A perspective from John Puente, MD Be Well Health Neurologist
If you’ve ever turned on a favorite song and immediately found yourself remembering a person, a place, or a moment from years ago, you’ve experienced just how powerful music can be.
That’s one reason a recent study caught my attention. Researchers from Monash University in Australia looked at more than 10,800 adults over age 70 and found that those who regularly listened to music had a lower likelihood of developing dementia. The study also found associations between music listening and lower rates of cognitive impairment, as well as stronger cognitive and episodic memory scores.
The findings are interesting, but I think there’s an important distinction to keep in mind: the study shows an association, not proof that listening to music prevents dementia. More research is needed to understand exactly how music and cognitive health may be connected.
Still, I think there is value in paying attention to activities that are both enjoyable and potentially supportive of brain health.
Why Music Is Worth Paying Attention To
Music can engage several parts of the brain at once. It involves memory, attention, processing, and emotion, and it can also become a social activity when we listen, sing, or play music with other people.
The study also found that playing an instrument or singing was associated with a lower likelihood of dementia. Participants who both listened to and played music regularly also had favorable cognitive outcomes.
As a physician, I find that especially interesting because healthy aging isn't about focusing on one isolated habit. It’s about finding ways to stay mentally, physically, and socially engaged.
Music can be a simple part of that.
Choose Music That Means Something to You
One question researchers still don't have an answer to is whether certain types of music are better for cognitive health than others. The study didn't collect enough information about the specific genres participants listened to determine whether that made a difference.
So, for now, my advice is simple: listen to music you enjoy.
Maybe that's Zeppelin. Maybe it's jazz, classical music, country, or the songs you grew up listening to. You might enjoy a favorite playlist at home, sing along with family, attend a concert, or pick up an instrument you've always wanted to play.
The important thing is finding activities that are meaningful and enjoyable enough to become part of your everyday life.
Looking at the Bigger Picture
Music shouldn't be viewed as a treatment for dementia or a guarantee against cognitive decline. But it can be one piece of a larger approach to healthy aging.
Regular physical activity, meaningful social connections, adequate sleep, managing chronic health conditions, and staying mentally engaged are all important parts of supporting overall well-being.
And sometimes, healthy habits don't have to feel like work. They can be things we already enjoy.
At Be Well Health, we believe healthy aging means looking at the whole person. That includes finding ways to stay engaged, connected, and purposeful, and if a little music can be part of that, turn it up.
Here’s the article about the study.
A Study Revealed Doing This Highly Enjoyable Activity Every Day Could Lower Your Dementia Risk By Nearly 40%
“It engages multiple brain areas at once, acting like a full-brain workout,” experts say.