Can an Adult Increase Their IQ or Prevent It from Decreasing with Age?

Reflect on your journey through life, ensuring that you do not carry any baggage that might hinder your growth. Once you are able to overcome these obstacles and let go of biases, consider immersing yourself in the field of psychology to better understand yourself. This foundational knowledge can then be expanded to explore other subjects. Alternatively, you might find it enlightening to explore your mind through various mental exercises, such as engaging in the use of cannabis, if it's legal in your locale, to gently free your thoughts.

Nutrition plays a pivotal role in cognitive development, but for adults, there is only so much you can do to enhance your mental performance beyond maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Poor nutrition can have a negative impact on your cognitive abilities. However, adopting a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle are your best bets to preserve your cognitive function.

IQ Tests and Their Limitations

To enhance your understanding of cognitive abilities, it might be helpful to familiarize yourself with IQ tests. While cram schools can teach you the ropes of these tests, it is important to note that the results can be influenced by various factors. For instance, research suggests that IQ tests assume a "blank slate" concept, meaning that practice and understanding can inflate your scores. When I was a child, all the high-scoring children I knew claimed they had attended cram schools for streamlining, but none of them achieved notable success.

The concept of IQ involves dividing a person's intelligence by the average intelligence of peers of the same age. In theory, IQ is meant to remain constant throughout life, while intelligence should fluctuate. Personally, I believe my intelligence peaked around age 20 and has declined significantly in the 60 years since. It is also plausible that many people's intelligence levels drop as they age, especially if they are no longer actively engaged in mental activities. However, since my IQ was last tested over 70 years ago, there is no definitive way to verify these observations.

Strategies for Maintaining Cognitive Function

If the ability to increase IQ is limited, one might question whether there are other ways to maintain cognitive function in adulthood. Focusing on staying interested in various intellectual activities is a valuable approach. Engage in reading, attend performances, visit museums, and converse with people, even strangers. I engage in these activities frequently, comparing notes with others, sharing stories, and listening to stories. These activities not only keep your mind active but also contribute to your overall well-being.

Your physical health also plays a crucial role in maintaining mental functioning. Staying active, maintaining a healthy diet, and engaging in regular mental exercises can help preserve cognitive abilities. Research has shown that cognitive stimulation, such as mental exercises and brain training, can help maintain cognitive function. Therefore, it is essential to keep your mind engaged and challenged to age gracefully.

In conclusion, while the ability to significantly increase IQ with age may be limited, there are still ways to maintain and even enhance cognitive function. Engaging in mental exercises, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and staying interested in various intellectual activities can all contribute to a sharp and active mind as you age. Let your mind drift and flourish, embracing the challenges and opportunities that life offers.