But the authors of this new PNAS paper, a group of psychologists at George Mason University, were extremely skeptical of those conclusions. There are some studies - and even meta-analyses - that have found evidence brain training can boost fluid intelligence. A new paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences demonstrates how the evidence in favor of brain training is likely just a placebo How expectations compromise brain training research
"For years, researchers have looked into brain games and found that they simply don't have the real-world benefits they purport to," Vox's Julia Belluz explained at the time.Īnd now, there's even more evidence.
In January, the Federal Trade Commission called out Lumos Labs, the makers of a popular brain-training app, for deceptive advertising, and hit them with a $2 million fine. The idea is these memory games could help boost what’s known as fluid intelligence, which is the ability to reason (as opposed to crystallized, accumulated knowledge).īut here is the sad truth: Brain training games likely don’t work. That’s why brain training games - computer-based memory puzzles - have ballooned into a billion-dollar industry in recent years. High intelligence is even thought to protect people from automobile crashes. Intelligence gives people an edge in subtle ways. Smarter people live longer and enjoy greater well-being across their lifetimes, psychologists have found. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all become a little smarter?