Can We Actually Increase Intelligence? What Science Says

Main question: Can intelligence actually be increased? It is important to separate: * raw IQ * working memory * attention * learning efficiency * alertness * memory * motivation Improving one of these does not necessarily mean someone’s underlying general intelligence has permanently increased. EXPERIMENTAL / GREY-MARKET COGNITIVE ENHANCERS Dihexa Dihexa is an experimental compound that has been studied primarily in preclinical research. Claims that it can dramatically improve human learning, memory or synapse formation are not established by high-quality human clinical evidence. Cerebrolysin Cerebrolysin is a peptide preparation used medically in some countries and researched in neurological conditions. Evidence should not be extrapolated to healthy people seeking cognitive enhancement. Semax and Selank Semax and Selank are peptides developed and used in some jurisdictions. They have been studied for neurological, stress-related and cognitive effects, but evidence in healthy people is limited compared with established medicines. 9-Me-BC 9-Me-BC is an experimental research compound. Human safety and cognitive-enhancement evidence are extremely limited. GENES AND COGNITION Genes involved in brain function include pathways involving: * BDNF * COMT * NRG1 * KIBRA * cholinergic signalling However, intelligence is highly polygenic. It is influenced by a huge number of genetic variants as well as environmental factors. There is no single “intelligence gene” that could simply be switched on. GENE EDITING Gene editing may eventually influence aspects of neurological function, but safely modifying complex traits such as intelligence is substantially more difficult than altering a single-gene disorder. Claims about timelines for consumer intelligence enhancement are speculative and should be labelled as such. EMBRYO SELECTION Polygenic embryo screening is an emerging and controversial field. Predictions for highly complex traits have substantial scientific, statistical and ethical limitations. FINAL TAKEAWAY Cognitive performance does not equal IQ. We can often improve: * sleep * attention * knowledge * study technique * memory strategies * health * environment These may make someone substantially more cognitively effective without necessarily changing raw general intelligence. Not medical advice. Educational discussion only. Some substances discussed are prescription-only, experimental or not approved for cognitive enhancement. Evidence and safety vary.