Engaging in everyday pleasures can enhance cognitive performance shows study

A recent study conducted at NYU Tandon School of Engineering, using MINDWATCH, a revolutionary brain-monitoring technology, has revealed that simple pleasures like listening to music and drinking coffee can influence brain activity in a manner that enhances cognitive performance, particularly in tasks involving focus and memory.

In a recent study using MINDWATCH, published in the journal Scientific Reports, participants wore skin-monitoring wristbands and brain-monitoring headbands while undergoing cognitive tests. During these tests, they were exposed to various stimulants such as music, coffee, and preferred scents, as well as a control condition with no stimulants.

The MINDWATCH algorithm identified significant changes in brain arousal induced by music and coffee, effectively placing participants in distinct physiological "states of mind" that could impact their performance in working memory tasks.

The research explored three types of music: familiar, energizing music, familiar relaxing music, and novel AI-generated music tailored to individual preferences. Results aligned with previous MINDWATCH studies, showing that familiar, energetic music resulted in the most substantial performance improvements, as measured by reaction times and correct answers. AI-generated music exhibited promising gains, but further investigation is required to confirm these findings.

Coffee consumption also yielded noticeable, albeit less pronounced, performance enhancements, while the impact of perfume on cognitive performance was relatively modest.