question: Hi there. I m not exactly sure if a real doctor will answer this- let alone the fact it will be answered. I have a world of questions to ask... but I guess I ll ask this one, well maybe two. Is it possible for an individual s intelligence to fluctuate? When I was younger it appeared that I was simply average, IQ wise... in my family it was just an unspoken truth that I was the least intelligent. But as I got older, around 17 I began paying attention more in school and trying more and found that I achieved top marks. Not just slightly above average but far exceeding that of my peers. In most classes I had the highest mark. It led me to wonder whether I became smarter with age? I don t know, is this possible? And if so, is it possible for me to become less smart? They say the brain is like a muscle and it needs to be used but I ve also heard that no one can actually alter their natural intelligence? Thanks! --Branden