Do Brain-training Games and Memory Builders Actually Work For Students?

A number of companies have come out with programs that want to train your brain.

By now you’ve probably received a spam email with some promises to boost your brain power (among other colourful ads in your inbox that promise to boost other things). You might ask yourself, “Is that even possible?”

In 2006, a study from the American National Institute of Health reported that a cognitive training program can have lasting benefits. What said training would entail wasn’t specified. However, since then, we’ve seen a number of companies come out with programs that want to do just that: train your brain.

Companies like SharpBrains. SharpBrains have started to establish themselves as one of the leaders in this emerging brain fitness market.

To their credit, Sharpbrains don’t make any grand promises, as their chief executive and co-founder Alvaro Fernandez acknowledges “There is no magic pill that prevents Alzheimer’s or doubles our IQ.” In fact, the newsroom on their website shows both good and bad press clippings; from the glowing reviews in an article called “Brain-fitness games can sharpen mental muscles for all ages,” to a less-glowing article called “Brain games don’t make you smarter, study finds.”

While bulking up brainpower is a debatable pursuit (at best), it’s widely acknowledged that you can always improve skills. You can always teach yourself to read faster, or take better notes, or procrastinate less. So instead of investing time looking into brain pills or brain exercises, maybe spend your energy improving more traditional skills.