Do you want to protect your mind from aging? Start with a song. There’s one more reason to put on that playlist that keeps you company while you cook or to dust off the old keyboard forgotten in the attic: listening to music regularly reduces the risk of dementia by up to 39%. This is according to a study just published onInternational Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and created by an Australian team from Monash University.
The study involved over 10,800 people aged over 70 and investigated the effect of musical activities – both passive (listening) and active (playing) – on long-term mental health. The results? Surprising, but also extremely practical.
All it takes is a little music to do your brain good
According to researchers, those who listen to music regularly have a 39% reduced risk of developing dementia compared to those who do so rarely or never. Those who play an instrument, however, experience a 35% reduction. What if you combine both activities? The risk drops by 33% for dementia and by 22% for general cognitive decline.
Not only that: those who often listen to music also have better mnemonic abilities, in particular in the so-called episodic memory (the one we use to remember events and situations experienced), as well as higher scores in cognitive tests.
In simple words? Music seems to act as a gym for the brain. And unlike other more complex or expensive “brain activities”, here you just press “play”.
Why does it work?
Music is not just background music: it activates areas of the brain linked to memory, emotions, attention and language. It is no coincidence that it is already widely used in music therapy for patients suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, especially in the initial stages.
The difference, this time, is that we are not talking about cure, but about prevention. In a context in which the average age is rising and dementia diagnoses are increasing, finding simple, accessible and non-invasive solutions is crucial.
“The brain does not age only due to genetics or age – explains Joanne Ryan, lead author of the study – but also based on the lifestyle and environment we choose every day.” Translated: we can’t control everything, but we can control some things.
It’s not magic, but a sustainable habit (and at no cost)
The results are encouraging, but the researchers make it clear that there is not yet direct proof of cause and effect. Having said that, inserting music into our days does not require investments, nor special equipment, nor extraordinary skills.
Emma Jaffa, co-author of the study, also underlines how musical activities are a concrete opportunity to take care of the brain in a sustainable way. And this applies both to those who are already retired and to those preparing for old age with the aim of living it well.
Dispassionate advice? Treat yourself (or give someone) a little music every day. Whether it’s jazz, pop, classical or old rock, it doesn’t matter. Your brain will thank you.
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