Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

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)."

9 of 78 comments (clear)

  1. Alrighty then by Lord+Bitman · · Score: 5, Funny

    If anyone needs me, I'll be under my desk.

    --
    -- 'The' Lord and Master Bitman On High, Master Of All
  2. Whores rejoice! by Bootle · · Score: 5, Funny
    Hookers secretly run the world. I knew it all along.

    I, for one, welcome our new street-walking overlords.

  3. thats great by FidelCatsro · · Score: 5, Funny

    I do enjoy getting horizontal in creative new ways..Wink ,wink ,nudge, nudge ,man of the world ,man of the world

    --
    The only things certain in war are Propaganda and Death. You can never be sure which is which though
  4. But... but... by 01000011011101000111 · · Score: 4, Funny

    I thought we were supposed to get perpendicular? So I have to choose between being smart and being able to remember?

    --
    Programming is an Art. I am an Artist. Does that mean I get to wear a daft hat?
    1. Re:But... but... by kniLnamiJ-neB · · Score: 3, Funny

      Perhaps we could compromise, and all make a 135-degree angle. It's sort of a linear programming problem... find the maximal solution?

      --
      Windows isn't the answer... it's the question. NO is the answer!
  5. Hey, baby... by Wolfger · · Score: 5, Funny

    Wanna get smarter?

    --
    Nothing to see here. Move along.
  6. 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!!

    1. Re:Best ideas come to me just before going to bed by hab136 · · Score: 4, Funny
      And my wife thought I was weird. Ha! In her face!!

      I tried, but my aim isn't so good, and so it got in her hair.

  7. Re:An advantage, yes... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    grammer

    Good news, you ditched the grammar police.

    Bad news, the spelling police would like a word with you now.