Some of these activities only impair intelligence temporarily, while others have been proven to have long-term effects.
Research has found that the following things and habits lower IQ and ruin cognitive functions. Some of these may surprise you while others make perfect sense.
Frequent Googling
Being able to google information whenever we need it may be having an effect on our memory and cognitive abilities. When we can’t remember something, rather than thinking long and hard until we all the answer, we just ask Google.
Microsoft says our attention spans have suffered, falling from an average of 12 seconds 15 years ago to eight now. In addition, using Satnav may be affecting our spacial awareness as we no longer need to read maps.
Dumb TV Shows/Dumb Books
Researchers have discovered that when it comes to intelligence, you are what you watch.
While it is fair to say that certain shows are informative, there are plenty of trashy shows that do not offer any educational value. However, in addition to lacking substance, stupid television shows have also been proven to actually make people dumber.
Markus Appel, an Austrian psychologist and professor, tested a group of college students on various subjects. Before administering the test, half the students were given a story about a silly man making all sorts of bad decisions. After reading about the not-so-smart shenanigans of the character, those students performed worse on the tests than the students who had not read the story.
Appel blames the results on “media priming.”
Media priming refers to the residual, often unintended, effects of being exposed to media. This can result in changes in behavior, opinions, or intelligence.
This means that watching a reality show with a dumb person on it might seem funny, but their stupidity is contagious.
Walking and chewing gum
Not too long ago we thought chewing gum was a Good Thing, neurologically speaking. Neuroscientist Earl Miller said: “Chewing your gum is a physical exercise that increases the flow of blood to the brain, boosting cognitive function by giving it extra energy.”
But a recent experiment poured cold water on the theory: the act of chewing distracted participants from short memory tasks such as learning the order of items on a list. Dr Sarah Brewer says: “When people chew gum for hours it may cause a problem with distraction. As soon as the flavour goes I’d recommend taking it out."
Spanking
A study done on children in the US found that kids who had been spanked had lower IQs than their peers who had not. Researchers tested the cognitive abilities of two groups of children from ages two to four and five to nine. Four years later, they retested the children in each age group.In the older age group, the kids who had been spanked had an average IQ of almost three points lower than children who had not been spanked. In the younger age group, the average IQ of children who had been spanked was five points lower than those who had not.
Worldwide data also showed that countries where spanking was more prevalent also had a lower average IQ.One explanation offered for the correlation between spanking and IQ was stress. Researchers say that being swatted as a child can be a chronic stressor for kids, causing them to become easily startled and often fearful. These factors are associated with a lower IQ. Corporal punishment rates have been declining globally. Scientists believe this will lead to a worldwide increase in average IQs.
High Sugar Intake
A diet high in fructose results in decreased intelligence after only six weeks.
Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, studied the effect of a high-fructose diet in rats. The rodents were taught to find their way through a maze before being split into two groups. Both groups were given fructose-infused water. But one group was also fed omega-3 fatty acids, which are believed to protect against brain cell damage.
After six weeks, the rats that had received omega-3 fatty acids performed significantly better in the maze than the ones that had not. The rats that had not received omega-3 fatty acids showed decreased synaptic activity and an inability to recall the route they had previously learned.
Low Light Intensity
Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered a link between dim lighting and a diminished ability to remember and learn.
Scientists studied the brains of a group of Nile grass rats. Like humans, Nile grass rats are active during the day and sleep at night. At the beginning of the study, the rats were trained to find their way through a maze. Then they were split into two groups, with half of the rats being exposed to bright light during the day and the other half being exposed to dim lighting.
After four weeks, the rats exposed only to dim lighting had lost 30 percent of capacity in the hippocampus, which is crucial to learning and memory. In addition, all the rats were reintroduced to the maze on which they had previously trained. The rats exposed to dim lighting performed worse than they had originally, while the rats exposed to bright light showed significant improvement.
The dim lighting used in the study is similar to typical indoor lighting found in most home and office settings.
Traveling by air too often
Chronic jet lag from a busy travel schedule can affect learning and memory for up to a month after you've returned home, according to research from the University of California, Berkeley. Traveling through different time zones disrupts your body's normal circadian rhythm, says Elizabeth Lombardo, PhD, a psychologist and author of Better than Perfect: 7 Strategies to Crush Your Inner Critic and Create a Life You Love. "In addition to problems with sleeping, eating, and hormone regulation (all of which can also influence memory and learning), it serves as a significant source of stress on your body."
Obesity/ Overweight
Excess body fat affects the way all of our
organs function, including the brain.
Researchers examined the brains of 17 obese women. Their brains metabolized sugars faster than women in the control group, who were at an average weight. The obese women were tested on cognitive function before and after undergoing bariatric surgery.
The results of the testing done after the weight-loss surgery were markedly better than those done before the procedure. The formerly obese women showed particular cognitive improvements in executive functions, which deal with planning and organization.
The brains of obese people process sugars differently that those without excess body fat. It is believed that this difference in processing causes structural damage in the brain, which in turn affects cognitive performance.
Another study of nearly 500 adults showed that overweight people had less white matter than their average-sized peers.
White matter connects different areas of the brain and allows them to communicate with each other. As we age, humans naturally lose white matter. But white matter deteriorates more quickly in an overweight person.
The volume of white matter measured in a 50-year-old obese person was the same as the volume measured in a 60-year-old lean person. Interestingly, the difference in white matter between overweight and average-sized people was only seen in those middle-aged or older. It is believed that we are more vulnerable to losing white matter during this time in our lives.
Traffic / Hours of Driving
Driving more than two hours each day steadily decreases IQ. Researchers at the University of Leicester examined the lifestyles of more than 500,000 people over the course of five years, testing them on memory and intelligence throughout the study.
Of the participants, 93,000 drove more than two hours each day. They scored lower at the beginning of the study compared to those who did little to no driving. In addition, the long-distance drivers showed a steady decrease in cognitive ability over the length of the study.
The mind is less active while on the road, and the lack of stimulation is believed to contribute to the decline in IQ. Similar results are seen in people who watch more than three hours of television each day.
Spending time with a friend who smokes.
Even if you don't light up, inhaling second-hand cigarette smoke subjects the brain to a cocktail of toxic substances, says Towfigh. "Prolonged exposure to smoke increases carbon monoxide in the body, which displaces vital oxygen our brains and bodies need." Damage to blood vessels and neurons disrupt the ability of brain cells to communicate effectively and retain information properly.
The Use Of Smartphones
Smartphones keep us in constant contact. As a result, our cognitive abilities suffer.
Researchers at the University of Texas studied a group of approximately 800 smartphone users. Participants were asked to take a series of computer tests that required their full attention. Some were asked to leave their phones in another room, while others were simply asked to mute their devices and place them facedown on their desks. Those who left their phones in another room performed significantly better on the tests than those who had their phones right next to them.
Researchers concluded that having a phone within view reduces a person’s ability to focus and perform tasks. People are so accustomed to checking their phones that their subconscious has to work against that when they are trying to focus on something else.
This effort to avoid focusing on the phone depletes the energy and attention that is actually concentrated on the task at hand. Removing the phone completely gives the subconscious a break from fighting off the urge to check for new texts or emails.
Processed Food
A poor diet early in life has been shown to have a negative impact on cognitive performance. Researchers examined the eating habits and intelligence levels of approximately 14,000 young children. Kids who were fed mainly processed foods at age three had lower average IQs five years later than kids who ate diets rich in vitamins and nutrients.
A diet high in vitamins and nutrients helps to encourage optimal brain development, while processed foods do not. Since the brain grows at its fastest rate during the first three years of life, the nutrition supplied during this time has a lasting impact on overall brain function.
In kids who had been fed mostly processed foods at age three, dietary improvements made later in life did little to improve their associated intelligence scores.
Too much stress
Fretting about finances, worrying over work projects, and trying to maintain a semblance of a social life can create a potent stew of stress hormones. "High stress levels are not only associated with poorer brain functioning but may even link to an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease," says Brendan Kelley, MD, neurologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio. Hormonal changes linked to stress are believed to be behind this relationship.
Sleep disruption
Studies on hamsters have shown that disruption to sleep patterns can affect our circadian rhythm – our day and night energy patterns. The effects can last for up to a month and can affect learning and cognitive function. Perhaps this is why so many new parents find it hard to concentrate!
Failing to get a good night’s sleep can have other negative health effects, including increased comfort eating and higher stress levels. Sticking to a regular routine can help to improve learning and cognitive function as well as general health.
15 Secrets to Increasing I.Q
1. Be Active
If you don’t exercise regularly, now is a good time to start. Exercise contributes to overall physical and mental health. Having a healthy body leads to development of intelligence.
2. Write
Some people find that a journal is a good way to organize thoughts. Simple writing helps you gain a new perspective when you go back and read what you wrote.
3. Meditate
Research shows that meditation makes you smarter. Meditation increases the ability of the brain to make physiological changes, increases gray and white brain matter, and enables “whole brain synchronization”. Whole brain synchronization allows the left side of the brain to be connected with the right hemisphere.
4. Think
Involve yourself with books, documentaries, or board games that require critical thinking skills. By challenging your current assumptions, you are making yourself smarter.
5. Read Every Day
Try to read something nonfiction at least 30 minutes each day. Reading increases your intelligence and keeps you well-informed.
6. Have Hobbies
Do the things you love on a regular basis. Whether it’s bowling, knitting, or fishing, the more fun you experience, the easier it will be for you to assimilate new information.
7. Study I.Q. Puzzles
I.Q. puzzles can be found at your local book store. To keep your mind sharp, go over these repeatedly.
8. Be Creative
Create something. Write an ebook, plant flowers, build a model car. Using your mind to create something improves your ability to think.
9. Explore New Cultures
Seek out different worldviews other than your own. Learn about other culture’s food, traditions, and language.
10. Play Competitive Games
Chess is a good example of a competitive game that adds to your cleverness. Log on to the Internet and play with others around the world. Facebook offers many competitive games.
11. Watch Specific TV Shows
Researchers have found that certain TV shows can help you improve intelligence. Watch shows that have overlapping plot strands, moral ambiguity, and a large number of primary characters.
12. Socially Network
According to a recent report in Discover Magazine, social interaction enhances synaptic activity of the brain.
13. Play Video Games
Moms across the world can all give a sigh of relief. Video games improve math abilities and classroom behavior.
14. Listen to Music
Recent research studies show there is a connection between listening to music and improved memory. Music listening also boosts skills in science and math.
15. Get Enough Sleep
Most people require between 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night. This time allows your brain to process the day by strengthening memories.
10 Foods that can Enhance Your I.Q.
1. Fish Oil
Whether you take supplements or eat wild salmon (or both), getting fish oil in your diet makes you smarter. Research shows that omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil are essential for brain function.
2. Vitamin B
The B vitamins improve memory and mood. Studies have shown that people who lack B vitamins in their bodies have greater mental decline. To get your Bs, eat turkey, beans, lentils, and bananas.
3. Breakfast
Dubbed “the most important meal of the day”, breakfast is brain food. Those who have a well-balanced breakfast show improved memory, creativity, focus, and overall performance.
4. Matcha
Matcha is a stone-ground, powered form of green tea, and it is an excellent food for increased mental alertness.
5. Antioxidants
These substances combat free-radicals in your body. To improve memory and problem solving, eat red kidney beans, blueberries, cranberries, and artichokes.
6. Ginkgo Biloba
Scientists have found that ginkgo biloba increases the blood flow to the brain to increase short-term memory, improve focus, and reduce dementia.
7. Avocado
This vegetable has monosaturated fat (the good kind), which increases blood flow. The brain needs blood to think. What’s more, avacados help lower blood pressure.
8. Meat and Fish
You find creatine in lean meat and fish. The body needs this substance for memory and intelligence. You can also buy creatine supplements at your local health food store.
9. Vitamin E
The E vitamin is necessary for brain health because it works as an antioxidant. Research has shown that Vitamin E delays the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Eat leafy green vegetables, kiwi, and nuts to up your intake of this vital nutrient.
10. Ginseng
This root improves mental stimulation, memory, and brain function. One recent report indicates that ginseng protects the brain from toxins.
