Most people are shocked when they are told that increasing their cognitive abilities is possible. It was once thought that mental capabilities were set in stone, unchanging since birth. But much of what we know about the mind has changed since then, particularly in the last 10 years. Research has found that there are many factors playing even larger roles in intelligence. For example, someone with ADD, properly treated, can experience huge leaps in IQ score, sometimes up to 30 or more points! Similarly, removing psychological barriers, limiting beliefs and increasing confidence can have a huge impact on cognitive abilities.

Brain Training - Brainwave and Neural Stim

A typical human brain is functioning on low capacity. Although the idea that a normal brain only uses 10% of its capacity is a myth, most people's brains are not functioning properly. For example, studies show that the brains of many people, when confronted with a problem, will actually switch gears and start working less! Instead of switching to logic and "work mode", the brain switches to patterns of frustration and emotion. Most people have simply not learned to "turn on" these higher cognitive abilities when the time is right. Most people are unfamiliar with the states of intense concentration and laser-like focus that come so easily to the great thinkers of our time.

To correct this problem, researchers endeavored to recreate the brainwave patterns of overachieving, successful individuals - the most intelligent 1% of the population. What they found is truly remarkable. By helping to optimize brainwave patterns, people can both temporarily increase cognitive abilities and train the brain to produce this activity on its own.

The Research

• In a 1999 study, Thomas Budzynski, Ph.D worked with 8 struggling college students. After undergoing audio-visual brainwave stimulation, the students outperformed a control group and significantly increased their GPA. GPA for the 8 students continued to rise even after treatment was discontinued!
• Psychologist Michael Joyce used brainwave entrainment with a group of 30 children. He observed improvements in reading and a half year advancement in grade level as well as substantial improvements in attention, reaction and a reduction in impulsivity and variability.
• Harold Russel Ph.D. and John Carter, Ph.D., of the University of Houston, did several studies in which they used brainwave entrainment to treat ADHD and other learning disorders, testing their IQ before and after treatment. Astonishingly, after treatment the subjects showed a 5 to 7 point increases in IQ score.
• Michael Tansey used a similar protocol to treat dyslexia and other learning disorders, reporting a 19 point average increase in IQ score post-treatment.
• Drs. Siegfried and Susan Othmer found that neurofeedback brainwave training in the 15-18 Hz range can produce significant shifts in IQ score, particularly with people who are suffering from ADD/ADHD and other disorders. In cases where the starting IQ value is less than 100, the average IQ increase was 33 points! They also found significant improvements in memory, reading and arithmetic. In a one year follow-up, trainees showed major improvements in self-esteem, concentration and self-expression.
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Using Psychology, Mental Imagery & Suggestion

Your mindset, emotional state and subconscious beliefs have also been shown to affect cognitive abilities. It is just as important to provide a psychological basis for increased intelligence, as it is to provide the necessary neural activity. For example, a common limiting belief is "I am not good at math." And, of course, as long as you believe this, nothing will keep your mind from making it true.

In 2007, a study by psychologist Carol Dweck at Stanford University found that beliefs about intelligence had more of an impact on intelligence than anyone had previously assumed. Dweck separated one hundred 7th grade students into 2 equal groups. All students had suffering math scores. One group was taught good studying habits, the other was taught about the plasticity of the brain, and how the brain can change; new neural connections can be formed and intelligence can actually be increased. At the end of the semester, the children who were taught about the nature of intelligence ended up performing better than those who were taught improved study skills!

There is similar evidence that affirmations and hypnosis can increase memory retention and focus. Using a set of practical psychological techniques, limiting beliefs about your own mental abilities can be shifted. This enables you to function at the highest levels your brain can support.

Conclusion

Intelligence is not set in stone. Disorders like ADD and Dyslexia can have a very negative impact on IQ score. So can Depression, Anxiety and other mood disorders. Limiting beliefs, low self-esteem and a lack of motivation can also have a negative impact. These problems bog down your mental processing, and in some cases even cause the brain to work less when you need it most (above), out of frustration and emotion.

Using multiple methods, both psychological and neurological in nature, it is possible to change the brain and have a positive impact on cognitive abilities. This is exactly what the Neuro-Programmer 2 does with over 65 Brain Training sessions. NP2 is focused on not only providing a neurological groundwork for increased cognition, but also to rid the subconscious of any mental barriers or perceived limitations.

Learn more about Brainwave Stimulation

Learn more about Psychological Techniques

Brainwaves: Before Use	Brainwaves: In Use
Figure 1 (Spectrogram, 12-20hz)	Figure 2 (Spectrogram, 12-20hz)