Over the past couple of days, I’ve been reviewing Lumosity, the “scientifically designed brain training program.” You’re probably somewhat familiar with it, given that it’s been featured in media sources and magazines like The New York Times and Women’s Health, as well as all over the Internet.

There’s been some controversy surrounding programs like Lumosity, and the source of much of the controversy gathers around one question:

Do these brain games really work, or are they just rip offs?

Unfortunately, I can’t tell you whether or not they work. I’m not a scientist, or a doctor, or Derek Shepherd. However, I can tell you that I had fun playing the Lumosity games, and I did feel a bit sharper, mentally, afterward.

Read on for my review.

Lumosity includes 30 “sessions” and each session includes three to five games. You have to unlock each level, or session, you’re currently on before you can move on to the next level. (It sounds more confusing than it is!) Of course, you can always play a particular game more than once. I did.

Each game is designed to test and strengthen your attention, memory, processing speed, or cognitive control, and once you get rolling you can check your history for information about your Brain Performance Index, as well as keep track with your sessions and courses (Basic Training, Speed Boost, and Memory Boost).

Even though the games get more difficult the more you play them, you’ll probably get better at playing them. My score always increased each time I played a particular game. For example, my first score for Birdwatching, one of my favorite games, was 602. My fourth score was 3800.

Other favorites of mine were:

• Word Bubbles – With this one, you have to create as many words as you can that start with the three letters the game gives you. It’s not as easy as it sounds.
• Lost in Migration – In order to succeed at this game, you have to really slow down and focus on what you’re supposed to focus on and not allow yourself to get distracted or rushed.

I did not enjoy:

• Raindrops: It’s a math game, so naturally it frustrated me.
• Color Match: For some reason, I kept getting the rules confused!

According to my history, my memory and processing speed are both sharper than my attention and cognitive control. Though, really, I thought I was doing a good job at paying attention! (Well, maybe with the exception of Color Match.)

Lumosity offers a free trial, so give it a go and form your own opinions. Don’t forget to head back here and let me know what you think!

In the meantime, check out these posts for more brain game-related fun:

• Review: Google’s Top 5 Brain Games
• Time To Give Your Brain A Workout
• Keep Your Brain Active And Healthy The Fun Way!

Post from: Blisstree

Brain Game Review: Lumosity

I’ve been working on a review of Google’s top five results for “brain games,” and as promised I’m ready to present them to you.

1. Games for the Brain – This clean, well-organized Web site offers quizzes, memory games, and trivia games in 17 different languages. Games for the Brain also includes a variety of traditional games, such as checkers and chess. My favorite thus far? TriviaNut.
2. Neuroscience for Kids – Brain Games – This Web page, which is part of the Neuroscience for Kids Web site, is geared toward K-12 students. It isn’t as “clean” as Games for the Brain, but it does offer up some brainy-esque images for your viewing pleasure. It offers many brain-related games; however, you’ll have to do a bit of scrolling to find the one(s) you like. Some of the games are also available in more than one language. My favorite thus far? Hmm…it’s probably a tie between Brain Hieroglyphics and Neuro-Jeopardy.
3. Brainist – Brain Games – This Web site claims to be “for educational purposes dedicated to online brain games for free mainly for adults,” but don’t let the bolding fool you – it’s free, but it’s totally kid-friendly (at least, as far as I can tell). At Brainist you’ll find puzzles, strategy games, optical illusions, trivia, and – yuck – math games. There’s a lot of text on the front page, but if you’re not into reading descriptions of every single game, don’t worry. Just skip it and click on the game! My favorite thus far? The riddles.
4. FunBrain.com – FunBrain.com, geared toward younger students, is focused more on all sorts of educational games, rather than just brainy- or memory-type games. The Web site is very colorful and, er…fun looking, with sections for parents and teachers, too. My favorite thus far? The Grammar Gorillas, naturally.
5. Kaboose – Brain Games – Like FunBrain.com, this is another colorful Web site dedicated to kids. Also like FunBrain.com, Kaboose includes a variety of online games for kids, too, such as sports games, holiday and seasonal games, and music games. My favorite thus far? The wizard games – hello! You can’t beat anything that deals with Hedwig and the golden snitch!

Remember, these five online brain games are just the top five Google results – there are many online games for your brain and mental health on the Internet.

Do you or your children have any favorites?

Image: Newscom

Ken Jensen is currently rockin’ out in the This Is Why I ROCK! series here at Mental Health Notes. If you have a mental illness and are still living the life you love, head on over the the official announcement post and enter!

Post from: Blisstree

Review: Google’s Top 5 Brain Games

Has the ol’ brain been feeling rather weak, lately? You may want to read up on how researchers now think we can improve our fluid intelligence.

Researchers conducted a study to determine whether or not increasing working memory would help increase fluid intelligence, because the two are so closely related.

The results?

Yes.

According to Susanne M. Jaeggi, a University of Michigan postdoctoral fellow in psychology and one of the paper’s co-authors, the “results show you can increase your intelligence with appropriate training” (Memory Training Shown to Turn Up Brainpower).

However, no one knows yet how long your intelligence will remain “increased” after you stop engaging in the activities that increase your working memory, so, I suggest keeping your kid’s deck of Concentration cards handy.

Image: Newscom

Chato B. Stewart is currently rockin’ out in the This Is Why I ROCK! series here at Mental Health Notes. If you have a mental illness and are still living the life you love, head on over the the official announcement post and enter!

Post from: Blisstree

Increase Your Intelligence When You Increase Your Memory?