Can intelligence be trained like a muscle? A growing number of Americans seem to think so – and science is starting to take their side.
In the United States, where the average IQ score sits around 98 according to the most recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics, the idea of boosting one’s cognitive abilities has gained traction through brain-training apps, dual n-back exercises, and even neurostimulation devices.
Globally, the average IQ hovers between 85 and 100, depending on the region, with East Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea averaging higher than most Western nations. That has left many in the U.S. wondering: are we falling behind, and more importantly, can we catch up?
What Science Says About Boosting IQ
Here’s the catch: scientists generally agree that IQ is relatively stable across a person’s lifetime – especially after adolescence. But that doesn’t mean it’s untouchable.
Recent research out of Harvard, Stanford, and the University of Pennsylvania suggests that while raw IQ may not increase dramatically, certain cognitive skills that contribute to performance on IQ tests can be improved through targeted training.
For example:
- Working memory, a key factor in IQ tests, can be enhanced through dual n-back exercises – a method tested in multiple U.S.-based studies showing short-term IQ score increases of 3–7 points.
- Processing speed and executive function can improve with regular use of apps that present increasingly difficult logic puzzles and math problems.
- Physical activity, adequate sleep, and even mindfulness training have been linked to sharper mental performance and better IQ test outcomes.
Dr. Angela Roberts, a neuroscientist at the University of Cambridge, explains:
“IQ as a number is not as fixed as we once believed. While we can’t change our genetic ceiling, we can influence how close we get to it.”
The Flynn Effect and Its Reversal
For much of the 20th century, IQ scores around the world – including in the U.S. – steadily rose, a trend known as the Flynn Effect. Experts attributed the increase to improved nutrition, education, and access to information.
However, since the early 2000s, researchers in Norway, Finland, and parts of the U.S. have noticed a reversal of the Flynn Effect, with IQ scores plateauing or even declining. Some blame screen time and fragmented attention spans. Others cite educational gaps and environmental toxins.
That downturn has made the question of IQ plasticity even more urgent.
Who’s Trying to Raise Their IQ in the U.S.?
The push to increase IQ is more than an academic curiosity – it’s a cultural shift. In Silicon Valley, tech executives have turned to nootropics and smart drugs to gain a cognitive edge. On college campuses, some students combine tutoring with brain-training programs, especially in prep for exams like the LSAT or GRE.
In underserved communities, educators are experimenting with cognitive enrichment programs in early childhood, hoping to close achievement gaps. A pilot program in Cleveland, Ohio, where the city’s average IQ lags slightly below the national median, has shown promising results: participating preschoolers scored an average of 6 points higher on standardized tests than their peers after just 12 months.
Meanwhile, online subcultures on Reddit and YouTube document “IQ hacking” experiments with everything from mnemonic devices to transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS).
Critics Warn: Don’t Chase a Number
Not everyone is on board. Dr. Thomas Keller, a clinical psychologist in New York City, warns of the dangers of overemphasizing IQ scores:
“We risk turning intelligence into a performance metric, like weight on a scale. IQ is part of the picture, but creativity, emotional intelligence, and social skills are equally vital.”
Indeed, the World Economic Forum lists creativity, resilience, and emotional regulation as more critical to future job success than IQ alone.
Bottom Line: Can You Raise Your IQ?
Yes – but not in the way most people think. You probably can’t turn a 98 into a 140 with a few weeks of puzzles. But you can improve your test performance, memory, focus, and reasoning speed – all of which factor into real-world success.
And in a country where education gaps are wide and mental health challenges are rising, even modest improvements in cognitive performance could have outsized benefits – from better job prospects to stronger decision-making.
So whether you’re a student prepping for exams, a professional in a high-stakes industry, or just someone chasing mental clarity, the tools are out there. But remember: intelligence isn’t just about raw horsepower. It’s also about how well you use the engine.
