Intelligence

• Intelligence as metabolic interface
  • Intelligence links physiology and environment
    • Metabolic differences from social/biochemical factors affect learning ability.
• Stress and serotonin effects
  • Early stress impairs learning, causes aggression/helplessness/shyness;
  • Excess serotonin triggers brain atrophy, immune suppression, reduced longevity unless countered.
• Protective mechanisms
  • Antiserotonin agents and neurosteroids (e.g., pregnenolone, progesterone) oppose stress
    • Isolation lowers these, allowing serotonin/glucocorticoids dominance.
• Education and stimulation
  • Proper stimulation aids development; conformity/obedience suppresses energy; freedom/variety (e.g., Summerhill school) yields better results.
• Critique of IQ and prodigies
  • IQ tests are flawed
    • Intelligence is metabolic/changeable
    • Prodigies like Sidis/Mill show isolation/pressure leads to psychopathology/shorter lifespans.
• Environmental influences: Stimulating settings raise IQ; poor schools lower it; brain adapts to stimulation (e.g., rat studies); play/curiosity/peers boost intelligence, isolation reduces it.
• Health and longevity links
  • High intelligence supports health/longevity
  • Childhood stress causes exhaustion/heart disease
  • Light/play/variety counters catabolic hormones.

• Fostering intelligence
  • Promote freedom/empathy/variety for brain function/less violence
  • Use chemical supports against cultural stresses.