Improve the brain to function optimally
Brain stimulation and nutritional supplements such as tyrosine or tryptophan appear to be promising options for improving cognitive performance. This is the conclusion of psychologist Laura Steenbergen. But she also argues that more research is needed.
Cognitive improvement is hip
Improving yourself and your mental functions is popular. Interest in cognitive improvement techniques has therefore grown strongly in recent years. Cognitive psychologist Steenbergen investigated the effects of popular brain improvement techniques on cognitive functions of the brain. These are, for example, the working memory, multitasking and switching between tasks. The dietary supplement tyrosine, for example, has been shown to have a positive effect on the ability to switch between two tasks.
More social behavior
Tryptophan intake can improve social cognition, the study found. Users show more social behavior, for example if they can help others or give something. This is probably because the focus is more on positive stimuli. Steenbergen: 'In empirical experiments I applied these brain improvement techniques to healthy volunteers. With this I demonstrate that these dietary supplements can be a method to function better socially and cognitively.
Looking for a better understanding of the effects
'Despite the promising results, we have to be careful to apply these techniques and methods, because we don't yet know how they work,' warns Steenbergen. In one of her study she showed that a commercial device to stimulate the brain actually had negative effects on the cognition of healthy volunteers, despite its promise to improve cognition. Steenbergen: 'We do not yet know exactly which factors contribute to the observed effects, and how these factors influence the performance of the test subjects. Because while these techniques look promising, I support a recent claim by prominent researchers: science needs to better understand the underlying mechanisms and the factors that influence the effects. Especially with regard to the claims that the brain training industry sometimes makes. '
Cognitive improvement in the future
Steenbergen points to the social importance of research into these techniques. 'It may have important social and economic implications if the social cognitive decline of the elderly can be slowed. I will be researching this in the near future. On the one hand, these techniques can help people to achieve optimal performance and to compensate for any (minor) cognitive deficiencies. And perhaps to grow old healthy and to remain independent for longer. Which, on the other hand, could save healthcare costs in an aging population. Cognitive improvement techniques may also enable people to learn and be trained more quickly, and less support is needed. '
