Waxahachie Journal

Gyms Are Not Just for Your Body
By Kathryn E. Eriksen

A new industry has arrived – the “brain fitness” industry. Scientific studies now support the argument that your brain should continue to receive stimulation to maintain its cognitive functioning. Think of it as “brain training” – instead of working out just your body, you also work out your mind!

Recent studies conducted by neuroscientists indicate that as the human brain ages, it loses various cognitive functions. That is nothing new, but the studies went further, and suggest that the loss of cognitive functioning can be reversed, if those parts of the brain are used more frequently. Good nutrition, physical exercise (to improve oxygen flow) and mental stimulation can improve or increase the brain’s ability to process information more accurately and quickly.

With baby boomers at the front edge of the retirement tidal wave, various companies have conducted their own research to support their own brain training products. Posit Science is one of the companies who subjected its brain training course, called “Brain Fitness Program” to numerous scientific studies. According to their website, www.PositScience.com, “some of the world’s leading brain scientists” have contributed “their knowledge to [Posit Science’s} development efforts.” The computer program automatically adapts to the user’s individual ability, so the mental drills never become too difficult or too easy. The price of the program is a bit pricey - $395 for a single-user; $495 for the two-user program.

At least two major health insurers are also jumping on the bandwagon. MetLife provides a 61-page book called “Love Your Brain” to new or prospective insureds. Humana has taken it one step further. Humana, Inc. offers the Brain Fitness Program developed by Posit Science at no charge to its Medicare Advantage customers, and charges $100 to its Medicare prescription drug benefit customers. Humana is also sponsoring “brain fitness camps” at community colleges.