How to Retrain Your Brain

We've often heard the importance of using your brain to stave off degeneration. Now you can exercise your brain on your computer.

Lumosity is a scientifically developed online brain fitness program for adults of all ages. It's designed to improve memory and attention with fun and effective brain workouts. The 30-session program developed by Lumos Labs offers a daily mix of games, exercises, progress reports and brain health tips.

Lumosity was developed in collaboration with experts in neuroscience and cognitive psychology from Stanford and UCSF, and then tested in a randomized, controlled study that was presented at neuroscience conferences in 2006 and 2007.

Significant improvements in cognitive functions such as memory and attention were noticeable within a few weeks of training. In the NIH-funded ACTIVE study, researchers observed that gains made from cognitive training were maintained five years later.

Lumosity Beta users have reported clearer and quicker thinking, improved memory for information such as names and numbers, increased alertness, elevated mood, and better concentration at work or while driving. A survey revealed that over 95% of the users considered the program to be fun.

Each cognitive training task has been structured as a game. A visual attention exercise simultaneously displays a bird and a letter for a fraction of a second, requiring users to identify both at the same time using peripheral vision. One of the working memory activities asks users to navigate a maze by remembering the location of hazards.

The difficulty level of each exercise adjusts to the ability of the user. As she progresses, the birds appear faster and there are more hazards in the maze. Each activity includes useful information such as what part of the brain is being exercised, and a progress report provided after every session makes it easy to track improvement.

Get a free trial of Lumosity here...