There are people, a very small percentage of the population, who can use both their left and right hands naturally. Some people can write very well with both hands. They can eat, pick things up, and live fully using both hands. These people are called Ambidextrous.
Here are 10 facts about being Ambidextrous.
1% of the Global Population is Ambidextrous
In 2009, after multiple kinds of research, the American Psychological Association reported that only about 1% of the global population is ambidextrous. In contrast, left-handed people make up 10% of the global population. This begins to give you the rarity of being ambidextrous.
This does not include people who have taught themselves to use both hands. One would always be more efficient than others. Naturally ambidextrous people can, with ease and equal proportion, use both hands.
It’s All Connected to The Brain
People who use their right hands as the dominant hand can do this due to their left-brain dominance. Ambidextrous people have perfect symmetry between their left and right hemisphere.
The downside of having a perfect brain symmetry is that it slightly lowers the IQ. But on the flip side, Ambidextrous people have high levels of creativity.
Risk of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a disorder that affects a person’s ability to think, feel, and behave clearly. This is as a result of altered brain chemistry.
Ambidextrous people are more likely to be schizophrenic due to their probability of possessing the LRRTM1 gene.
Studies show that people with schizophrenia are much more likely to be Ambidextrous.
Sexual Fluidity
BBC Science conducted a study on ambidextrous people that showed that 9.2% of men and 15.6% of women were bisexual. This showed a high fluidity in the sexuality of ambidextrous people.
Difficulty in Learning
A study on Ambidextrous people showed difficulty in their learning process. Ambidextrous people have pronounced difficulty in arithmetic, cognitive learning, reasoning, and language skills.
This is as a result of their brain function.
Quick to Anger
A research conducted by Merrimack College suggests a higher interlinking of brain hemispheres in ambidextrous people. This increases to grumpiness, ineptness, and gracelessness.
Artistic Excellence
Although Ambidextrous people are unable to deal with arithmetic and verbal problems, they are good at things such as sports, painting, and music. A historic example of an Ambidextrous person is Leonardo da Vinci.
Synesthesia
Synesthesia is a neurological condition in which a piece of information that was directed to simulate one of your senses, stimulates several senses.
Ever heard of people who can hear colors? This is not an exaggeration. An Ambidextrous person can hear colors, associate numbers with personalities, and feel what other people are feeling.
This comes from the way the brain functions, and the way it processes information differently from the right and left-hand people.
Ambidextrous People Started Left-Handed
There is a study that shows a high ratio of ambidextrous people starting left-handed. Their Ambidexterity came to encompass both hands as they grew older. This most likely before the teenage years.
Successful Surgeons
An Ambidextrous surgeon is highly sorted after. Surgeons are generally advised to practice using both hands. Ambidexterity in surgery means that a surgeon would be able to conduct successful surgeries easily due to their ability to use both hands.
