Mike Carruthers

Most people assume that intelligence is something you're born with.

You either have it or you don't.

But what if becoming smarter is less about natural ability and more about the habits, behaviors, and choices you make every day?

Research suggests that the way you learn, think, and even structure your environment can have a big impact on your cognitive performance.

And that's why today's SYSK trending topic is How to Make Yourself Smarter.

In my conversation with Dr. David Bardsley, we'll explore practical science-backed ways to sharpen your mind and improve how you process information.

And you'll find out what really makes people smarter and what anyone can do to boost their brain power.

So if you'd like to think more clearly, learn faster, and make better decisions, stick around.

It's all coming up right after this.

Who wouldn't want to be smarter?

Imagine if you could think better, make decisions better, and just get through life with more brain power to navigate all you have to do in a smarter, more thoughtful way.

Well, meet David Bardsley.

David became a dentist and oral surgeon after overcoming some serious learning disabilities when he was younger.

When he retired from surgery, he began researching and lecturing on the topic of cognitive performance, and he is the author of a book called Smarter Next Year, The Revolutionary Science for a Smarter, Happier You.

Hey David, welcome to Something You Should Know.

It's my pleasure, Mike.

So before we begin about making people better cognitively speaking, if I do all the things you're about to tell me, how much is it worth the effort?

Are we just going to move the needle in the laboratory, or am I going to go, gee, I feel like my brain is really functioning better?

When people hear conversations about cognitive ability and brain function, I think there's a tendency to think, well, this only applies to older people, to people as they're getting on in years and maybe their brain starts to decline.

Is this an older person problem?