What can I do to make my brain think faster or more effectively?

Question

I'm pretty smart in school only b/c I work hard, but I notice some of my peers are able to understand and do things more quicker than I can. I want to be able to think as fast as them. What can I do/take to help my brain think at a faster level?

Answer 1

--Get enough exercise for your body and mind. For the mind: Math puzzles (Sudoku if you can swing it, Brain-Age games if not), *hard* crosswords, keep reading slightly above your grade level and look into something called "lateral thinking", which is something people who think more quickly do. For the body, pretty much any cardio, even walking, will help improve brain function by getting more oxygen to it and by improving bodily function in general.

--Be sure you get enough sleep to dream. When you dream, that is when your brain and eyes recover from the past day's activities.

--Be sure to mind your nutrition. Get plenty of the vitamins and minerals that are "nerve friendly", like zinc, magnesium, chromium, B vitamins like Folic Acid/Folate, Biotin and B6 (pyridoxine HCL), and Vitamin C as well...

--Use caffiene *Sparingly*. As in once or twice a week at most when you need it. Doing it more than that, like every day, causes you to build up a tolerance to it and to need more and more of it.

And it only takes a little too much to take you from being alert and focused to being frazzled and scatter-brained. :) Been there, done that.

--EAT FISH. Sorry for the shouting, but the omega-3 fatty acids are great for your brain, and while there are other sources, this is one of the best ones, and one of the easiest, least expensive ways to do it.

--Plan for *down time*. Not just sleep, but you need to plan for some time where you can just power down that brain and let it rest a while. Really...you need to have some time to relax, chill out and have fun, because few things will *screw up* your intellect faster than *chronic stress*. Having too much stress (and cortisol) on the brain has been shown to interfere with memory formation at all levels, learning, and concentration.

So learning how to relax and have down time for yourself where you *aren't* at work is a crucial thing. All work and no play really does make Jack a Dull Boy, how about that!

Or, you can look at it like this: Ruby-throated hummingbirds are on average 3 3/4 of an inch long, including the tail. They are very strong fliers that can go up to 60 miles per hour, and have been known to migrate hundreds of miles under their own power.

But they don't do it going full-bore all the way. They have a special rest state, where they go into a "torpor" and let their body temperature drop as low as 85 degrees (from a normal temp of around 100). This enables them to save their energy for when they need it.

So plan for some hours or even days of rest where you aren't driven or focused on being that bright. Save your energy for when you need to use it. Efficiency is also a form of effectiveness.

Hope this helps and thanks for your time! ;)

Answer 2

I have the same problem. I draw a blank and then I come up with all these clever responses after the fact. There's not really much of a way unless you can predict what the person you're arguing with will say. The only thing that I can suggest is to read more. It keeps the brain refreshed. It's like exercising your brain cells. I am not a quick witted person and that bugs me!

Answer 3

This is gonna seem funny but I swear to god it works.
About 20 minutes before a test slam 2 Red Bulls, Monster, etc.....your choice.
I have increased every test I've taken by 1 letter grade.
I'm just able to pull the answers out of my head faster and with less confusion.
It's not gonna hurt so give it a shot.

Answer 4

Get enough sleep and remember to breath deeply. Food helps.

Answer 5

Excessive thinking weakens the mind, if you want more power in your thoughts: have less of them.

Answer 6

exersize it, do puzzles, read more. The more you use your brain the more it can do.

Answer 7

If you stay healthy physically you stay healthy mentally :)

Answer 8

ultimate brain game for netendo DS.... :D