I took one of those online IQ tests, and I failed. Or rather, my score was laughably low – under 100, which is supposed to be average. I blame the questions, which were all about logic and math and stuff. What the hell do they know?
There is, of course, debate over what “intelligence quotient” really measures. Some argue that IQ tests merely measure how well people do on IQ tests. Still, can you boost your IQ level? Beyond herbal remedies like ginkgo biloba, which probably enhances concentration more than intelligence, what else works? Certain nutrients like choline are essential for brain health. But many believe it’s probably too late most of what makes us brainy happened a long time ago, when we were tots.
What the experts say
“IQ is a score on a test, but it’s come to be synonymous with fluid intelligence. Most IQ tests don’t measure this accurately, which is a huge problem. There are five principles that can help you increase intelligence. Seek novelty: Learning new things creates new connections in the brain. Challenge yourself: Once you learn how to do something to the point of mastery, move on to something else. Think creatively: This is different than taking up an art project. Thinking creatively refers to creative cognition, using both sides of your brain, switching back and forth between conventional and unconventional thinking. Think of multiple ways to solve one problem. Do things the hard way: Don’t over-rely on technology to do your thinking. Always using GPS for navigation instead of figuring it out yourself can hurt your spatial/navigational ability. Network with other people: Expose yourself to new things, ideas, perspectives. Discussing ideas with other people can trigger new ways of thinking about a problem.
ANDREA KUSZEWSKI, behaviour therapist, Tallahassee, Florida
“It’s been known for quite a while that there is a relationship between being breastfed and growing up to do better in IQ tests. But these findings were always treated with caution because mothers from higher socioeconomic groups are more likely to breastfeed. When we do our statistical tricks called Propensity Score Matching to try to establish causality, scores are probably on the order of 2 or 3 points higher. That’s the difference between maybe being 10th or 12th in a class of 30 students. Not a huge difference, but when you think of the lengths parents are willing to go to enhance their children’s opportunities, they would often pay quite good money for interventions that would have a smaller effect than that.”
MARIA IACOVOU, research fellow, Institute for Social and Economic Research, University of Essex, England
“Transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS) is a constant low current [delivered to the brain]. About half the people we give it to can’t even feel it, but they’re able to perform much better on the tasks they’re given. It probably acts as a stimulant to a small part of the brain, and that alters behaviour so people learn quicker and perform better. This is actually a very old technology that has only been studied very seriously in the last 10 years or so. In the end, we might develop something that could actually make people smarter.”
VINCENT CLARK, Professor of Psychology, University of New Mexico
“When they were eight years old, we looked at a group of children we’d followed since they were born. We measured their IQ by the standard method. We found a particular pattern: if they ate more foods high in fat and sugar at age three, they had a slightly lower IQ than if they ate less of that type of diet. It seemed the preschool diet at age three was more important than the later diet. Our other work shows that mothers eating fish in pregnancy is related to higher IQ. On a daily basis, what you’re eating can affect your concentration but I don’t think it will affect your actual IQ.”
PAULINE EMMETT, Nutritionist, Bristol University, England
