Everyone would love to have a higher IQ. The study of intelligence is a very intriguing topic that engages many scientists worldwide. Thousands of researchers from different universities are exploring the human brain to find ways to get the most out of it. Is it possible to increase your IQ? If so, how do you do it?
This article will present the scientists' position regarding this question. Also, we will detail the actions that can boost your IQ.
Scientists' opinion about increasing IQ:
There has always been controversy among scientists over the ability to increase an IQ level. Some scientists claim that boosting IQ methods do not exist. In their view, the factors influencing a person's IQ are hereditary and the impact of the environment at a very young age.
In contrast, many scientists and brain researchers do not agree at all. They believe IQ is volatile and can be increased or decreased depending on the lifestyle and active actions of the individual. These scientists rely on new studies proving that there is a possibility of boosting the IQ in different ways, as detailed below.
Despite the variety of scientists' opinions, some ways may increase your IQ anyway. You are probably not utilizing your full cognitive potential. Think of your IQ as the upper limit of your capabilities. Do you think you use 100% of your abilities? Or even 70%?
For example: Imagine you have to take an exam when you have an intense headache. Do you think you can complete the test in the best way? Probably not. The same is true about your intelligence. Your brain is a muscle. If you nurture and strengthen this muscle, you will be able to maximize its potential. If you do not cultivate it, your cognitive functioning will be similar to a person doing an exam with a headache.
You can cultivate your brain functioning by doing various activities that directly or indirectly affect it.
If you do not do this, your potential probably will not be realized. Start doing at least some of the actions listed below. You will be sharper and almost instantly feel more intelligent.
Eat foods that are healthy for the brain
Nutrition impacts various factors in our health and quality of life, including brain activity. We will not go into all the details, but some of the good foods that can improve your cognitive ability:
Fish and seafood - contain plenty of omega-3 fatty acids, which are perfect for the brain.
Green leafy vegetables - are a good source of fiber, folic acid, magnesium, and vitamin K, so they are an excellent basis for brain nutrition.
Nuts - contain plenty of monounsaturated fats, which help absorb fat-soluble vitamins. Nuts also have a large amount of fiber, minerals like iron, manganese, selenium, vitamin E, and protein beneficial to the brain.
Do fitness exercises regularly
Our brain is a muscle that needs oxygen - and a lot of it. Exercise improves blood flow to the brain and thus releases substances in the brain and muscles. These substances allow the production of nerve connections, new blood vessels, and even other nerve cells. All of these together directly help strengthen the brain.
Regular aerobic activity protects against cognitive decline. It preserves brain function in old age and is associated with improved attention, information processing, and memory.
The hippocampus, an area in the brain associated with learning and memory, is more prone to the growth of new brain cells due to endurance (aerobic) activity.
There is a positive correlation between physical activity and fitness and academic achievement in school among children. It is important to note that aerobic training, as well as anaerobic training, do the job.
Play chess
Chess has long been not just a sport for geniuses. It has gained popularity at a level it has never been before.
YouTube is full of chess masters and grandmasters who upload game videos daily. There are online chess gaming platforms like 'chess.com' and 'lichess.org' where you can play and train your brain.
If chess is not your thing, there are other thinking games you can play to train your brain like Sudoku, Connect Four, Shogi, go, and more. Any game that makes you think, like word puzzles and problem-solving games, is suitable for brain training.
Start meditating
About half a billion people in the world meditate daily. There are a variety of positive effects of meditation on mental health and inner peace. In addition, there is a benefit for brain functionality.
A 2010 study found that eight weeks of meditation improved blood flow to parts of the brain (frontal and parietal lobes in the cerebral cortex). In addition, meditation has improved people's performance in various memory tests. There is no doubt that meditation does wonder for the body, so it is worth adding to your habits.
Believe in yourself
Yes, you read that right. If you are looking for an immediate way to raise your IQ score - this is the easiest way to do it.
Psychologists from the University of George Mason, Virginia, conducted an exciting study that showed that the placebo effect could improve IQ during the IQ test. The psychologists tested a group of 50 participants on an intelligence test. Then, the participants played various games that "improve brain abilities" - games that don't actually do that. An hour later, they were tested on another IQ test.
The results were incredible. The participants' second IQ test results were 5-10 points higher! The placebo effect worked. When people expected their cognitive ability to improve, it really improved!
Take free IQ tests
IQ tests examine many aspects of your thinking abilities: problem-solving skills, thinking outside the box, and identifying complex patterns. Most online tests are inaccurate, but if they are free, do not take them?
We at Brianalytics have created the most advanced free online IQ test, which adjusts its questions according to the examinee's capability. You are welcome to do it at this link after reading this article.
We strongly do not recommend taking paid IQ tests because the vast majority of them are inaccurate.
Learn a new language
One of the most challenging tasks on this list is learning a new language. Once you learn a new language, you trigger many areas in your brain. You will strengthen your memory to learn new words, but more importantly, you will need to think about how to combine the words in a sentence and thus boost your thinking abilities.
There is no need to learn the new language at a native language level. Even if you cannot speak or read fluently, the very challenge of learning the language will do wonders for your brain.
Learn to play musical instruments
Aside from the fact that it is fun to know how to play a musical instrument, the very act of learning to play a musical instrument contributes a lot to the brain.
Research from the University of Zurich has suggested that learning to play a musical instrument may improve your brain plasticity. Brain plasticity(also called Neuroplasticity) is the ability of your nervous system to change. It allows for a change in the connections between neurons. It can reshape synapses (the nodes through which information passes between neurons). The more you practice playing, the more you can reshape neural connections in the brain.
Read more articles
A 2014 study states that reading books among children increases their IQ at an older age.
Reading books is a common hobby for many people. There are different genres like thrillers, novels, science fiction, and more. But the reading we mean is a little different.
In order to challenge your thinking ability, the most preferred reading is academic articles. Choose the area that fascinates you the most: astronomy, math, psychology, etc.
Focus on the most complex content in the article, the ones that challenge you, and try to understand it in depth.
Stop smoking
Despite Albert Einstein's famous image with the pipe, smoking will not make you as bright as he was. If you do not smoke cigarettes, well done. If you smoke, consider stopping this habit.
According to estimations, the thousands of toxins found in every cigarette impair mental and cognitive abilities by damaging blood vessels and supplying oxygen to the body. The cigarette causes the accumulation of free radicals that cause irreversible damage to brain cells, which probably also affects the IQ.
A 2005 study of 500 subjects found that those who smoked scored lower on IQ tests, especially at the speed of psychomotor functioning, than those who did not smoke.
Use pressure chambers
This option is only for the rich or people who really want to improve their cognitive abilities.
A pressure chamber has previously been designed for people who have suffered brain damage and are interested in restoring their congenital function. Today a pressure chamber has become popular, especially among athletes.
For example, legendary swimmer Michael Phelps and basketball player LeBron James used pressure chamber treatments to improve athletic performance and recover from injuries.
The air pressure inside a pressure chamber is monitored, and the person who enters it breathes 100% oxygen. Pressure chamber therapy enriches the tissues with high oxygen levels and thus allows the cells to regenerate faster.
The impact of a pressure celchamberl on the body is enormous, and the treatment by this device will likely enter the mainstream in the coming years.
conclusion
As you may have noticed, most of the ways you can increase your IQ are derived from mental effort. You have to challenge your intellect to see results. There are no magic solutions.
Our brain is the most important muscle in the body. Like any muscle, the brain also needs to work consistently in various exercises to notice and feel the results.
The important thing is that you choose a way to feel that you are challenging yourself, that you will feel that your brain wheels are spinning. Do not choose something way too easy for you, just to mark V.
Even if you do not have the time or ability to perform all of these ways to increase your IQ, it is highly recommended that you choose at least one or two from the list.
Discover your accurate IQ, and take Brainalytics' free IQ test →
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