Recent studies reveal that the human brain can learn to multitask effortlessly, often without our awareness.

For years, experts believed that the brain couldn’t handle multiple tasks simultaneously. This was attributed to the prefrontal cortex, a key brain region responsible for logical planning and problem-solving, known for its rigidity.

“We are wired to focus on one task at a time, which is often beneficial,” explained Maximilian Riesenhuber, a neuroscience professor at Georgetown University and lead researcher of the study published in the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience. “This allows individuals to maintain focus while managing other responsibilities effectively.”

Previous research suggested that when individuals multitask, their overloaded prefrontal cortex swiftly switches between tasks.

Riesenhuber’s experiments demonstrated that the brain uses alternative strategies that develop over time through practice and experience, enabling unconscious task execution and freeing the prefrontal cortex for other duties.

The study involved 11 participants aged 18-29, who spent several weeks using an app to categorize computer-generated car images based on shared characteristics, repeating the process over 30,000 times within 5 to 10 weeks.

Initially, imaging tools indicated high activation in the prefrontal cortex; however, after weeks of task repetition, participants utilized the temporal cortex, a region associated with long-term memory, for categorization.

Riesenhuber noted that the findings suggest the prefrontal cortex can forge connections to relay information to the temporal cortex more effectively.

“This represents a form of automation, liberating the brain’s front regions to engage in additional tasks that require attention,” he stated.

This ability to master multitasking without conscious effort explains several automatic functions in daily life.

Riesenhuber pointed out that while novice drivers must fully concentrate on operating a vehicle, seasoned drivers can engage in conversation or listen to music while driving.

Michael Schoenberg, a licensed psychologist and neurosurgery expert at the University of South Florida, not involved in the study, emphasized that this research sheds light on the development of specialized skills, like analyzing brain scans or performing at Olympic levels in gymnastics.

“I have colleagues proficient in EEG tests, while I struggle to interpret them,” Schoenberg remarked. “In sports, mastering activities like the balance beam demands considerable focus and concentration, but repetitive training fosters muscle memory.”

Riesenhuber believes this principle also applies to essential aspects of childhood development, including learning to recognize objects or names, enabling automatic responses throughout life.

“We don’t examine a tree and ponder if it’s a tree,” he noted. “People aren’t born with knowledge of objects; they learn to inherently associate meaning with their surroundings.”

Variability in brain rewiring capabilities suggests some individuals naturally excel at multitasking. The Georgetown experiment showcased significant differences in how quickly participants could engage their temporal cortex and relieve the prefrontal cortex for car categorization tasks.

“This prompts many new inquiries,” Riesenhuber said. “What triggers this variation? The answer remains elusive.”

Optimistically, Schoenberg asserts that everyone possesses the potential to optimize their multitasking abilities, regardless of the decline in learning speed often seen in older age.

Frustration Can Impede Progress

Beyond patience and perseverance, few shortcuts exist for enhancing task efficiency.

“The study required around four weeks,” he explained. “The essential takeaway is that multitasking necessitates consistent practice for efficiency. Rapid improvement isn’t realistic. It demands time to form new neural pathways.”

Dr. David T. Jones, a Mayo Clinic neurologist, cautions that the brain has processing limits, so self-frustration can hinder multitasking efforts.

“Managing emotions is as demanding as sorting numbers or identifying images,” Jones added. “Self-criticism just adds to your cognitive load, making performance suffer.”

A practical strategy for handling multiple pieces of information is to break them into smaller, manageable segments, akin to how we handle phone numbers.

“Memorizing lengthy strings of digits isn’t necessary; we categorize them using dashes,” he explained. “Thus, three numbers become a single item, making it easier to hold that chunk in your memory.”

How AI Influences Multitasking

Schoenberg warned against excessive reliance on technology for multitasking, like using AI for writing or data analysis, which may counteract our brain’s developed multitasking capabilities. A new study indicates that our multitasking proficiency only emerges after gaining a specific level of expertise, showing that prolonged dependence on AI could obstruct the acquisition of complex skills.

“Mastery depends on our ability to recognize patterns; over-reliance on AI prevents that,” Schoenberg stated. “Developing efficient pattern recognition enhances our capacity to multitask, enabling quicker decisions and simultaneous integration of various elements.”