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A recent study revealed that people who regularly listen to music may experience slower brain aging, suggesting that a favorite activity can also serve as a brain-protective habit.
Researchers discovered that brain scans of individuals who are frequently into music - singing, listening, or playing an instrument showed signs of younger-looking brains in comparison to those who did not.
Based on the imaging models used, researchers noticed that people who interacted with music had structural brain traits that correspond to a younger brain age and lower dementia risk.
Adults from various ages participated in the study by completing comprehensive questionnaires about their musical behaviors and undergoing MRI brain scans. The data revealed that high musical engagement was associated with positive brain age estimates, meaning that their brains appeared several years younger than their chronological age.
For this effect, the scientists suggest a number of mechanisms. The simultaneous engagement of auditory, motor, memory, and emotional brain systems by music may activate neural networks and increase resilience.
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sample size | 10,893 | Adults aged ≥ 70 without dementia at baseline |
| Dementia risk reduction — always listening to music | 39% | Compared with never/rarely/sometimes listening |
| CIND (cognitive impairment no dementia) risk reduction - always listening | 17% | For those always listening vs infrequent listeners |
| Dementia risk reduction - playing an instrument (often/always) | 35% | Compared with less frequent playing |
| Dementia risk reduction - both listening & playing | 33% | Combined music-listening and instrument playing |
| CIND risk reduction - both listening & playing | 22% | Combined engagement in music activities |
Listening to music could increase mental stimulation and social interaction, both of which are known to benefit brain health. [1]
Music may be a lifestyle factor that relates to brain health and perhaps could help preserve brain structure and function with age
― explained by lead researcher
The study is still observational and may not fully prove that music slows down brain aging, the researchers point out. They also acknowledge limitations like the inability to measure the quality or intensity of music listening in detail and self-reported musical habits.
They drew attention to the potential benefits of music-based activities as a fun supplement to more comprehensive methods for healthy brain aging.
To finalize, while it's not a replacement for other established brain-healthy practices, regularly interacting with or listening to music may help you keep your brain younger as you age.
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