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Cognitive Fitness and Health: 10 Debunked Myths on How Your Mind Works.

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Published: 02Nov2007
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Over the last year we have interviewed more than 10 leading neuroscientists and psychologists worldwide to learn about their research and thoughts, and have news to report.

What can we say today that we couldn't have said only 10 years ago? That what neuroscience pioneer Santiago Ramon y Cajal claimed in the XX century, "Every man can, if he so desires, become the sculptor his own brain", may well become reality in the XXI.

Let's now debunk 10 myths, still too prevalent, that may prevent us from seeing the full potential of this emerging field:

Myth 1: It’s all in our genes.

-- Reality: A big component of our lifelong brain health and development depends on what we do with our brains. Our own actions, not only our genes, influence our lives to a large extent. Genes predispose us, not determine our fates.

Myth 2: The field of Cognitive/ Brain Fitness is too new to be credible.

-- Reality: The field rests on solid foundations dating back more decades. What is new is the number and range of tools that are now starting to be available for healthy individuals.

Myth 3: Medication is and will remain the only evidence-based intervention for a number of brain-related problems.

-- Reality: Cognitive training programs are starting to show value as complements to drug-based interventions.

Myth 4: We need to buy very expensive stuff to improve our brains.

-- Reality: Every time we learn a new skill, concept or fact, we change the physical composition of our brains. Lifelong learning means lifelong neuroplasticity.

Myth 5: Schools should just focus on basic skills like Reading and Math.

-- Reality: “Mental muscles,” such as working memory, are fundamental to academic performance and are currently overlooked by the school system.

Myth 6: Crossword puzzles, or our daily job activities, are the best way to keep one’s mind sharp.

-- Reality: Computer-based programs can be more effective at training specific cognitive skills.

Myth 7: Videogames are always a waste of time.

-- Reality: Scientifically-designed, computer-based programs can be a good vehicle for training specific skills. For example, it has been shown that short term memory can be expanded by such programs.

Myth 8: This means kids will spend more time playing videogames.

-- Reality: In Japan – the world’s earliest adopter of brain-related videogames- overall home videogame sales have declined, with children playing less over time. Interestingly, adults in Japan have started to play brain-related video games more, and we are starting to see the same trend with adults in the US and Europe.

Myth 9: Brain exercise is only for seniors. And, only about memory.

-- Reality: People of all ages can benefit from a variety of regular brain exercises. For active professionals, managing stress and emotions is often a good first step.

Myth 10: This all sounds too soft to be of real value to managers and professionals.

-- Reality: There is nothing soft about the hard science-based training of specific cognitive and emotional skills.

Now you know. Exercising our brains is as important as exercising our bodies!

Alvaro Fernandez is the CEO and Co-Founder of SharpBrains.com, which provides the latest science-based information for Cognitive Fitness and Cognitive Training, and has been recognized by Scientific American Mind, MarketWatch, Forbes, and more. Alvaro holds MA in Education and MBA from Stanford University, and teaches The Science of Brain Health at UC-Berkeley Lifelong Learning Institute.

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