Can Exercise, Reading, and Socialization Really Make You Smarter?

  • Thread starter Thread starter plum
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential cognitive benefits of exercise, reading, and socialization, exploring how these activities might influence intelligence and brain function. Participants touch on various aspects, including brain chemistry, neural networks, and the subjective nature of thought processes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that oxygen flow during exercise may enhance cognitive clarity and thought processes.
  • There is a viewpoint that reading complex material exercises the mind and could expand neural networks over time.
  • One participant argues that simply being around intelligent individuals does not guarantee an increase in one's own intelligence without a willingness to learn.
  • Another participant emphasizes that deeper intuitive thought is subjective and influenced by personal experiences and beliefs.
  • One comment introduces the idea that being bilingual or multilingual may have cognitive benefits, although the evidence is not firmly established.
  • A participant humorously suggests that using cannabis might also have an effect on cognitive processes.
  • There is a reiteration of the notion that brain activity is relative to the tasks being performed, rather than solely dependent on oxygen supply.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views, with no clear consensus on the effectiveness of these activities in enhancing intelligence. Some ideas are supported by participants, while others are challenged or questioned, indicating ongoing debate.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the need for evidence to support claims, but there is a reluctance to engage in extensive research. The discussion reflects a variety of assumptions and subjective interpretations regarding cognitive enhancement.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in cognitive science, psychology, or personal development may find the exploration of these ideas relevant.

plum
Messages
136
Reaction score
0
I don't know much about brain chemistry, but I gather that oxygen flow has something to do with thought waves, and the clarity and exuberance of thought that sometimes comes after intensive exercise would seem to substantiate this idea. Also, high brow reading is itself giving the mind an exercise in complex formal relations, which would expand various neural networks over time. Thirdly, socialization/ argumentation with those who are smarter than you can only help. Anyone care to refute or add to these ideas?
 
Biology news on Phys.org
Do you care to support your ideas with evidence/data?
 
That would take a lot of time and research. I would much prefer to just see the comments of someone who knows more than I do.
 
The final idea would not be guaranteed. You will not necessarily gain intelligence solely by being around intelligence. Unless there is a willingness to achieve a great level of understanding then by just being around or even discussing academic material with "brains" would not guarantee that one would become wiser.
 
Oxygen just feeds the cells. The brain waves are relative to the activity of the work being done.

Deeper intuitive thought is a very individual subjective to experiences and beliefs. If exercise brings a mental peace, I suggest keep doing it
 
How about some weed? Hmm?
 
being bilingual or multilingual is supposed to help retain a few nuts and screws... http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/06/040614075336.htm
I've also heard that learning to unicycle is good for your brain, increases attention spans etc. don't know if there's any real data to back that up though.
 
Taoist said:
Oxygen just feeds the cells. The brain waves are relative to the activity of the work being done.

Deeper intuitive thought is a very individual subjective to experiences and beliefs. If exercise brings a mental peace, I suggest keep doing it

Are you saying that force of willpower and personality can have a bio- physical effect on the brain?
 
The empty space of the cerebrum shall lay mysterious.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Replies
10
Views
6K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
6K
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
7K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
5K
  • Sticky
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
507K