book.chapter Introduction - enhancing intellect with brain training

The human brain, much like any other part of our anatomy, responds positively to exercise. By engaging in a structured mental exercise program, individuals can significantly enhance their problem-solving capabilities, augment their fluency and communication skills, apply higher levels of logic, and retain more details. In essence, adopting a systematic regime of mental exercises can make you smarter and more proficient in your endeavors. The scientific study of the mind, known as neuroscience, concentrates on the brain's neurons or nerve cells. Historically, prior to the 1960s, the prevailing belief within neuroscience was that a person's intelligence was directly correlated with the size of their brain—the larger the brain, the higher the intelligence. However, from the late 1960s and early 1970s onwards, the focus of academic research shifted towards the synapse—the junction between nerve fibers. It has been discovered through these studies that although the number of nerve cells may remain constant, the number of synaptic connections can be modified through experiences, including mental exercises. Thus, it is possible to reshape and enhance one's ability to act through brain exercise. Subsequent research in neuroscience explored the debate between hereditary and environmental influences on intellectual abilities. Initial studies leaned towards a hereditary perspective on IQ. However, more recent research has conclusively shown that IQ is determined only about 25 - 49% by genetic factors, with the remainder influenced by various factors such as nutrition, exposure to substances like alcohol and drugs, and the volume of information processed. Neuroscientists have also discovered that the same proteins—actin and myosin—that are utilized in muscle exercise are also employed by brain cells during communication. Additionally, calcium, sodium, and chemical energy, which play crucial roles in muscle exercise, are similarly utilized during mental exercises. This indicates that brain cells employ the same physical processes as muscle cells and, therefore, adapt in response to exercise in comparable ways. Brain function can be broadly categorized into five main areas: language skills, which encompass verbal and written communication abilities, understanding of word meanings, clarity of expression, and vocabulary; spatial ability, which includes the comprehension and manipulation of physical space and basic motor skills; logic, or the capacity for rational thought and analytical prediction based on past or present experiences; memory, which is the ability to recall past events with varying degrees of detail and complexity; and creativity, which involves the ability to perceive things in novel ways or combine conventional elements in unexpected manners. Just as with any physical exercise program, the ability to gauge improvement relies entirely on a systematic and consistent approach to the measurement and monitoring of mental resources. The primary metrics for assessing mental resources include reaction time, or the speed at which the brain responds to new information; time to completion, which refers to the duration required to solve a problem; and the number of errors made during problem-solving. Renowned philosopher Rene Descartes once stated, "It is not enough to have a good mind. The main thing is to use it well." This sentiment is echoed by Michael Chafetz, who elaborates that whenever brain cells are activated through activities such as seeing, speaking, or problem-solving, they begin to undergo changes. They absorb more chemical energy, remodel nerve endings and receptors, and form new connections. In essence, they become more adept at their functions, effectively becoming smarter. This process is akin to physical exercise; to become a smarter, more adaptable individual, one must "exercise" those brain areas that facilitate functioning in the world. By encouraging nerves to utilize more energy and develop more receptors and enzymes, the brain will aid in better functioning. Chafetz further emphasizes the universal potential for improvement through exercise, stating that the wonderful aspect of exercise, whether physical or mental, is that starting age does not matter—improvement is always achievable. Provided one is in a basic state of good health, brain cells are capable of positive changes in receptors, enzymes, and membranes at any age. However, the earlier one begins, the more time the brain has to undergo these changes, and the longer one will benefit from them. He also highlights the human mind's capacity to learn is directly proportional to the challenges it faces, owing to the brain's physical and chemical properties that enable it to evolve positively. Chafetz warns that the main barrier to progress is not ignorance, but rather the illusion of knowledge. He explains that each intellectual task we undertake develops its own memory as the neurons involved in the task respond to mental stimulation. This cellular memory records our level of engagement with specific brain functions. As we progress from one level of stimulation to the next, we adapt the brain's neural circuits to the increased exercise. Although this does not result in visible "muscle definition" in the brain, the enhanced capability is palpable. In conclusion, Chafetz remarks on the transformative power of brain exercise, noting that the content we store in our brains—be it concrete facts or vivid memories—becomes part of our brain's biochemical structure. Our brains are fundamentally altered by what we input into them. Therefore, brain exercise serves as a means of inputting material that will beneficially change them.