Facts and Myths About Lefthanders

There are many myths about lefties, yet most evidence is anecdotal and more research needs to be done. Today, August 13^th marks International Lefthanders Day so we’ve gathered some of the most common myths about lefties.

Myth: Lefties are more likely to be leaders

Six of the last 12 U.S. presidents have been lefties, however, there’s no hard scientific evidence that handedness had anything to do with their leadership skills.

Myth: Lefties are introverted

Another common myth is that left-handed people tend to be more introverted than righties. “The stereotype [that left-handers are mentally or morally inferior] doesn’t reflect reality,” study author Gina Grimshaw, PhD, director of the Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Laboratory at the University of Wellington in New Zealand told Health.

Myth: Lefties are more creative

A 1995 study found left-handed men tended to think more creatively when problem-solving; however, there was no difference in the thinking between female righties and lefties. “When you look at actual creative achievements in one’s lifetime, the evidence is not strong for association with left-handedness,” Ronald Yeo, PhD, professor of psychology at the University of Texas-Austin told Health.

Myth: Left-handed people are right-brained

A study found that while 98% of righties are left-brained, so are 70 % of lefties. One of the researchers told Health, "For the most part, left-handers do not differ obviously from right-handers. They certainly don't have reversed brains."

Fact: Lefties may have more sleep problems

Researchers found that 94 %of left-handed sleepers had limb movements (which can be an indicator of periodic limb movement disorder) compared to just 69% of right-handed snoozers.

Fact: Twins are more likely to be left-handed

True! While 10% of the general population is left-handed, a 1996 Belgian study found that about 21% of twins, both fraternal and identical, are left-handed.

Fact: Lefties may be more likely to experience serious mental health disorders

Among people suffering from mental illness, those with psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia are much more likely to be left-handed than those with mood disorders like depression or bipolar disorder, according to a study from Yale University.