How I Tripled My Intelligence Using This One Brain Hack

Summary

Three years ago, the speaker struggled with average IQ scores and felt out of place among highly intelligent peers. Through a practice of embracing 'deliberate confusion,' they rewired their brain and tripled their cognitive abilities in 90 days. By intentionally challenging themselves with material just beyond their understanding and leaning into confusion, they unlocked a mental transformation. This process harnesses the brain's neuroplasticity, pushing through discomfort to build stronger neural connections. The speaker's journey demonstrates that confusion is not an obstacle but a tool for accelerated intelligence and problem-solving growth.

Takeaways

• 😀 Embrace confusion as a tool for growth: Confusion triggers your brain's growth mode, leading to accelerated learning and improved cognitive abilities.
• 😀 Deliberate confusion is a hack: By engaging with material just beyond your comfort zone, you force your brain to adapt, strengthen, and rewire itself.
• 😀 Your brain has two modes: Comfort mode and growth mode. Comfort mode reinforces what you already know, while growth mode pushes you into new, challenging territory.
• 😀 Neuroplasticity is key: Confusion triggers neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to physically rewire itself in response to mental effort and struggle.
• 😀 Confusion is a mental workout: Just like physical exercise, challenging your brain with confusion makes it stronger and more agile over time.
• 😀 Lean into discomfort: Instead of avoiding frustration, lean into it by asking questions and wrestling with contradictions to deepen your understanding.
• 😀 The question cascade: Writing down every question that arises from confusion helps clarify your thinking and enhances learning over time.
• 😀 Daily practice: Spend 30 minutes daily diving into challenging material, just beyond your current understanding, to develop your cognitive skills.
• 😀 Connection building accelerates learning: Relating new information to what you already know strengthens neural pathways and deepens understanding.
• 😀 Consistency is key: Over time, embracing confusion and challenging yourself daily will lead to massive improvements in problem-solving, memory, and intelligence.

Q & A

What is the main concept behind the idea of 'deliberate confusion'?

Deliberate confusion is the practice of intentionally exposing yourself to material or concepts that are slightly beyond your current level of understanding. This state of confusion activates your brain's growth mode, fostering neuroplasticity, and ultimately enhances learning and cognitive abilities.

How did the speaker's experience in a board meeting influence their journey toward improving intelligence?

The speaker felt out of place during a board meeting with highly intelligent individuals from prestigious institutions like Harvard and MIT. This moment of humiliation led them to question what the world's most intelligent people do differently, sparking their obsession with understanding how intelligence works and leading them to discover 'deliberate confusion' as a key to growth.

What is the difference between comfort mode and growth mode in terms of brain activity?

In comfort mode, the brain absorbs familiar information, reinforcing existing knowledge. While this feels safe and easy, it doesn't lead to cognitive growth. Growth mode, on the other hand, occurs when the brain encounters new, challenging information, triggering heightened alertness, pattern recognition, and the formation of new neural connections, which accelerates learning and intelligence.

What is the significance of confusion in the learning process?

Confusion is not a negative state but a signal that the brain is encountering something new and complex. It triggers a heightened state of focus and learning, leading to neuroplasticity, which is the brain's ability to rewire itself in response to new information. Embracing confusion, rather than avoiding it, fosters cognitive growth.

What are the key components of the 'deliberate confusion protocol' the speaker developed?

The deliberate confusion protocol consists of three main steps: 1) Dedicating 30 minutes daily to studying material just beyond your current understanding; 2) Writing down all questions that arise during this study; and 3) Spending 15 minutes each day connecting the new information to existing knowledge to reinforce learning.

Why is question generation important in the deliberate confusion process?

Generating questions during the learning process deepens understanding. The more questions you create, the more your brain connects new information to what you already know. This practice accelerates learning and helps form neural pathways that strengthen your overall cognitive abilities.

How does neuroplasticity contribute to intelligence growth?

Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to physically rewire itself in response to learning. When faced with confusion, the brain forms new neural pathways that make it easier to handle complexity. This rewiring process strengthens the brain's capacity to adapt, solve problems, and understand new concepts, ultimately leading to an increase in intelligence.

What role does the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) play in the confusion and learning process?

The ACC acts as a conflict detector in the brain. It recognizes when expectations clash with reality, signaling the brain to pay attention. This triggers the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and acetylcholine, which amplify focus and learning, thereby enhancing the brain's capacity to adapt and solve problems.

How does the speaker recommend overcoming the frustration associated with confusion?

Instead of avoiding confusion, the speaker encourages embracing it. When frustration hits, it's a sign that your brain is processing new and challenging information. Rather than shutting down, continue wrestling with the confusion, as it leads to breakthroughs and cognitive growth.

How did the speaker's intelligence improve after consistently applying the deliberate confusion method?

After consistently practicing deliberate confusion for 90 days, the speaker saw a dramatic increase in their cognitive abilities. Their IQ scores improved significantly, and they became more adept at problem-solving, recognizing patterns, and making connections between seemingly unrelated concepts. Their ability to handle complexity and learn quickly was greatly enhanced.