too much about that one day.
Interesting stuff! I shall use this information wisely
Cassandra recently posted..Waiting for the Solar Eclipse…
Yes. Be very wise.
Ill be storing this information away for the day I am no longer pregnant!
I’d love to know what happens during pregnancy. I’ll have to look that up.
Oh my goodness… I have just linked in a post about tying two scarves together and you have written about the structure of the brain!
You are so … unpredictable! So…. zany! So… Essentially Jess!
Love it!
PS – I cannot believe I am number 72 on the list! This linky is amazeballs!
B recently posted..Fashion: Scarf Tying
It’s pretty insane how many people are joining
For what it’s worth, if we all wrote about the brain that would make for some tedious blog reading. The world needs posts about scarves!
Haha, no way I’m sharing this with the hubbie!
Danya Banya recently posted..Tits on a bull
If you do, no doubt he’ll expect you to follow through.
Interesting perspective Jess. I remember when I was in college I did one course of psychology. On thing I’ll always remember is that we learned that women think like a wardrobe (all the thoughts are together at the same place and this is why they can work and think about home for example) and men think like chester drawers furniture (one drawer for work, one for kids, one for love and this is why when they do one thing, they can’t focus on anything else) So, maybe because women have all thoughts at the same place they have more munitions to win arguments!
Rita recently posted..Update on NaNoWriMo
I think that’s exactly why! Plus we are more fluent with words cause we practice using them more!
I like that analogy. An easy way to think about it.
hmmm i think it needs to be day twelve, like, every day!
Lyndal recently posted..the one where we think about things that bring peace
You want a lot of sex Lyndal?
so much information!
did you write this on the 12th by any chance?
i’m with BossyMummy – at my worst on the 12th – hold on for dear life and hope it passes quickly
xx
Josefa @always Josefa recently posted..Daddy was Right – Giveaway
Oh that’s not cool
Actually no, it want the 12th. Imagine how good it would have been of it was!
I would absolutely love to know what this show is you’ve been watching, it sounds fascinating and exactly like something I would love! My husband now knows to just nod and smile when we get to that time of the month, there is just no point in arguing with me. In fact, he pretty much knows to do that every day of the month now!
Kylez @ A Study in Contradictions recently posted..A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That, And a Dash of Giveaway!
He sounds like a very, very wise man!
The DVD series is ‘Who Switched off my brain’ by Dr Caroline Leaf.
I have the worst PMS ever. EVER!! Thanks for sharing your wisdom!!! xx
aussie_hausfrau recently posted..My Ride to Conquer Cancer
Any time!
Since my hormone levels are all out of whack and ovulation just doesn’t happen I’m going to claim extraordinary-ness for all of the days in my 40-180 day cycles.
Kyla @ Three Quarters Full recently posted..Three In The Bed
Yes claim that! It’s certainly true!
Dr Jess, your slant on brain chemistry is genius. I absolutely love what you did there in relation to the male/female differences and cycle. (I’m not so sure on the menopause part. Sometimes menopause and post-pregnancy/breastfeeding hormone levels appear to be quite similar, don’t they? I was BRAINLESS when I was a moo-cow :/)
I’m just going with what I heard, and the hope that one day I’ll be a wonderful, wise woman.
haha… now makes perfect sense why I am the talker!
tahlia @ the parenting files recently posted..Cocoa Weetbix slice
Apparently it starts from the womb!
You are now a professor. Of the brainy kind.
Jess, if only I knew what I know now about brains and human behaviours I would have had much less conflict in the relationship.
Back in the days of PMT….if I was asked the question “you’re getting your period arent you?” I would be soooooooo annoyed. “maybe I am but hell, why does no-one ever do anything around here..blah blah.”
I am post menopause…yep, your oldest reader/commenter I am pretty sure. I know that lack of oestregen isn’t wonderful but I wouldnt go back to days of mood/menstruation again.
Is this why I am DenWISE? I never considered that…I was wise…I thought I was making up a smart twitter handle
Denyse Whelan recently posted..A Blog Is.
I think the body makes up for it, and because you’re so much wiser you probably don’t need to argue as much. You can just make your point and everyone follows suit. Well that’s the theory
You just solved my blogging conundrum…how do I do more for me and my family without writing taking over – save it up for the 12th and let rip. If I could write all my posts on one day and spend the rest promoting etc. I may just get my shit into gear
Becc recently posted..Struggling with the art of Struggling
Exactly! Send hubby out with the kids, write all day and schedule things, and then have a romantic evening to thank him! It’s a win/win!
Enjoy your brain whilst you have it ladies. Speaking from experience, not science, my menopausal brain walked out the front door a number of years ago and hasn’t returned. Forgetting where you’ve parked the car when shopping, trying to unlock a car in the street, only to realize its not yours! You would think the holden emblem on the bonnet would have been a give away, when your car is an imported model. Forgetting what you were saying, mid conversation, can’t recall the names of your dearest friends when introducing them, cannot for love nor money recall a word to fit your conversation at the time! I could go on! so Dr Jess, if you could help me with any suggestions ,I would be eternally grateful. Someone gave the MOTH a book on the brain just recently, but I can’t remember where I put it.
Yes but you would have lots of wisdom in other areas. I can’t remember it all now, but it’s late and not the 12th day
That’s bloody awesome! Although, it makes me wonder – with all the blogging, arguing and other *ahem* stuff…how much busier we’re going to be. Oh no, tha’s right. We’re already there. Better get back to it, then!!! The blogging, of course. The procreating can wait
Ha ha!
Just don’t let the Surfer read that last bit! He might have different ideas
That information DID totally rock my world!
I’m totally loving Esentially Jess
)
Julia recently posted..Busy mind
Naw thanks Julia! Xxx
Im not sure its totally ok to call something that relates to women hippo anything
lol sounds very interesting~ big fan of knowing everything about my cycle and hormones so Ill be looking into this x
Mum’s the Word recently posted..Childhood Reads
Yes it was obviously a man getting back at his wife for being right who named it
Jess I wrote my post for Tuesday with (initially) no intention to join IBOT because it is partly a blog hop. But on second thought why not? I believe it will benefit all of us especially those who has thousands of fans but only have averagely 40-50 people see their updates. Come link up at my FRONT hop. It is going to take place every Tuesday. But I promise next time I will post separate post for IBOT
Having said that please forgive me to not putting the link back to your IBOT on this post hiks
Rina recently posted..The Way to Increase Your Facebook Page Post Visibility
Hi Rina,
Thanks for the comment. Now worries about today. I’ll definitely check it out, but tomorrow cause it’s bed time and the rest of today’s posts can wait
Great post Jess! I am not ovulating now…thank goodness! But when I do, I will download the app and time my arguments well. I have a feeling though my husband has the type of brain we do…he will never lose an argument. And he is extremely good at talking. In our relationship it tends to go the other way! But I will test out your theory with him in good time. x
Zanni, Heart Mama recently posted..Five lovely weeks
Yes a friend of mine has the same problem. I think that’s when you use the increased sex drive to your advantage
Yay – you’re back! I tried to come back and comment this afternoon and you were gone! And yay, I’m back for my first IBOT in yonkers!
Loving the brain information Jess. I am feeling supremely smug right now. Must be the 12th day
Laney @ Crash Test Mummy recently posted..Crash Test: A mindful Christmas
Yes the server crashed which was rather unfortunate.
So glad you joined in today! I’ll get to reading tomorrow cause I am zonked and need to sleep.
So let me get this straight. We’ve got hardly any chance of winning an argument for 30 days a month and then on one day, ONE DAY, we have absolutely NO chance?
Kevin recently posted..Why I’ve decided not to be James Bond
Yes, BUT you might get lucky.
Do you really want it be right when you can be satisfied?
You made my day with this post. I KNEW that I had some amazing debating/persuading/convincing skills, and to hear that there is medical evidence to support it? GOLD! Love it Jess. You learn something new every day, thanks for the education! x
Kelly HTandT recently posted..Let’s Talk About Sex, Baby
You are very welcome!
Who’d have thought IBot would be so educational! Looks like I’ve been wasting too much time watching the Real Housewives
Well I do have many sides to me
As for too much real housewives, is that a thing?
You never fail to make me laugh, Jess!
Ronnie xo
Pink Ronnie recently posted..The blue hour
Thanks Ronnie
Pity I have to wait a month now to test your theory – I wonder if I could pump out a whole month’s worth of blog posts in one day harnessing the power of the 12th of the month? I”ll have to give it a go and get back to you!
Kirsty @ My Home Truths recently posted..I Spent the Day with my Husband & All I Got was a Brick…
Yes well I’m gonna try the same. Eight days to go….
You know… I’m just relieved that we understand this phenomenon in our household! LOL! xx
carmen recently posted..How Aspie are you?
Yes but how does it work? Cause if you synchronize then you’re both right and neither of you will win!
Thanks Jess! I have a few Ikea purchases needed and I now know exactly which day to purchase and build, poor Mr O is not going to know what’s hit him!
Carly recently posted..Jamie’s 15 Minute Meal Challenge #2
Poor Mr O indeed! Just make sure you reward him properly
Ba ha! You crack me up Jess!
Janet recently posted..Be like a bit o’ butter!
I aim to please
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