This isn't the article I remember, but it's a good counter-example to the games' claims: http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/Horizons/2009/0126/ninte...

(I have the link handy because I was looking it up yesterday for my DNB FAQ http://www.gwern.net/N-back FAQ.html - DNB being one of the few brain games which apparently does transfer/improve 'in general'.)

Hi fredoliveira

Would you mind elaborating on this a little? It's an area of personal interest. Only for scientific reasons of course ;)

Regards c00ki3s

A close friend who went to the same university as I did smoked every single day for as long as I (and most people) can remember. He was considered "dumb" - writing this now sounds like people around him were assholes, which isn't the case; we were indeed all friends. He did score poorer grades than the rest, and had severe mood-swings.

A few months ago, he decided to stop smoking pot. I cannot begin to tell you how different things felt. His performance has apparently increased dramatically (to the point where he's now over the group average) and the mood swings are gone. Interestingly, the mood didn't improve for the better and he might be going through depression. But despite the psychological downturn (which may have other causes), his cognitive abilities have noticeably improved.

Again, I'm no doctor, so I can't say for sure whether the two things (stop smoking pot <-> better mental performance) are connected. But as with most people, my gut tells me it is. Just thinking about the people I know who smoke every day, I realize that my expectations for them are lower. Again, by writing this I feel like an ass - I am just being honest, though.