The phrase you can’t teach an old dog new tricks is true, in part, according to a new study in neuroplasticity. While there are products that ” help expand brain use” most were found to be useless, at least in certain age groups. And only useful in certain subject matter such as creativity. The idea behind the product was to observe if the brain working programs on the market really work or whether selective pruning by the brain is real versus operate conditioning. It would seem that for the most part, the parts of the brain that are responsible for the selected activities in the experiment have indeed been pruned in areas of higher order and abstract thinking, yet creativity could expand.
Key Takeaways:
- The article is on an interview with a science journalist, Caroline Williams, who experimented on ways science can improve her mind.
- One experiment she tried was to relive the experience of London taxi drivers as they try to navigate the streets. She didn?t get spectacular results.
- An experiment that zoned her out was one that involved reacting to faces of different genders. She said it made a huge difference in her training.
“Here are two things that are both true. Neuroplasticity is real ? that is, the brain really can change and learn and improve based on experience. And there?s little evidence that brain-training games are any better than placebo.”
