Let’s start by acknowledging that intelligence is not fixed. For a long time, people thought that your IQ score was like your height: it couldn’t change. If you performed well, opportunities presented themselves. If not, you were told to “make the best of it.” However, there are effective ways to increase IQ that anyone can apply.
Neuroscience, on the other hand, provides a different narrative. Your brain is a lot more adaptable than people used to think. It can change, rewire, and grow, just like your muscles do when you train. Scientists have shown that you can boost your IQ by doing the right things.
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to change and rewire itself. When you learn, talk to others, and solve problems, your brain makes new connections, much like your muscles become stronger when you work out. This is why IQ can get better over time.
This capability is more important than ever right now. In a world full of AI, data, and rapid change, the ability to think clearly is your most valuable skill. Getting smarter provides you an edge, whether you’re learning new technology, solving problems at work, or even arguing with friends about ideas.
So, let’s look at five scientifically proven techniques to raise your IQ. We’ll explain each one in simple terms and provide you examples you may use in your daily life.
What Does “IQ” Mean?
IQ is short for “intelligence quotient.” It shows how well you can learn new things, reason, and solve issues. Think of it as how fast your brain can process information, remember things, and come up with new ideas.
Cognitive neuroscience studies how the brain helps us understand, reason, and remember things. One way to quantify these processes is IQ, which tells us how fast and well we learn. Even minor increases in IQ can make a big difference in how you make decisions every day.
IQ doesn’t measure all intelligence types, like social or emotional skills, but it does show how quickly you learn. That’s why even a small increase can have a major effect on your job, your learning, and your ability to make decisions.
Ways to Increase IQ: Let’s Explore the Five Approaches
1. Have conversations that matter to train your brain.
Have you ever observed how a vigorous argument with a friend makes you think about new things? That wasn’t an accident. Engaging in conversation with others challenges your brain, requiring it to think quickly, structure its ideas, and examine issues from various perspectives-a simple yet effective way to increase IQ
Why it works:
- Talking about ideas helps you think more critically.
- Debating makes abstract thinking stronger.
- When you explain something, your brain has to make things clearer and simpler.
For example, imagine explaining ChatGPT to a friend who is unfamiliar with technology. You should simplify “machine learning” to a definition such as “It refers to when a computer learns patterns from data, similar to how children learn from their experiences.” That approach makes your own understanding clearer.
Give this idea a try:
- Get together with other people to talk about books, or join a book club.
- Talk about fun yet challenging things with your buddies.
- Don’t be quiet at work; instead, contribute what you know in meetings.
Engaging in conversation is akin to strengthening your mental muscles. Your brain gets stronger the more you engage in these activities, making it a practical way to increase IQ
Working Out is One of the Effective Ways to Increase IQ
Yes, moving your body makes you smarter. Research consistently demonstrates that physical activity enhances memory, concentration, and problem-solving abilities.
The science behind it: Exercise speeds up blood flow to the brain, which offers it more nutrients and oxygen. It also releases chemicals like brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which helps new brain cells grow.
Research from the University of Illinois discovered that older persons’ brains connected better and their memories improved after just 40 minutes of walking three times a week-proving that regular exercise is an effective way to increase IQ
Tips for every day:
- Instead of looking at your phone, take brief walks during breaks.
- Try workouts that require a lot of coordination, like martial arts or dancing. These make your body and mind work harder at the same time.
- Even a little bit of modest cardio every day can help your brain work better.
You can think of exercise as recharging your brain’s battery. Without it, your brain uses up its energy faster.
3. Learn a new skill or language.
Your brain loves things that are new. Your brain makes new connections between neurons when you do things like learn Spanish or play the guitar.
Why this is significant for IQ:
- Learning new skills can help you remember things and figure them out-an excellent way to increase IQ.
- You may think more abstractly and discover patterns as you learn languages.
- Playing chess and other challenging games helps you plan ahead-another fun way to increase IQ.
Method in steps:
- Pick a skill that makes you happy.
- Break it down into small, attainable steps.
- A little practice every day can make a significant difference.
For instance, think about programming. It looks like you’re learning a new language at first. But the more you practice, the better your brain gets at spotting patterns, utilizing logic, and breaking down challenging problems into smaller pieces. These are all key features of IQ.
Learning Python, drawing, or cooking a new type of food are all things that make your brain operate in new ways.
4. Feed Your Brain the Right Foods to Increase IQ
You are what you eat, and so is your brain. Your brain works better when you eat healthy-one of the proven ways to increase IQ.
The following meals have been proven to benefit brain function:
- Fish, walnuts, and chia seeds are all great sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which can aid with memory.
- Blueberries are abundant in antioxidants that protect brain cells.
- Spinach and other leafy greens have folate in them, which is beneficial for the brain.
- A small bit of dark chocolate speeds up blood flow to the brain.
It’s surprising, but studies suggest that kids who eat a Mediterranean-style diet fare better on IQ tests than kids who eat a lot of sweets and processed foods.
Some helpful tips:
- Instead of soda, drink water or green tea.
- Add nuts or berries to your snacks.
- Make sure that your meals have a good balance of protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs—essential nutrients that help increase IQ
- Eating correctly is like putting high-quality gas in your head. Without it, your brain can’t work at its optimum.
5. Do meditation and mindfulness.
This one could surprise you. Not only can sitting still and paying attention to your breath lower stress, but it also makes you smarter.
How it works:
- Meditation makes gray matter grow in parts of the brain that are important for learning and memory, making it a powerful way to increase IQ.
- It helps you pay attention longer, which makes it easier for you to learn.
- It clears away “mental clutter,” making room for problem-solving-another effective way to increase IQ.
A study from Harvard discovered that just eight weeks of mindfulness meditation changed the structure of the brain in ways that could be measured, especially in areas related to memory and learning.
Start with the following simple method:
- Take five minutes every morning to pay attention to your breathing-a simple way to increase IQ.
- For guided meditation, try apps like Calm or Headspace, which support techniques that can increase IQ.
- While you’re eating, strolling, or even washing the dishes, try to be mindful; mindfulness is another effective way to increase IQ.
- Meditation is like hitting the “reset” button on your brain, which makes it sharper and more focused, helping to increase IQ over time.
Putting It All Together
Let’s go over the five tried-and-true strategies to boost your IQ:
- Talk and argue about things that matter-one of the simplest ways to increase IQ.
- Get frequent exercise to stay active.
- To make your mind more flexible, learn new skills or languages.
- For better thinking, eat meals that are good for your brain-an easy and effective way to increase IQ.
- To improve your focus, try meditation and mindfulness.
Activating neurons is a key part of unlocking intelligence. Your neurons make stronger connections every time you learn something new or try to solve a problem. This picture I published on Pinterest got a lot of attention, which shows that people are interested in the science behind brainpower. You can also find more writings about brains and intelligence on my Pinterest page.
The best part is that these aren’t just ideas; they’re actions anyone can take daily. Small, regular acts add up to big improvements in brainpower and are proven ways to increase IQ
Why Increasing IQ Matters More Than Ever in the Age of AI
We live in a time where AI can digest data faster than any person. But what makes us different is that we can think critically, creatively, and with empathy. By following proven ways to increase IQ, you strengthen the skills that make people valuable: the ability to judge, adapt, and think about the larger picture.
Think about how much smarter you could be if you used AI techniques. You don’t get replaced; you get better. That’s a big plus in both work and life. Explore our AI use cases
We live in a period where AI can process information faster than any human. But we are different because we can think critically, creatively, and with empathy.
You can make yourself more valuable by following effective ways to increase IQ. This will help you improve your ability to judge, adapt, and see the big picture.
Want to know how AI is used in the real world? Take a look at our AI use cases to understand how AI is changing industries and how it works with human intellect.Think about how much more intelligent you could be if you employed AI. You don’t get replaced; you get better.
In conclusion, here is what you should do next:
You can learn how to be smart; it’s not just destiny. Begin with small steps-take a stroll today, swap chips for almonds tomorrow, or join a lively conversation this weekend. These actions add up over time, offering practical ways to increase IQ and achieve lasting brain benefits.
If you’re interested in this topic, here are some effective ways to increase IQ:
- For uplifting stories about neuroplasticity, read Norman Doidge’s The Brain That Changes Itself to learn practical ways to increase IQ.
- Use a brain-training program like Lumosity or Elevate to work out your brain.
- Try simple daily exercises to learn about mindfulness.
- The most useful instrument you have is your brain. Nurture it, challenge its capabilities, and witness its growth.
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Disclaimer: This text is intended for learning and does not give medical advice. Before making significant changes to your food, exercise, or mental health habits, you should always talk to a trained healthcare expert.
Hi, I’m Amarender Akupathni — founder of Amrtech Insights and a tech enthusiast passionate about AI and innovation. With 10+ years in science and R&D, I simplify complex technologies to help others stay ahead in the digital era.