Can you get any smarter

Answer 1

Doctors have recently discovered that the adult human brain does keep developing new cells and pathway, although much more slowly than in a baby. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in some fish, appear to contribute to the encouragement of brain growth, even after infancy. Supplements can be found at most health food stores, but studies confirming their effects have not been performed yet. Ginko Biloba, an herb, causes the blood vessels in the brain to open up, allowing more blood flow, and some people swear this helps them think more clearly. However, it has also been demonstrated to increase the chances of stroke.

Having said that, you can also get more stupid. There are several ways to avoid that. If you drink, stop it. You kill of an estimated 10,000 brain cells every time you drink, even if you don't get drunk. If you smoke, stop. You are actually constricting the blood vessels in your brain, depriving your brain cells of oxygen. I don't have to tell you what sniffing glue or other substances does to your brain. If you're a young person smoking marijuana, there's some really bad news: New studies have found that in heavy users, the brain structures actually change, permanently. IQ has been demonstrated to have dropped, as well as short-term and longe-term memory. Cut back if you're a heavy user; seriously.

Oh, one more bit of good news. If you continue to read and learn when you are older, it forces your brain to continue to develop more pathways, and the odds of you developing senility or dementia go down. So get back in school! The more you exercise your brain, the more it appears to be able to do, according to some encouraging studies, all of which are available on the web. Happy thinking!