Boosting I.Q.--tools/boosk/software and what not to REALLY get on top of your game.

[chipdouglas]

Ok,

37 year-old man here doing a bachelor of science in nursing. I'm into weight lifting, cardio and eat a healthy diet.

I'm also VERY big on mental developpement, that is increased focus, accelerated learning (as I have to stuff a lot of stuff in my head, and quite frankly, I find going to university at age 37 to be tough, as I basically have no life to speak of when attending university) boosting I.Q. and stir dormant brain regions up, as it seems we're only using very few of our brain powers. I've looked at many options :

I've been training in speed reading. I have Speed reader X, Reading Genius 2.0, photoreading, Peter Kump : Breakthrough speed reading, The Mind Accelerator book, and EyeQ. Many of these are useful, and I'm seeing my speed and concentration go up.

I've also been using iMusic for months now. They're helping for sure, although lately, I've found habituation setting in.


University is resuming in exactly a month from now , and I still have some time to work hard at learning/reading after people point me to stuff that can really deliver the goods.

I take it that many on here have walked the same path I have, and will gladely point me in the right direction.


I'm really wanting to find toods to take me to the top of my game, and I do not mind working hard at anything that's worthwhile.

In gratitude

[Ofthe01]

As a person who is relatively on the same journey, I have come across several interesting methods to maximize the brain's potential.

-Taking fish oil and gingko biloba daily. Fish oil is rich in Omega fatty acids which leads to a numerous amount of health benefits, including a more healthy mind. Gingko biloba is generally believed to increase short-term memory. You should also drink at least 60-75 ounces of water a day.
-Exercising daily. I cannot stress this enough, as exercising not only relieves some of your stress (which kills brain cells), but also gets your blood flow going. I would recommend exercising or playing a sport with other people, as this will give you more motivation to carry through.
-Image streaming and breathing. Just type up "Two Profound ways to increase intelligence" on google and you can find more about this.
-Try to question everything in your daily life. I.E. when you're walking in a park, question why the park was designed this way (and what people can do to improve it).
-Google the "dual-n-back task."
-Have intellectual conversations as often as you can.
-Anything that makes you think to the best of your ability can increase your intelligence in a gradual way. If you like math, try to solve basic math problems (such as 64 x 87) in your head, and work your way up. You can also try AIME/AMC 12 math problems online. If you like video games, play flashflashrevolution, as I found that this game can increase my concentration a little.

Those are just some that are off of the top of my head.

[chipdouglas]

Originally Posted by Ofthe01

As a person who is relatively on the same journey, I have come across several interesting methods to maximize the brain's potential.

-Taking fish oil and gingko biloba daily. Fish oil is rich in Omega fatty acids which leads to a numerous amount of health benefits, including a more healthy mind. Gingko biloba is generally believed to increase short-term memory. You should also drink at least 60-75 ounces of water a day.
-Exercising daily. I cannot stress this enough, as exercising not only relieves some of your stress (which kills brain cells), but also gets your blood flow going. I would recommend exercising or playing a sport with other people, as this will give you more motivation to carry through.
-Image streaming and breathing. Just type up "Two Profound ways to increase intelligence" on google and you can find more about this.
-Try to question everything in your daily life. I.E. when you're walking in a park, question why the park was designed this way (and what people can do to improve it).
-Google the "dual-n-back task."
-Have intellectual conversations as often as you can.
-Anything that makes you think to the best of your ability can increase your intelligence in a gradual way. If you like math, try to solve basic math problems (such as 64 x 87) in your head, and work your way up. You can also try AIME/AMC 12 math problems online. If you like video games, play flashflashrevolution, as I found that this game can increase my concentration a little.

Those are just some that are off of the top of my head.

As regard the supplementation part, it's a part where I'm quite knowledgeable, so I prefer not covering this here, but you couldn't know that I already knew a lot about this partk, so I have to thank you for pointing out those supps.

I have the Genius code by Paul Scheele, and well, it's much about image streaming and quite frankly, this looks promising. I've only started listening to it two days ago though, so there's lot of tracks to go before I'm done.


Have you used other tools such as Brain Entrainment Waves ?

[chipdouglas]

GeniusIntelligence.com Increase Your Intelligence And IQ Using The Complete Guide To Genius I came across this site a while ago. I'm so not convinced this is possible, but have nonetheless looked into it minutes ago. This is not spam by the way, I'm just a guy who scouring the web in order to find out how I can get to the top of my game before I hit 70 year old

[chipdouglas]

Been reading on that site for close to an hour and well, it does sound like a scam to me, cause it sounds too good to be true, which usually means it is.

[iCANiQ]

I think treating your mind like a muscle much like in body building you constantly need to push yourself to stop from reaching a plateau.

Food and exercise as mentioned above are also very important - making sure you get enough fuel for the brain. Exercising will improve oxygen to the brain as well as having enough iron in your diet (creates red blood cells to carry the oxygen in your blood stream). Keep you diet balanced, eating from a wide variety of sources. Also eating smaller but more regular will help reduce your stomach using too much oxygen (particular after a huge meal).

I'm also interested in your speed reading and would love to learn how to do it. Has there been any particular book, software, or tool that has stood out?

[chipdouglas]

My favorites are Reading Genius, EyeQ and speed reader X.

[iCANiQ]

Wow, I just had a looked at Reading Genius, it looks very impressive. Not bad if you can read a page a second...

Hope you don't mind me asking, how easy have you found it? Can you really read that fast (and in only a few hours)?

[yehuda]

EyeQ is great for training your muscles, sadly if you don't train everyday, it goes away. Best tips I can give for enhancing your intelligence is read books that help differentiate crap from reality, puzzles, creative thinking techniques like S C A M P E R, audio books like the four agreements, read a lot of biographies: Edison, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, Honest Abe, George Washington, and Henry Ford. A lot of books will throw you in to what education really is. The diet part, which you know of, is imprortant. Bring a notebook with you and jot down observations ideas ect.. Learn how to see the empty space around an object not the object. I bought the Genius Guide. There is a lot of pseudoscience jargon. Image streaming is a good thing. "Ofthe01" Has pretty good tips.... I am learning off him already. I hope this helps. Oh, if you ever hear of the ZoxMethodPro.. don't do that either, scam. I bought everything and tried everything that is pretty much out there to offer. Photoreading I have really mixed feelings cause I tapped into it once.... I know what it is but I can't do it by will. I think it plays on depth perception. Nothing stands out like good old reading books and using effective tools/strategies when problem-solving.

[chipdouglas]

Originally Posted by iCANiQ

Wow, I just had a looked at Reading Genius, it looks very impressive. Not bad if you can read a page a second...

Hope you don't mind me asking, how easy have you found it? Can you really read that fast (and in only a few hours)?

Although I love Reading Genius, one has to work at it, reading that fast doesn't come that easy. One has to be consistent, and over time one speed picks up.

I like reading genius because it addresses many aspects connected to better reading.

[chipdouglas]

Originally Posted by yehuda

EyeQ is great for training your muscles, sadly if you don't train everyday, it goes away. Best tips I can give for enhancing your intelligence is read books that help differentiate crap from reality, puzzles, creative thinking techniques like S C A M P E R, audio books like the four agreements, read a lot of biographies: Edison, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, Honest Abe, George Washington, and Henry Ford. A lot of books will throw you in to what education really is. The diet part, which you know of, is imprortant. Bring a notebook with you and jot down observations ideas ect.. Learn how to see the empty space around an object not the object. I bought the Genius Guide. There is a lot of pseudoscience jargon. Image streaming is a good thing. "Ofthe01" Has pretty good tips.... I am learning off him already. I hope this helps. Oh, if you ever hear of the ZoxMethodPro.. don't do that either, scam. I bought everything and tried everything that is pretty much out there to offer. Photoreading I have really mixed feelings cause I tapped into it once.... I know what it is but I can't do it by will. I think it plays on depth perception. Nothing stands out like good old reading books and using effective tools/strategies when problem-solving.

Sorry for the delay in responding, but thanks a lot for taking time to reply to my thread

[chipdouglas]

I have these as well :

The Silva method
The Genius code

The Silva method seems to have served as the basis for a lot of what many other authors have put out.

The genius code doesn't seem overly bad either as it deals with image streaming.

How good is paraliminals ?

[mdlm]

Love this thread. Thanks for posting.

@chip Can you post specific (ideally quantitative) experiences with Reading Genius, EyeQ, Speed Reader X?

[chipdouglas]

Originally Posted by mdlm

Love this thread. Thanks for posting.

@chip Can you post specific (ideally quantitative) experiences with Reading Genius, EyeQ, Speed Reader X?

Will do later on today

[chipdouglas]

Originally Posted by chipdouglas

Will do later on today

Ok,

I've been using all three systems at once, that is, each and every day I train my reading speed with SpeedReader X, Reading Genius 2.0 and EyeQ.

Clearly and without any doubt Reading Genius offers more tools to help with reading. Also Ed Strachar's voice and overall mindset causes me to listen good. Through listening, one can feel this man knows what's he's talking about. Also, there's a section with scientific references for the techniques used. The Brain gym software is great as well, I really like it.

EyeQ is good as well, but it doesn't include all of the audio CDs included in Reading genius. But EyeQ does increase brain processing speed as well. It's a different kind of program intended to get the same outcome in the end. There's less theory in this last and more practice practice and more practice.

Speed Reader X is even more basis in terms of theory than the above two. It goes straight to you doing exercises that will increase your reading speed. There's no fluff like it's author states.


Is it mandatory to know about the things included in Reading Genius in order to see your reading speed increase ? Um, I don't think so, but then the many details and techniques to make one interested in one's reading material and how to still your mind and other odds and ends like that may add up and in time make you a more efficient reader. What's more, those nifty tricks can clearly be of benefit in other areas of your life as well. Ed delves much deeper into the toipic of reading. After, it's what he does for a living, and sure knows a good deal about this. Again, I really like the practice software ! I like it's interface and one can see it's been created with conscientiousness in mind. The other above mentioned softwares are ok too, but they're more basic. All in all though, they all converge towards the same goal.

In terms of fun of use, I'd rate Reading Genius number one, EyeQ second, and Speed reader X third.

In terms of benefits, I'd have to rate Reading Genius number one as well, followed by EyeQ and speed reader as second and third respectively. I think that the interface has much to do with consistency of use, so my vote MOST DEFINATELY goes to reading genius, because of it's fun and colorful layout. This in turn will cause your brain to associate training your speed with a fun feeling. EyeQ isn't so bad either, and Speed Reader X does a fine job too, but the interface is rather drab/plain. But provided that you use it consistently, I have no doubt that you're going to see your speed go up.


I can tell you this : The ones I have the most fun training with are RG and then EyeQ. I feel EyeQ complements RG well because of the eye exercises. It clearly makes a difference in my brain processing speed, but then, maybe I'm benefiting more because I have ADHD.

It all comes down to whether or not you know you'd be more consistent in using a glitzy fun and colorful softwares or not. If you can answer this, you'll know which to get, but like I said, any of these will increase your speed. Theory is good, but practicing is key.

Also, if you want a very good book by one of Evelyn Wood's Reading Dynamics, go to Amazon and get : Breakthrough rapid reading by Peter Kump. But be prepared to do a lot of tedious drills. That's what I do not like about the book, but is it effective ? It sure is !

Hope this helps

[gerber]

I'm also really interested in this subject. Thanks for all the tips!

A few months ago I posted an article on by blog with ways to increase your mind power:

15 Ways to Increase Your Mind Power | Everyday Improvement

Some of the ways include:
- Neurobics
- Mental math tricks
- Mind mapping

There's also a book by Steven Gillman, called 100 Ways to Increase Your Mind Power. The link is somewhere in the article, I think. Not everything is that useful, but it gives you enough to work on.

[chipdouglas]

Thanks for posting this, I'll have a look when I'm back home.

[VIPFaktor]

Originally Posted by chipdouglas

Ok,

I've been using all three systems at once, that is, each and every day I train my reading speed with SpeedReader X, Reading Genius 2.0 and EyeQ.

Clearly and without any doubt Reading Genius offers more tools to help with reading. Also Ed Strachar's voice and overall mindset causes me to listen good. Through listening, one can feel this man knows what's he's talking about. Also, there's a section with scientific references for the techniques used. The Brain gym software is great as well, I really like it.

EyeQ is good as well, but it doesn't include all of the audio CDs included in Reading genius. But EyeQ does increase brain processing speed as well. It's a different kind of program intended to get the same outcome in the end. There's less theory in this last and more practice practice and more practice.

Speed Reader X is even more basis in terms of theory than the above two. It goes straight to you doing exercises that will increase your reading speed. There's no fluff like it's author states.


Is it mandatory to know about the things included in Reading Genius in order to see your reading speed increase ? Um, I don't think so, but then the many details and techniques to make one interested in one's reading material and how to still your mind and other odds and ends like that may add up and in time make you a more efficient reader. What's more, those nifty tricks can clearly be of benefit in other areas of your life as well. Ed delves much deeper into the toipic of reading. After, it's what he does for a living, and sure knows a good deal about this. Again, I really like the practice software ! I like it's interface and one can see it's been created with conscientiousness in mind. The other above mentioned softwares are ok too, but they're more basic. All in all though, they all converge towards the same goal.

In terms of fun of use, I'd rate Reading Genius number one, EyeQ second, and Speed reader X third.

In terms of benefits, I'd have to rate Reading Genius number one as well, followed by EyeQ and speed reader as second and third respectively. I think that the interface has much to do with consistency of use, so my vote MOST DEFINATELY goes to reading genius, because of it's fun and colorful layout. This in turn will cause your brain to associate training your speed with a fun feeling. EyeQ isn't so bad either, and Speed Reader X does a fine job too, but the interface is rather drab/plain. But provided that you use it consistently, I have no doubt that you're going to see your speed go up.


I can tell you this : The ones I have the most fun training with are RG and then EyeQ. I feel EyeQ complements RG well because of the eye exercises. It clearly makes a difference in my brain processing speed, but then, maybe I'm benefiting more because I have ADHD.

It all comes down to whether or not you know you'd be more consistent in using a glitzy fun and colorful softwares or not. If you can answer this, you'll know which to get, but like I said, any of these will increase your speed. Theory is good, but practicing is key.

Also, if you want a very good book by one of Evelyn Wood's Reading Dynamics, go to Amazon and get : Breakthrough rapid reading by Peter Kump. But be prepared to do a lot of tedious drills. That's what I do not like about the book, but is it effective ? It sure is !

Hope this helps

I'm using AceReader at the moment, but I will try those 3, too. I've already tried Speed Reader-X, but quickly got discouraged when the program mentioned the necessity of using visual thinking and visualization while speed reading. My visualization skills are good, but it's somehow hard to concentrate on the text itself, analyze it, read it quickly, and in the same time, visualize everything in your head in as much details as you can. But I agree with author of the program, visualization is very important in reading, but it's quite difficult to do it well in speed reading.

What are your thoughts on reading multiple lines or complete paragraphs in the same time? I've tried that, but it radically deteriorates my comprehension. This only happens when I'm reading a book or something longer; when I'm practicing with AceReader, I can read multiple lines, but only if the eye span is not too wide. I keep my eye fixation zone in one point, and read these multiple lines by directing my conscious attention.

[mdlm]

Originally Posted by chipdouglas

Clearly and without any doubt Reading Genius offers more tools to help with reading. Also Ed Strachar's voice and overall mindset causes me to listen good. Through listening, one can feel this man knows what's he's talking about. Also, there's a section with scientific references for the techniques used. The Brain gym software is great as well, I really like it.
Hope this helps

Yes, it did help. Thanks!

What is the brain gym software? Is it part of Reading Genius?

[VIPFaktor]

Originally Posted by mdlm

Yes, it did help. Thanks!

What is the brain gym software? Is it part of Reading Genius?

Yes, brain gym is part of the Reading Genius software component. It consists of various activities designed to boost user's reading speed and efficiency. I've tried a few exercises, and I think that method is not for me, but I'm working on my own speed reading training application that is inspired by all major applications available today, and which will enable the user to specify all the parameters for every activity inside the program; that's how I like things to be - fully adjustable.

[chrisrushton]

Originally Posted by gerber

I'm also really interested in this subject. Thanks for all the tips!

A few months ago I posted an article on by blog with ways to increase your mind power:

15 Ways to Increase Your Mind Power | Everyday Improvement

I like this article, I just finished reading it. I especially agree with the posture point. I do a lot of techy but creative (i'm a physicist) work involving maths, programming and such like. I just can't work if I'm not sat in a good supportive chair. Strangely (or not) the same is true when i play xbox.

I disagree about doing sudoku and crosswords etc to increase brain power though. All spending time doing sudoku did for me was make me better at doing sudoku.

[Brutha]

Recommanding sudoku as a way to improve brainpower is often a giveaway that the person doesn't know much what he's talking about but instead simply repeats what he has heard elsewhere without reflection.

[VIPFaktor]

Sudoku, especially on harder levels of difficulty, can increase solver's concentration, and that's one important asset of an intelligent person. This is the only benefit that I have recognized in the traditional form of Sudoku. Ok, it can be good for developing quick algorithmic thinking if you will assimilate some of the "solve every sudoku" rules, and systematically apply them on your sudoku games; but basicly, it's only good for training concentration powers. I've seen some of really hyperactive kids get paralyzed while solving sudoku, concentrating hardly just on the grid, ignoring their surroundings, and ignoring their desire to exhibit their hyperactive nature physically.

[gerber]

Originally Posted by Brutha

Recommanding sudoku as a way to improve brainpower is often a giveaway that the person doesn't know much what he's talking about but instead simply repeats what he has heard elsewhere without reflection.

I don't mean that you play sudoku all the time, because that will make you better in sudoku but will probably not increase your brain power. I meant playing different games to keep the brain active. Sudoku is just an example and an example I came up with myself (so I didn't repeat this from someone else without reflection). The example with the crossword puzzles also building your vocabulary is probably a better example.

[JohnBrown]

There is only one exercise that has been shown in a lab setting to increase intelligence:

Dual n Back.

It is an exercise where you train your brain to keep several different 'chunks' of information in your short term memory at the time.

From Wikipedia:

In a 2008 research paper Jaeggi et al. claim that practicing a dual n-back task can increase fluid intelligence, as measured in several different standard tests...
In 2009, it was reported in Science that '14 hours of training over 5 weeks' led to measurable density changes for cortical dopamine neuroreceptors.[5]

N-back - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You can read the paper here:

Improving fluid intelligence with training on working memory — PNAS

And, most importantly, you can play it online here:

Dual N-Back Training for Intelligence

I've been playing it a fair bit lately, and it is fascinating. What intrigues me the most is that I keep on getting it right when I think I have lost it and am only "guessing". Our brain is smarter than we notice...

[chipdouglas]

Originally Posted by VIPFaktor

I'm using AceReader at the moment, but I will try those 3, too. I've already tried Speed Reader-X, but quickly got discouraged when the program mentioned the necessity of using visual thinking and visualization while speed reading. My visualization skills are good, but it's somehow hard to concentrate on the text itself, analyze it, read it quickly, and in the same time, visualize everything in your head in as much details as you can. But I agree with author of the program, visualization is very important in reading, but it's quite difficult to do it well in speed reading.

What are your thoughts on reading multiple lines or complete paragraphs in the same time? I've tried that, but it radically deteriorates my comprehension. This only happens when I'm reading a book or something longer; when I'm practicing with AceReader, I can read multiple lines, but only if the eye span is not too wide. I keep my eye fixation zone in one point, and read these multiple lines by directing my conscious attention.

So far as reading many lines of text at once, I at first thought it wasn't possible, but I'm getting there by practicing daily. While I'm not there yet, I sure as heck have made significant progress towards this end. It's a skill, and it needs practicing.

[VIPFaktor]

Since my last post, I've done 4 sessions with EyeQ, and now my average reading speed range is 700-900 wpm. I'm really fascinated by some of the activities included in the program; I've been researching about possible techniques and activities that could lead to increase of focus area of peripheral vision, greater reading speeds, etc., and I've never thought some simple exercises such as EyeQ ones could be so effective.

[rocketman]

Originally Posted by JohnBrown

There is only one exercise that has been shown in a lab setting to increase intelligence:

Dual n Back.

It is an exercise where you train your brain to keep several different 'chunks' of information in your short term memory at the time.

From Wikipedia:

In a 2008 research paper Jaeggi et al. claim that practicing a dual n-back task can increase fluid intelligence, as measured in several different standard tests...
In 2009, it was reported in Science that '14 hours of training over 5 weeks' led to measurable density changes for cortical dopamine neuroreceptors.[5]

N-back - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You can read the paper here:

Improving fluid intelligence with training on working memory — PNAS

And, most importantly, you can play it online here:

Dual N-Back Training for Intelligence

I've been playing it a fair bit lately, and it is fascinating. What intrigues me the most is that I keep on getting it right when I think I have lost it and am only "guessing". Our brain is smarter than we notice...

this sounds very interesting. has anyone else tried it?

[chipdouglas]

Originally Posted by VIPFaktor

Since my last post, I've done 4 sessions with EyeQ, and now my average reading speed range is 700-900 wpm. I'm really fascinated by some of the activities included in the program; I've been researching about possible techniques and activities that could lead to increase of focus area of peripheral vision, greater reading speeds, etc., and I've never thought some simple exercises such as EyeQ ones could be so effective.

What was your base reading speed ?

[VIPFaktor]

Originally Posted by chipdouglas

What was your base reading speed ?

Approx. 450-460 wpm.

EyeQ is an amazing piece of software. I've always favored AceReader because of it's adaptability and some other factors, but this is the most effective all-in-one solution so far.

I'll rewrite some of the included activities and make my own app with all parameters customizable. EyeQ is good if you want to rely on course set by someone else (although it's good enough for most people), but I want some more flexibility as I have been researching this field myself for some time, and I know I'll get more out of those exercises if I modify some slightly uncalibrated parameters from original EyeQ software.