WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) — A new series debuts Tuesday night on CBS. As the network puts it, “Limitless” follows the story of Brian Finch, an ordinary guy who is faced with an extraordinary drug called NZT that allows his brain to work more efficiently than he ever imagined.

Just imagine it: a pill that could make you think quicker, contemplate more clearly, remember more and do more.

“Just take a pill, right? It couldn’t get any easier than that,” chuckled Tom Redick, assistant professor of Psychological Sciences at Purdue University. “We’re not talking about some strenuous diet or fitness regimen or some complicated type of schooling that you have to do.”

Redick said unfortunately, it’s never that easy. But he added, there are ways to improve.

“Aerobic exercise, in particular, seems to be important. So if you’re doing that, there are cognitive benefits [regarding] attention,” Redick said.

He also talked about strategies for improving memory function.

“[Some people] are able to remember very long streams of information — decks of cards, things like that. Almost all of them use some sort of strategy involving imagery,” said Redick. “A lot of them use something called a memory palace, where they are able store things they’re trying to remember in their various places in this palace. It’s a really effective way to remember lists or long sequences of information.”

Redick said research studies have shown taking a pill that hasn’t been prescribed to you to help you focus doesn’t actually help.

“So it really does seem to be what we would call a placebo effect,” he said. “They think they’re doing better, they think their attention is better, their focus is better, but it’s not any different than they would perform on a sugar pill.”

So while the Hollywood scenario may be exciting and entertaining, the real-life solution seems to be the same things we’ve heard for years. No short cut. But rather a good diet, plenty of physical and mental exercise, and a good night’s sleep.

“Limitless” debuts Tuesday night at 10 p.m. on WLFI-TV.

Advertisement