By Holly L.

Is your daily Wordle not enough of a challenge these days? If you’re looking for a fun new way to engage your brain this summer, consider BrainHQ.

One of the many free online resources we provide, BrainHQ is brain-training program developed by international neuroscientists. Led by Michael Merzenich, co-inventor of the cochlear implant, this team has translated 30 years of brain research into a personal gym for your mind. The program works by helping to rewire the brain by taking advantage of its plasticity, or ability to change through learning and experience.

The 29 exercises focus on attention, brain speed, memory, people skills, navigation, and intelligence. A personalized trainer feature allows you to choose which cognitive areas you want to focus on, using an algorithm to measure your performance and adapting each exercise to your optimum level. Each BrainHQ level can be completed in five minutes, so you can “work out” in small chunks or longer sessions, to fit into your schedule. A BrainHQ app also allows you to play on your mobile device.

In case you’re wondering about the science behind the program, BrainHQ provides links to published studies demonstrating its proven benefits. One study documented that BrainHQ training in combination with physical exercise improved episodic memory—the memory for specific events in life, such as a first day of school or a special party.

BrainHQ might also help improve quality of life, as with improved focus, memory, and brain processing, people are able to stay healthier, with greater feelings of happiness and control.

I flexed my mental muscles today with a few rounds of a fun memory exercise called “Eye for Detail.” It focuses on brain speed and working memory, which is the brain’s ability to store small amounts of information in the short term for recall at a later time. In this exercise, three butterflies briefly appear on the screen, two of which are matching. It was up to me to remember the location of the matching butterflies for several turns. With a few misses and several hits, the butterflies flashed more quickly on and off the screen as I improved my accuracy, making the exercise feel continually challenging. After a few rounds, I earned enough stars to win a badge and a tiny dose of brain fatigue. 

If you are interested in boosting your mental mojo by giving BrainHQ a try, click here to create your free account. You can use it directly on the site or download the mobile app.

Holly is an Instructor and Research Specialist at the Miller Branch. She enjoys knitting, preferably with a strong cup of tea and Downton Abbey in the queue.