New study reveals the power of music against memory loss

If you were ever a kid who got told to turn down or turn off your music by your parents, you're about to get the ultimate vindication. A new study has shown that music can help fight against memory loss and dementia.

Listening to music regularly could be what the doctor orders in the future

This massive study was done in Australia and tracked more than 10,800 older adults who admitted to listening to music regularly.

Results showed that those who listened to music "always" decreased their risk of developing memory loss or dementia by a rather staggering 39%.

Those who played music also saw benefits

It's one thing to listen to your favorite music, but playing music also helps. The study showed that people who played an instrument regularly had a 35% reduction in developing dementia.

It has long been proven that musicians typically have very sharp brains. There's a whole lot of memory, skill, and talent that goes into playing an instrument.

You don't have to play well, and you don't have to do it when others are listening. Just the activity alone is enough to reduce your risk of developing memory loss.

Exercising your brain is the goal

If you've heard of the "use it or lose it" motto in life, you can apply it to the way your brain works. You need to use it regularly, or you start to lose some of its functions and capabilities.

Listening to music forces your brain to process rhythm, pitch, and timbre. And if you're the type that likes to belt out the words to your favorite songs, then you're also using memory to recall the lyrics.

Embrace music and turn up the volume

If you need an argument to crank up the volume and listen to music more regularly, just tell yourself it's exercising your brain and helping to shield it from potential memory loss.

Source: ZME Science