As we age, concerns about memory loss and cognitive decline become a common concern for many elderly people.
In addition to traditional medicine, more and more studies show that simple, familiar activities such as listening to music can also play a positive role in protecting brain health.
According to Dr. Jay Jagannathan, a certified neurosurgist (working in Michigan, USA), specializing in cranial and spinal surgery, music has profound and sometimes surprising effects on the human brain, especially when entering the aging stage.
According to him, the brain not only reacts to drugs, but also reacts strongly to active and emotional participation.
Regarding the risk of mental decline, Dr. Jagannathan cited large-scale observational studies in people over 70 years old.
The results show that people who regularly listen to music have a significantly lower risk of dementia than those who rarely listen.
He emphasized that music is not a medicine, but it shows that the brain benefits from being stimulated regularly.
Explaining the mechanism of action, the doctor said that music has the ability to simultaneously activate many neural networks in the brain, including memory, emotions, attention and movement.
Unlike many passive activities, listening to music causes multiple brain regions to work at the same time, thereby strengthening important neuronal connections for long-term cognitive health.
A special aspect of music is its close connection with memories and emotions. According to Dr. Jagannathan, music is associated with autobiographical memories, personal memories associated with each stage of life.
Even when cognitive ability is impaired, familiar melodies can still evoke memories and clear emotional reactions.
It is this emotional connection that helps the elderly maintain mental alertness, instead of just being active.
The benefits of music will be even more obvious when combined with gentle movement. Listening to music while walking, stretching or doing simple exercises is not only good for your physical health but also stimulates the nerves involved in coordination and balance.
According to him, the brain develops best when many signals at the same time such as sound, movement and rhythm are harmoniously combined.
However, Dr. Jagannathan is also cautious in emphasizing the limits of music. He affirmed that music cannot prevent, cure or treat dementia.
The current data is mainly observation, not enough to confirm the direct causation relationship.
However, he believes that understanding and exploiting factors that support the brain in daily life is still very important.
Concluding, the doctor believes that music is an accessible, safe and meaningful means of emotional speech. When people find joy, rhythm and connection through music, they tend to take better care of themselves and that is what contributes to silently protecting the brain in old age.
(The article is for reference only, not a replacement for professional advice. Always consult a doctor or medical professional if you have any questions).
