The 6month challenge

Hello this is my first post here, I had originally decided to go ahead with my challenge/plan without ever coming here but due to somethings taking longer than expected and my friend recommending this place. I have decided to share my challenge/plan here, and maybe gain some input from those more experienced / knowledgable than myself.

Basically my challenge/plan is to go 6months to see how far you can actually increase intelligence and overall wellbeing. I have 3 main parts to this, the first is nutrition, the second is exercise and the third is my proteus.

The nutrition involves smaller meals more often with the help of a nutritionist friend of mine. Along with alot of supplements and vitamins (no nootropics just normal supplements and vitamins) stuff such as pharmaceutical grade omega3 (400/200 dha/epa ratio) greens + wildberry supplement (to make sure im getting all the recommended green servings) and a whole lot more.

The exercise involves both body and mind. I have been going to the gym regularly for the past month and a half to get myself aquainted with all the machines and kind of ween my body into the exercises and evrythign else I will be doing at hte gym. Aswell as swimming. The mind exercises involve such exercises from the 'einstein factor' and a massive problem solving book to 'boost brain power'.

THe light and sound machine is where I need some guidance. At hte moment I have the proteus with the green/red sunglasses :headbang:, but from what I have read on some studies some of the other colours are more helpful to my purpose. At the moment my goal is to increase ability to learn and remember (academic stuff). I read one study which used alpha waves 5 times a week and it increased academic GPA slightly, SO I was thinking along hte lines of this aswell as using the sessions p17-p27 for different tasks such as studying or breaks.

One last thing is proper sleeping habits. I am a uni student so I have really unsociable sleeping habits which I believe impacts on my mental performance and my overall being. Fortunately I have 4 days off a week so sticking to this routine is a little easier. I do plan to document it all via video, pics and stats based on my progress in different areas aswell as comparisons from one semester to another.(I did hte best I could last semester and received distinction averages so I want to see if with the help of this if it is able to be improved)

Unfortunately I dont have an EEG so I cant take before readings of my daily alpha levels and other levels. So I am going to go by video journals of how im feeling / general diary stuff.

Are any of the more experienced users of light and sound able to help/guide me in anyway as to what I should/could do with my light and sound machine. I am open to anything, thank you!!

Welcome!

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Originally Posted by me0w

The light and sound machine is where I need some guidance. At the moment I have the Proteus with the green/red sunglasses :headbang:, but from what I have read on some studies some of the other colours are more helpful to my purpose. At the moment my goal is to increase ability to learn and remember (academic stuff). I read one study which used alpha waves 5 times a week and it increased academic GPA slightly, SO I was thinking along the lines of this as well as using the sessions p17-p27 for different tasks such as studying or breaks.

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The Red LEDs are more stimulating and the Green tend to be more relaxing. Your combination of both with the Proteus is adequate for what you want to achieve.

The program I found best for improving concentration is #20. I also use just the sound portion of the machine on this program while I am working at my desk. I attached an Alpha/Beta program that I regularly use in this way. You could use it also with the lights if you wanted to and you may get a more enhanced effect in doing so. I tend to just use the sound part and have achieved good results with this program.

Other programs that you may really like that came with the Proteus are: P: 21 & 22. These are good for creativity and Visualization (just as their name states).

After you have studied and want the information to get processed into long term memory, go with one of the Mind Lab relax sessions: P12 to 16. P:28 is also a good one for allowing the information to go into the subconscious as well as refresh your mind. (At least 15 minutes in Theta is reported to reset potassium/sodium levels in your brain and thus ease a fatigued mind).

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One last thing is proper sleeping habits. I am a uni student so I have really unsociable sleeping habits which I believe impacts on my mental performance and my overall being.

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Sleep is defiantly a key ingredient to mental function. When you haven't gotten a good night's sleep and want to feel refreshed, try the "Sleep Replace" program that I've attached to this file. Also, in your original Proteus programs, P 8 & P 10 are excellent!

There is another section of this forum http://www.mindplacesupport.com/foru...isplay.php?f=9 where, if you want, we can talk about other aspects of your program in greater detail. This is a subject that fascinates me and I hope to enjoy more conversations in this area.

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Originally Posted by Marisa

Other programs that you may really like that came with the Proteus are: P: 21 & 22. These are good for creativity and Visualization (just as their name states).

After you have studied and want the information to get processed into long term memory, go with one of the Mind Lab relax sessions: P12 to 16. P:28 is also a good one for allowing the information to go into the subconscious as well as refresh your mind. (At least 15 minutes in Theta is reported to reset potassium/sodium levels in your brain and thus ease a fatigued mind).

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wow thanks! I already have incredibly high creativity/visualisation levels so I don't really want to push it further, but for the concentration it DEFENTELY will be used. As when im studying I often trail off. What is the purpose of the beta in the alpha/beta session?

After I have studied does the proteus mimick this? Or are we still yet to do so. http://www.sciencentral.com/articles...e_id=218392812
Basically the brain replays everything back of what we have just done and puts it into the longterm memory. This could be different from just processing so I have to ask.

And yes I am heavily interested in this also, this is why I have decided to do this experiment on myself. I am also interested in NLP and hypnosis (which i read in your bio) however for now this is enough to focus on. Thank you!

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Originally Posted by me0w

As when I'm studying I often trail off. What is the purpose of the beta in the alpha/beta session?

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The Beta frequencies are what help with the concentration.

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After I have studied does the Proteus mimic this? Or are we still yet to do so. http://www.sciencentral.com/articles...e_id=218392812

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Probably.

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Basically the brain replays everything back of what we have just done and puts it into the longterm memory. This could be different from just processing so I have to ask.

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You may find this interesting: "Initially information is stored in various parts of our brain. At night, these fragments are brought out from storage, reassembled and replayed. Each run through etches them deeper into the neural structure until there comes a time when memories and the person who holds them are effectively one in the same." Source: Mapping the Mind, pg 261

Things that help form long term memories: intense emotion (for example, as with a phobia - which is a really well laid down memory), repetition and linking associations.

L&S in a theta (low alpha) frequency will guide the brain into that state where it normally processes information. If you use the L&S machine directly after studying, the memory will be stronger because nothing else has interrupted your attention (which causes a memory to fade quicker).

The more things you can associate that which you want to remember with, the stronger the memory will be. So when you are studying (and what are you studying BTW), after reading a section - stop - and think about all the things that you can associate with what you have learned.

On a different note and perhaps in a future conversation I'll throw a wrench into things by getting into how unreliable memory is when it comes to recalling incidents in our lives. :D

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And yes I am heavily interested in this also, this is why I have decided to do this experiment on myself. I am also interested in NLP and hypnosis (which i read in your bio) however for now this is enough to focus on.

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There are some neat things that you can do with self hypnosis that will also help with your project. Key: Just as you are falling asleep and just as you are waking up, you are in the most suggestible state (Theta). Give yourself a command, stated in positive language. Repeat it to yourself a few times. For example: "Each and every day, my abilities are increasing in every way." The mind always goes towards what ever you are thinking about and your unconscious not only takes everything literally, it believes everything your conscious mind tells it. So ... you always want to make sure that whatever you tell yourself is positive. Sounds hokey but it is true.

BTW, does "Me0w" mean that you like cats?

M.

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Originally Posted by Marisa

You may find this interesting: "Initially information is stored in various parts of our brain. At night, these fragments are brought out from storage, reassembled and replayed. Each run through etches them deeper into the neural structure until there comes a time when memories and the person who holds them are effectively one in the same." Source: Mapping the Mind, pg 261

Things that help form long term memories: intense emotion (for example, as with a phobia - which is a really well laid down memory), repetition and linking associations.

L&S in a theta (low alpha) frequency will guide the brain into that state where it normally processes information. If you use the L&S machine directly after studying, the memory will be stronger because nothing else has interrupted your attention (which causes a memory to fade quicker).

The more things you can associate that which you want to remember with, the stronger the memory will be. So when you are studying (and what are you studying BTW), after reading a section - stop - and think about all the things that you can associate with what you have learned.

There are some neat things that you can do with self hypnosis that will also help with your project. Key: Just as you are falling asleep and just as you are waking up, you are in the most suggestible state (Theta). Give yourself a command, stated in positive language. Repeat it to yourself a few times. For example: "Each and every day, my abilities are increasing in every way." The mind always goes towards what ever you are thinking about and your unconscious not only takes everything literally, it believes everything your conscious mind tells it. So ... you always want to make sure that whatever you tell yourself is positive. Sounds hokey but it is true.

BTW, does "Me0w" mean that you like cats?

M.

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Ahh i get it, alpha/beta for learning/concentration no point being highly intelligent if you can't focus on the task at hand. The stuff about memory is highly helpfull, I have a friend who is a photoreading instructor and she taught me alot of things, one in particular is the memory decay graphs. Which shows how a memory will decay if you don't 'bring it up' in your mind over the week or over the month etc. Ive also watched the paul mckenna accelerated learning video and he gives lots of information / hypnosis on memory, which is nearly exactly what you said.

I am currently studying business and commerce, however from the start of 2007 I will be studying business and commerce/Engineering, so I will need my brain power then. Hence why I have started this early this year. (However im highly interested in computers/technology/Web development which is why I do it for my work even though it isn't related to my studies)

I do believe in positive affirmations, I used to use them to change my behaviour. I use a 3-2-1 approach to get there and then i state my affirmations and slip into sleep, however I haven't done it in the morning before. So i don't think it is hokey at all, infact recently I was using it to say 'I am getting stronger and smarter each and everyday. I am able to focus longer than the previous day and remember more aswell." I did this while I was reading for exams, and i subsequently scored 100% on the quizes. :banana: :headbang:

Yes I am a cat person, I recently got a new kitten and I usualy use the nick me0wzilla to poke fun at godzilla, but i shortened it to me0w for fun.

Thank you for the help!

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Originally Posted by me0w

Ahh i get it, alpha/beta for learning/concentration no point being highly intelligent if you can't focus on the task at hand.

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Essentially yes.

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The stuff about memory is highly helpful, I have a friend who is a photoreading instructor and she taught me a lot of things, one in particular is the memory decay graphs. Which shows how a memory will decay if you don't 'bring it up' in your mind over the week or over the month etc.

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What a wonderful resource to have in a friend. LOL that's right, I forgot about the memory decay thing....probably because I haven't thought about it for a while. :eusa_doh: lol (irony intended)

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I am currently studying business and commerce, however from the start of 2007 I will be studying business and commerce/Engineering, so I will need my brain power then. Hence why I have started this early this year. (However I'm highly interested in computers/technology/Web development which is why I do it for my work even though it isn't related to my studies)

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That is quite the endeavor. Way to go! Your Proteus will be most helpful!!

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Yes I am a cat person, I recently got a new kitten and I usually use the nick me0wzilla to poke fun at godzilla, but i shortened it to me0w for fun.

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Meowzilla, that's funny. I love all animals. I have a dog (Belgian Tervuren), 2 Starlings, 1 Raven and 40 odd pigeons. Oddly enough, I never considered myself a bird person ... they just sort of happened. lol

I had a cat (Chani) up until late last year. She was 17. I do like cats, being a Leo and all, lol ... however, I don't have any plans to get another one. I think with all the birds around, a kitten would be...well a bad idea. lol. I just got the dog to stop trying to eat the birds.

Are you in Canada or the U.S.?

M. :cheers:

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Originally Posted by Marisa

What a wonderful resource to have in a friend. LOL that's right, I forgot about the memory decay thing....probably because I haven't thought about it for a while. :eusa_doh: lol (irony intended)

Meowzilla, that's funny. I love all animals. I have a dog (Belgian Tervuren), 2 Starlings, 1 Raven and 40 odd pigeons. Oddly enough, I never considered myself a bird person ... they just sort of happened. lol

I had a cat (Chani) up until late last year. She was 17. I do like cats, being a Leo and all, lol ... however, I don't have any plans to get another one. I think with all the birds around, a kitten would be...well a bad idea. lol. I just got the dog to stop trying to eat the birds.

Are you in Canada or the U.S.?

M. :cheers:

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Aahahha oh the irony!! And yes, fortunately for me she is very up on everything(learning, rv, silva etc) and fortunately for her I am up on the net so it works both ways. When she wants to learn something I could probably find it and she is able to help me in return! She is also the one who suggested to me around 4-5 years ago about the proteus.

hahaha, thank you.. I do think if you did get one it would cause problems lol, 40 birds and 1 kitten.. It would be that cat's heaven, every day he would have someone new to torment!

Yes it is a big endeavour, however it is doable just have to stay disciplined! For example last night I used some of your advice on the during study/post study sessions. Everything made immediate sense, and I still remember it now!

I wanted to move to Canada this year but tuition there is way too expensive. I live in Australia, here I pay 182$ per semester for university!! And then the rest later comes out of my tax when im working.

I want to begin this challenge asap, but im still waiting on a number of supplements from the US. So I think the experiment won't end until jan 07. I have to read up on how to upgrade my proteus, it is still running the old software, I had a little read around here and brainvibe and few other forums but I can't seem to find the functional diffrence between ver 2.0? and the latest version? I think i have 2.0 because when i turn the proteus on that is the number that is displayed.

Cheers!! :eusa_dance:

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Originally Posted by me0w

She is also the one who suggested to me around 4-5 years ago about the Proteus.

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:cheers: A beer to her who made such a good suggestion.

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hahaha, thank you.. I do think if you did get one it would cause problems LOL, 40 birds and 1 kitten.. It would be that cat's heaven, every day he would have someone new to torment!

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Who would torment who is the question? The dog would think the kitten was the coolest chew toy going. The Raven would think the kitten was the biggest mouse she's ever seen. The starlings...well...okay, they'd be goners. lol

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Yes it is a big endeavor, however it is doable just have to stay disciplined!

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Make it a way of life and that way, your brain will stay fit for all of your life. The discipline is easy, it's just a matter of perspective. :cool:

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For example last night I used some of your advice on the during study/post study sessions. Everything made immediate sense, and I still remember it now!

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What did you try? The sound part while studying or the Theta session after studying?

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I wanted to move to Canada this year but tuition there is way too expensive. I live in Australia, here I pay 182$ per semester for university!! And then the rest later comes out of my tax when I'm working.

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Wow that is sure reasonable tuition! I was in Australia (Sidney) about 26 years ago for about three months. Man it was hot there! I loved the beaches and the ocean though ... except for those pesky "blue bottles" (jelly fishy things). It was the first time I had seen the ocean. I got dusted by one of those big surfing waves ... head over heals into the shore...face plant on the shore...bathing suit all discombooberated ... literally. lol What a sight.

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I want to begin this challenge asap, but I'm still waiting on a number of supplements from the US.

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What supplements are you getting?

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So I think the experiment won't end until jan 07. I have to read up on how to upgrade my Proteus, it is still running the old software, I had a little read around here and brainvibe and few other forums but I can't seem to find the functional difference between ver 2.0? and the latest version? I think i have 2.0 because when i turn the proteus on that is the number that is displayed.

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I don't think there is a function difference that would affect what you are doing ... unless you are doing programming. Let me ask someone who knows better than I and I'll get back to you on that one. If you do need to upgrade, http://www.mindplacesupport.com/Proteus.htm should give you the information you need on how to do it.

:headbang: M.

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Originally Posted by Marisa

Who would torment who is the question? The dog would think the kitten was the coolest chew toy going. The Raven would think the kitten was the biggest mouse she's ever seen. The starlings...well...okay, they'd be goners. lol

Make it a way of life and that way, your brain will stay fit for all of your life. The discipline is easy, it's just a matter of perspective. :cool:

What did you try? The sound part while studying or the Theta session after studying?

Wow that is sure reasonable tuition! I was in Australia (Sidney) about 26 years ago for about three months. Man it was hot there! I loved the beaches and the ocean though ... except for those pesky "blue bottles" (jelly fishy things). It was the first time I had seen the ocean. I got dusted by one of those big surfing waves ... head over heals into the shore...face plant on the shore...bathing suit all discombooberated ... literally. lol What a sight.

What supplements are you getting?

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AHahha good point, my kitten gets tormented by the little birds out side. They come and sit on the gutter and squawk at him because they know he can't do anything but if he got the chance would eat them lol.

That is what I want to do but different lifestyles for different people. Being a student I need my brain, being a manager or engineer I probably won't need as much focus on learning and memory but more on visualisation and creativity.

I used session 25 to study with then session 17. Worked well, the way I could compare it to before is when I studied without it. I was learning with the intent to understand, when I was using the machine I was learning asif I knew the material and I was trying to explain it. I then used p17 afterwards and I can recall most of it now.

Hahahaa, when I was younger i used to be a lifesaver. We saw ALOT of this so your not alone!

The supplements I am getting are ranging. Because I am also building up my body aswell as this. I have stuff such as creatine and protein (for body) and for the mind I have chromium(blood sugar levels), omega3, B12, B complex, Vitamin E with tocotrienols, Selenium, ALA, q10, Ginkgo, Folic acid, lecithin, and a greens supplement called greens plus wild berry.

This is to supplement a good diet, I however want to have higher levels of these nutrients/vitamins in my body. I have had bloodwork done already, so I have an idea where I am standing at the moment. There is no vitamin C in that because I have decided to have a large glass of freshly squeezed orange juice each morning (we will see how big that glass is because depending on how much vitamin C i have will determine how much trouble i have in the bathroom lolll :icon_rolleyes: so I have to watch this one). The supplements cover most antio-oxidants, essential nutrients and vitamins.

I will leave the upgrade for now then until I hear back from you, there isn't an urgency on it and I have to study for finals.

Thanks! :eusa_dance:

Hello,

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That is what I want to do but different lifestyles for different people. Being a student I need my brain, being a manager or engineer I probably won't need as much focus on learning and memory but more on visualisation and creativity.

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It's all linked together. That which enables you to learn, also is tied to creativity. Trust me, you want to have as good of a memory as possible forever.

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The supplements I am getting are ranging. Because I am also building up my body aswell as this. I have stuff such as creatine and protein (for body) and for the mind I have chromium(blood sugar levels), omega3, B12, B complex, Vitamin E with tocotrienols, Selenium, ALA, q10, Ginkgo, Folic acid, lecithin, and a greens supplement called greens plus wild berry.

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Looks like a good combo.

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I will leave the upgrade for now then until I hear back from you, there isn't an urgency on it and I have to study for finals.

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If your machine is running fine, then don't do the upgrade. It was designed to fix a specific problem that certain machines had.

Good luck with the studying. :D

Thanks! I should be able to start as soon as my stuff arrives.. if ever.. living so far away creates these types of problems. :BangHead:

Ive been on my challenge for a total week now. I have been using proteus nearly daily, and around 30min sessions on average 6 days a week. I am using hte mindlab learn sessions and no alpha atm. (however i should)

I am also taking all those other supplements and have noticed a major increase in my study ability. My mind alone is like a big sponge and whatever im reading is absorbed. However when I use my proteus it seems to 'stick'. I have noticed a BIG increase in ability to grasp large abstract concepts and place htem all together.

One down side I am noticing is that I become alouf. Especially when speaking to people, I ask them questions and register their answer but I forget later on and then sometimes end up asking them teh same question.(for instance my friends at uni and the subjects they are taking) Or my friend's speakers on her computer are not working, and i keep sending her sounds to hear and I forget that she doesn't have workign speakers. However as soon as she reminds me I remember.

Could this be attributed to the large amounts of beta waves? During my study week it was basically ALL beta, and since mainly beta(mindlearn sessions). This problem has risen since then.

Another factor COULD be the large amounts of omega3 epa/dha ratios im taking. However from what I have read there are only benefits from taking these fish oils and little side effects.

This is the 8th day of taking the vitamins, sleeping in proper patterns and having regular and healthy eating habits. Along with the proteus sessions for study I have noticed an increase. And infact, I scored 90% in a quiz today and I was on the top 5% of my entire course with this grade.

Its only up from here! P.S I am going to post a video on youtube about my experiences / kind of like a journal that will probably bring some traffic here.

Hi Meow,

First, I'd like to thank you for posting the results of your study as you go! I find it very interesting to read about what you are experiencing and hope you continue.

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One down side I am noticing is that I become aloof. Especially when speaking to people, I ask them questions and register their answer but I forget later on and then sometimes end up asking them the same question.(for instance my friends at uni and the subjects they are taking) Or my friend's speakers on her computer are not working, and i keep sending her sounds to hear and I forget that she doesn't have working speakers. However as soon as she reminds me I remember.

Could this be attributed to the large amounts of beta waves? During my study week it was basically ALL beta, and since mainly beta(mindlearn sessions). This problem has risen since then.

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Well as you are discovering, Beta is really good for helping you increase your ability to concentrate and process information quickly. "Beta 1 - 12 - 16 Hz is associated with higher cognitive processes and rational analytical, problem-solving thinking."

From what you are describing, your long term memory in some areas seems to be affected. You mentioned that the material you are studying is staying in your memory, so you are processing the information well enough. This also tells me that your brain is producing enough Theta (which is needed for long term memory processing). If your brain had too much Beta - without the balance of the other brain waves kicking in when appropriate, you would likely experience feelings of anxiety, moodiness and sleeping difficulties. This is not happening to you.

There is an explanation as to what could be happening and it has more to do with how certain information is processed, or in your case, not processed and remembered. We've all experienced these things you are talking about - for example, we get introduced to someone and 30 seconds later we forget their name. Or, as you mentioned, someone tells us something and we forget what they said a short time later.

Long term memories can take a while to become embedded (up to two years). During that time, the memory is fragile and can be easily wiped out.

In the example above where we are given the person's name and then forget it, what happens is, at the time we are given the person's name we are also likely processing other information about the person. We are told the name and then we are distracted by the conversation or other thoughts. The information had nothing to anchor it and so it is forgotten.

If you felt a strong emotion about the person you were being introduced to, you would likely remember that person's name because emotions are strong memory anchors.

The more associations you can attach to a piece of information, the more likely it is that you will remember that piece of information. This is why books on memory suggest that when you meet someone one and are told their name, you take a minute to think about their name, maybe ask them to spell it and then think of who they remind you of, make a rhyme out of their name etc. If you make these associations immediately with the information, then you will remember it longer.

The more important the information is to you (emotional anchor) the more likely you will be to remember it.

So - when your friends are telling you something that you forget right away, it's likely that you got distracted by something shortly after they told you and/or your mind is otherwise occupied by other things (perhaps your studies) and so the memory would fade rather quickly.

In review, the things that influence information to become a memory are: repetition, linking associations and the intensity of experience (significance to you).

:icon_wink:

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Another factor COULD be the large amounts of omega3 epa/dha ratios I'm taking. However from what I have read there are only benefits from taking these fish oils and little side effects.

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All these would do is help nourish your brain. A lack of certain vitamins such as B12 would affect your memory and ability to think. If this was happening, then you would have problems remembering and thinking in many areas - it would be difficult to retain what you are learning in school.

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This is the 8th day of taking the vitamins, sleeping in proper patterns and having regular and healthy eating habits. Along with the Proteus sessions for study I have noticed an increase. And in fact, I scored 90% in a quiz today and I was on the top 5% of my entire course with this grade.

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Hey good for you! Beta training is reputed to help increase IQ.

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Its only up from here! P.S I am going to post a video on youtube about my experiences / kind of like a journal that will probably bring some traffic here.

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Sounds great. Make sure you post a link from here when you do so we can go see it.

Thanks again for your input! I look forward to hearing your thoughts on my comments.

M.

Hi,
you are totally right, because since posting this your answer has become apparent to me lol! Just through daily thinking / observation of why im forgetting the names, and SINCE then I have been able to make an overall effort to be 'with the information' when i receive it and because of this, my memory has improved dramatically.(In review, the things that influence information to become a memory are: repetition, linking associations and the intensity of experience (significance to you)

I think your also right on the attachment factor to the information, when it comes in blindly it goes out blindly. When you attach it or 'anchor' it to somethign else then it is more likely to be stored. I have been able to be aware of this more often so that the 3 things are kept in mind when information is being processed.

My verbal iq has increased exponentially, without effort my brain wants to find different ways of explaining things and using different words and even thinking out different ways to explain the same thing. For example i will say something, then think about what I have said, analyse it, think a bit more about it and from just saying this one thing come to a conclusion of where it came from, what it means, how I could say it in a more deeper and meaningful way. This was not happening before.

This week I have slipped a bit, my eating and sleeping habits have been messed up, no gym and no proteus, but its sunday tommorow so I plan to reorganise my week so that I can make up for the indiscrepencies this week.

Regarding b12, I take a b12 supplement everymorning on an empty stomach along with folic acid. It is a 1000mcg b12 supplement from natures own. The folic acid is 400mcg. I do also take a b-complex however i usualy take that at the end of hte day so it kind of evens out. Morning and afternoon/night intakes of B vitamins.

I am noticing I can learn anything incredibly fast without troubles and remember it at a later stage without trouble. ASLONG as I remember teh memory rule which is I have to touch on the stuff i studied a few days after i first learnt it otherwise i forget it incredibly fast. The vitamins have not helped here.

I have decided to keep my journal and put it up all at once instead of bit by bit. It would be very boring for peopel to watch me just rant on about this so rather than weekly, i will just make a complitation at hte end of hte interesting bits.

There is a downside, and this is a big one. Because I am having such good highs with this and enjoyable times are much more enjoyable once I become bored i go into a depressed state. And it spirals out of control if I allow it, I am able to curb it by doing a few things or seeing people but it comes back. I dont know why it is happening because I haven't experienced this before. So I am relating it to what I am doing / taking.

Also if you are able to help out I am looking for food ideas, I've got some but its a pain. Trying to eat right is one thing, wanting to eat right is another thing, knowing what is the right things to eat is a differnet area alltogether. The first two come from within where as the other comes from the external.

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Originally Posted by me0w

Hi,
There is a downside, and this is a big one. Because I am having such good highs with this and enjoyable times are much more enjoyable once I become bored i go into a depressed state. And it spirals out of control if I allow it, I am able to curb it by doing a few things or seeing people but it comes back. I don't know why it is happening because I haven't experienced this before. So I am relating it to what I am doing / taking.

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None of the supplements or L&S will cause depression. Are you feeling stressed at all? Stress can lower your serotonin levels and cause depression. If so, you may want to try taking some St. John's Wort.

Or, add DHA to your diet (Salmon, tuna, sardines) or the capsule supplement. 300 mg daily.

And, practice "thought stopping" and "thought redirecting" exercises - which are basically done by 1) recognizing the mood change at the onset, 2) change your body posture (sit or stand up straight and look up), 3) change state by doing something different - maybe something silly - anything that will divert your attention from what you were doing previously.

Thought Stopping: Recognize unwanted thought at on-set, Say "Stop" or "Cancel, Cancel" ... "rewind" then tell yourself what you want to think about - use positive language. Example... negative thought ....STOP....I'd rather think about cappuccino mmmm cappuccino. Repeat every time the negative thought begins to appear. Avoid letting the thought form. The thought spirals out of control because you are letting the though form. It's like indulging a kid who is having a temper tantrum ... you want to nip it in the bud ... stop it before it forms into a tantrum. Does this make sense?

You have a good mind, now that you are in school, it's a good time to learn how to program your mind. This is the start. You have control over your mind and emotions - not vice versa. Mental discipline reminds me of dog training. The dog will challenge you for leadership, sometimes in the most sneaky ways. You have to be on top of it and not let the dog con you out of your leadership. It's the same with the mind, if you don't stay aware ... your mind can create all kinds of trouble for you.

Become aware of what you think about and how you think. Once you know how you think, you can change it. http://www.ayrmetes.com/articles/changing_behavior.htm In the second part of the article, it describes how to change emotions and response.

If this sort of thing interests you, I've found sources of information in Buddhist books (believe it or not) such as "Training the Mind" by Chogyam Trungpa and there are a few books by the Dali Lama on the subject that are pretty good; Dr. Wayne Dyer has some good books on the subject, though his latter books are a bit on the Christian side (which can be good or not); Anthony Robbins books are also good; and, if you like Carlos Castaneda then you'll really like "On the Toltec Path" by Ken Eaglefeather (this book gets more into training of the mind, especially Perception).

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Also if you are able to help out I am looking for food ideas, I've got some but its a pain. Trying to eat right is one thing, wanting to eat right is another thing, knowing what is the right things to eat is a different area altogether. The first two come from within where as the other comes from the external

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I'm afraid I'm not much help here. I'm a really picky eater and a vegetarian. I also like lots of stuff that is bad for you ... chips ... chocolate .... mind you, I read that chocolate (dark) is actually good for the brain. Yay! I'd say just use common sense in your eating and avoid over-indulging in stuff that is bad for you. :cheers:


M.

i think what is turning me is my environment.. and that one thing was leading to another and i was going off my plan..

but you are also right, and im going to try use those techniques when it happens..

i also believe that having control over my mind is probably the best thign i can do, especially if i am able to control myself and my emotions properly.. not letting them control me as you said.. this stuff does intrest me and i have seen some stuff on the toltecs and they are very interesting, at the moment i dont have much time to go reading into these topics but I will in a few weeks.

Regarding DHA i am defently getting enough of that. I am taking an omega3 supplement with 400mg of EPA and 200mg of DHA, i take about 4-5 per day so I am doing allright there.

p.s while we are on this topic of mind control, here is some pretty awesome mind control http://youtube.com/watch?v=kmGGvBZGAhY :eek:

Cheers!!

Welcome to the forum Agodney!

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Originally Posted by agodney

Hello MeOw and Marisa
This is my first posting on your site, so if I am not fitting in with etiquette I apologise ;o) If I should start a new thread and not cloud yours - please advise me.

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You know, you bring up a good point - albeit indirectly. We could continue our conversation here - that's no big deal - but there may be others who would like to participate on this discussion (improving memory & learning) that would not find this message because of the thread it's under .. so, I'm going to start a new thread and answer your questions there.

http://www.mindplacesupport.com/foru...hread.php?t=80

Back in the late 90s we funded a two-University study, principal investigator was Tom Budzynski, to test effects on academic performance. The protocol in this case (as I recall without re-reading the paper) was to alternate 11 Hz, GSR relaxation training, 22 Hz, GSR, for five minutes each. The LS portion was intended to activate both alpha and beta--but the 22 Hz will also cause some alpha activation as a subharmonic. The GSR was intended to produce relaxation, for those who grow tense at test time for example. The results showed a statistically significant improvement in grade point averages. This group did not report ADHD. The studies Dr Harold Russell did with ADHD showed significant verbal IQ enhancement--but those scores were probably being brought up to parity with performance rather than actually increasing someone's IQ below theoretical baseline (that is, it brought the scores up to what they would be without ADHD). The changes were still in effect upon retest 16 months after the study.

Robert

This is what I found on Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...arch&DB=pubmed

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1: Int J Psychophysiol. 2003 Jan;47(1):75-85.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...PubMedLink.gif Links
The effect of training distinct neurofeedback protocols on aspects of cognitive performance.

• Vernon D,
• Egner T,
• Cooper N,
• Compton T,
• Neilands C,
• Sheri A,
• Gruzelier J.

Department of Cognitive Neuroscience and Behaviour, Imperial College London, Charing Cross Hospital, St. Dunstans Road, London W6 8RF, UK. [email protected]
The use of neurofeedback as an operant conditioning paradigm has disclosed that participants are able to gain some control over particular aspects of their electroencephalogram (EEG). Based on the association between theta activity (4-7 Hz) and working memory performance, and sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) activity (12-15 Hz) and attentional processing, we investigated the possibility that training healthy individuals to enhance either of these frequencies would specifically influence a particular aspect of cognitive performance, relative to a non-neurofeedback control-group. The results revealed that after eight sessions of neurofeedback the SMR-group were able to selectively enhance their SMR activity, as indexed by increased SMR/theta and SMR/beta ratios. In contrast, those trained to selectively enhance theta activity failed to exhibit any changes in their EEG. Furthermore, the SMR-group exhibited a significant and clear improvement in cued recall performance, using a semantic working memory task, and to a lesser extent showed improved accuracy of focused attentional processing using a 2-sequence continuous performance task. This suggests that normal healthy individuals can learn to increase a specific component of their EEG activity, and that such enhanced activity may facilitate semantic processing in a working memory task and to a lesser extent focused attention. We discuss possible mechanisms that could mediate such effects and indicate a number of directions for future research.
PMID: 12543448 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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my results.. this is a two semester before and after..
1st semester
the before, was where i put in lots of hard work, didnt use the proteus, however i did take some omega3 fish oils during first semester finals. These were my results.

Pass, Pass, Pass, Credit.

2nd semester
this semester I took vitamins, used proteus, and tried to stick to a regime that was beneficial to my mind in terms of learning and memory.
Credit, Credit, Credit, High Distinction.

pass 50-64
credit 65-74
distinction 75-84
high distinction 85-100

So that is a pretty big change. I've learnt alot more about everything in the second semester than I did in the first. And im more 'awake', this being concious of everything. I feel I am able to better express my self aswell as being more calm and confident in tough situations. Also I have learn't to be more 'aware' of my mental states, and thus being able to improve my learning. Eg, I wont study if I know my mind is cloudy and really having trouble focusing.

I don't know how you want to interpret the results but, the way I am looking at them is this. Baseline it will improve my grades 1 grade, however it has the potential to go all the way if I put my mind to it.

Another side effect is that, even though I have never ever ever been able to sit down and read a book. I am finding myself more and more being able to sit down and read. Im going through books like potato chips.

I decided not to youtube things, because they would be boring.

This is only the start, I am going to continually aim for the original plan until I fulfill it. Aswell as continually improving myself! Skies the limit!

Hi Meow,

Thanks for the update on the Six Month Challenge. So I guess it's safe to conclude that the changes you made certainly made a big difference and improvement in your grades and learning ability.

Very interesting. Thank you again for sharing this with us all.

M.

yes most defently, but not even just on my grades. On my life itself, it is asif it has been transformed from the inside out. More positive feelings more often, sense of well being and confidence.

Although my efforts were not as consisent as I wanted them to be, hopefully with more consistency better results will be able to be obtained. If its wanted I will post more updates for a years worth of it and what is achievable.

for anyone reading this.. my brain has made a quantum leap from the state of mind it used to be in to the state it is in now..

i have been taking the vitamins and minerals I stated in the original post nearly everyday since I announced it. Although I haven't been consistent with the rest the vitamins alone over the course of nearly 1yr9months has made an incredible change on myself.

Over the period I have been studying at uni and progressively each semester my brain would want to read and focus more and more. Until the point now where I can't put a book down and would use it over a TV.

My recommendation is that if you have children, get them exercising and getting a balanced diet. If they are not interested in eating fish then try giving them a fishoil. In the long run this will DEFINITELY HELP THEM GET AN EDGE AND SET THE UP FOR AN OPPORTUNISTIC FUTURE in whatever they choose. Also get a multivitamin for insurance as there may be something in your diet which may be lacking so a multivitamin ensures it.

Hello Me0w

Sounds good! best of luck.

regards agodney

Thanks for keeping us updated Meow! I really enjoy reading about people's experiences in brain enhancement.

M.

:eusa_clap:

I am back at this again! And will be doing it again for this semester! Last semester without L&S I got a credit average without exercise, sleeping right and proper focus but was taking vitamins.

This semester I will again improve on what I have learnt over the years and report my findings at the end of the semester!

I graduate at the end of this year so I would like to do well!

Offtopic, has there been a study of L&S in the workplace to improve productivity? This semester I am studying 'management of employee performance' and L&S came to mind. Just a thought, and possibly another 6month challenge! (As long as productivity can be measured)

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Originally Posted by me0w

I am back at this again! And will be doing it again for this semester! Last semester without L&S I got a credit average without exercise, sleeping right and proper focus but was taking vitamins.

This semester I will again improve on what I have learnt over the years and report my findings at the end of the semester!

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This is very interesting stuff. I, for one, find it very interesting to read about your experiments and experiences with the AVS machine.

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I graduate at the end of this year so I would like to do well!

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I'll bet you are happy to be finished.

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Offtopic, has there been a study of L&S in the workplace to improve productivity? This semester I am studying 'management of employee performance' and L&S came to mind. Just a thought, and possibly another 6month challenge! (As long as productivity can be measured)

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I haven't seen anything, which is really too bad because I think these machines are under-utilized. Many people use them for relaxation or entertainment and yet, there is so much more that can be accomplished with the use of the machines - as you have found out.

Perhaps you could publish a paper or inspire a study? :headbang:

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Originally Posted by Marisa

This is very interesting stuff. I, for one, find it very interesting to read about your experiments and experiences with the AVS machine.

I'll bet you are happy to be finished.

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Thanks! And yes I'm very happy, I will be happy to go out in the workforce.

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Originally Posted by Marisa

I haven't seen anything, which is really too bad because I think these machines are under-utilized. Many people use them for relaxation or entertainment and yet, there is so much more that can be accomplished with the use of the machines - as you have found out.

Perhaps you could publish a paper or inspire a study? :headbang:

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That is what I am thinking. I don't want to say anything before I do it but you have the idea. And I am thinking of the first one. It is still a year off yet, but the system that could measure such a thing is being made now (by me) so it is a definite possibility.

Also Marissa, is there any chance I could get a hold of the sessions that were used in the study that I have linked before? Robert said he would but he had a lot on his list of to dos.

Hi Meow,

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Also Marissa, is there any chance I could get a hold of the sessions that were used in the study that I have linked before? Robert said he would but he had a lot on his list of to dos.

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I asked Robert about this and he's wondering if you could give him more details concerning what paper it is that you are referring to. I believe he took a quick look for it and couldn't find it.

M.

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Originally Posted by Marisa

I asked Robert about this and he's wondering if you could give him more details concerning what paper it is that you are referring to. I believe he took a quick look for it and couldn't find it.

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Thank you for doing that!

This is it http://www.mindplacesupport.com/Down...ight-paper.pdf
"Academic performance enhancement with Photic stimulation and EDR feedback".

The paper goes on to say that they did sessions over the semester to improve their grades.

Thank you!

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Originally Posted by me0w

Thank you for doing that!

This is it http://www.mindplacesupport.com/Down...ight-paper.pdf
"Academic performance enhancement with Photic stimulation and EDR feedback".

The paper goes on to say that they did sessions over the semester to improve their grades.

Thank you!

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Hi Meow,

I took a quick look at the paper and it appears to me that the best results were achieved with using a 12 - 14hz (which is SMR). While I don't know what program(s) they used, I can suggest a few programs of the Proteus, that focuses on this range, to try. You could try: P 6 - Peak Composure or P21 - Creativity enhancement.

You could also try a program I wrote, which focuses on a similar range of frequencies - See attached. I mostly use this program with just the sound however you can use it the traditional way or with just the sound while you are studying.

I'll also let you know what I hear from Robert.

M.

another update, I didn't use the LS but I did keep regular sleeping patterns and ate well and exercised very well. I now run in the mornings and exercise in someway every week. I got credits or higher in my last semester and I can definitely tell that everything I do is more conscious. Even though I haven't been using the proteus, I have been doing all the other 'right' things that you should do in your life. Eat right, Sleep right, and exercise.

I have a question, how much is the minimum amount of time that I could spend using LS a week and gain results? And is there a 'sweet spot' or an optimised amount of time that provide better results. For insance 30mins may produce '1 result' but 1hour will produce '4 results' where as 1h30 will produce '5 results', so the 1hour is the sweet spot.

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Originally Posted by me0w

I have a question, how much is the minimum amount of time that I could spend using LS a week and gain results? And is there a 'sweet spot' or an optimised amount of time that provide better results. For insance 30mins may produce '1 result' but 1hour will produce '4 results' where as 1h30 will produce '5 results', so the 1hour is the sweet spot.

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Everyone is different so that is a question that only you can answer for yourself. Once your brain is entrained and use to going into whatever state you want it to easily, you may find that you only need to do a session once a week or two weeks.

It depends on what you are doing. For example, if concentration was the issue and you are now concentrating well, then you do not need to use the machine until you feel that your concentration is diminishing. It may be situational as well, meaning that there are some days where you could use a session and some days where you don't need one.

M.

Hi everyone..
So its been 4 years since I originally made this post. I wanted to update everyone on my learnings of it.

I have graduated and I think that had I not made the changes in the first semester that I did, I would not have made it. Lots of my friends have not completed uni due to whatever reasons and I could have become victim to those same reasons had I not built my self up to be capable of the pressures and demands of academic life.

Summary of my tests on my self:
Omega3s work
Multivitamins work
Bvitamins work

They work better when you 'activate' them with exercise. Currently I take them in the morning on an empty stomach. I drink a tea with them. Then I go to the gym and they seem to be activated in a way. I used to have them with meals but the affects are different. It appears to be a 'cleaner' affect on my mind than an overwhelming 'cloudy' affect on my mind.

Exercise is VERY important. Particularly cardiovascular.
Sleep is VERY important.
Nutrition is VERY important.

It seems funny that I have had to spend 4 years to find out these basic things. However I am glad I did it earlier on in my life so now I can do it for the rest of my life. (Which I have been. I still take multivitamins/omega3/bcomplex.)

Another thing that is important in increasing your intelligence I have found is social. And lists/goals. Social for some reason increases the well being factor and synergizes with the other good things you are doing to take it to a higher level than you can achieve with (exercise/sleep/nutrition/vitamins). Lists and goals make you aware of your future and where you are going. It gives you direction and purpose.

I believe I am much smarter than I started out to be. Yes I can be bias but this is why I think this. I am more aware of things now, am able to problem solve quicker, grasp deep concepts quicker and if need be go high level on a problem or zoom in on the detail and connect everything together based on the attributes of each node. Some of these things I would never have been able to do before.

I have not been using my proteus but looking back I can see how I was more aware in certain things when I did it. After re-reading some posts on this thread before posting this. I think I will aim to use it atleast once this week for some reason and continue to use it more often into the future.

If anyone wants to ask questions about how to increase your intelligence I am more than welcome to answer your questions. I feel that I am always growing and my intelligence is infinite now. (In a way that you can teach yourself to be smarter and create the right conditions to increase intelligence.)

For anyone who reads this post,
Never for a MOMENT think you are not smart enough or too dumb to do something. What I did is proof that you can change your circumstances / situation in your life. Before I began I didn't have a chance to get into the degree I completed. I hadn't completed school and wasn't accepted into the degree I wanted. So I didn't have the grades or the academic ability. I did have the drive/want to do it but that was it. Through hard work its possible. And now I feel ahead.

Was it worth it? Yes!

Congratulations!!! That's a great show of endurance, and it's great to see that AVS played its part.

Thanks for a wonderfully encouraging post.

Cheers,
Craig

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Originally Posted by CraigT

Congratulations!!! That's a great show of endurance, and it's great to see that AVS played its part.

Thanks for a wonderfully encouraging post.

Cheers,
Craig

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Thank you :)