<p>Has anyone tried any of those "brain fitness programs" that claim to improve memory, concentration, reaction time, etc and backed by some science?</p>
<p>I haven't tried any myself, but I'm considering using Lumosity over the summer to combat the summer brain drain.</p>
<p>Why not just read a lot of good books? You’ll challenge your brain, learn new words, discover new information, and have fun.</p>
<p>I already read widely, but these kind of programs seem more targeted and a refreshing break from reading. Of course, more traditional ways to stretch your brain like reading, etc. won’t be replaced, but only supplemented.</p>
<p>They’re not designed for students like us. They’re designed for elderly people. Studies have shown that these things are, to some degree, helpful in preventing the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. However, our brains do not deteriorate when they aren’t being engaged. Go out and have fun during the summer.</p>
<p>^ Then what about the infamous enlarging of the brains of London taxicab drivers?</p>
<p>Play Brain Age. It’s the bomb diggity.</p>
<p>That wasn’t achieved with a stupid little program; the people in that study navigate through the roads of London on a daily basis. Ergo, one would expect them to have an extremely developed sense of navigation; developing something like a relatively large hippocampus after years of training is nothing extraordinary.</p>
<p>^^ I’ve heard that Brain Age is good, but a bit too simple/easy.</p>
<p>^ It wasn’t after years of driving around; it was after studying the knowledge intensely…but I agree, that doesn’t necessarily mean that these kind of programs could duplicate the effects. Still, I’ve seen more evidence for its effects than against it, though admittedly the sample size studied was a bit small.</p>
<p>I have only tried occlumency before - it was really effective!!! I highly recommend it. 
:).</p>