Common Myths About Brain Training (And Why They're Wrong)

I've been doing brain training for over a year now, and let me tell you—I've heard EVERYTHING.

"It makes you smarter!" (Not really) "It prevents Alzheimer's!" (Probably not) "It's a complete waste of time!" (Also not really) "It's basically magic!" (Definitely not)

People have a lot of opinions about brain training. And a lot of those opinions are... well, let's just say they're not based on facts.

I've spent way too much time reading about this stuff, talking to people, and testing it myself. So I figured I'd clear up some of the most common myths I hear. Because misinformation is annoying, and I'm tired of hearing the same wrong things over and over.

Myth 1: "Brain Training Makes You Smarter"

Okay so this is probably the biggest myth. People think playing brain games will boost their IQ or make them generally smarter. Like, across the board.

The truth? It's more complicated than that. Brain training improves SPECIFIC skills. If you practice working memory games, you'll get better at working memory. If you practice attention games, you'll get better at attention.

But will it make you generally smarter? Like, boost your overall intelligence? Probably not. The research on this (it's called "far transfer" if you want to sound smart at parties) is... mixed. Some studies say yes, some say no, most say "it's complicated."

Here's my take: improving specific cognitive skills IS valuable. Better working memory helps with problem-solving. Better attention helps with focus. These things matter, even if they don't make you "smarter" in the general sense.

But if you're expecting to go from average to genius? That's probably not happening. Sorry.

Myth 2: "Brain Training Prevents Alzheimer's"

Oh man, I WISH this were true. Like, I really wish it. My grandma had Alzheimer's and it was terrible. If brain games could prevent that, I'd be playing 24/7.

But the evidence just... isn't there. Some studies show that people who do cognitive activities (like reading, learning, socializing) might have lower risk of dementia. But that's correlation, not causation. And brain training games are just one type of cognitive activity—they're not special.

The best way to reduce your risk of Alzheimer's? Exercise (ugh, I know). Eat well. Get enough sleep. Manage stress. Stay socially active. All that boring health stuff.

Brain training might help a little, but it's not a magic bullet. I wish it were, but it's not. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Myth 3: "More Training = Better Results"

This is the "more is better" thing, and it's wrong. People think "if 10 minutes is good, an hour must be amazing!"

Nope. That's not how brains work. Cognitive training has diminishing returns. Like, the first 10-15 minutes are where the magic happens. After that? You're mostly just going through the motions. Your brain gets tired. You stop improving.

I've tested this. I tried playing for an hour every day for a week. My scores didn't improve any more than when I played for 15 minutes. I just got more tired and frustrated.

10-15 minutes a day seems to be the sweet spot. More than that? Waste of time. Less than that? Probably not enough.

Quality matters way more than quantity. 10 minutes of focused training beats 60 minutes of distracted training every time. Trust me, I've tried both.

Myth 4: Brain Training Is a Waste of Time

Some people think brain training doesn't work at all. This usually comes from people who tried it once, didn't see immediate results, and gave up.

The truth? Brain training works, but it takes time and consistency. You won't see results after one session. You might not see results after one week. But if you stick with it for months, you will see improvements.

The key is managing expectations. Don't expect dramatic changes overnight. Expect gradual improvements over time.

Myth 5: All Brain Training Games Are the Same

This couldn't be further from the truth. Different games train different cognitive skills. A memory game trains memory. A reaction time game trains reaction time. A logic game trains logic.

They're not interchangeable. If you want to improve your memory, play memory games. If you want to improve your reaction time, play reaction time games.

This is why variety matters. Don't just play one game. Play different games to train different skills.

Myth 6: You Need to Pay for Good Brain Training

This is marketing nonsense. There are plenty of free brain training games that work just as well as paid ones.

The expensive apps often have better graphics and more features, but the core training is the same. A simple memory game works the same whether it's free or costs $20 a month.

I'm not saying paid apps are bad—some are excellent. But you don't need to pay to get good brain training.

Myth 7: Brain Training Replaces Other Cognitive Activities

Some people think that if they're doing brain training, they don't need to read, learn, or engage in other cognitive activities.

But that's backwards. Brain training should complement other cognitive activities, not replace them. Reading, learning new skills, solving puzzles—all of these are valuable.

The best approach is to do brain training in addition to other cognitive activities, not instead of them.

Myth 8: Results Are Permanent

Unfortunately, cognitive improvements from brain training aren't permanent. If you stop training, you'll likely lose some of the gains.

This is similar to physical exercise. If you stop going to the gym, you'll lose muscle. If you stop brain training, you'll lose some cognitive improvements.

The good news? It doesn't take much to maintain gains. Even playing once or twice a week can help maintain improvements.

Myth 9: Brain Training Works for Everyone

This is a tough one. The truth is, brain training doesn't work for everyone. Some people see dramatic improvements. Others see modest improvements. Some see no improvements at all.

We don't fully understand why. It might be genetics. It might be baseline ability. It might be how you train.

The only way to know if it works for you is to try it consistently for a few months. If you're not seeing any improvements after that, it might not be for you. And that's okay.

Myth 10: You Can't Train Your Brain After a Certain Age

This is completely false. Your brain remains plastic throughout your life. You can improve cognitive skills at any age.

In fact, older adults often show more dramatic improvements from brain training, possibly because they have more room to improve.

Age is not a barrier. If you want to improve your cognitive skills, you can, regardless of your age.

The Bottom Line

So most of these myths come from people oversimplifying things or just not understanding how brain training actually works.

Brain training DOES work. But it's not magic. It improves specific skills, not general intelligence. It takes time. It takes consistency. And it's not a replacement for reading, learning, socializing, or any of that other good stuff.

The key is having realistic expectations. Don't expect it to make you a genius or prevent Alzheimer's. But DO expect it to improve the specific skills you practice—if you're consistent and patient.

And honestly? Even modest benefits are still benefits. A small improvement in memory? That's still an improvement. A small improvement in attention? That's still an improvement. These things add up.

So yeah, brain training works. But it's not a miracle. It's a tool. Use it right, and it'll help. Use it wrong, and you'll be disappointed.

That's my take, anyway. Take it or leave it.