I am so confused with LIFE and N-Back training. I need HELP!

[mysoci...@gmail.com]

Hi everyone, 

I have a standardized exam that I have been stuck on for 3 years. I want to increase my IQ and my working memory so I am desperate for solutions to get this stupid exam over with. I have been doing the Brain WorkShop Dual N Back for the past week or so but it is hard to stay motivated on it. 

1. I am confused if I should do 100 trails or just do 20 sets. I get distracted right after a set so I like to do all the trails just in one straight sitting. Any advice?

2. I wanted to buy the I9 Mindware software. What do you guys think? I know it costs money but I really need something to help me stay motivate and I dont think this Brain Workshop that is free is keeping me motivated. 

I have tried Nootropics but literally NONE of the million ones I have taken done ANYTHING for my cognitive functioning. I am at a very desperate stage and I will literally try anything to increase my IQ so I can pass this standardized exam. 

HELP someone. 

[mysoci...@gmail.com]

Anyone??

[Heinstar]

Treat DNB like physical exercise. So do it for around 20 mins a day during the day when you have the most brain power and always aim to break your own high score. Breaking your high score doesn't necessary mean that you're getting transfers but it's a good motivator. You could be stuck at D2B and still have improvements since it's about your brain rewiring itself to adapt to the exercise. 

Once you reach plateu on DNB, move on to other N-backs such as TNB, QNB, CNB etc. It's possible that your wm might improve from N-back training but I wouldn't expect an genuine increase in IQ/fluid intelligence. Even if your IQ score increases in IQtest.dk, it's probably from your increased wm helping you problem solve faster. IQ mindware only has DNB and their lure trials work a bit differently(don't know if it's better) so if that interests you, you could try out their program as well. Lets just say that I wasn't dissapointed with IQ mindware.

[Brandon Woodson]

Hi, mysocialcook.

Two questions which might help improve the quality of subsequent replies:

What exam are you trying to pass? And why, in your judgement, must/should I.Q. be increased to help pass this exam?

--Brandon

On Sat, Nov 28, 2015, 2:18 AM Heinstar <yuki.d...@gmail.com> wrote:

Just do as much as you can when you have the time. It's possible that your wm to improve from training but don't expect a increase in IQ. IQ mindware is just a fancy way of playing DNB but their lure trials work a bit differently(don't know if it's better) so if that's your thing, you could try theirs as well.

On Saturday, November 28, 2015 at 3:23:16 AM UTC+10, mysoci...@gmail.com wrote:

Hi everyone, 

I have a standardized exam that I have been stuck on for 3 years. I want to increase my IQ and my working memory so I am desperate for solutions to get this stupid exam over with. I have been doing the Brain WorkShop Dual N Back for the past week or so but it is hard to stay motivated on it. 

1. I am confused if I should do 100 trails or just do 20 sets. I get distracted right after a set so I like to do all the trails just in one straight sitting. Any advice?

2. I wanted to buy the I9 Mindware software. What do you guys think? I know it costs money but I really need something to help me stay motivate and I dont think this Brain Workshop that is free is keeping me motivated. 

I have tried Nootropics but literally NONE of the million ones I have taken done ANYTHING for my cognitive functioning. I am at a very desperate stage and I will literally try anything to increase my IQ so I can pass this standardized exam. 

HELP someone. 

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[mysoci...@gmail.com]

HI, 

I am trying to take the MCAT. I have taken it several times but my working memory sucks, and I realize I need a strong working memory/strong IQ to get passed this exam. I have been stuck on this exam for so many years and I really need something to increase my working memory/reading comprehension. 

[mysoci...@gmail.com]

Heinstar, 

Did you feel as though your working memory increased a good amount via IQ mindware? in the 19 days they say?

On Saturday, November 28, 2015 at 2:18:02 AM UTC-6, Heinstar wrote:

Just do as much as you can when you have the time and always aim to break your own high score. Once you reach plateu on DNB, move on to other N-backs such as TNB, QNB, CNB etc. It's possible that your wm might improve from N-back training but I wouldn't expect an genuine increase in IQ/fluid intelligence. Even if your IQ increases in IQtest.dk, it's probably from your increased wm helping you problem solve better. IQ mindware is just a fancy way of playing DNB but their lure trials work a bit differently to BWS(don't know if it's better) so if that interests you, you could try out their program as well. Lets just say that I wasn't dissapointed with IQ mindware.

[Mercel]

You also sound really anxious, which will absolutely kill your performance. It's terrible, I know exactly how you feel. You're in a situation where you almost feel as if you cannot be anxious -- anything else would be a sign that you're not taking this seriously. 

First step is to realize that your current mindset is working against you. You can do as much working memory exercise as you want, but if you do not comprehend that your own mind is sabotaging itself, your new attempt will be doomed from the outset. 

[Mercel]

Your focus is split between the desire to perform and the fear of failing to perform, which means that the resources that you can actually mobilize during performance will be severely limited. In addition to working memory exercises, you should meditate on exactly this to clear away the mindset.

[Heinstar]

I never continously trained for 19 days so I can't answer that. But when I started doing DNB for the first time, it made me mentally fatigued, sleepy and gave me vivid dreams. I only started noticing improvements in my memory and general cognitive function after several months of training. If you don't want to spend the money, BWS is just as good as IQ mindware and it's free. I just bought the IQ mindware because I just wanted to try out their program since I had the money. One thing I don't recommend is EQPro from IQ mindware, Emotional N-back isn't back up with as strong evidence and I feel like it was a waste of time and money.

How long is your exam coming up in? If it's in less than a month, I wouldn't bother with N-back and just focus on diet, exercise, sleep and study habits instead since it takes at least a few months to see improvements in wm from working memory training. And even if your wm improves, I'm not sure if that's going to help your exams either.

For nootropics, you could ask www.reddit.com/r/stackadvice for safe nootropic suggestions to help with your exam. The basic recommended stack is usually 100 - 200mg L-theanine + 100 - 200mg Caffeine tablets/ Coffee. For memory, Bacopa is supposed to help with that but again, it's probably going to take few months to start noticing improvements. Everyone should be taking 2g of fish oil if you're not eating enough fish. 

[mysoci...@gmail.com]

Heinstar, 

I have two months for the exam. It is on Jan 23rd, 2016. What do you recommend?

On Saturday, November 28, 2015 at 9:47:04 PM UTC-6, Heinstar wrote:

I never continously trained for 19 days so I can't answer that. But when I started doing DNB for the first time, it made me really tired and sleepy and I did feel an improvement in my cognitive function. If you don't want to spend the money, BWS is just as good as IQ mindware and it's free. I just bought IQ mindware because I just wanted to try out their program since I had the money. One thing I don't recommend is EQPro from IQ mindware, Emotional N-back isn't back up with as strong evidence and I feel like it was a waste of time and money.

How long is your exam coming up in? If it's in less than a month, I wouldn't bother with N-back and just focus on diet, exercise, sleep and study habits instead since it takes at least a few months to see improvements in wm from working memory training.

[Heinstar]

2 months is too short so don't bother with DNB or bacopa for now since it takes several months to start noticing improvements in memory. And like I said earlier, I don't think improved working memory is going to help with your exam(s) anyway. You might as well spend that 2 months actually studying for your exam which is going to help you pass than from wasting time and brain energy from doing working memory training.

Just focus on healthy diet, exercise, good sleep haibits and study habits. Revise your notes regularly and so on. L-theanine + caffeine works immediately so you could try that or just simply drink tea/coffee.

[Brain Train]

Acetyl-L-carnitine may be a great help in your situation. it improves memory as well as alertness and focus... it's to be taken empty stomach in the morning. you may start with 250mg (one in the morning, one in the afternoon - 6-7 hours before bed time)

Effect start coming immediately (within few hours).

It takes around 15 days to reach near the peak benefits.

you may find the effects simply amazing.. as you may feel like studying more and for longer duration then you currently do.

it's easy to absorb new word meaning to improve your vocabulary.

possible side effect after several weeks of use.. over alertness interfering with your sleep.

may take longer to fall asleep and/or wake up little too early in the morning.

this is the time to reduce the dosage (and/or give a few days' break from this health supplement).

i found it best to use it for around 1 or 2 months at a stretch when there is need... not for continuous use.

appears great for temporary bump in performance.

but be ready for some withdrawal effect also when you will stop it's use... but that seems to be only for few days.

try to avoid tea/coffee while taking it. because it's effect is very similar to coffee ... and giving two stimulants to your brain unnecessarily may not be a good idea!

Fish-oil has similar effect but somewhat milder and takes longer to appear. (also it involves killing of fishes)

once your exams are over, you may consider switching to fish oil... for longer term use as fish oil may have lesser side effects 

(but don't forget it is a blood thinner and over use may cause problem.. blood not clotting after a minor skin cut,... you may have to study some literature on it's side effects/precautions, especially before deciding to use it beyond a month).

Plan and track your progress: (not only making progress is important but also knowing it's exact pace (exactly how much is being made per day/week is equally important. it gives you the power to predict your preparation status on the desired future date)

to reduce your stress, figure out what are key areas you want to improve on.. make a plan. follow the plan. as you proceed and tick mark boxes (for the measurable goals that you have achieved), you will be able to see that you are on track and progressing at right pace. if not, you will be able to adjust your pace. this will give you confidence about your judgement of whether you will be able to make enough progress by the exam date or not.

this brings great mental relief. and you will be able to focus better on things at hand for that day, for that moment.

Good luck to you for your exam! 

On Sun, Nov 29, 2015 at 10:09 AM, Heinstar <yuki.d...@gmail.com> wrote:

2 months is too short so don't bother with DNB or bacopa for now since it takes several months to start noticing improvements in memory. And like I said earlier, I don't think improved working memory is going to help with your exam(s) anyway. 

Just focus on healthy diet, good sleep haibits and study habits. Revise your notes regularly and so on. L-theanine + caffeine works immediately so you could try that or just simply drink tea/coffee.

On Sunday, November 29, 2015 at 2:29:18 PM UTC+10, mysoci...@gmail.com wrote:

Heinstar, 

I have two months for the exam. It is on Jan 23rd, 2016. What do you recommend?

On Saturday, November 28, 2015 at 9:47:04 PM UTC-6, Heinstar wrote:

I never continously trained for 19 days so I can't answer that. But when I started doing DNB for the first time, it made me really tired and sleepy and I did feel an improvement in my cognitive function. If you don't want to spend the money, BWS is just as good as IQ mindware and it's free. I just bought IQ mindware because I just wanted to try out their program since I had the money. One thing I don't recommend is EQPro from IQ mindware, Emotional N-back isn't back up with as strong evidence and I feel like it was a waste of time and money.

How long is your exam coming up in? If it's in less than a month, I wouldn't bother with N-back and just focus on diet, exercise, sleep and study habits instead since it takes at least a few months to see improvements in wm from working memory training.

For nootropics, you could ask www.reddit.com/r/stackadvice for safe nootropic suggestions to help with your exam. The basic recommended stack is usually 100 - 200mg L-theanine + 100 - 200mg Caffeine tablets/ Coffee. For memory, Bacopa is supposed to help with that but again, it's probably going to take few months to start noticing improvements. Everyone should be taking 2g of fish oil if you're not eating enough fish. 

On Sunday, November 29, 2015 at 9:53:00 AM UTC+10, mysoci...@gmail.com wrote:

Heinstar, 

Did you feel as though your working memory increased a good amount via IQ mindware? in the 19 days they say?

On Saturday, November 28, 2015 at 2:18:02 AM UTC-6, Heinstar wrote:

Just do as much as you can when you have the time and always aim to break your own high score. Once you reach plateu on DNB, move on to other N-backs such as TNB, QNB, CNB etc. It's possible that your wm might improve from N-back training but I wouldn't expect an genuine increase in IQ/fluid intelligence. Even if your IQ increases in IQtest.dk, it's probably from your increased wm helping you problem solve better. IQ mindware is just a fancy way of playing DNB but their lure trials work a bit differently to BWS(don't know if it's better) so if that interests you, you could try out their program as well. Lets just say that I wasn't dissapointed with IQ mindware.

On Saturday, November 28, 2015 at 3:23:16 AM UTC+10, mysoci...@gmail.com wrote:

Hi everyone, 

I have a standardized exam that I have been stuck on for 3 years. I want to increase my IQ and my working memory so I am desperate for solutions to get this stupid exam over with. I have been doing the Brain WorkShop Dual N Back for the past week or so but it is hard to stay motivated on it. 

1. I am confused if I should do 100 trails or just do 20 sets. I get distracted right after a set so I like to do all the trails just in one straight sitting. Any advice?

2. I wanted to buy the I9 Mindware software. What do you guys think? I know it costs money but I really need something to help me stay motivate and I dont think this Brain Workshop that is free is keeping me motivated. 

I have tried Nootropics but literally NONE of the million ones I have taken done ANYTHING for my cognitive functioning. I am at a very desperate stage and I will literally try anything to increase my IQ so I can pass this standardized exam. 

HELP someone. 

[Heinstar]

Few other generally safe supplements you can take for brain.

Not sure why, but I always feel the nootropic effects from just taking B-complex. I recommend Coenzymed B-complex such as Swanson Ultra Activated B-complex High Bioavailability or Jarrow Formulas B-Right. Pure Encapsulations, Douglas Laboratories and Thorne Research also has methylated B-complex as well.

Choline is essential for the brain and it can sometimes help if you're deficient/deprived from choline. Alpha GPC and CDP choline are the most bioavailable. Be careful though, some people are choline dominant and report feeling depressed from too much choline. You could also just take ALCAR instead which increases acetylcholine synthesis.

Creatine has shown to increase IQ in vegans but I doubt you'll feel much difference if you're already eating meat regularly.

On Saturday, November 28, 2015 at 3:23:16 AM UTC+10, mysoci...@gmail.com wrote: