If you want to protect your brain as you age, pick up this hobby.
Researchers examined 1,107 people in the U.K. over the age of 40 with an average age of 67.82.
Small is not affiliated with the study.
Another caveat is that some data was self-reported, saidDr.
Self-reporting leaves room for error; people may misremember their musical background or misunderstand a question.
Additionally, playing music keeps you cognitively active, meaning it challenges your brain.
Being cognitively active throughout ones life can have a protective role in brain health, Fesharaki-Zadeh continued.
Yadollahikhales noted that shes seen the studys findings in her day-to-day work, too.
People with a good cognitive reserve perform well even when their brain imaging has signs of atrophy.
Brain atrophy is linked to issues like dementia and aphasia,according to the Cleveland Clinic.
What This All Means For You
You may want to consider dabbling in music.
If youre ready to start some lessons and are open to the process, consider trying specific instruments.
The social aspect of music may be beneficial for your brain, too.
Corbett also told Newsweek that the singers in the study had better complex task completion as they aged.
Music doesnt usually happen in isolation, Fesharaki-Zadeh said.
That social interaction is one of those protective factors for brain health, he added.
Bottom line: Youre never too old to start learning and challenging your brain.
Overall, it is recommended that people start building their cognitive reserve early in life, Yadollahikhales said.
Were never too old to learn, I think thats a known concept, Fesharaki-Zadeh said.
Benefits can be seen whether youre 65 or 18.
But by learning music (or by learning anything new) you activate this process again, Fesharaki-Zadeh added.
So, even highly successful people with healthy lifestyles will develop dementia if they have a strong genetic predisposition.
So go ahead and pick up that guitar or whatever instrument makes you happy.This article originally appeared onHuffPost.
