Could it be that I am growing less intelligent over time?

Question

This may sound totally ridiculous, but I seem to be getting less intelligent over time. I don't read a whole lot and I don't ever study or research anything. It's like I use to catch on to things very quickly and always remembered things easily. But, now it feels like I really don't catch onto things nearly as quick as I use to and sometimes I have a hard time articulating my thoughts. Am I not exercising my brain enough to keep it sharp? Is this making sense to anyone? If so, what do I need to do? Because I honestly feel kinda dumb most days.

Answer 1

I used to know the answer to that question years ago but I can't remember now.

Answer 2

It's true that the brain will atrophe over time if you don't use it. Your reasoning will stay more sharp if you are into playing chess or doing logic or crosswords than if you just watch tv. If you don't study anything your memory retention could become less than it was, but this can be strengthened also. Age will cause the brain to be less sharp, but this can be staved off or reversed with a lot of mental activity. If you are feeling sudden cognitive or memory problems there are a lot of medical reasons this could be, most of them not serious and easy to remedy, so maybe a doctor exam would be a good idea also.

Answer 3

You are totally right that there is not a chance in hell that you are getting less intelligent over time. That suggestion is completely dumb-founded.
As you get older, you learn and you gain experience, and in doing so, then you are gaining wiser and as well as becoming more intelligent. In fact you are therefore able to make good judgmental decisions. Perhaps you may feel that way because somebody has made you feel that way, and thus cause you to have less confidence in yourself. My advice for you, therefore, is for you to break up from that insecure individual, and to be on your own. Your own natural instincts will come up with the wise intellectual decisions for you to make,

Answer 4

I've always heard the phrase 'If you don't use it, you lose it' in terms of talents, but it's also true of brain functions. I worked in a nursing home for years, and one of the things we were constantly trying to impress on the aging residents was that they needed to participate in mental activities like word games, interactive story-telling, crossword puzzles, etc. I am 50, and have perceived a decline in my math skills. This is mostly from the non-usage of them since my work no longer requires me to think about it much.

I think the best policy is to do a lot of reading, play games that make you use your mind and talk to young, vibrant people as often as possible! :) Their mental energy is contagious. :)

Good luck to you!

Answer 5

Well, I'm 61 so I'd say yes and no.
Yes, cause you've lived longer have more experience, and know things.
No, cause sometimes you can't keep up with the changes, after all I only learned how to start learning how to operate a computer 1 year ago.

Answer 6

It's called getting older. If you work out,jog,whatever,you're keeping your body healthy. If you do very little with your brain, it's going to be un-healthy and eventually you'll have problems remembering your name. Exercise it before it seizes up. Read,do crosswords,anything

Answer 7

Have some kids! (I have one, a daughter.) You'll learn the meaning of adulthood intellectual challenge disorder. It comes from finding yourself actually interested in what happens during the next five minutes of the Winx Club :)

Answer 8

I saw a study once whose results stated that once we have children, our IQ begins to drop.
I believe it. All knowledge I had of math or science has gone out the window, having been replaced by nursery rhymes and silly songs!
I see math problems on here that I used to be able to solve, and now.......well, I could tell you every fairy tale known to man!

Answer 9

two things. yeah your brain atrophies, its just what it does. and people always have a more optimistic version of their memories. so while you think you may have been really sharp way back when, doesnt mean its true. i feel like pretty much everyone goes through this though

Answer 10

I am pretty sure that's what's happening to me also. I am blaming age and more than likely years of smoking pot. I started doing more crossword and logic problems to try to keep my brain thinking.