Are Brain Games Effective?

What rigorous research really shows

Can playing brain games actually sharpen your mind? It's a fair question, and the research landscape is more nuanced than headlines suggest. A growing body of evidence shows that well-designed cognitive training can improve performance on the specific skills you practice, and in some cases, those gains extend further.

Source

Rebok, G. W., Ball, K., Guey, L. T., et al. (2014). Ten-year effects of the Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly cognitive training trial on cognition and everyday functioning in older adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 62(1), 16–24.

In real life...

To get the most out of brain training, treat it like a workout routine: be consistent, push to get to your challenge level, and don't expect it to replace other fundamentals like sleep, exercise, and social engagement. The combination is what keeps your brain in top form.