Improving Your Mental Capacity Through Brain Exercises

[pitt]

Playing draughts (Checkers)

I play this everyday and I am probably spending 3 hours per day doing this (I am looking to reduce this, its becoming addictive). It has improved my concentration a lot, it speeds up your thoughts, you learn to think faster and better. It's one of these games that you really have think about your next move or one little mistake can fuck you up if your opponent knows how to play it well.

Great exercise for the brain, trust me.

 

[germanico]

Dual N-backing apparently increases your IQ.

I have been using the dual n-back software for a couple of weeks, and irregularly for that matter.

I think its still to soon to comment about IQ, but I have noticed that my short term memory has improved. For example, if I have a number written down I had to double check it just to dial it (just a few digits in my memory), and as of recently I can remember 10 digit numbers long enough to dial it after reading it just once.

Ill report back when my data set is bigger.

 

[birdie num num]

I'm reading Ageless Memory by Harry Lorayne. So far it's entertaining and I've used some of the techniques he teaches. He writes about creating absurd mental pictures to remember names and dates. For example, you have a doctor's appointment on March 6th, or 3/6. Picture a footballer who's number is 36. You enter the doctor's office and there's that footballer in a white coat ready to give you your exam. The more absurd the image the easier it is to remember.

If you are already good at remembering famous events in history, say, storming the Bastille in 1789, you can use that date to form absurd mental image to remember the number 89..

http://www.amazon.com/Ageless-Memor...-Sharp/dp/1579128246/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

 

[Eastside]

Improving your intellectual capabilities through different types of exercises is fascinating to me. I've tarted dual-n-back and can say that I noticed my short term memory improve a tiny bit. Also, I think learning spanish has made me smarter and physical activities that require lots of mental calculation are really good for your brain too.

 

[clever alias]

these dont increase IQ. I think the over emphasis on IQ here is strange. these increase cognitive ability (lumosity does, at least). there is a benefit to them, but its not in raising IQ. things like learning languages and such are beneficial in that there.is evidence suggesting they prevent alzheimers. also, learning one language will not actually increase new language acquisition capacity

 

[Eastside]

these dont increase IQ. I think the over emphasis on IQ here is strange. these increase cognitive ability (lumosity does, at least). there is a benefit to them, but its not in raising IQ. things like learning languages and such are beneficial in that there.is evidence suggesting they prevent alzheimers. also, learning one language will not actually increase new language acquisition capacity

I agree for the most part. Although sometimes it is hard to separate 'IQ', 'cognitive ability', 'smartness', etc. But yeah, there are definitely things you can do to workout your brain so to speak (Lumosity, etc.) and improve your general cognitive functioning.

Also, the brain can change and develope new neural pathways even later in life if you challenge it in new ways. I think the key is forcing yourself to keep trying new thugs and allow your brain to grow and make connections across different disciplines.

 

[clever alias]

theres also a difference between "getting smarter" and developing new techniques. for example, short term memory is capped at around 7 items. you cant really increase this. but its possible to change the way the information is viewed through mnuemonic (definitely misspelt that) techniques. memory champions do tjis exceptionally well

 

[SheWantsTheD]

Has anyone tested themselves in any way before and after lumosity and found it to help?


It does seem like a good way to waste time on the internet.

 

[BruceCreatine]

I went from a labourer and spent 6 years studying engineering. I feel like my intellect completely changed voer the period. So intense maths will do the trick.


I find now, I am smarter than the vast majority of people.