Rating of the best books for increasing intelligence in 2020

Interest in the structure of the human brain dates back to ancient times. The evidence of this is the written, material sources of Ancient Egypt, the East, Mesopotamia. However, for a long time, the heart, not the brain, was considered the center of intellectual abilities. The first to discover the relationship between intelligence and the brain was Hippocrates. He drew attention to the fact that people who injured their heads lost their memory, the ability to think adequately, rationally, and build logical connections. The 19th and 20th centuries became really fruitful for brain science. A huge number of discoveries have been made, many studies have been carried out that have expanded and deepened the knowledge of mankind about the functions, properties of gray matter, abilities, capabilities of the human mind.

The times when scientists assumed that the level of intellectual abilities given by nature could not be changed have long since sunk into oblivion. Today it is known for certain that an ordinary person uses the capabilities of the brain by an average of 10% - a maximum of 20%. The best international universities and research centers work daily to explore the remaining 80% of the capabilities of human intelligence. Many scientists, neuropsychologists, neuroscientists publish the results of scientific research, share their experience and knowledge of how to use this 10-20% as efficiently as possible, how to develop intellectual abilities. This article compiles a ranking of the best books for increasing intelligence in 2020.

Factors affecting brain function

Despite the fact that each of us has certain innate abilities, these qualities are dynamic, and can change throughout life depending on conditions, age and individual characteristics.

1. Health. An important role in the work of such functions as long-term, short-term memory, thinking, attention is played by the hormonal system of the individual, the saturation of the body in useful vitamins and minerals. A striking example of this is pregnant women. There are many jokes about their forgetfulness, inattention, but the reason lies precisely in hormonal changes.
2. Physical activity. Moderate physical activity has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the whole body, as well as on the functioning of the brain.During sports, blood circulates faster, oxygenating the internal organs and the brain. The body itself will tell you how to choose the appropriate type of physical activity: after classes there should be no desire to fall dead on the bed and wake up in the future, vigor should be present, tone increased, and mood improved.
3. Environment. The psycho-emotional state actively affects the development of a person's intellectual abilities. Children who grow up in a favorable family environment show better results than children with psycho-emotional problems from dysfunctional families, even with the same intelligence levels.
4. Healthy sleep. The central nervous system rests only during sleep at certain times of the day.
5. Correct, balanced nutrition. Lack of some vitamins can cause inattention, forgetfulness.
6. Microclimate. The premises should always be ventilated, the optimum level of humidity and temperature should be maintained.

What to do to develop intelligence?

Where should you start if you want to improve your mental abilities? First, pay attention to the following recommendations:

1. Saturate the body with useful nutraceuticals. Especially, pay attention to the B vitamins, vitamin D, A, vitamin K, omega-3,6,9, vitamin C. The food should be varied, include not fried nuts, fish, herbs, legumes, cereals.
2. Play sports or breathing exercises regularly. The better oxygenated the body, the better the brain functions. Probably, many have paid attention to the fact that during a period of intense mental activity the head “refuses to work” it is worth getting up, walking around, stretching, breathing fresh air, then the work will be more effective.
3. Put things in order in the living quarters, at the workplace. The mess creates unnecessary fuss that interferes with the thought process and distracts attention.
4. Train the basic functions: memory, thinking, attention. To become smarter, to increase intelligence, you need to train this mind: perform logical tasks every day, learn poems, read cognitive, informational texts.
5. Enrich your vocabulary. Make it a rule to learn at least 10 new words every day. In this case, the main thing is regularity, quality, not quantity.
6. Get enough sleep. Don't just get enough sleep, but keep your sleep routine. Going to bed at 03:00, waking up at 12:00, disrupting the biological rhythms of organisms is a bad habit.
7. Read specialized literature, constantly learn something new, master new skills not only of a cognitive nature, but also of a practical one: to develop large, fine motor skills. Knitting, crocheting, roller skating are also beneficial for the development of intelligence;
8. Learn the skill of speed reading. This will allow you to spend less time on high-quality assimilation of new information.

Rating of the best books for increasing intelligence in 2020

To improve the efficiency of work, the quality of life of interested, smart, motivated people, novelties for self-development are released annually on the book market. But how not to make an insidious mistake when choosing a book? Indeed, sometimes just the description on the flyleaf is not enough, and the gripping annotation turns out to be a cunning bait. Which book should you buy? Which author should you look at, a Russian or a foreign publishing house? What is worth spending precious time and reading, and what is not worth your attention. Collected below is a selection of books recommended by buyers, critics, personal growth experts and academics.

Carol Dweck "Flexible Mind"

Carol Dweck is one of the leading experts, a professor at Stanford University, a member of the US Academy of Sciences, who has devoted her work to the study of motivation, growth and personal development. Her book makes you look differently at the process of intellectual growth.Why do some people perceive failure as an experience, go further, develop, others focus their attention on this, getting stuck in the moment? The author gives a detailed answer to these questions. From childhood, individuals either perceive the level of intelligence as a given, not subject to change, or are guided by growth and development. The first live, trying to prove their potential, the second - develop this potential.

• Suitable for parents to learn how to properly guide and motivate the child;
• The content of the book is subordinated to one thought, which the author correctly reveals without too much water;
• Changes consciousness.

• Cost: the average price is more than 1000 rubles.

Roger Swipe "Brain Development"

Brain Development is a non-standard choice for fans of the self-development genre. The book is written witty, with a humorous approach. Emotional response helps to better remember the information offered. Ideal for reading on public transport, after a hard day at work.

• Read in one breath;
• Intellectually, but with humor;
• For a wide range of readers, does not require special knowledge.

• The method proposed by the author is an exclusively subjective experience.

John Kehoe "The subconscious mind can do anything"

The book of this writer is a real bestseller. It has become a reference book for many successful people who have decided to change their lives once and for all. John Kehoe is a unique trainer, coach, writer, philosopher. The publications of this author are always the most anticipated. He spent several years in seclusion in the Canadian forests, studying the potentialities of man, the human mind, far from civilization. As a result, a book was born that became a world hit. Kehoe's methods of working with our subconscious have proven their effectiveness thanks to numerous positive reviews and results from readers. This work is included in the top books that you need to read to develop abilities, personal growth, and increase motivation.

• Written by experts in the field of personal growth;
• For a wide audience;
• With practical advice;
• Written clearly, specifically.

• Not.

Ryuta Kawashima "Train Your Brain"

Ryuta Kawashima is a Japanese neuroscientist, author of a series of manuals with exercises for human cognitive abilities. The ingenious system is built on the basis of a minimum daily investment of time, with a gradual cumulative effect.

• The study guide is written for the average person by an expert in the study of the human brain;
• The exercises take a little time.

• The book format assumes only the practical part.

David Rock "The Brain. Instructions for use "

A fascinating guide from a popular business coach on how to rationally use intellectual abilities, develop and train them. The book deals with specific examples, situations, and gives specific recommendations. The methods proposed by the author are based on the results of scientific research,

• An interesting form of presentation of the material: each fragment consists of several parts: practice, theory, practice;
• Much from the field of social psychology, but with a scientific explanation.

• In some places the theoretical material is presented using specific terminology, which complicates perception;
• Quite a voluminous book for its genre.

John Medina "Rules for Your Child's Brain Development"

John Medina is an eminent neuroscientist. At one time, he came to the conclusion that raising a child is, first of all, working on the development of his brain, which begins when the child is in the womb. The book focuses on the practical questions asked by the average parent. Written from the point of view of science, but in an accessible language.The brain develops according to well-known rules and patterns. Knowledge of these patterns helps in the upbringing of a healthy, purposeful, independent, thinking person.

• Recommended for young or prospective parents;
• Included in the rating of some of the highest quality publications.

• Not.

Yakov Perilman "101 Puzzles"

To train intellectual abilities, you can use specially designed expensive programs from leading coaches, but there are also inexpensive manuals like "101 Puzzles" from the famous Russian mathematician, physicist Yakov Perilman. The book contains the best, smartest, most interesting puzzles, logic problems, puzzles with illustrations. This is not only a great way to "clear" your head, but it can be a real entertainment for family leisure or an evening with friends.

• Suitable for all ages;
• A budget option;
• A great option for every day, as well as for leisure.

• Not.

Peter Kamp “Speed ​​Reading. How to memorize more by reading 8 times faster "

This book is one of the top most popular books on self-development and motivation. The author's foreign methodology for teaching speed reading, proposed by Peter Camp, was even used to train White House employees. It is suitable not only for specialists, but also for an ordinary person who wants to keep up, learn more, do faster. According to the readers who have learned this technique, they have 100% improved the quality and speed of reading. In this case, the user himself determines how much time he can spend daily for training.

• Useful for students, specialists who process a large amount of information every day;
• Proven methodology.

• Price;
• Depending on the year of publication, some volumes have rather small print.

Lawrence Katz, Manning Rubin “Neurobics. Exercises for brain training "

This title of the book appeared for a reason: just like the muscles in the body, the brain needs constant activity to be in good shape. Unfortunately, scientists have long concluded that an untrained brain starts to work more slowly with age. First, you forget the name of an old friend, then the phone number, and then it gets worse. How to protect yourself from memory problems? Do neurosics. The book widely reveals the meaning of this term, offers ways to improve the quality of memory.

• Inexpensive, can be purchased practically free of charge - the price is 200 rubles;
• There are practical tasks;

• For people of mature age.

Michael Mikalko "Rice storm or 21 ways to think outside the box"

Creativity, creative, out-of-the-box thinking is not inherent in the individual genetic - so says Michael Mikalko, a former employee of the CIA research department. And if these abilities are not innate, then they can be changed: developed, expanded, increased. The book is replete with various ideas, thoughts that make the brain strain and give unexpected solutions, even for its own carrier. But this is precisely the purpose of the manual - it will teach you how to think creatively.

• Thought-out concept, high-quality design and content;
• Suitable for a wide range of readers, especially for people who are constantly involved in generating new ideas.

• Not.

A series of books “Sherlock. Superbrain "

A whole line of books-simulators for intelligence has been released for sale: “Sherlock. Deductive tasks "," Sherlock. Halls of Mind ”,“ Sherlock. Your brain can do anything ”and other publications. Which book in the series to read first does not matter. Each of them is independent and exciting.

• Non-standard logic puzzles;
• Suitable for different age groups of readers;
• With pictures.

• Not.

Thinking Reverse by William Donius

Most of the book consists of practical exercises. The essence of the technique is to make not only the leading hemisphere of the brain work, but also the other half. The book is worth reading if only to surprise yourself. But this is what happens when a person answers simple questions for himself in a very unexpected way.

• Reads quickly;
• Lots of practice;
• Helpful for the development of intelligence and communication between the cerebral hemispheres.

• Small circulation.

In the modern world of tough competition, non-standard-minded employees are quoted, therefore, personal growth, an increase in the intellectual level and erudition are so necessary. The popularity of books on psychology, auto-training, self-development is growing every year. Which book is better to buy can be decided by reading the reviews, not forgetting the main selection criteria: the price is not always equal to the quality, the popularity of the author is not a guarantee of the usefulness of the manual.