How to harness your brain’s underused superpowers

August 9, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

How to harness your brain’s underused superpowers

"Most of the time, we don't actually effortfully remember things. It's not like a memory test in life." That observation from neuroscientist Dr. Adrian Owen captures a strange truth: our brains run on autopilot for the vast majority of daily life, and most of us never stop to notice. In this conversation, Owen explains what happens when we do take conscious control—and why understanding that process might be the single most practical thing we can do for our own cognition.

What executive functions actually are

Executive functions are the brain's high-level processes that let us override autopilot. When you drive to work on a familiar route, you don't consciously plan each turn—that's automatic. But if you decide to stop at the post office and pick up flowers on the way, you need to consciously interfere with that automatic routine. That interference is executive function in action.

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What you'll learn

1 (03:29) **Introduction: What Are Executive Functions?** - Dr. Adrian Owen defines executive functions as the high-level brain processes that allow us to consciously make decisions, formulate plans, and decide what to remember, overriding the brain's default autopilot mode.
2 (05:12) **The Frontal Lobe: The Brain's Mission Control** - Owen explains why the frontal lobe is critical for executive functions, noting its size, unique development in humans, and role in orchestrating conscious control.
3 (06:13) **What Happens When the Frontal Lobe Is Damaged?** - Owen describes how patients with frontal lobe damage lose the ability to develop and stick to strategies, using a simple memory test to illustrate the point.
4 (08:32) **Working Memory: Holding Information on Purpose** - Owen explains working memory as memory for things you need to hold onto for a specific purpose, contrasting it with the old model of short-term vs. long-term memory.
5 (10:19) **Encoding and Retrieval: The Conscious Act of Remembering** - Owen distinguishes between automatic memory and the intentional process of encoding information for later retrieval.
6 (12:48) **How We Know This: Brain Imaging and the Frontal Lobe's Geography** - Owen explains that fMRI and PET scans have revealed that the frontal lobe is not one uniform blob but is divided into specialized areas.
7 (14:10) **How to Improve Executive Functions (Spoiler: No Magic Pill)** - Owen shares findings from large-scale studies, including collaborations with the BBC, on what actually works to improve working memory and executive function.

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Show Notes

For a large proportion of our lives, our brains seemingly work on autopilot – the many processes the brain controls hum away behind the scenes, helping us to carry out our daily tasks. But in certain scenarios, our attention takes over, giving more conscious control of our actions. These processes, such as memory, planning and our emotional responses to the situations we find ourselves in, are known as executive functions. But how exactly do they work and is there anything we can do to train them to perform more effectively?

In this episode we’re joined by the neuroscientist and author Dr Adrian Owen, to talk about his latest book, Think Before You Think – Understanding Your Brain’s Mission Control.

He shares his insights into how our brains operate when we’re confronted by different situations, points out some of the pitfalls built into the way we observe and respond to the world, and explains how we can all benefit from paying more attention to why we think and act in the way we do.

Take your curiosity further with a subscription to BBC Science Focus magazine. Every issue is packed with fascinating insights into the science behind everyday life, the latest breakthroughs and expert analysis, delivered straight to your door. Plus, save an extra £5 when you subscribe using the code SF5OFF, (minimum spend £20, see full terms and conditions on our website).

https://www.ourmediashop.com/bbc-science-focus-magazine-pod30

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