Do puzzle games really train your brain? What we know

Puzzle games are often described as ‘brain training’. The honest answer is more modest than the advertising, and more interesting.

What the research suggests

Studies on commercial ‘brain training’ programmes generally find that people get better at the exact tasks they practise. The evidence that this improvement carries over to everyday memory or general intelligence is limited and still debated among researchers. Anyone promising that a game will raise your IQ is overstating the case.

What puzzles are good for

Puzzle games give you a clear goal, quick feedback and a feeling of progress, which many people find relaxing and satisfying. They encourage planning, pattern spotting and patience. They can be a pleasant break from a busy day, and they are something you can share with family and friends.

Getting the most from them

• Vary the types. Switch between logic, word, matching and spatial puzzles.
• Increase the difficulty gradually, so the game stays challenging but not frustrating.
• Try to solve it yourself before using a hint.
• Combine them with other healthy habits such as sleep, exercise and social time, which have much stronger evidence behind them.

In short

Play puzzle games because they are enjoyable. If you also sharpen a few skills along the way, that is a welcome bonus rather than a promise.