New research suggests that listening to music or the radio while cooking might enhance memory and even decrease the likelihood of developing dementia later on.
A team from Rice University in Texas and the University of California, Los Angeles, conducted a study involving college students, assessing their memories through various tasks—first without music and then with it.
Those who had a stronger emotional reaction to the music performed better in recalling everyday images presented to them during the study.
The researchers expanded on previous findings about music’s role in memory, emphasizing that emotional engagement while listening is crucial to enhancing recall.
This research holds promise for the 8.6 million Americans living with dementia, particularly the over 7 million affected by Alzheimer’s.
According to Dr. Sanam Hafeez, a neuropsychologist, music can be a valuable tool to help lessen the risk and potentially slow the advancement of dementia.
“Music helps access memories and emotions that may otherwise feel distant,” she noted, suggesting that this kind of stimulation might delay symptom progression over time.
Researchers believe that a “moderate” emotional response strengthens brain connections, thereby improving memory, while extreme reactions, either too low or too high, could weaken those connections.
The study found that students who felt a significant emotional impact from listening to music were better at recalling previously shown images.
Dr. Kimberly Idoko, a neurologist, explained that the brain’s limbic system, responsible for processing memory and emotion, is activated by music, leading to improved recall of important experiences.
For the study, the music was selected based on emotional keywords like “happy,” “sad,” and “calming” found on YouTube, with songs chosen to elicit specific feelings.
Participants sorted 128 everyday objects into “indoor” or “outdoor” categories, indirectly assessing their memory. After a break, they repeated the task with 192 images, some familiar, some new, to measure both general and detailed recall.
After their initial task, they listened to music, neutral sounds, or silence for 10 minutes, during which they filled out mood and wellness questionnaires. Following 20 minutes of quiet, they took the memory test again.
The music effectively evoked varying emotional responses. Participants were categorized based on their responses into minor, moderate, or significant emotional reactions.
Those who reacted moderately to the music performed best in the final memory test, while those with very low or high emotional responses showed weaker memory recall.
Dr. Idoko further elaborated, “As emotional activation increases, the brain prioritizes that moment for storage, which is why emotionally charged music enhances memory of significant experiences.”
Interestingly, while the study used college students as participants, its implications could extend to older adults over 65 who are more susceptible to dementia.
The findings were published in the Journal of Neuroscience. Many older adults without a dementia diagnosis may still show signs of mild cognitive impairment, affecting around 12.2 million Americans. This condition involves memory lapses that are noticeable but not severe enough to impact daily activities.
Memories associated with music are particularly notable, as the brain readily recalls events or periods in life where music was influential. Interestingly, familiarity isn’t necessary; previous research indicates that individuals can relive personal memories in detail, even when exposed to unfamiliar music.
Yelena Sokolsky, a home health nurse and Galaxy Homecare founder, pointed out that music therapy can be particularly beneficial for those with early dementia. She explained that as cognitive abilities decline, people may struggle with communication, leading to confusion and anxiety; however, music can evoke emotions and memories, providing comfort in challenging times.
