origin of the myth
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This myth likely arose from the marketing for certain 'brain training' and 'brain exercise' products that
claim to postpone or slow down the rates of cognitive decline as we age, or purport to enhance working memory and indirectly, other cognitive skills and even attention through regular playing of their games. |
evidence against the myth
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There are many studies showing evidence for and against beneficial effects of brain training exercises. However, large meta-reviews of studies show these beneficial claims to not be true, including a large study published in the journal Nature in 2010 (see here).
Brain-training may improves your performance on those specific exercises, which often test working memory, but they are unlikely to turn you into a genius and there is no strong evidence that they can be beneficial for other cognitive skills. Further references: 'Great Myths of the Brain' Christian Jarrett (2013) Wiley-Blackwell Press. http://longevity3.stanford.edu/blog/2014/10/15/the-consensus-on-the-brain-training-industry-from-the-scientific-community-2/ |