Hello friends! We continue to develop on our blog. I’m very interested in how much the human brain is developed. Can anyone tell me what percentage of the brain a person uses in everyday life? Some claim 15, others only 10, some say about 20 percent, and some daredevils claim almost 100%—the entire volume! They, of course, turned it down. But I believe that it doesn’t matter to you and me exactly how much percentage we use. What matters is how to use more! We will look at how to develop the brain, train it and become mental athletes in this article.
How much can you develop your brain?
I was always surprised by people who accurately memorized a huge number of numbers, cells, facts and a bunch of other things. These are some kind of celestial beings, I thought. But what was my surprise when my own daughter, at the age of 3, began to give out various facts from life, numbers, poems from memory and incessantly! And this is just a few months of the children’s game “Guess it” (guessing the location of pictures from memory).
As researchers of the human main computer say, anyone can upgrade their brain if they want. Remember the story of Nelson Dellis, four-time winner of the US Memory Championships. He claims that his memory was simply terrible when he decided to train her. And, voila, a championship winner!
For reference: Dellis began training brain activity by memorizing the order of cards in a deck within 20 minutes. Today, the speed of memorizing 52 cards is only 30 seconds! And this is not the only case of such successful training. Scientists say that in just 30 days, with intense training, you can achieve unrealistic memorization results!
It turns out that you can develop your brain as much as you want! It all depends on what task you are facing. For example, if you need to remember quickly, work hard to develop your memory. And if it is important for you to concentrate as much as possible on your work, intensively develop your attention.
Therefore, remember the main thing: you can and should train your brain, and there is no limit to such training, just as there is no limit to your perfection!
What is IQ
IQ is the intelligence quotient adopted in 1912. It is determined by solving test problems, each of which should be different in complexity.
1. IQ 70 is the lowest.
2. The IQ of an ordinary person is 100.
3. An IQ score above 100 determines a person’s increased abilities.
For example, the average Japanese IQ is 111. Only 10% of Japanese have an IQ of 130.
Is it possible to increase your IQ level? American doctor Andrea Kuszewski, at the beginning of her career, worked with a mentally retarded child. She developed a program that ran classes for three years. As a result, the child’s IQ after completing the course was 100.
After the experiments, the following conclusion was drawn:
• mental abilities can be trained;
• you can start training at any age;
• anyone can improve their abilities.
Where to begin?
A person uses approximately 5% of the brain's capacity, or 10% at best.
This body has protection that allows you to use the opportunities for as long as is currently required.
There are several rules for those who want to increase their IQ level:
1. Steadily “feed” your mind with healthy food. You can solve mathematical or logical problems, master a musical instrument or study foreign languages, explore countries while traveling.
2. The best way to train (for some) is computer games.
3. Extraordinary abilities are developed by solving one problem using several options.
4. Complex solutions to any problem should be chosen.
It has been proven that you need to develop mental abilities under stable loads. You can start by solving simple problems. In other words, go from simple to complex:
• solve crosswords;
• read books, newspapers;
• learn poetry;
• solve mathematical problems;
• remember information read;
• study languages;
• master a computer that helps you control your own emotions.
It doesn't take much time to complete these loads. Just half an hour a day is worth spending on exercise to maintain adequate brain activity until old age. It is necessary to improve the abilities of the human brain at any age.
As a result, after such classes a person receives:
• blood circulation will improve, that is, brain nutrition;
• the result of training promotes unlimited perception of information;
• the risk of developing age-related diseases or diseases like depression will significantly decrease.
Interesting! A sign of concern should be deterioration in memory. In such a situation, computer games can be recommended. It has been noticed that people who play computer games remember information better, and they also have a high reaction speed. It is the speed of reaction to an unusual situation that can reflect the state of brain activity.
Preparing the brain for development
So that you understand how the development of brain abilities occurs, I will introduce you a little to the secrets of this organ. Be patient, without knowledge of some aspects of physiology, you will get nowhere.
You live and constantly come across some information, learn something new, gain experience based on situations you have already lived through. If any information turns out to be useful to you, it is stored in the brain while it is still needed. When it becomes irrelevant, the brain does the dirty work and erases it without your consent. So, this information is absorbed and processed by mental processes.
These processes depend on the functioning of the brain: memory of an adult and a child, thinking, attention, imagination, speech, self-awareness and some others. And its work is based on the coordinated interaction of the right and left hemispheres - the main parts of the brain. They are connected to each other by a callosal substance, which, like a bridge, transmits information to the “right shores” in the right departments.
As a rule, when one hemisphere is damaged, the other also suffers. But there are cases when the functions of the right hemisphere were taken over by the left and vice versa. Why are they so special and why are both extremely important for humans?
The left hemisphere (LH) is responsible for the following functions:
- logical thinking;
- analysis of information in strict sequence;
- data processing;
- working with numbers.
The right hemisphere (RH) is responsible for:
- creative thinking;
- sensory perception;
- orientation in space;
- creative thinking;
- making non-standard decisions, solving puzzles, exercises.
When we talk about preparing for brain development, we take into account both hemispheres or the one that is less developed. And now, probably, everyone is tense and thinking, how can we now find out which hemisphere of the brain is better developed?! But don’t worry, I also asked myself this question and found the answer to it - the test “Which hemisphere of your brain is more developed.”
I passed this test - by the way, a very entertaining activity! My left hemisphere turned out to be the dominant one, what is yours? It will be very interesting to read about your results in the comments.
I also advise you to take another test.
The Cognitive Abilities Test from Vikium is a diagnostic program for assessing the functioning of cognitive functions (attention, memory, thinking) and compiling a psychological profile of an individual.
What you will get as a result of the test:
- Personal profile card with assessments of cognitive abilities and personality characteristics.
- You will learn your strengths and weaknesses in various cognitive areas, as well as personality traits.
- You will understand what is associated with your productivity in certain types of activities and what needs to be done to improve it.
Testing includes complex diagnostics (cognitive profile):
- concentration and switching of attention;
- verbal and non-verbal logic;
- visual-figurative thinking;
- verbal-logical memory;
- short-term and long-term memory.
You will determine (personal profile):
- type of thinking and level of creativity;
- leading style of activity;
- ability for self-regulation;
- personality type with all its features.
Suitable for a wide range of users: teenagers over 14 years old, adults and the elderly.
You don’t need any special knowledge to pass; the test takes place in a playful and test form.
Duration: 30–40 min.
Cost: 990 rub.
Who Vikium is and why they are great, you can read in our special review.
And a few more important points in preparing the brain for training:
- Move more. A sedentary lifestyle prevents good blood circulation and the brain receives less oxygen. Where can he get the strength for classes and exercises? If blood and oxygen are poorly supplied to the brain, get ready for disruption of the functions of the main thinking organ! Do you need it? Therefore, quickly grab the rope and move the blood through the vessels!
- Provide your brain with nutrients. It is important that phosphorus and healthy carbohydrates enter the body. Pumpkin, nuts, bran, kefir, fish, oats, beans, cheese, sesame seeds, rice, milk - all this is suitable. It has also been proven that alcohol destroys brain neurons, so keep this in mind at your next corporate event!
- Drink more water! This is extremely important for cleansing the body of waste and toxins. And for the brain you do a double benefit: you help blood flow and improve cognitive functions, because water perfectly supports neural communication! Over time, you will notice that it has become much easier for you to remember things.
Considering all these rules, I am sure that you will be able to develop your brain to its maximum! The main thing is persistence and diligence. And now we move on to the most important and interesting section of the article.
Keep a diary
Keeping notes will help you prioritize, think clearly, and focus on important things instead of urgent ones. A diary also helps Effects of Expressive Writing on Psychological and Physical Health cope more easily with stressful situations and anxiety and even increases Effect of Written Emotional Expression on Immune Function in Patients With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection the activity of immune cells.
“Keeping notes improves the brain's ability to perceive, process, store, and retrieve information,” explains neurologist Judy Willis. “This develops long-term memory, helps to notice patterns of thinking, and gives time for reflection. And with the right approach, it becomes a source of conceptual development and stimulates the higher mental functions of the brain.”
Logical tasks, games, exercises that develop the brain
Logic is very closely related to other thought processes. Logical thinking is extremely important for many professions, especially programmers, investigators, teachers, engineers, managers and other equally important specialists.
Logical tasks effectively train the brain, as you need to find something new, compare, and analyze. All logical tasks and games that develop the brain are built on several principles:
- eliminating unnecessary things;
- search for commonalities;
- identifying patterns;
- riddle solving;
- study of spatial positions;
- comparison.
I will give examples of some logic exercises, games and tasks.
Tasks
There were 3 birch trees growing in the clearing. Each tree has 7 branches, and each branch has 2 more branches. There are 2 apples on each branch. How many apples are there in total?
A person will strain and push in order to have time to count all the branches. But the catch is that apples don’t grow on birch trees!
A bottle with a cork costs 1 rub. 10 kopecks The bottle itself is exactly 1 ruble more expensive than the cork. How much do these two items cost separately?
You, like me, immediately thought about 1 rub. and 10 kopecks? But no, this answer is wrong. If this were so, then the difference between them would be 90 kopecks, which already contradicts the condition. It turns out that a bottle costs 1 rub. 5 kopecks, and a cork - 5 kopecks. Then the condition is met.
Games
It’s great to practice your logic at any age with the help of logic games. So that you don’t stress and search for them on the Internet, I did it for you. On the BrainApps website you will find 15 games that develop logical thinking. I will give 3 examples.
Anagrams - successfully completing the game trains several skills: memory, logical thinking, testing different theories, verbal intelligence. A bonus for completing the game will be the development of creativity. The player needs to read the original word and find the correct variant in the anagrams below that matches all the letters in a short time.
360 degrees – develops spatial thinking, without which it is difficult to see the depth, volume of objects and their interaction. The game improves logical thinking operations, improves creativity, and helps speed up thought processes. Rules: you need to understand whether the picture has changed after rotation. 2 options are given, where the player chooses the correct one.
Quick addition - you need to select several addends so that the sum is equal to the specified number. The game develops logic, speed of thinking, creativity and concentration.
Exercises
Exercises are often given as a whole block in pictures. They are intended more for children in psychological or speech therapy practice, but adults will also find it useful to use them for their development. I will give an example of several of them.
Exercise “Continue the row.” You need to continue the series according to one attribute. For example: vacuum cleaner, coffee maker, washing machine,... The correct answer would be a microwave oven or a multicooker, since household electrical appliances are considered.
Exercise “Find commonalities.” Several words are given that, at first glance, are not related to each other. But you need to find what unites them. For example: boy, chicken, champignon,... What do they have in common? The fact that they grow is living organisms.
Exercise “Eliminate the unnecessary.” Images of 5 shapes are given: a red circle, a green triangle, a red square, a blue rectangle and a blue trapezoid. What's missing here? And in this exercise there are two correct answers: a blue rectangle or a red circle. Circle because there are no corners. Triangle, since there are no more green shapes.
General information
Neuroplasticity lies in the ability of neurons to change their functional direction, in the ability of the neural network to change the structure, quantity and type of neurotransmitters produced. Neuroplasticity is associated with the reparative (tissue restoration after damage) functions of nervous tissue and the compensatory capabilities of brain structures.
Neuroplasticity of the brain implies the possibility of its development, for which a person uses diverse methods aimed at increasing the level of intelligence. Multi-level information load forces brain structures to work more efficiently. As a result of daily training, the following results are observed:
- Increasing the speed of the nervous system’s response to stimuli (endogenous, exogenous).
- Improving the adaptive capacity of the nervous system through structural and functional restructuring of the neural network.
- Optimization of nervous activity.
The mechanisms for developing the capabilities of the brain are based on the peculiarity of responding to impulses depending on their intensity. Research shows that increasing the strength of excitatory impulses leads to improved synaptic transmission and an increase in the functional activity of neurons. The neural network is the foundation of the brain, which determines the cognitive potential of an individual.
Research shows that in an individual who is engaged in creativity, the process of functioning of neuronal structures constantly and at a high level continues. To train your brain, you need to load it using tools such as tasks, puzzles, and intellectual exercises. Electrical and chemical stimuli produced by neurons are the basis of thoughts, emotions and memory.
Scientists have figured out how to stimulate mental activity - if you force the brain to work at its maximum limits, you can continuously develop neural networks, hence memory and intelligence. A memory is a cognitive explosion of a combinatorial type. It has been established that the process of formation of long-term memory is associated with the synthesis of protein compounds by neurons.
Protein metabolism in neurons is a key link in the process of memory formation and fixation of formed images. That is why you need to develop your brain in parallel with the implementation of such principles as a nutritious, balanced diet. Physical activity is an important component of a program to train your brain. It has been proven that physical activity, especially fine motor skills, affects brain activity.
Exercises that involve the hands and fingers have been used to develop the brain of an adult or child since ancient times. The exercises were first introduced into widespread practice by Chinese doctors in the 2nd century BC. Exercises for the fingers were done in combination with acupressure. The points located on the back and inner side of the palm are interconnected with the nervous system. Impact on the points stimulates the activity of nerve structures.
In Russia, similar practices are presented in the form of children's games (Ladushki, Magpie-Crow). Fine motor skills training is an effective way to develop speech skills in childhood. Physical exercises allow you to achieve harmony between the mental and physical activity of an individual. A healthy lifestyle, including giving up bad habits and getting enough sleep, is a prerequisite for developing memory and intelligence.
Puzzle movies that are great for training your brain
In addition to special exercises, creative people have come up with stories and made films that develop the brain. I have selected for you the top 15 films that will make you wiggle your brains to understand their logical chains:
- “The Beginning” - you will be confused in dreams, which will force your brain to work at full capacity.
- “12 Monkeys” - you will watch the film tensely until the end, trying to understand the plot.
- “The Game” is a difficult film to understand, but it pumps up the brain well.
- “Initial move” is your option if you want to use your brain and feel the romance.
- “Interstellar” – space is connected with ordinary things: love, family, betrayal.
- “The Illusion of Deception” – I highly recommend it! You will get aesthetic pleasure, but you will also have to work hard to understand the logic of the film.
- “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” is a very interesting film that will change your worldview.
- “Hour of Reckoning” is an ordinary picture with a twisted ending.
- “The Butterfly Effect” is a slightly heavy psychological film with deep meaning.
- “The Matrix” is a sensational film that makes you think.
- “Déjà vu” is a repetition of different stories, the film keeps you in constant suspense.
- “Fountain” makes you re-evaluate familiar things.
- “Mulholland Drive” is an interestingly shot picture that the viewer needs to piece together.
- “The Jacket” - this film will definitely not leave you indifferent; it exudes calmness, although you have to think a little.
- “Mr. Nobody” makes you think about your daily choices.
Unbelievable but true
Scientists have collected information that speaks about the phenomenal abilities of the human brain, namely:
1. The brain is considered gray. However, only dying cells turn gray. Living cells glow pink!
2. The organ works without rest from birth to death.
3. The organ contains 80 to 100 billion neurons. The left hemisphere contains more neurons.
4. According to information published in 2014, a woman’s head contains more “gray matter.”
5. Men have more white cerebrospinal fluid.
6. People with a humanitarian background have a higher percentage of “gray matter.”
7. Systematic physical exercise helps increase brain mass.
8. 60% of the brain is white matter, its color is determined by myelin, which increases the speed of electrical impulses.
9. Fat is very good for the brain.
10. The organ consumes up to 20% oxygen and needs the same amount of glucose.
11. The organ produces energy that can power a 25W light bulb!
12. It was found that organ size does not affect mental abilities.
13. The more convolutions, the more neurons, the better the memory.
14. You can increase the number of brain convolutions with the help of meditation.
15. When the process of yawning occurs, the organ cools down.
16. If a person neglects sleep, the temperature of the brain rises.
17. A person can process 70,000 thoughts per day.
18. Information in the organ moves through neurons at a speed of 1.5 to 440 km/h.
19. The organ is capable of instantly scanning and processing images in 13 milliseconds, while the blinking of the eye occurs in several hundred milliseconds.
20. According to statistics, approximately 20% of the population is left-handed. A right-handed person is most adapted to the conditions of civilization. People with left-handed ability have a harder time living.
21. Only 1% of the population can use both hands equally; they are called ambidexters.
How to pump up your brain using online trainers
Practice develops the brain best. So I want to offer you powerful practical tools for pumping up all mental processes. A pleasant bonus for you will be that you can do this without even leaving home. Catch two of the most popular and effective resources where you can develop your brain online.
- Vikium
Here you are offered 80 simulators. On the site you will see sections in which you can train your memory, thinking, and attention. Developers take into account your individual abilities and needs.
In addition to the programs, there are courses in which you will learn to read quickly, memorize large chunks of text and any other information, and also learn to understand others, have self-control and successfully interact with people.
To spark your interest in sports, you can go to “Competitions”, where you can duel on a specific topic with any participant. This stimulates you to develop better, remember and work on yourself.
You will be provided with an individual program. Read more about the site's capabilities here, and we will look at several simulators that train logic.
Logical comparison - helps to train mental calculations, you will learn to better navigate texts and can easily complete the task you started.
Spatial comparison - trains you to assess the situation from the outside, keeps your brain in good shape, you will gradually forget about errors of attention, absent-mindedness, and will be able to retain a lot of information in memory at the same time.
Continue the series - trains verbal logic, you will learn to navigate the text more easily, and also quickly calculate the cost of purchases in your head, and solve many problems in a short time.
- BrainApps
Immediately after registration, you will be tested in the form of games to determine the level of development of your mental processes. You will also find 8 psychological tests that will help you learn new things about yourself.
The topics of the courses have something in common with Vikium, but they are structured differently, so no one is stopping you from “taking the cream” from two sites at once. All the simulators are made in the form of games, you go through them quite quickly, which motivates you to further develop.
Complex sorting is a training game where from the given options you need to choose the one that matches the sample in color and shape. You sort all the shapes shown. Trains attention switching and logic.
Submarines. You need to quickly answer a question about boat movement. Trains speed and logic of thinking, memory and attention.
Money box. Here you need to visually assess the amount of money in each of the 2 piggy banks and choose which is more or less. It is very exciting, in addition to being interesting, it trains the speed and spatiality of thinking, memory and logic.
Brain stimulation
To “stir up” brain activity, you need to tackle an interesting problem. Stimulation can begin with the speed reading technique:
• you need to study consistently for 3-4 months with a high emotional mood;
• be sure to understand the essence of what you read;
• expand the field of view of the text gradually.
In the second half of the twentieth century, the Bulgarian psychologist Georgiy Lozanov proposed a method of high-speed learning for adults. The method is called suggestology. Training takes place to music. The student, without straining, remembers new material 50% more compared to regular training.
You can start training at any time. Regular exercises, with a gradual increase in loads, will allow you to achieve good results:
1. Reading promotes the development of logical thinking.
2. Sports promote the production of endorphins, which stimulate brain activity.
3. Alternating between classes and daytime rest promotes better assimilation of information.
Scientists believe that everyone can take advantage of this opportunity to train their own abilities in order to improve attention, judgment and become simply smarter. You just need to dedicate every day to learning something new.
To maintain health, you should not use for stimulation:
• narcotic substances;
• alcoholic drinks;
• smoking cigarettes.
Any of the above methods causes degradation.
Books
If you love to read, then books for brain development are your everything! Below I will describe the most popular and useful works in this topic.
- Richard Nisbett “Brain accelerators. How to learn to think effectively using techniques from different sciences” (electronic version on liters).
- Roger Sipe, Brain Development. How to read faster, remember better and achieve greater goals” (electronic version on liters | paper version on labirint.ru).
- Anton Moguchiy “The most popular training book for brain development! New training for the mind.”
- Charles Phillips “Super Trainer for the Brain” (electronic version on liters | paper version on labirint.ru).
- Richard Galland, The Puzzles of Sherlock Holmes.
- Joe Dispenza “Grow your brain. How to reconfigure your mind and realize your own potential” (electronic version on liters | paper version on labirint.ru).
- Ryuta Kawashima “Japanese system for the development of intelligence and memory” (electronic version on liters | paper version on labirint.ru).
- David Rock "Brain" Instructions for use” (electronic version on liters | paper version on labirint.ru).
- Joel Levy “Charges for the brain. Raise your IQ!” (paper version at labirint.ru).
- Matthew MacDonald “Teach your brain to work” (paper version on labirint.ru).
Tatyana Chernigovskaya “How to train the brain, memory, thinking” is a video that clearly describes the basic principles of brain training.
Get out of your comfort zone
When you feel comfortable and happy, your brain releases chemicals that make you feel good. But in the long run, comfort does not benefit him.
It is the willingness to step out of your comfort zone that keeps the brain young. Seek new experiences, develop new skills, and be open to new ideas.
Without mental work, dendrites - the processes of neurons that conduct nerve impulses to the body of the neuron - shrink or disappear completely. Living an active life increases dendritic networks and the brain's regenerative capacity, known as plasticity.
When you step out of your comfort zone, you stretch your brain and your dendrites grow like trees with many branches.
