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Brain games may seem like a tool to boost your memory, but do they really help?

As we grow older, it鈥檚 possible to experience moments of forgetfulness. These lapses in memory may also spark a quest to find tools that can improve overall brain function and health. While some brain games claim to enhance memory, science has yet to offer definitive proof that they actually work.

Despite the lack of scientific evidence, a conducted by AARP found that nearly two out of three people 50 and older believe that playing online brain games can help maintain or improve brain health.

This perception may be a result of how brain games are marketed to the general public, but the , an independent international group of scientists, health professionals, scholars and policy experts, also highlights that there is little scientific evidence to support those claims.

In fact, in 2016, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)聽 against a brain game company, stating that it 鈥減reyed on consumers鈥� fears about age-related cognitive decline, suggesting their games could stave off memory loss, dementia and even Alzheimer鈥檚 disease.鈥� The FTC also pointed to the company鈥檚 lack of scientific proof to support their claims.

鈥淭he scientific consensus on brain games is that people generally show improvement on aspects of the game, but that improvement does not seem to extend broadly to other important aspects of cognitive function,鈥� explains聽Duke Han, PhD, a neuropsychologist with 喵咪社区.

Is there anything I can do to strengthen my brain?

Although brain games may not be effective tools for the purposes of improving cognitive abilities, there is support for exercise and cognitive stimulation.

鈥淧hysical activity seems to have the most scientific support for having a positive impact on brain health,鈥� says Han.

According to the , exercise may help聽reduce the risk of dementia, and also improve cognition for people already diagnosed with dementia.

Cognitive stimulation, in the form of novel activities such as , can also keep your brain sharp.

鈥淭he quality of the stimulating activity is important. For example, if the activity is novel, engaging, challenging and enjoyable, that will arguably be better for your brain,鈥� Han adds.

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