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THE HUMAN MIND

by DAVID GAMON, Ph.D.

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01 March, 2000

Why Are So Many Alcoholics Left-Handed?

Left-handers have always had a lot to put up with. They’ve been on the losing end of right-handed appliances, bad jokes, insulting metaphors, and cross-culturally widespread prejudices. It turns out that they’re also more likely to die younger, to have learning disorders such as dyslexia and ADD, to have immune system or autoimmune problems such as asthma or diabetes, to be alcoholic, and even to be anxious and antisocial.

On the other hand, left-handers are also overrepresented among chess experts, architects, artists, applied mathematicians, and the extremely bright end of the intelligence spectrum.

An explanation for all of these puzzling patterns comes from the theory that there are two kinds of left-handedness, genetic and “pathological.” Left-handedness does appear to have some genetic basis; if one or more parent is left-handed, chances are better that the child will be a leftie as well.

But some left-handedness appears to be the result of brain damage in the womb. Overall, the left hemisphere (controlling the right half of the body) develops more slowly than the right; if a problem occurs during its development, dominant motor control may shift to the right hemisphere, resulting in left-handedness. If some left-handedness really is caused by brain damage, then it’s not surprising that it correlates with other brain-based problems such as dyslexia and ADD.

One likely culprit in the brain-damage scenario is testosterone, a hormone that can be harmful to the developing brain. Testosterone can also harm the thalamus, a gland that regulates the body’s immune and autoimmune systems. Since male fetuses are exposed to higher levels of testosterone than females, this may explain why men are one and a half times as likely to be left-handed than women.

What about the alcoholic connection? New imaging technology reveals that left-handers tend to have a stronger brain response to psychologically active chemicals — such as alcohol — than right-handers. This may predispose them to alcoholism.

Recommended Reading: The Left-Hander Syndrome, by Stanley Coren

Related Links

Connexions
Current research in cognitive science, sponsored by the Hang Seng Centre for cognitive studies. The Connexions format is similar to that of a traditional academic journal -- they publish scholarly articles in numbered volumes and issues.

Institute of Cognitive Behavioral Sciences
This site is dedicated to those seeking Stress Identification and Management Techniques. it provides links to locations of interest that assist people in overcoming stress related illnesses.

Journal of Mind and Behavior
The Journal of Mind and Behavior (JMB) is dedicated to the interdisciplinary approach within psychology and related fields-building upon the assumption of a unified science. Includes prior issues.

Noetica - A Cognitive Science Forum
The aim of Noetica is to promote the interests of the multi-disciplinary field of Cognitive Science. Search recent articles and papers.

ShuffleBrain
How does a brain store a mind? Amazing, thought-provoking stuff on the mind and the nature of experiential thought.

The University of Alberta's Cognitive Science Dictionary
This dictionary of cognitive science terms was initiated by Dr. Michael Dawson at the University of Alberta, Canada.

Other Links On ScienceMaster

Twenty Questions
This game uses left-brain categorization skills, short-term memory skills, logical thinking skills, and planning and organizational skills.

Mona Lisa
Try your hand, or mind we should say, at some mental exercises, illusions and games.

 Books By David Gamon

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Building Mental Muscle: Conditioning Exercises for the Six Intelligence Zones • by David Gamon and Allen D. Bragdon
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How Sharp Is Your Pencil? Can You Pass These Tests? 46 Real-World, Professional and Academic Qualifying Exams to Try • by Allen Bragdon and David Gamon
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Other Books

The Mit Encyclopedia of the Cognitive Sciences • by Robert A. Wilson (Editor), Frank C. Keil (Editor)
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The Nature of Cognition • by Robert J. Sternberg (Editor)
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Paperback - 688 pages (February 1999)
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An Invitation to Cognitive Science: Language • by Lila R. Gleitman (Editor), Mark Liberman (Editor)
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vailability: Usually ships within 24 hours.
Paperback 2nd edition Vol 1 (November 1995)
Mit Pr; ISBN: 0262650444

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