Road noise slowly damaging your BRAIN? (Study)

If you live in a busy, urban area road noise is something you get used to dealing with.

And with upwards of 45% of the urban population here in the States indicating that they live “next to a busy road”, millions of folks (perhaps even you) just think of it as white noise.

But no matter how long you’ve been living with the sounds of a busy, bustling area, sometimes it’s good to escape the chaotic urban background noise and surround yourself with the quietness and serenity of somewhere more rural.

Well, it turns out that those little escapes to peace-and-quiet are not only good for your overall sanity…

It could actually SAVE your memory!

According to an international research study published in The BMJ, living in areas with the constant racket of cars, buses, and trains can SPEED UP brain and memory decline.

In fact, the study found that living near loud, busy roads can INCREASE your risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 25%!

Needless to say, that takes the old real estate adage “location, location, location” to a whole new level!

But how does “city living” contribute to memory loss?

It has to do with the decibel levels (dB) of things like cars, buses, and trains.

The study found that folks who were exposed for a decade to frequent traffic noise (which is on average 55 decibels) were 27% more likely to develop Alzheimer’s than those who avoided long-term exposure.

And the rumbling from trains (which is only 50 dB) was enough to raise the risk by 24%!

It turns out that prolonged exposure to loud noises (like cars, buses, and trains) disturbs sleep and releases vessel-blocking stress hormones into your bloodstream, which reduces oxygen flow to the brain.

This also can lead to changes in your immune system and increase overall inflammation – both of which are major risk factors for the onset of dementia AND Alzheimer’s.

So, what does this all mean for you… especially if you already live in a busy area?

After all, it’s not that simple to just pack up and move to the country (especially is this real estate market).

Believe it or not, there are actually other noises that can counteract the pitfalls of busy, traffic noises.

Studies have found that listening to MUSIC can help enhance your cognitive function and promote your overall brain health.

If you’re looking for a particular kind of music that is good for your brain, many studies have pointed to the unique beats and soothing sounds of jazz and classical music as beneficial for the brain.

So, the next time you find yourself bogged down by the noises of traffic in your area, consider lightly drowning it out with some music. It could go a long way in preserving your memory for years to come!

To some well-deserved serenity,
Sarah Reagan

Sources:

Study Finds. “Living near loud, busy roads can increase Alzheimer’s risk by over 25%.” https://studyfinds.org/busy-roads-alzheimers-risk/

Mills, Betsy. “Does Music Benefit the Brain?” https://www.alzdiscovery.org/cognitive-vitality/blog/does-music-benefit-the-brain

American Lung Association. “Living Near Highways and Air Pollution.” https://www.lung.org/clean-air/outdoors/who-is-at-risk/highways