LONGECITY

Here is a literature review published in Psychological Science in the Public Interest, which discusses study techniques. It explains which techniques work well, which are okay, and which don't work at all. The scientific article is here: http://psi.sagepub.c...ef&siteid=sppsi

Time Magazine wrote an easy-to-read article to help non-scientists understand how to study better: http://ideas.time.co...ing-techniques/

It's been a while since I've opened this topic. Thanks for the additions!

Expressive writing/journaling:

Longer-term benefits of expressive writing

Health outcomes

• Fewer stress-related visits to the doctor
• Improved immune system functioning
• Reduced blood pressure
• Improved lung function
• Improved liver function
• Fewer days in hospital
• Improved mood/affect
• Feeling of greater psychological well-being
• Reduced depressive symptoms before examinations
• Fewer post-traumatic intrusion and avoidance symptoms

Social and behavioural outcomes

• Reduced absenteeism from work
• Quicker re-employment after job loss
• Improved working memory
• Improved sporting performance
• Higher students’ grade point average
• Altered social and linguistic behaviour

_{Source with references to individual studies and more information: http://apt.rcpsych.o...ontent/11/5/338}

(Adequate)Sleep:
It's kind of obvious, but I think it's underrated by a lot of people (me included sometimes)
https://en.wikipedia...Sleep#Functions

Awesome thread, I would add LLLT on here.

Awesome thread, I would add LLLT on here.

 
Thanks for your post 88LS. Do you have a reference or link to more information about this because I don't quite see how LLLT would work brain/cognition-wise.
 
Another addition to the list. It's basically Attention Restoration Theory (ART) again (see post #6 for more information), but I think it's nice to see a specific number/increase (20% in this case). The source is also a pretty engaging website, so make sure to check that out if you have some spare time.
 

Memory improved 20% by nature walk
 
Marc G. Berman and colleagues at the University of Michigan wanted to test the effect of a walk’s scenery on cognitive function (Berman, Jonides & Kaplan, 2008). In the first of two studies participants were given a 35 minute task involving repeating loads of random numbers back to the experimenter, but in reverse order. After this cognitive psychology special (!) they were sent out for a walk – one group around an arboretum and the other down a busy city street – both while being tracked with GPS devices. They each repeated the memory test when they got back. The results showed that people’s performance on the test improved by almost 20% after wandering amongst the trees. By comparison those subjected to a busy street did not reliably improve on the test. In the second study participants weren’t even allowed to leave the lab but instead some stared at pictures of natural scenes while others looked at urban environments. The improvements weren’t quite as impressive as the first study, but, once again, the trees and fields beat the roads and lampposts.
 
These results replicated a previous study by Berto (2005) who found that just viewing pictures of natural scenes had a restorative effect on cognitive function. People’s performance was soon restored by picture of trees, fields and hills, but not by streets, industrial units or even complex geometric patterns.
 
_{Source (with references to studies): http://www.spring.or...nature-walk.php}

Edited by Now, 03 May 2015 - 08:49 AM.

Hey now, heeey now, 
Don't dream it's over :-)

 

I don't have time on my hands to cite all the studies right now, but the just of LLLT can be found here on Lostfalco's bio and thread: 

 

http://www.longecity...1887-lostfalco/

 

http://www.longecity...ic-experiments/

 

Also what do you think about other esoteric techniques for increasing IQ such as image streaming, pseudo-telekinesis technique and holding your breath under water?

 

Hey now, heeey now, 
Don't dream it's over :-)
 
I don't have time on my hands to cite all the studies right now, but the just of LLLT can be found here on Lostfalco's bio and thread: 
 
http://www.longecity...1887-lostfalco/
 
http://www.longecity...ic-experiments/
 
Also what do you think about other esoteric techniques for increasing IQ such as image streaming, pseudo-telekinesis technique and holding your breath under water?

 
Thanks again 88LS. I'll look into LLLT later; it looks like a fascinating but highly experimental tool.
 
I'm not an expert, but the websites mentioning image streaming, pseudo-telekinesis technique and holding your breath under water are not really convincing to me. They claim things without backing it up with scientific studies. Citing books written by people with a title looks scientific, but it's not the same as citing actual studies. They're also selling a book/program which isn't necessarily a problem, but it makes me a little bit more sceptical.
 

Image Streaming in itself can take your IQ to very high levels, but it’s not the most efficient at very high IQs, at least not in its standard form.  Other versions of this technique exist which are useful to take your IQ to levels above 180, but they are only for very advanced users. I give a few of these advanced variations further down in the section Taking It to the Next Level. For most, however, the standard version taught below will be the place to start.
_{Source: http://howtobecomesm...mage-streaming/}

.
This just screams pseudoscience to me. They cite one study in the article and this is the message they show you on that page:

"Update: Reviewers have found that this study was statistically inadequate. Further and better studies are requested."
 
I'm not saying that these techniques don't work. In fact, image streaming and pseudo-telekinesis are bit like meditation/mindfulness so they might have some beneficial effects, but I don't think that you should expect changes in IQ (score). Swimming is a form of physical exercise and that is the best thing you can do, but I'm not sure if holding your breath under water has some extra beneficial effect.

I just want to share this awesome infographic with the benefits of meditation/mindfulness. Just take a look it at when you need some motivation/willpower to meditate. Fun fact: meditation appears to strengthen self control and prevents sapping of willpower.

 

Infographic: http://www.informati...lness-good-for/

Datasheet with 75+ studies: http://bit.ly/KIB_Mindfulness

this should be sticky

Listening to Terence McKenna

 

Morning sun light
(Preferably right after sunrise)
If I spend first 40-60 min outdoors (somewhere from 6am to 7am) I am much more motivated, have much more energy and can handle carbs much better.