How to Get Smarter: 6 Scientific Ways to Boost Your Brain Activity

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute warn that memory impairment can begin as early as 35 years. Innocent hobbies like doing crossword puzzles or learning a foreign language will only be a waste of time. There is not enough scientific evidence to support their positive effects on memory. You can read Shakespeare in the original or become a real master at filling in empty cells, but that's all.

Put the English-Russian dictionary aside. In order to successfully develop memory and attention, you need to use other methods. Here is some of them.

1. Go in for sports

It would seem, what is the connection between a morning run and a good memory? It turns out to be the most direct one. As a result of exercise, blood flows to the brain, which activates its work. And this, in turn, leads to other pleasant consequences.

Scientists have found that people who walk more often have more developed creativity than their "sedentary" colleagues. What's more, exercise has been scientifically proven to stimulate the growth of new nerve cells. For several years, scientists have carefully studied the structure of brain cells in people and animals that were actively moving, and those that led a sedentary lifestyle. As a result, it turned out that through exercise, new cells are formed in the part of the brain responsible for our memory and attention.

By the way, changing physical activity also helps the brain work. Maybe it's time to switch from swimming to yoga?

2. Experience beneficial stress

Ian Robertson, a Dallas professor, argues that moderate amounts of stress can affect how our gray matter works.

It turns out that stress triggers a certain chemical process in the brain that increases brain activity and improves the functioning of neurons.

Keep in mind, however, that stress is different. With short-term stress, a huge amount of the hormone adrenaline is released into the bloodstream, mobilizing all body systems. But with a long-term disorder, the hormone cortisol predominates, which, on the contrary, depletes the body, and also stimulates the consumption of excess calories.

So sobbing over a missed deadline will only make you want to eat chocolate cake, not improve brain function. But a parachute flight or a dialogue with a cute colleague will help both increase brain activity and strengthen self-confidence.

3. Get plenty of sleep

TV shows until three in the morning, dancing in the club until late … Lack of sleep leads not only to a third cup of coffee, but also to more serious problems.

American scientists have found that sleepless nights can cause Alzheimer's disease. It turns out that beta-amyloid, a special protein that causes memory loss, accumulates in the brain of a person who does not sleep well. And the more protein, the worse a person sleeps, and the worse a person sleeps, the more this insidious substance he has. Just a vicious circle! Therefore, try to become larks, dear owls, because a sound sleep is a guarantee not only of a good morning, but also of a good memory.

4. Follow your diet

Excess chocolate and cream cake will cheer you up, but lead to memory impairment. After all, our brain, like a car, needs fuel, and that is food. Foods that are high in vitamins and minerals improve brain function, while foods high in sugar can cause brain dysfunction and even depression.

Plus, in many fruits, vegetables and plants there are special substances - flavonoids that can improve the functioning of the body and affect various organ systems. And so researchers from Columbia University (USA) came to the conclusion that cocoa, in which the content of flavonoids is very high, has a beneficial effect on brain function and improves memory.

The experiment found that people aged 50–69 who regularly drank cocoa performed better on the memory test than the group that did not consume cocoa, but were almost two decades younger. Therefore, food rich in vitamins and nutrients will not only benefit the entire body, but also help improve memory and attention.

5. Use neurogadgets

High technology has replaced caffeine and pills. Improving memory and attention is now possible with the help of scientific inventions.

Scientists have been using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for many years. Does it sound scary and incomprehensible? But it's actually very simple.

A smart device works like this: electrodes are attached to certain areas on a person's head, through which a weak direct current passes. This charge is very small - so much a firefly spends to glow - and absolutely safe.

The current acts on neurons, making them more or less excitable. As a result, the contacts between nerve cells change.

This leads to such a phenomenon as an improvement in synaptic plasticity. It is synaptic plasticity that is responsible for improving memory and attention.

Such cunning devices have been used in leading European clinics for several decades. However, in order to improve memory and develop attention, it is not at all necessary to see a doctor. For home use, commercial devices are created in America and in Russia. In America, these are Foc.us and Apex, in Russia - Brainstorm. Maybe soon transcranial brain stimulation will become as commonplace as drinking a cup of coffee.

6. More positive

The recipe for a good memory is simple: good sleep, healthy nutrition, the use of neurogadgets, exercise … What else? Professor John Krakauer from Johns Hopkins University (USA) states: "Spending evenings on the couch with a book is certainly good, but loneliness can lead to depression." Moreover, scientists say, the more friends you have, the longer your life will be! So chatting with a girlfriend over a glass of wine turns out to be not only pleasant, but also useful.

The editors may not share the author's point of view.