[thedoc (OP)]

Khothatso asked the Naked Scientists:
   Hi there!

I feel like I am becoming more stupid...it sounds rather blunt (well certainly to me), but true. The penny has always taken longer to drop with me, but I feel this may be worsening.

Academically, i have however managed obtaining a Masters degree, and completing another currently. Though I feel a worsening of my cognitive levels. Even articulation, in terms of expressing thoughts containing information, and cohesion.

What can I do about this? Do you get an authentic pill that can open up the mind, and make it less dense?

Thanks!
What do you think?

[smart]

Play action video games and try to make learning a game by itself. The trick is to keep your brain active while not becoming bored with forced education... In specific, you may reverse cognitive aging by having a balanced lifestyle.

[puppypower]

It is natural for the brain to evolve as we get older. Youth is about knowledge, while age is about wisdom. You can learn and memorize knowledge. Wisdom is more about applying that knowledge to living. Wisdom keeps you young since it deals with new situations, just like when you were young, The difference is when you are young, you seek knowledge from others. The youth connected to wisdom is self contained and evolves from that knowledge base.

It is possible your unconscious mind is wanting you to change gears.

[evan_au]

We often reduce physical activity as we get older.
Physical activity is important for keeping the heart and circulatory system in good shape - and your brain is one of the most energy-hungry organs, so it needs a good blood supply.

You could get a fitness tracker, and let it annoy you into becoming more active...

[mrsmith2211]

I will never forget the day my father in law forgot how to make coffee, no Alzheimers, no dimentia.
When my dad went in for brain surgery there was an article in time magazine about brain surgery  for tumors before his operation to remove a tumor.
The nurse slipped with the suction hose, sucked up part of the brain, and the Dr. said oops, there go the piano lessons. My dad said I am not worried, I never played piano anyway.
I am not at the point of writing detailed instructions for myself, but think about it. I was hooking up the boat to tow to the launch, and wifey says what abut the safety chains, they were hidden from view and I might have missed them. Get to meet brand new people every day!

[evan_au]

A recent study in Denmark suggested an association between the natural levels of lithium in drinking water, and prevalence of dementia.

Lithium is a rare element (most of it is thought to be left over from the Big Bang), so the amount of lithium in drinking water is also very low - far lower than the medical doses given to patients with bipolar disorder.

Note that this study only shows a correlation, not causation, so don't go dosing yourself with lithium at this stage!

See: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-08-high-lithium-linked-lowered-dementia.html

[smart]

A recent study in Denmark suggested an association between the natural levels of lithium in drinking water, and prevalence of dementia.

Thanks... But i'm gonna stick with video games for now...  It's probably a much safer option to reverse cognitive aging than drinking lithium.