Scientific ways to boost your brain power

How can we improve our brain power? Newsweek presents a number of scientific findings of what works and what does not.

No evidence has been found for Vitamins B6, B12, and E; beta carotene; folic acid; and antioxidants. Evidence for omega-3s or having a large social network is weak. Adderall, Ritalin, Nicotine, and Caffeine can, in some people under some conditions, enhance the recall of memorized words as well as working memory, but they do not improve verbal fluency, reasoning, or abstract thought.

Neuroscience research found that neuroplasticity increases when we pay attention to a task - which we do more likely when learning something new, while tasks we are already good at become automatic.

Having a positive attitude, confidence, and motivation, for example by being told that you belong to a group that does very well on this task, can improve intellectual performance.

Three scientific methods to improve general intellectual performance are:

• Regular aerobic exercise.
• Meditation.
• Videogames (at least some of them).

Read full Newsweek article here: Can You Build a Better Brain? - Newsweek