Why Brain-Training Apps Might Be Making You Worse at Thinking?
A Deep Dive into Digital Cognitive Tools and how they can be made effective.
Hi Everyone,
You’ve been grinding away on that brain-training app, feeling a little sharper with every session. Your reaction times are improving, your memory tests are getting easier, and you’re convinced your brain is leveling up. But what if I told you that instead of making you smarter, these apps might actually be making you worse at thinking?
It sounds absurd, right? After all, they promise to boost cognitive function, sharpen focus, and even slow brain aging.
But what if the skills you’re building inside the app don’t actually translate to real-world thinking? What if, instead of enhancing your brainpower, they’re just making you better at… playing the app?
Let’s break down the science and uncover the surprising truth behind brain-training apps.
This story is my personal review of Chapter 72 of the book “Train Your Brain for a Healthier and Happier Life” book by Dr Mehmet Yildiz.
I believe there are two distinct type of people
The people who are happy.
The people who want to be happy.
The people in the first category have either figured out everything in their life or have figured out nothing. They are rare but fortunate nonetheless.
The people in the second category are probably whom you see everyday around you or the person whom you see in the mirror when you wake up.
Now bear with me : There is a subdivision again among the people who want to be happy:
People who are ambitious.
People who want to be ambitious.
The first category always leads the race, while the latter tries to play catch-up. In their thirst for ambition, they realize that the more their brain and mind sync, the easier it is for them to close the gap.
So, how do you train your brain to better sync with your mind? You seek an easy fix — shortcuts — like cognitive training apps.
You’ve probably seen the ads — ‘Train Your Brain and Get Smarter!’ But do these apps really work, or are they just digital snake oil? Dr Mehmet Yildiz decided to put them to the test
Do Cognitive Apps Live Up to the Hype?
Cognitive training apps promise to boost mental flexibility, focus, and memory, but do they live up to the hype?
While these apps can make you feel like you’re getting smarter, the reality is more complicated. Research shows that while users often improve at the specific tasks within the app, those gains rarely translate to real-world thinking. Mastering a pattern game won’t help you remember where you left your keys, and quicker reaction times in an app won’t necessarily make you a better problem-solver. The truth is, these apps might be more about perceived progress than actual cognitive enhancement. So, are they truly unlocking your brain’s potential, or just keeping you entertained with mental gymnastics?
By blending scientific insights, personal experience, and practical advice, this chapter provides a well-rounded discussion of cognitive training programs and their potential role in mental fitness. The comprehensive discussion about apps like Lumosity, Elevate, BrainHQ, and more is done by evaluating key parameters such as:
Personal Use Case
Effectiveness
Ability to improve mental function.
The Cognitive Training Boom: Where It Helps and Where It Falls Short
Brain-training apps have surged in popularity over the past two decades, fueled by the promise of improving memory, problem-solving, and mental agility. While these tools can offer engaging exercises designed to stimulate the brain, scientific research on their effectiveness remains mixed.
The chapter does an excellent job of balancing optimism with realism. As an advanced researcher, Dr Mehmet Yildiz acknowledges that while some studies suggest improvements in working memory, processing speed, and executive function, these gains do not always translate to real-world cognitive improvements, accepting that the scientific basis of the evidence supporting these apps falls short.
This is a key difference one must understand, as many users hope that improving their memory through an app will translate to instant practical benefits such as improved memory retention, but research suggests that this transfer effect is limited.
However, the chapter does not dismiss cognitive tools outright. Instead, it presents them as one piece of a larger cognitive fitness strategy. The author emphasizes that brain health is best maintained through a combination of factors, including:
Restorative sleep
Balanced nutrition
Regular physical exercise
Social engagement
Lifelong learning
Real-world problem-solving
This holistic perspective is one of the chapter’s greatest strengths — it helps readers see where digital cognitive tools fit into the bigger picture rather than viewing them as a standalone solution.
Exploring the Cognitive Tools: A User’s Perspective
One of the most compelling aspects of this chapter is its firsthand exploration of different cognitive training programs.
A lot of times we judge apps, movies, games by reviews and made a decision about them without trying them. While reviews backed by a lot of people can be compelling evidence it might very well differs in your personal experience.
Rather than simply summarizing their features, the author shares how each tool contributed (or didn’t) to their cognitive training experience. In this review I shared some of the apps that stood apart for me
Lumosity: The Pioneer
Lumosity when it launched in 2005, is particularly by its game-based approach to neuroscience. Over time, they appreciated its focus on attention, problem-solving, and mental agility. Notably, Lumosity later introduced mindfulness exercises, which the author found helpful for balancing cognitive stimulation with relaxation.
Elevate: Sharpening Language and Analytical Skills
Elevate, which gained recognition as Apple’s App of the Year in 2014, takes a different approach by emphasizing language skills, mathematical reasoning, and analytical thinking. Dr Mehmet Yildiz based on his personal experience found that switching between Lumosity and Elevate created a more well-rounded cognitive workout, preventing mental fatigue from repetitive tasks.
BrainHQ: Neuroscience-Backed, Adaptive Training
Developed by Dr. Michael Merzenich, BrainHQ stood out to the author due to its adaptive difficulty — the program adjusts challenges based on the user’s performance. This real-time adaptation kept the author engaged, especially during moments of mental fatigue or frustration.
Cogmed: Strengthening Working Memory
With a structured, therapist-supported model, Cogmed focuses on improving working memory and attention. While the author didn’t use the full regimen, they recognized its value for individuals recovering from brain injuries or struggling with focus-related challenges.
Memorado: Lighthearted Yet Effective
Described as a more casual and visually engaging cognitive trainer, Memorado offers creative puzzles that the author found useful when they wanted a less intense cognitive challenge.
CogniFit: A Personalized Approach
CogniFit impressed the author with its scientific foundations and adaptive game designs. Unlike generic cognitive programs, it provided personalized cognitive assessments that helped the author tailor their training routine to specific mental strengths and weaknesses.
Total Brain: Merging Cognitive Training with Mental Health
Total Brain stood out for its unique blend of cognitive exercises, self-assessment tools, and guided mindfulness practices. The author found this combination particularly useful during high-stress periods, as it provided more than just mental stimulation — it also supported emotional well-being.
Brain Fitness Foundation: Specialized Programs for Diverse Groups
Unlike commercial brain-training apps, the Brain Fitness Foundation offers structured programs for seniors, veterans, and adolescents, combining cognitive stimulation with emotional resilience strategies.
Dual N-Back: The Challenge of Fluid Intelligence Training
The author briefly explored Dual N-Back, a program backed by scientific studies on working memory and intelligence. While initially difficult, they found that consistent practice improved their ability to focus, process information, and recall complex details.
Dr Yildiz also wrote an article about these tools, from which you can get further insights:
10 Popular Cognitive Improvement Apps or Programs for Brain Fitness
The Promise of Cognitive Training Apps: A Digital Shortcut?
The promise of cognitive apps is tantalizing: enhanced memory, better focus, and more mental flexibility — all with a few minutes of daily practice. These programs typically include games, puzzles, and challenges designed to stimulate different areas of the brain.
But, as with any quick-fix solution, the results can be mixed.
The truth is, while some people experience noticeable benefits, these apps aren’t magic. They don’t automatically translate into real-world improvements, like better memory during conversations or enhanced focus in daily tasks.
The key to unlocking the potential of these tools lies in consistency and the understanding that cognitive apps are just one part of a broader mental fitness strategy. They can’t replace healthy lifestyle choices like good nutrition, sleep, physical exercise, and social engagement, all of which are crucial for long-term cognitive health.
What Makes Cognitive Training Effective?
One of the most valuable takeaways from this chapter is how to make brain-training apps work effectively. The author highlights several key strategies:
✅ Set Clear Goals — Identify whether you want to improve memory, focus, or problem-solving before selecting an app.
✅ Be Consistent — Short, frequent sessions (15–30 minutes a few times per week) yield better results than sporadic, long sessions.
✅ Rotate Exercises — Alternating between different types of challenges prevents boredom and ensures a broader cognitive workout.
✅ Take Breaks — Overuse of cognitive apps can lead to mental fatigue. Strategic breaks improve long-term performance.
✅ Combine With Real-World Activities — The most significant cognitive gains come from combining digital training with puzzles, writing, learning new skills, or engaging conversations.
✅ Balance With Lifestyle Factors — A brain-healthy diet, sleep, exercise, and social interaction are just as important as digital training.
Final Verdict: Are Brain-Training Apps Worth It?
Well It Depends.
Do you want to solely rely on it to improve yourself? or Do you want to blend it among other real world activities?
Another thing is your desire. When you really want something to work, more often than not, you can feel it working in your favor. Willpower is crazy it distinguishes “people who are ambitious” and “people who want to be ambitious”.
This chapter delivers a well-rounded, experience-driven assessment of cognitive training tools, emphasizing their potential while cautioning against overreliance on digital solutions. Rather than presenting these programs as quick fixes, the author makes a compelling case for integrating them into a broader mental fitness strategy.
My Personal Review
The key strength of this chapter or rather the whole book is the engaging personal narrative coupled with Dr Mehmet Yildiz s unique writing style.
The way he incorporates the practical Takeaways or as he likes to call it ‘Action Tips’ are really helpful if one can follow through it. Highlighting Holistic Approaches might seem cliche to someone who has read a lot of wellness content online but never actually followed it, with the help of the Action Tips one can take action immediately.
As someone who has read a lot of academic literature and skimmed through it to look at the diagrams and tables to get a overview of the content, this chapter might feel like a lot of information so make be a comparison chart for apps — such as key features, benefits, and ideal user groups would help readers make quicker decisions.
If you liked this post please leave a comment sharing your experience if you have used any such apps? or if you have employed any strategies to improve memory and cognition?
Interesting! I’ve tried Lumosity and wasn’t too impressed. Honestly switching from short form apps to Substack has made me feel ‘sharper’ overall.
Thank you for this excellent review, summary of the brain training/fitness tools, and your valuable commentary as a fellow researcher.