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You're Smarter When You're Horizontal

Posted by timothy on from the obvious-truth dept.

Ant writes "According to this Discovery Channel article, people are smarter and more creative lying down than standing up. Darren Lipnicki, a researcher from the school of psychology at the Australian National University (ANU) believes this helps to explain Archimedes' eureka moment. He found that people solve anagrams more quickly when they are on their backs than on their feet. His finding relates to the difference in brain chemistry, specifically the release of the neurotransmitter noradrenaline, when lying down or standing up. While noradrenaline is normally associated with cognitive ability and attention, it is also believed to impair creative thinking. And less is released while lying down. (Seen on Shacknews)."

4 of 78 comments (clear)

  1. An advantage, yes... by Will2k_is_here · · Score: 2, Interesting

    but it easier to doze off while lying down to.

  2. Best ideas come to me just before going to bed by MichaelMarch · · Score: 4, Interesting

    When I have a challange that I've been working on for a while. And being the obsessive person I am. I will think about it until the moment I passout. With that said, I lost track of how many times I've come up with the solution to one an issue I've been working on.. just as I'm about to pass out. And my wife thought I was weird. Ha! In her face!!

  3. I've always felt this by m50d · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Whenever I'm doing maths problems I like to lie down. I get some weird looks, but I do feel like it helps me solve them. Things make more sense, and I'm more comfortable.

    --
    I am trolling
  4. Re:Odd... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Except perhaps it's better to be focused rather than creative during a hunt. Standing upright leads to the release of noradrenaline which leads to less creativity and more focus.

    Here is a simple solution to ADD and boredom: stand up.