Are Brain Games Good for You? What the Research Actually Says
Puzzles and brain-training apps promise a sharper mind. Here's an honest look at the evidence, and the habits that are most consistently linked to healthy brain aging.
In this article
Crosswords, sudoku, word games and brain-training apps are enormously popular, especially among adults who want to stay sharp as they age. But do they actually make your brain healthier? The honest answer is more nuanced than the marketing suggests.
You get better at what you practice
Research consistently shows that practicing a specific mental task makes you better at that task. Do a lot of sudoku and you'll get faster at sudoku. The harder question is whether those gains transfer to everyday abilities, like remembering names, managing finances or staying focused. Here the evidence is much weaker and more mixed.
Skepticism about bold claims
In 2014, a group of scientists organized by the Stanford Center on Longevity published a statement cautioning that claims about brain games preventing or reversing cognitive decline were not supported by strong evidence. In 2016, the Federal Trade Commission reached a settlement with the maker of a popular brain-training program over advertising claims the agency said were unsupported. Neither means puzzles are useless. It means you should be wary of products promising to prevent dementia.
What does seem to help
Large reviews of the research point to a cluster of lifestyle habits associated with better cognitive health as we age:
- Physical activity: regular exercise is one of the most consistently supported habits for brain health.
- Lifelong learning: taking on genuinely new and challenging skills, like learning a language or an instrument, engages the brain more broadly than repeating a familiar puzzle.
- Social connection: staying socially engaged is associated with better cognitive outcomes.
- Managing health risks: controlling blood pressure, blood sugar and hearing loss, and not smoking.
- Good sleep.
So should you keep doing puzzles?
Yes, if you enjoy them. Puzzles are relaxing, satisfying, inexpensive and can be social when you solve with family or friends. They're a great part of a mentally active life. Just think of them as one ingredient rather than a cure-all, and mix in variety: switch between word puzzles, logic puzzles, strategy games and brand-new hobbies.
Make it social and varied
Some ideas: join a puzzle club or trivia night, solve the crossword with a partner, try a jigsaw with the grandkids, or challenge yourself with a new type of puzzle every month. Ready to start? Play our free word scramble and trivia.
This article is for general information. Talk to a doctor about any concerns about memory or thinking.
