Left handed... but not always in my right mind.

Earnhardt Jr. is a leftie who has found great success in an industry entirely geared to the convenience of right-handed people and the fact that he has accomplished what he has with only two clockwise racetracks in the country is nothing short of amazing.

There are only three other NASCAR drivers who are lefties: Terry Labonte, Tony Stewart, and Joey Logano. Being left-handed poses considerable challenges as a racecar driver, making it more difficult to drive when the track is counter-clockwise.

Leucine-rich repeat transmembrane neuronal protein 1 (LRRTM1), is protein that in humans is encoded by the LRRTM1 gene.^[1][2]

LRRTM1 is the first gene linked to increased odds of being left-handed.^[3] Possessing one particular variant of the LRRTM1 gene slightly raises the risk of psychotic mental illnesses such as schizophrenia^[3]

As the name implies, its protein product is a transmembrane protein, which contains many leucine rich repeats, that is present in neurons. It is expressed during the development of specific forebrain structures and shows a variable pattern of maternal downregulation (genomic imprinting).^[2]

Myths plague people with lefty personality traits, or left-hand dominant people. For instance, it was once believed that lefties or Southpaws were more likely to be dyslexic, schizophrenic, and stutterers. Some doctors believed that left-handed people are more likely to struggle with breast cancer, allergies, and asthma. Those myths about left-handed people were debunked by Dr Michael Peters of the University of Guelph in 2006. However, some personality traits of left-handed people seem to hold true

Lefty Psychology and Personality Traits Leadership. About 66% of American presidents in the last 30 years were left-handed men. Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, and Gerald Fold were all left-handed presidents. Barack Obama and John McCain are both left-handed. Quick thinkers. Studies have shown that lefties are “exceptional.” Australian research shows that left-handed people think more quickly when playing computer games or sports. Left-handed people also tend to earn more money. Sexuality. Research from Canada reveals this interesting quality of left-handed people: they’re more likely to be homosexual. Mixed-handed people are more likely to alter their beliefs as they get new information, making them better able to see both sides of the story.
Independence: Some experts believe left-handed people are more independent because they’ve had to get along in a world that’s not made for them. Dr Peters says that lefties are “slightly more resistant to social pressures, to have more of an independent streak.” Personality Traits of Lefties

• Independence: Some experts believe left-handed people are more independent because they’ve had to get along in a world that’s not made for them. Dr Peters says that lefties are “slightly more resistant to social pressures, to have more of an independent streak.
  
  
• Adaptability: Canadian research shows that left-handed people are more adaptable than right-handed people. That is, a lefty can use her right hand to do tasks much easier than a righty can use his hand. Left-handed people seem to be able to switch over more easily.

Generally, Southpaws are thought to be more flexible, highly intelligent, and more resilient than right-handed people.

Read more at Suite101: Lefty Personality Traits - Left-Hand Dominant: The Psychological Characteristics of Left-handed People | Suite101.com http://www.suite101.com/content/personality-traits-of-lefties-a46563#ixzz1TKDdNLpc