Scientific Research–Based Brain Training
Many so-called brain-training apps claim to improve mental performance, but I’m personally concerned about how few are actually rooted in scientific research. Some even rely on third-party ads that may do more harm to your mind than good. Setting those aside, users of many popular apps are often pouring time and money into activities that barely move the needle on overall cognitive function.
Ironically, it’s often these questionable apps that succeed at marketing. Their messaging looks convincing, as though users will experience genuine improvement. In reality, most brain-training games only enhance performance in specific tasks and fail to boost overall brain function in a meaningful way. It makes sense: how could tapping or swiping on a smooth screen dramatically activate your brain? As I mentioned before, the brain is fundamentally an organ for sensation and movement. You’d likely gain far more by taking up a regular walking routine than by playing these games.
BrainDojo, in contrast, draws from various studies—including the so-called “handwriting effect” researched at Tohoku University and Kyoto University—to design activities that can enhance mental performance in a more holistic way. We also encourage everyday habits like long walks, tidying up, and “brain dump” journaling, all supported by tools available at no cost.
Meditation, or zazen, is another proven way to stabilize the mind and reduce everyday worries. Yet for someone who has never tried it, even sitting calmly for a few minutes can feel daunting, simply because humans—like all animals—naturally prefer to move. To help people overcome this barrier, BrainDojo features a mini-game called Zazen Keep. Rather than just playing music or starting a timer, it offers an interactive experience where your concentration, breathing, and posture directly influence the in-game results.
In this way, BrainDojo is essentially a collection of tools and games designed to enrich daily life. It might fit into the category of “serious games,” or be discussed in the context of “gamification.” Either way, as a brain-training app developer, my top priority is real effectiveness—providing genuinely useful experiences that improve users’ day-to-day well-being.
After Nintendo DS’s Brain Age series burst onto the scene, many copycat apps emerged, often with questionable value. These fakes diminished the overall credibility of brain-training apps. Through BrainDojo, I hope to restore some of that lost trust, by offering a platform that is genuinely beneficial and supported by actual scientific findings.
If you want to try BrainDojo, you can download it on the App Store.
