{"id":21200,"date":"2020-09-24T19:58:46","date_gmt":"2020-09-24T19:58:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/?p=21200"},"modified":"2022-04-05T21:43:43","modified_gmt":"2022-04-05T21:43:43","slug":"how-to-exercise-your-brain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/how-to-exercise-your-brain\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Exercise Your Brain According to Neuroscience"},"content":{"rendered":"Neuroscience researcher Rita Hitching, MSc<\/a>, fills us in on the wonderful world of brain training. Plus: how to exercise your brain to stay sharp\u2014and maybe even get smarter\u2014over the years.<\/em>\n\nScientists have done a good job of sharing the many benefits of exercise, ranging from stronger mental health<\/a>, increased longevity<\/a>, and better overall health and well-being.\n\nBut what does the latest research have to say about exercising the brain? And can you really become smarter<\/a> through brain training?\n\nLet’s find out.\n

What Is Cognitive Brain Training?<\/h2>\nIf you haven\u2019t heard of brain training, it\u2019s all the rage. It asserts improvements in mental functioning<\/a>, and it\u2019s not just for those wanting to prevent age-related cognitive decline.\n\nThe rise of the brain training industry stems from two parallel insights:\n
    \n \t
  1. the adult brain is plastic<\/a>, meaning that connections between neurons, and even brain regions, can be stimulated by performing certain activities<\/li>\n \t
  2. like the rest<\/a> of the body, the brain ages<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    At what age does brain function decline?<\/h2>\nThere’s conflicting evidence as to when the brain is at peak performance, or if we get better at certain cognitive tasks as we age.\n\nBrain imaging studies show that the brain\u2019s overall performance starts to decline<\/a> in your mid-30s. As the brain ages, there’s visible shrinkage in the hippocampus, an area associated with memory. There’s also a reduction in the level of available glucose, which is the brain\u2019s energy source for firing neurons.\n\nBut not all hope is lost! If you want to stay on top of your game, you may want to consider exercising your brain muscle<\/strong> or grey matter<\/strong>. And thankfully, there are many easy ways to exercise your mind.\n

    How to Exercise Your Brain<\/h2>\nSo, are you ready to exercise your brain? Here\u2019s what science has to say about how to train your brain to keep it in fighting shape.\n\n\"Woman\n

    1. Play Brain Games<\/h3>\nBrain training platforms such as Luminosity, Elevate, Peak, Happy Neuron, and BrainHQ, have developed games that indicate improved memory, attention, language, executive functions, and visual\/spatial skills. Even Nintendo has joined the brain training ring.\n\nThe research evidence on brain games is unclear. Some studies show positive results<\/a>, including for young adults<\/a> and those aged over 65<\/a>. However, others draw opposing conclusions, particularly for children<\/a>.\n\nAt any rate, classic brain teasers like crosswords and Sudoku do show improvements when it comes to concentration and memory<\/a>.\n

    2. Surprise Your Brain with Novelty<\/h3>\nThe brain has two main networks<\/a> in which it operates:\n
      \n \t
    1. the default mode<\/strong>, which conserves energy<\/li>\n \t
    2. the salience network<\/strong>, which selects the stimuli worthy of our attention<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nThe key to improved memory function and learning is to jumpstart the brain out of its default mode and into the salience network, which is primed for learning with the aid of novelty<\/a>. (Novelty includes new and unfamiliar stimuli.)\n\nResearch shows that novel stimuli:\n