Ambidexterity reveals an almost completely symmetrical brain – a desirable trait if you want to be a genius

Posted: January 14, 2015 in Genius Intelligence, Underground Knowledge
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While researching our new release book GENIUS INTELLIGENCE: Secret Techniques and Technologies to Increase IQ, we were surprised to learn that many of history’s most renowned geniuses were physically ambidextrous, or equally proficient with their right and left hands. These include scientific and artistic giants such as Albert Einstein, Michelangelo, Nikola Tesla and Leonardo da Vinci.

Einstein ambidextrous.

Given that less than 1% of the population are truly ambidextrous, we immediately wondered if that was just a coincidence, or was the ambidexterity of these individuals somehow crucial to the genius abilities each possessed?

Although more research needs to be done and there are some scientists who have suggested undesirable mental traits result from being ambidextrous, brain scans have revealed one telling statistic that may explain the seemingly high instance of geniuses in the ambidextrous population.

That statistic reveals that unlike right-handers, ambidextrous people have almost completely symmetrical brains. Meaning they are naturally in the all-important whole brain state. Right handers, on the other hand, generally have strong left brain dominance. Lefties often have brain symmetry as well, but not to the extent that ambidextrous people do.

You’ll recall throughout Genius Intelligence we have referred to the whole brain mode (aka hemispheric synchronization) being the ideal state for accessing higher intelligences. So, could acquiring ambidexterity be one way of bringing out latent genius abilities?

Digging deeper, we found a Psychology Today article on the history and neuroscience of left-handed, right-handed and ambidextrous people. Published on August 12, 2013, and written by bestselling author and athlete Christopher Bergland, the article surmises that the ultimate state for genius-level intelligence is to create brain symmetry and to be as close as possible to ambidextrous with your hands.

Ambidexterity in motion.

Another article, published in (e) Science News on October 4, 2013, may also offer more specific insights. Headlined Well-connected hemispheres of Einstein’s brain may have sparked his brilliance, the article reports that “The left and right hemispheres of Albert Einstein’s brain were unusually well connected to each other and may have contributed to his brilliance, according to a new study conducted in part by Florida State University evolutionary anthropologist Dean Falk.”

So, if Einstein-like interconnectedness of brain hemispheres is the ultimate goal, then it seems being ambidextrous, or at least developing some ambidextrous traits, may facilitate this brain state.

A few techniques to develop ambidexterity include: write and draw with the wrong hand (i.e. left hand for Righties and right hand for Lefties); do household tasks with the wrong hand; play musical instruments that involve both hands such as piano, guitar or flute; learn how to juggle.


To read more about ambidexterity and intelligence check out GENIUS INTELLIGENCE: Secret Techniques and Technologies to Increase IQ







  1. jcckeith says:

    I hadn’t read any of these articles but it makes me feel very good about being ambidextrous although I certainly was not born that way. I broke my right arm the year we learned to write in school so I had to learn to write with my left hand. Of course when my right arm healed I wrote with my right hand but to this day I can write with either hand, draw with either hand, play the banjo and guitar proficiently and I can twirl drumsticks in each hand simultaneously – a task I say that was much more difficult to learn than writing, drawing or playing any stringed musical instrument. It took weeks of practice just to be able to rapidly twirl a single drumstick in either hand for any length of time.

  2. Andrew says:

    In my mid fifties my brother, five years my senior , recalled how as a toddler I would write and draw and write using either hand alternating frequently for better access or when fatigued.I had no recollection of this but have remained ambidextrous to a degree.

  3. Raphael Forallyouknow says:

    You cannot make yourself smarter. You can improve your concentration. You can force yourself to remember information. You can teach yourself a new skill. You cannot, however, make yourself a genius. Teaching yourself to use your non-dominant hand is bad for your brain. Please look this up, readers. Your brain is the way it is meant to function already. Forcing it to behave in ways it isn’t supposed to will compromise its effectiveness. You are born with your IQ. Really, being smart is nothing short of the way your mind NATURALLY functions. Everyone is good at different things. While you may not be a genius (and I doubt you are, because such a small percentage of the populace is), you may be great at figuring out the problems of others. Really, being a genius isn’t everything and in truth amounts to little importance. Be yourself. Excel in your natural states. Stop trying to damage your brains.

    • lancemorcan says:

      Raphael – That is one viewpoint and one that’s commonly held by the majority I suspect. However, as we detail in “Genius Intelligence” there are numerous techniques and technologies that can be employed to increase IQ. So, the bottom line is, you can make yourself smarter just as you can make yourself stronger, fitter etc. -Lance

  4. RLLANDERS says:

    I am ambidextrous and have synesthesia. When I was in elementary school I was made to sit on my left hand to discourage me from using it. But used it all the time at home! I did not know any of this increased the size of of the right side of the brain or the connections. Or was a good thing. It’s encouraging to hear. Interesting article. I feel smarter already!

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