A neurologist has explained how this hobby can strengthen brain networks and boost cognitive function
A neurologist has revealed one of the “best things for your brain”. According to the specialist, this particular pastime is a powerful means of “strengthening” brain networks and connectivity.
Most people understand the importance of keeping their minds active. Whether it’s tackling daily puzzles, reading, or picking up a new language, it is well established that such activities can help guard against cognitive decline and dementia.
Among these potentially beneficial pursuits is music. Not merely listening to it, but learning an instrument, singing, or dancing are all worthwhile, according to one expert.
In a clip posted to social media platform TikTok, a neurologist shed further light on the subject. Dr Baibing Chen, who is more widely known online as Dr Bing, said: “Neuroscience shows that music can be one of the best things for your brain.
“And let me explain. Everyone says music is good for your brain, but if that were enough, everyone who listens to music would be a genius.”
He clarified that “active” listening yields the greatest benefits. Dr Bing went on: “But neuroscience shows that the biggest brain benefits from music do not come from just passive listening, but they come from active engagement with music.
“When you sing, play an instrument, or dance your brain lights up across multiple networks at once. And that kind of whole brain activity strengthens connectivity and neural plasticity.
“There’s actual evidence that musical training changes the brain structurally, and musicians tend to have stronger connections between the left and the right hemispheres through the corpus callosum and better auditory processing and working memory.”
This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to pick up an instrument, however. He explained: “But if you’re not a musician, how you use music matters.
“And you need to let music challenge you, like learning a new instrument or dancing to complex rhythms, or even singing in a choir. All of that will engage your attention, your memory, and your co-ordination.
“And that cognitive load is what strengthens your brain networks. Compare that to passive background music while you’re scrolling on your phone or while you’re driving.
“Your brain barely has to work. So music itself is powerful, but the brain benefits come from participating in it and not just consuming it.”
What does research say?
His guidance is supported by a study published in the Neuroimage: Reports journal in 2023, which discovered that listening to music or playing an instrument could help ward off cognitive decline in later life.
As part of the research, 132 healthy retirees aged between 62 and 78, who had not previously undertaken music lessons for more than six months, were recruited and subsequently enrolled in piano and music awareness training for six months.
The activities were found to stimulate brain plasticity and were linked to an increase in grey matter volume and improved working memory performance. First study author Doctor Damien Marie said: ”We wanted people whose brains did not yet show any traces of plasticity linked to musical learning.
“Indeed, even a brief learning experience in the course of one’s life can leave imprints on the brain, which would have biased our results.” Professor Clara James added: ”After six months, we found common effects for both interventions.
“Neuroimaging revealed an increase in grey matter in four brain regions involved in high-level cognitive functioning in all participants, including cerebellum areas involved in working memory.
“Their performance increased by six percent and this result was directly correlated to the plasticity of the cerebellum.”
