Habits That Lower Your I.Q.

Habits That Lower Your I.Q.

Last update: 12 September, 2020

There are a series of habits that lower your I.Q. that are probably part of your daily routine. You may not think said habits have anything to do with your I.Q. However, science has proven that they decisively affect the way your brain works.

These habits that lower your I.Q. have to do with the way you eat and your lifestyle in general. Researches found that certain activities that you do can systematically affect cognitive abilities.

Remember that the I.Q. is a “measure of intelligence” obtained through the application of psychometric tests. Although not everyone agrees with this metric or the implications that could be derived from it, it’s evident that those who have certain habits get worse scores.

Let’s take a look at those habits that lower your I.Q.:

Consuming saturated fats

A lot of the meals we consume every day might include a high percentage of saturated fats. We can find them in dairy products, fatty meats, and sausages. Science has discovered that those kinds of foods affect the cardiovascular system because they increase “bad cholesterol”, which damages the functioning of the circulatory system.

A woman eating a hamburger.

As a consequence, there’s lower blood flow, which results in less oxygen reaching the brain, dragging out its functioning. In addition, it damages many of the processes in which the central executive intervenes and alters our state of mind, resulting in an enhance of negative emotions such as sadness.

Multitasking, one of the habits that lowers your I.Q.

Neuroscientist Earl Miller conducted a study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The research focused on the effects of working with a divided attention, such as multitasking. The results were clear.

This research indicated that the brain is not designed to multitask. People create the illusion that they’re doing many things all at once. However, in reality, and from a cognitive point of view, the process doesn’t stop being sequential. Likewise, the cost is high in terms of good intellectual functioning.

Watching too much TV

Watching too much tv is one of the habits that reduce your I.Q.

Watching TV is a very common way to entertain ourselves. It’s undoubtedly one of the cheapest and easy forms of distraction. It makes us feel relaxed because we don’t really have to do any physical or mental effort, we just sit there and watch whatever’s going on on TV.

However, the cost can be very high. Watching too much TV is one of the habits that lowers your I.Q. It’s not just that it makes you passive, but it also numbs your brain in some way.

Not getting quality sleep

Getting good quality sleep is one of the best habits in order to take care of our mental functioning. A good’s night sleep makes us feel revitalized, energized, and ready to take on a new day.

Studies claim that people who don’t get enough sleep or those who don’t get good quality sleep get bored easily, make more mistakes, and are more emotionally unstable. In addition, they’re definitely more irritable, meaning anything can make them upset very easily (and stay upset for long periods of time).

Similarly, some studies show that getting a good night’s sleep makes us learn better. When we’re well rested, it’s easier for us to pay attention and retain information.

Consuming too much sugar

Large quantities of sugar also don’t allow the brain to function properly. A UCLA study found that if a person consumes large quantities of sugar for 6 weeks straight, they’ll have a harder time learning and memorizing information. The fact that dementia has a higher incidence in people with diabetes is not just a coincidence.

A glass full of sugar cubes.

Furthermore, the same study evidenced that fruits with too much fructose can cause the same effect. It’s important to point out that the consumption of sugar itself is not what’s wrong. Sugar is actually one of the main foods of our brain. An excessive consumption of sugar is the real problem.

These are all habits that lower your I.Q. Therefore, the smartest thing to do is to keep them under control. It’s okay for them to be sporadic actions, just remember that too much of anything is bad. Take care of yourself so you can have a healthier and fulfilling life.


This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.