IQ on a Rollercoaster
I just had an epiphany. One of those "sit back and stare at the ceiling for five minutes" kind of realizations.
You know when people say, "This is who I am"? For the longest time, that phrase never really clicked for me. Like, what does that even mean? But today, I finally get it.
I actually am who I am. No secret cheat codes, no "better version" hiding in a locked DLC (Downloadable Content – think of it like an extra, premium feature in video games that you have to unlock or pay for). I can work on myself, sure, but at the end of the day, my brain operates within a set range of power levels. And, let me tell you, that range fluctuates wildly throughout the day.
The Daily IQ Ride 🎢
I’ve come to accept that my IQ is basically like my phone battery—it starts off decent, drops fast, and sometimes needs an emergency recharge before I crash.
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🧠 Peak Performance Mode (120 IQ) – The rare, legendary state.
On a really good day, when I’m feeling sharp, hydrated, and well-rested, I might be pushing 120 IQ. This is when I have deep thoughts, make insightful connections, and maybe even consider doing a Sudoku puzzle for fun. -
🌅 Baseline Functioning (100 IQ) – The Morning Brain.
This is about average human intelligence, and honestly, most of the world is operating at this level on a daily basis. It’s that point where I can hold conversations, do my job, and remember where I put my keys most of the time. -
☕ Pre-Coffee Survival Mode (90 IQ) – The Struggle.
If I haven’t had caffeine yet, my brain is running at reduced capacity. I can still function, but I might forget why I walked into a room or stare at an email for five minutes before realizing I haven’t read a single word. -
🐵 Monkey Brain (?? IQ) – If You Yell at Me, It’s Over.
Stress shuts me down. If you start raising your voice at me, my IQ nosedives straight into primal survival mode. There are no words, only ooh ooh, aah aah, and the deep desire to flee into the nearest jungle.
But Wait, Is This Real? Does IQ Really Fluctuate?
Short answer: Kinda, yeah!
IQ tests are standardized so that the global average is around 100, and most people fall between 85 and 115. But while your actual IQ doesn’t dramatically change throughout the day, your cognitive performance does.
Things like:
✅ Sleep
✅ Stress levels
✅ Nutrition
✅ Coffee (a sacred elixir)
… all impact how well your brain functions at any given moment. Ever noticed how hard it is to do mental math when you’re exhausted? That’s not just a feeling—it’s a real drop in working memory and executive function. Under extreme stress, your brain goes into fight-or-flight mode, prioritizing survival over deep thinking. That’s why in high-pressure situations, we forget basic facts, freeze up, or say something dumb and immediately regret it.
So, while I don’t literally lose 30 IQ points over the course of a day, my ability to think clearly definitely shifts, depending on whether I’m well-rested or running on fumes.
Moral of the Story: Be Nice to Your Brain
The biggest takeaway from this epiphany? I can’t change who I am. I can work on myself, yes, but my brain is what it is. Some days I’ll be brilliant, and other days I’ll forget how doorknobs work. That’s just life.
So instead of beating myself up for not always operating at peak performance, I’m learning to embrace my mental rollercoaster. Some days I’m Einstein, other days I’m a confused potato. And that’s okay.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need coffee before my IQ drops any further. ☕🐵