Ask someone if they do "brain training" and you'll likely get a puzzled look. Many studies have proven that brain training works, but these benefits haven't yet become widely known. This under-the-radar cache makes brain training a great gift idea for that "difficult to buy for" loved one in your life.
The right kind of brain training software can be truly satisfying for anyone who enjoys puzzles or mental challenges. But it will also provide the added value of improving academic performance, boosting career success, and reducing symptoms of attention deficit (such as ADD, and ADHD).
Brain training software isn't just for the brainy. You may have a loved one who has begun to forget things or worries about the mental decline that comes with aging. Although you'll have to consider whether the gift will be appreciated in the spirit it's given, buying a brain training program for someone in this category may be the most loving gift you could give.
Although it's not yet widely understood, brain training has established the scientific credentials to demonstrate that it is here to stay. Week after week news studies show that the brain isn't just a fixed gray lump, but something that can grow and change with the right stimulation. Test scores, mental health, intelligence - all respond to the right kind of mental exercise making brain training software not just a novel gift but an adaptable one, too.
There's only one snag. Which brain fitness program to buy? Here's where things get somewhat more difficult.
Since the brain training field is relatively new, there hasn't yet been a shakeout in the market. Far from it. This year software vendors have been releasing new brain training products thick and fast hoping for a piece of the growing pie. For consumers this results in a minefield - high-priced products, affordable products, science-based training, pseudoscientific games. It's all out there.
If you're in the market for brain training software, you should keep these key factors firmly in mind:
1. Does the vendor indicate the particular scientific basis for the brain training exercises, if so, what did the studies show? (Look out for vague or general claims.)
2. Does the training meets the baseline goals for plastic change in the brain - that it demands focus and attention with a rewarding exercise, and that it progressively trains core brain functions (such as working-memory, processing speed and left / right brain interaction)? As with anything worth the effort, if it's not challenging, it won't work.
3. Does the vendor recommend a particular training schedule and does the time commitment seem reasonable to fit into the gift recipient's schedule?
Since the field is so new, price doesn't necessarily indicate quality or effectiveness. Some brain training programs cost several hundred dollars, while other can be had for a lot less. The market has yet to settle on a reasonable cost for a good brain training product. If the product is expensive, can you afford it, does its effectiveness seem to warrant the additional expense? If the product is affordable, is the training protocol nevertheless robust and founded on good science?
One thing is sure, with a little research we can end up with a truly novel and satisfying gift that will be enjoyed and valued for years to come.
The right kind of brain training software can be truly satisfying for anyone who enjoys puzzles or mental challenges. But it will also provide the added value of improving academic performance, boosting career success, and reducing symptoms of attention deficit (such as ADD, and ADHD).
Brain training software isn't just for the brainy. You may have a loved one who has begun to forget things or worries about the mental decline that comes with aging. Although you'll have to consider whether the gift will be appreciated in the spirit it's given, buying a brain training program for someone in this category may be the most loving gift you could give.
Although it's not yet widely understood, brain training has established the scientific credentials to demonstrate that it is here to stay. Week after week news studies show that the brain isn't just a fixed gray lump, but something that can grow and change with the right stimulation. Test scores, mental health, intelligence - all respond to the right kind of mental exercise making brain training software not just a novel gift but an adaptable one, too.
There's only one snag. Which brain fitness program to buy? Here's where things get somewhat more difficult.
Since the brain training field is relatively new, there hasn't yet been a shakeout in the market. Far from it. This year software vendors have been releasing new brain training products thick and fast hoping for a piece of the growing pie. For consumers this results in a minefield - high-priced products, affordable products, science-based training, pseudoscientific games. It's all out there.
If you're in the market for brain training software, you should keep these key factors firmly in mind:
1. Does the vendor indicate the particular scientific basis for the brain training exercises, if so, what did the studies show? (Look out for vague or general claims.)
2. Does the training meets the baseline goals for plastic change in the brain - that it demands focus and attention with a rewarding exercise, and that it progressively trains core brain functions (such as working-memory, processing speed and left / right brain interaction)? As with anything worth the effort, if it's not challenging, it won't work.
3. Does the vendor recommend a particular training schedule and does the time commitment seem reasonable to fit into the gift recipient's schedule?
Since the field is so new, price doesn't necessarily indicate quality or effectiveness. Some brain training programs cost several hundred dollars, while other can be had for a lot less. The market has yet to settle on a reasonable cost for a good brain training product. If the product is expensive, can you afford it, does its effectiveness seem to warrant the additional expense? If the product is affordable, is the training protocol nevertheless robust and founded on good science?
One thing is sure, with a little research we can end up with a truly novel and satisfying gift that will be enjoyed and valued for years to come.
About the Author:
Scientist, author, and technologist, Martin Walker is a member of The British Neuroscience Association, Learning and The Brain, and MENSA. His brain training company Mind Evolve Software publishes free information in the field of neuroscience and effective, affordable brain fitness software.
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