Can Brain Training Really Make You Smarter?

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Nowadays, intelligence and mental agility are highly valued. The idea of boosting our brainpower with the help of training exercises has gained significant popularity.

People check resources like the MyIQ test online, complete questions, and gain insights into the score of their intelligence. Besides, they use brain-training apps and engage in memory games and cognitive exercises to enhance their intelligence, memory, and problem-solving skills.

However, the main question is, will it all help boost your brain? Let’s find out whether brain training can make you smarter.

Understanding Intelligence and Brain Plasticity

Our intelligence is traditionally measured through IQ tests. These tests assess reasoning, logical thinking, and the ability to deal with challenges. Nonetheless, it’s not a fixed trait. Surprisingly, it evolves as we gain experience and get an education. Moreover, much depends on the environment we live in.

One of the most important concepts here is neuroplasticity. It’s the brain’s ability to form new neural connections throughout our life. And it means that if there’s the right stimulation, our brains can adapt and improve in different areas.

What Does Brain Training Improve?

There are a lot of brain-training exercises which target working memory. It’s the ability to hold and manipulate data in your mind for short periods. Numerous studies prove that when you engage in working memory training, it can lead to improvements in tasks that require short-term recall.

At the same time, it doesn’t guarantee an increase in fluid intelligence meaning the ability to tackle novel problems without relying on prior knowledge. Such improvements are often task-specific, but it doesn’t mean the overall enhancement of intelligence.

What Actually Works to Improve Intelligence?

Even if brain training applications don’t do magic for increasing our intelligence, there are several more credible strategies that do contribute to cognitive enhancement.

1. Lifelong learning and intellectual challenges

The most effective way to boost intelligence is to never stop learning. Whenever you start learning a new language, reading about complex subjects, trying to understand them, and mastering new skills, you boost your chances of enhancing cognitive flexibility and problem-solving abilities.

People who never stop learning tend to have sharper minds and lower risks of cognitive decline. If brain-training exercises are directed towards improving at specific tasks, then developing new skills has a broader and more significant impact on our overall intelligence.

2. Physical exercise and brain health

Strikingly, physical exercises are just as important to brain function. If you regularly engage in cycling, swimming, or running, it will improve your memory, cognitive flexibility, and even brain volume.

Exercises promote the release of BDNF. It’s a protein that supports brain plasticity and the growth of new neurons. So, staying physically active is the best you can do to enhance your cognitive abilities over time.

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3. Sleep and mental performance

Another essential thing for brain function is good sleep. However, many people overlook it but it actually can affect our cognitive improvement. When we sleep, our brain consolidates memories and processes data. That’s why it’s a crucial factor in learning and intelligence.

If we take a person who’s sleep deprived and a person who gets quality sleep, the first one will perform better on cognitive tasks. So, as simple as that, if you want to improve your intelligence, just get enough sleep every day.

4. Nutrition and brain function

Diet is another important factor for brain health. Although burgers and French fries are delicious, they’re not nutrient-rich. Wishing to improve your IQ score, you should give more preference to the following foods:

• Fish;
• Nuts;
• Seeds;
• Fruit;
• Vegetables;
• Dark chocolate;
• Berries.

Those are the foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and flavonoids which can improve cognitive function. It’s not only about improving cognitive function, but it’s also about protecting your brain from cognitive decline.

5. Social interaction and critical thinking

One of the parameters IQ tests measure is critical thinking. This is where social interaction plays a significant role. You can enhance your cognitive abilities if you do the following:

• Engage in meaningful conversations;
• Participate in debates;
• Take part in social activities.

Maintaining strong social connections is best for cognitive health. Whenever you interact with other people in meaningful conversations, you challenge your brain to process different perspectives, think critically, and adapt to new information.

When you surround yourself with people of different perspectives, you invest in improving your rationality. They have one point of view, while you have another. Both the ability to defend your own perspective and the ability to listen to another point of view, process it, and recognize more truth in it contribute to your critical thinking.

The Verdict

Can brain training make you smarter? The answer is both yes and no. If we’re talking about brain training apps, they can only help you to succeed in specific tasks. However, if we’re talking about quality sleep, physical exercise, meaningful social interactions, proper diet, and continuous learning, then it’s closer to enhancing your cognitive abilities and overall intelligence.