Exercise for Your Mind: The Best Apps for Cognitive Function

Improving Brain Performance:

The Importance of “Brain Gymnastics”

It’s no secret that those aiming to enhance their physical fitness should include exercise in their daily routines. However, when it comes to boosting brain function, the methods for enhancing neural abilities can be less clear. Since the 1970s, neurologists have explored this concept to discover ways to improve memory, concentration, and processing speed, among other cognitive skills.

Often referred to as brain gymnastics, this practice is grounded in neuroplasticity—the brain’s remarkable ability to adapt based on the stimuli it encounters. The more frequently and vigorously neurons connect, the stronger and more refreshed cognitive functions become. Dr. Saulo Nader, a neurologist at Hospital Albert Einstein, explains, “It’s all about training. Just as we can work on our muscles at the gym, we can train our cognition with games and activities that demand attention, concentration, response inhibition, memory, decision-making, calculation, and strategy. The more we challenge the brain outside its comfort zone, the more effective the training. Consistent, rigorous practice over time enhances neurological potential, ultimately strengthening memory and cognition as a whole.”

Reaping the Benefits of Brain Gymnastics

Another piece of good news is that the advantages can be enjoyed both in the short and long term. Renowned for its ability to “rejuvenate” the brain, brain gymnastics is not just for those who are concerned about aging. Dr. Fernando Gomes, a neurosurgeon and coordinator of the aging diseases outpatient clinic at Hospital das Clínicas, explains that individuals who have recently experienced damage or trauma can also gain from this technique, along with those who wish to prevent dementia symptoms or enhance their everyday reasoning. “Anyone, even without any existing conditions, can and should apply this methodology to boost brain, intellectual, and cognitive performance,” he emphasizes.

In practice, one of the most accessible and straightforward ways to exercise the brain is through games or daily challenges on your smartphone. Notable examples include Fit Brains Trainer and Lumosity, which were developed at North American universities specifically to stimulate neural circuits.

“Virtual exercises designed to maintain attention yield tangible benefits in real life. Likewise, memory and mental flexibility improve through these small daily challenges offered by specialized brain gymnastics apps. This enhancement in the efficiency of electrical information traffic among neurons, nerve cells, and synapses [the communication between two or more neurons] guarantees a gradual improvement in mental performance,” Dr. Gomes adds.

Top Brain Training Apps

Engaging Apps for Skill Development

1. Contre Jour

With a more artistic flair than its counterparts, Contre Jour—meaning “against light” in French—offers an interactive puzzle experience where users must apply logic to gather items and engage with the environment as they progress through various levels. Utilizing a captivating interplay of shadow and light, players control the character Petit, a nod to Antoine De Saint-Exupéry’s “The Little Prince.” The objective is to earn three stars in each level to unlock subsequent stages. Altogether, the game features five chapters with 100 distinct challenges.

2. Little Things Forever

Another engaging puzzle game, Little Things Forever, distinguishes itself with its artistic style and gameplay objective. Players must locate all the hidden objects within a single image to progress to the next level. Featuring intricate illustrations and a timer, this app enhances players’ concentration and agility in a fun manner. There are over 100 items to discover across various scenarios. It is available for free on Android and iOS, but only in English.

3. Elevate

This app empowers users to select specific knowledge areas to enhance, such as math skills, memory, information processing speed, and concentration. Each day, a curated selection of games and tasks is presented based on the user’s choices. According to the developers, frequent use of the platform leads to more accurate and tailored game experiences. A study conducted by California State University in collaboration with Elevate revealed that users improved their essential skills by 69% compared to non-users over a four-week period. The app is available for free on both Android and iOS.

4. Peak

Developed through a collaboration of neuroscientists, academics, game designers, and engineers, Peak enables users to create a customized training schedule tailored to their individual needs. With approximately 35 games designed to enhance mental agility, focus, memory, language, and problem-solving skills, Peak also offers detailed performance analyses throughout the gameplay. The app is free for Android and iOS users.

5. Happify

Taking a slightly different approach than the other apps, Happify employs the principles of positive psychology to enhance mental well-being by addressing stress and anxiety. The app serves as a “detox” from negative thoughts, offering simple exercises and guided meditation sessions. Upon signing up, users can choose specific goals, such as boosting self-confidence or advancing in their careers. According to the developers, 86% of users reported feeling improvements after two months of using the platform. The app is free for Android and iOS, with a premium version starting at $11.67 per month.

6. Fit Brains Trainer

Developed by Paul Nussbaum, a neurological surgery professor at the University of Pittsburgh, this app offers approximately 360 games designed to enhance skills such as quick thinking and concentration. Organized into three levels—beginner, intermediate, and advanced—the exercises adapt to the user’s responses through a personalized learning system. Users can also track their progress and receive training suggestions to enhance their experience and performance. The app is available for free on both Android and iOS.

7. Memorado – Train Your Brain

Memorado provides a comprehensive cognitive development experience with its array of games, challenges, and meditation audio. It offers over 420 levels categorized into specific areas like memory, concentration, logical reasoning, mathematics, and speed. To begin, users answer questions to indicate their goals for mental exercises, allowing the platform to tailor tasks such as calculations or name memorization. A premium version is available for a more personalized training experience, while the basic version remains free for Android and iOS.

8. Monument Valley

Featuring stunning graphics, this application presents a challenging puzzle that explores various dimensions through the concept of “impossible structures,” which are shapes that adapt to the observer’s perspective. Players guide an avatar named Princess Ida through mazes filled with optical illusions. By honing logic and spatial awareness, the challenges become increasingly difficult as the levels progress.

9. Lumosity

As one of the most popular brain training apps, boasting over 70 million users, Lumosity was created by neuroscientists to enhance players’ mental flexibility. Offering daily exercises that can be completed anytime, the platform promises results from just five minutes of training. Users start by selecting a general theme alongside a more specific focus, including speed (fast learning or decision-making under pressure), attention (concentration, productivity, or accuracy), memory (remembering names or object locations), flexibility (multitasking, creative thinking, or error avoidance), and problem-solving (mental calculations, estimates, and logical decisions). The app is free for both Android and iOS.

10. NeuroNation

Developed by scientists, NeuroNation aims to boost users’ memory and reading speed through exercises that typically take only 10 minutes a day. Tasks become progressively more challenging as players advance. Users can opt for specific training in areas such as concentration, memory, and reasoning or activate a random mode that mixes various stimuli. Additionally, players can challenge friends and see their rankings within the game. The app is free for Android and iOS.

The pursuit of cognitive enhancement is no longer confined to the realm of traditional education or professional development. With the rise of innovative brain training apps, improving mental agility, focus, and memory has become more accessible than ever. These apps provide a wide range of exercises designed to challenge and refine various cognitive skills, all while fitting seamlessly into our daily lives through our smartphones. Whether it’s enhancing attention span with Elevate, sharpening spatial reasoning with Monument Valley, or boosting mental well-being through Happify, there’s a tool for every type of cognitive workout.

What’s truly remarkable about these apps is their ability to cater to diverse needs, from those looking to combat the effects of aging to individuals seeking to enhance their mental sharpness for professional or personal growth. As technology continues to advance, the future of cognitive development seems more promising, with tools that not only entertain but also train the brain for better performance in the real world. So, whether you’re a puzzle enthusiast or simply looking to boost your brainpower, incorporating brain training apps into your routine could offer lasting benefits, helping you stay sharp, focused, and mentally fit in the long run.