How Training Your Brain Can Make You Significantly Smart.

As many people hit middle age, they
often start to notice that their memory
and mental clarity are not what they used
to be.  We suddenly can’t remember
where we put the keys just a moment
ago, or an old acquaintance’s name, or the
name of an old band we used to love.  As
the brain fades, we euphemistically refer
to these occurrences as “senior
moments.”
While seemingly innocent, this loss of
mental focus can potentially have a
detrimental impact on our professional,
social, and personal well-being.
It happens to most of us, but is it
inevitable?
Neuroscientists are increasingly showing
that there’s actually a lot that can be
done.  It turns that the brain needs
exercise in much the same way our
muscles do, and the right mental
workouts can significantly improve our
basic cognitive functions.  Thinking is
essentially a process of making neural
connections in the brain.  To a certain
extent, our ability to excel in making the
neural connections that drive intelligence
is inherited.  However, because these
connections are made through effort and
practice, scientists believe that
intelligence can expand and fluctuate
according to mental effort.
Now, a new San Francisco Web-based
company has taken it a step further and
developed the first “brain training
program” designed to actually help
people improve and regain their mental
sharpness.  Called Lumosity, it was
designed by some of the leading experts
in neuroscience and cognitive psychology
from Stanford University.
Lumosity, is far more than an online
place to exercise your mental skills.
That’s because they have integrated these
exercises into a Web-based program that
allows you to systematically improve your
memory and attention skills.  The
program keeps track of your progress and
provides detailed feedback on your
performance and improvement.  Most
importantly, it constantly modifies and
enhances the games you play to build on
the strengths you are developing–much
like an effective exercise routine requires
you to increase resistance and vary your
muscle use.
Does it work?
Apparently it does. In randomized,
controlled clinical trials, Lumosity was
shown to significantly improve basic
cognitive functions. One study showed
students improved their scores on math
tests by 34 percent after using Lumosity
for six weeks, significantly greater gains
than those made by other students in the
same class, who were not training with
the Lumosity program.
The company says its users have reported
clearer and quicker thinking, improved
memory for names, numbers, directions,
increased alertness and awareness,
elevated mood, and better concentration
at work or while driving.
While many of the games at Lumosity are
free, a modest subscription fee is
required to use the full program over the
long term.
However, Lumosity is currently offering
a free trial of their program to new users
so that you can see how well it works
before you decide to subscribe.  The trial
is completely free (no credit card
required) and the company believes the
results will speak for themselves.