Medical expert of the article
New publications
How do you raise your IQ?
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
"Non est terminus" (Latin) - "There is no limit to perfection." This phrase has been repeatedly pronounced and confirmed by the outstanding minds of humanity throughout their lives. It is this desire of a person for self-improvement and self-development that determines his spiritual and moral qualities, as well as his place and role in society. And to characterize his intellectual achievements, there is an IQ coefficient. We will deal with the question of how to increase IQ in this article.
IQ or the individual intelligence quotient characterizes the level of mental development of a person. This indicator is a scientific assessment of intelligence and is determined by passing specially developed standardized scientific tests. The tests determine a person's readiness to solve problems, his ability for abstract thinking, the quality of memory, the volume of general knowledge and other factors.
The IQ coefficient is calculated by dividing the number responsible for a person's mental age (determined using an IQ test) by their actual biological age and multiplying the resulting number by 100. For example, if a 10-year-old child is 15 years old, then their IQ will be 15/10×100=150. IQ tests are designed in such a way that the average IQ of the entire population will be approximately 95-100%, and the subjects' indicators usually fluctuate between 70% and 130%.
Is it possible to increase IQ?
Intelligence is the natural ability of the brain to integrate complex processes occurring in the environment by comparing, classifying, identifying patterns and creating connections between them. The thought process leads us from disconnected, instinctively received point assessments of what is happening to its full analysis and awareness. The knowledge and skills that we receive "at the output" of this process characterize our mental abilities and level of intelligence.
Scientists have proven that the enormous potential of the mind in most people is in a "sleeping" state. Just as the body needs various sports exercises, morning exercises and gym classes to keep it in good shape, the human intellect also needs some kind of exercises. They will help speed up the thinking process, improve reaction and memory, and increase the IQ level.
The next section will discuss exactly how to increase IQ and with the help of what mental activities.
How to increase IQ level?
The problem of how to increase IQ has been studied by many domestic and foreign specialists in the field of psychology and physiology. Most of the studies have led scientists to an unexpected conclusion. It turns out that a person's IQ level is directly related to their physical fitness. As the saying goes: "A healthy mind resides in a healthy body."
In order for your brain to work more efficiently, it is necessary to monitor its physical health. For this, systematic exercise, daily walks in the fresh air, jogging, yoga, etc. are recommended. Another additional factor that plays an important role in maintaining brain health is diet. The brain also needs to be fed, and not only with information. So, the advice that is suitable for all occasions remains relevant: eat a balanced diet and as many vegetables and fruits as possible. Taking various multivitamins will also not be superfluous in this case. The main thing is to approach everything wisely, and especially the development of the mind.
In working to achieve a high IQ level, good neuromuscular coordination is necessary. It is developed in the process of playing musical instruments, doing handicrafts, wood carving, etc. Active sports games can also help improve coordination. And to ensure that your nervous system does not fail, you should take the issue of your daily routine seriously. The main thing is to allocate enough time for sleep and rest, since even the most outstanding mind can get tired.
Games that increase IQ
How to increase IQ with the help of games and is it possible? It turns out – it is possible. Let’s look into this in more detail.
Scientists have proven that games can be a great way to stimulate the brain. When playing, a person begins to think in a completely different, opposite to everyday state. Games that require solving various logical problems or those that make us think very quickly are especially useful. Solving puzzles, putting together jigsaw puzzles, solving crosswords and sudoku, board games and even video games can be not only a pleasant pastime, but also a useful activity for improving IQ.
Scientific research has proven that the game Tetris, popular in the 90s, stimulates mental activity, improves concentration skills, and increases reaction speed.
An interesting fact has been noted: the more experienced players become in the game, the less their brains need to consume glucose (the body's main fuel). This discovery is applicable to other areas of human life. When a person becomes more experienced in a certain activity, the effort required to function effectively decreases. The main thing is training.
Books that increase IQ
We read books with the hope that they will enrich our minds with new ideas and knowledge, decorate our lives, making them more meaningful and rich. In the modern era of information, books have become more accessible than ever before. But, unfortunately, modern people have less and less time to read them. Therefore, the problem of reading quality has become very relevant. After all, you can "swallow" many books and not get a single new thought for yourself, not remember even a line, and after a short time you will not remember a single plot. And it may happen that just one book read in time will enrich your mind and change many views on life.
So what books are worth reading so that the time spent reading them is not wasted? How to increase IQ by reading books and what genres should be read for this purpose? Let's try to figure it out.
Scientific literature
When choosing scientific books, you should not limit yourself to textbooks on various disciplines. All scientific works that can improve our understanding of the world and the nature of its existence are suitable for developing intelligence. Scientific research, for example, on issues of commerce or sociology will also be very useful in training your thought processes.
The main thing is that you manage to understand not so much the theory as the course of scientific thought, its logic, the construction of analysis, the use of scientific research methods. Scientific books teach us how to develop our intuition by constructing hypotheses and testing it with objective evidence. It is these properties of scientific literature that will be useful to those who hope to increase their IQ level.
Books on philosophy
The philosophy of ancient times, like the science of "philosophy" itself, grew from the seed of analytical thinking. If science teaches us to understand the external world, then philosophy teaches us to understand and realize ourselves in this world. Philosophy is very well suited to the name "science of human life". In addition to classical philosophical works, this category also includes fundamental religious texts. The Bible, the Koran, the Bhagavad Gita, etc. can also be attributed to a kind of philosophical treatises, in addition, one should not lose sight of their enormous sacred value for humanity.
The importance of these books in people's lives can be viewed not only through the prism of religious dogmas, but also from the point of view of their wisdom and beauty. Works of this kind are capable of not only prosaically raising the IQ level and making a person think, but also giving meaning to his existence.
Science fiction novels, fantasy
Many ordinary people are very skeptical about this genre of literature. They reproach fantasy for its utopian fiction and its absolute detachment from reality. This question is very controversial and, from the point of view of art, even inappropriate. Only a person completely devoid of imagination can deny the fact that great works of fiction contain more truth than any other literary genre, since they allow the reader to experience a completely new reality.
Science fiction is created by means of artistic devices that help improve the reader's consciousness, his understanding of the surrounding reality and the laws of society. It is by completely breaking away from the daily routine that the authors of science fiction novels demonstrate to readers their everyday life, as if from a bird's eye view. From this point of view, small, daily worries and problems that overshadow our global perception of the world and its laws are simply not visible. They do not prevent us from concentrating on the main thing and thinking about the eternal.
Serious science fiction, in addition to vivid images and intricate plots, is also filled with philosophy, psychology and history. Truman Capote, a famous American writer, playwright and actor, said that a good novel is worth more than any scientific work. In order to expand individual human intelligence, reading science fiction can be given one of the leading places. Such a pastime will make you a more active thinker, improve your oratorical skills and make you an interesting and meaningful conversationalist.
[ 1 ]
Story
Many adults still consider studying history to be a rather boring activity. Perhaps school memories of history lessons are still fresh: dry text of a book, dull cramming of various dates and tedious lectures. For those who, for a number of reasons, have developed a less than stellar relationship with this discipline, we advise you to radically reconsider your attitude towards it.
The article already mentioned that a person's life experience, what he has lived through, felt, comprehended and understood, is a fundamental factor in the formation of his intellect. And is it possible to talk about how to increase IQ without being interested in the life experience of all mankind and without knowing the stories of people who, with their intellect, their mind (although, in some cases, perhaps, stupidity), were able to change the world? History is a fascinating, sometimes tragic, sometimes anecdotal, evolution of life filled with wonderful characters and grandiose ideas. It is not for nothing that they say that by studying the past, we can avoid mistakes in the future.
Studying history increases our understanding and awareness of the present, teaches us eternal cultural and moral values (sometimes, unfortunately, based on the opposite), and forms our civic position. In terms of increasing IQ, we would like to give advice that is not related to the choice of specific historical literature, but related to how to work with it. When reading any historical work, be it a sketch, essay or biography, always focus on cause-and-effect relationships. It is important to carefully follow what decision or idea became the root cause of the subsequent event, what consequences it led to, what resonance it received, etc. Pay attention to details: they often contain the most important arguments. Such a meaningful approach to history will make your mind more flexible and your logic indisputable.
Poetry
Many people believe that poetry is just a flight of fancy and the ability to select consonant words. If the word "poetry" evokes images of Shakespearean actors reciting flowery rhymes, and the very sight of columnar lines inspires boredom, then convincing you to take seriously the benefits of reading poetry to increase IQ is no small problem.
It is worth starting with the fact that people who underestimate the role of poetry ignore one of the greatest joys of the human intellect. Reading great poetry gives a feeling of flying above the ordinary, destroys the boundaries of the usual vision of reality, calls for the involvement of fantasy and feelings in the work of the brain. Good poems that can touch you on an emotional level are not read, they are lived. A person, reading poetry, not only gains new knowledge, but also enriches his life experience with new sensations, develops on a spiritual level, and matures psychologically.
For pragmatists, it is worth remembering that it is psychological age that plays a fundamental role in your IQ level. If you make mental and spiritual efforts to read great poetry, you will be rewarded with the wisdom of phrases, the deep semantic content of works, the beauty of images and many hours of active rest with benefits for your IQ.
Of course, in this article I would like to cite the names of specific books by specific authors that should be read in order to broaden one's horizons and intellect, and not limit oneself to general phrases and "advertising" slogans. But I suspect that the number of such books would exceed hundreds of thousands. So it is better to leave the compilation of such lists to writers. And we would like to wish you not to get lost in the sea of books and information. As the secretary Verochka said in the movie "Office Romance": "Nothing is impossible for a person with intelligence!" The main thing is an unbreakable desire and hard work. Otherwise, how can you increase your IQ without working on it?