Left-handedness is a fascinating trait that occurs in about 10% of the global population. While it may seem a minor characteristic, being left-handed can influence various aspects of a person’s life, including health. We have researched various online forums and data sets to create a list of 12 ways being left-handed can impact your health.
Higher Susceptibility to Mental Health Disorders
Left-handed individuals may be more prone to specific mental health conditions like schizophrenia and mood disorders. Genetic studies have suggested a positive genetic correlation between left-handedness and these conditions.
In the U.S., mental health issues are a significant concern, with around 1 in 5 adults experiencing mental illness each year. Research indicates that specific genetic factors like atypical brain asymmetries or genetic predispositions might also contribute to a higher risk of neuropsychiatric disorders.
Increased Risk of Learning Disabilities
Left-handed individuals might be more susceptible to learning disabilities such as dyslexia and ADHD. Researchers attribute this vulnerability to differences in brain structure and function. However, they make up for possible learning disabilities by being exceptionally talented in other areas. Unlike the right-handed majority, about 30% of left-handers either lack a dominant hemisphere or exhibit partial dominance. This atypical brain organization may increase their likelihood of developing learning disabilities and other neurological challenges.
Greater Injury Risk
Left-handed people are slightly more susceptible to injuries due to a world designed predominantly for right-handers. Everyday tools, machinery, and even sports equipment are often optimized for right-handed use, placing left-handers at a disadvantage. Left-handers are more likely to encounter hazards when using specialized equipment or performing tasks requiring fine motor skills. This extends to confrontations where left-handers might find themselves more vulnerable when defending against attacks from right-handers.
Higher Prevalence of Cardiovascular Conditions
Left-handed individuals may have a greater risk of cardiovascular diseases. Recent research has suggested that left-handers might exhibit poorer vascular function and heart rate variability than right-handers. Specifically, left-handers have been found to have reduced vascular endothelial function, which is crucial for maintaining healthy blood pressure, immune responses, and clotting. This physiological difference could make left-handers more susceptible to cardiovascular diseases, indicating a need for earlier and more proactive risk assessments.
Myths About Shorter Lifespans
The belief that left-handed people have shorter lifespans than right-handers has persisted for years, though recent studies challenge this myth. In the early 1900s, left-handedness was less common, but it has increased to around 11% of the population today. Therefore, the supposed lifespan gap is likely a reflection of these demographic changes rather than an inherent risk for left-handers. More recent and rigorous studies have found no significant difference in life expectancy between left-handers and right-handers.
Resilience in Stroke Recovery
For left-handed individuals, a stroke on the left side of the brain typically impacts the non-dominant right side of the body. This differs from right-handers, where a stroke on the left side often affects the dominant side. When a stroke affects the non-dominant right side of a left-handed person’s body, the dominant left side usually retains more functionality. This allows left-handers to rely more on their dominant side for tasks that might otherwise be severely impacted.
Possible Link to Breast Cancer
Some research has suggested a potential association between left-handedness and a higher risk of breast cancer, particularly in postmenopausal women. One study found that left-handed women have 2.5 times more chances of suffering from breast cancer than their right-handed peers. However, this link remains controversial and is still under investigation, with scientists continuing to debate the validity of the findings. Researchers speculate that prenatal hormonal exposures, which influence both handedness and breast cancer risk, might play a role.
Enhanced Cognitive Flexibility
Left-handers often display superior cognitive flexibility, a critical skill for problem-solving and creativity. A study found that left-handed individuals outperform right-handed peers in tasks requiring cognitive flexibility and working memory. For example, left-handers excelled in the Trail-Making Test, which involves alternating between numbers and letters, and the Letter-Number Sequencing test, where participants recall mixed sequences of numbers and letters. This cognitive advantage is believed to stem from better connectivity between the brain’s hemispheres in left-handed individuals.
Challenges with Sleep Patterns
Left-handed people may experience different sleep patterns compared to right-handers. They tend to have more frequent nighttime awakenings and more significant daytime sleepiness. These findings suggest that left-handedness could be associated with unique sleep characteristics, which may affect sleep research and health management. For left-handers, addressing sleep issues is crucial for maintaining good health and well-being.
Higher Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders
Individuals suffering from conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia are more likely to be left-handed. Researchers have explored potential genetic overlaps between the traits associated with left-handedness and those linked to ASD, schizophrenia, and Parkinson’s disease. While being left-handed does not imply a diagnosis of these conditions, the increased prevalence among left-handers suggests a possible connection between brain development, altered brain asymmetry, and these disorders.
Greater Adaptability
Left-handed people often find themselves navigating a world that is predominantly designed for right-handers. From simple tasks like using scissors to more complex activities like playing musical instruments, left-handers frequently encounter tools, devices, and systems that are tailored for the majority.
This daily exposure to a right-handed world necessitates a high degree of adaptability. It fosters resilience, forcing left-handers to develop creative and innovative solutions to perform everyday tasks efficiently.
Athletic Advantages
Left-handed athletes often face unique challenges in sports, as most equipment and strategies are tailored for right-handed players. However, these obstacles can become opportunities, allowing left-handers to leverage their distinct perspectives and skills. Left-handed athletes have a competitive edge because their opponents are less accustomed to facing left-handers. By adapting their techniques, left-handed athletes can gain an edge and excel in their sports. This ability to view the game from a different angle can lead to innovative approaches and standout performances.
