“City living” cripples your BRAIN? (Study)

I’m the first one to admit that I LOVE the convenience of living in a big city.

Everything you need is close by… and there’s always plenty to do.

But there’s one aspect of “city living” I’m not keen on… and I’m sure you can do without, too.

The ROAD NOISE!

It can be downright annoying at times.

And now, research says it can lead to serious damage to your BRAIN.

But today, you’ll learn how to combat it without packing up and moving to the country.

According to a 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%!

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 these loud noises 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 dementia AND Alzheimer’s.

So, what does this all mean for you?

After all, it’s not that simple to just pack up and move to the country.

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 enhance your cognitive function and promote your overall brain health.

If you’re looking for 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 traffic noises, consider lightly drowning it out with some music. It could go a long way in preserving your memory for years to come!

To the power of music,

Sarah Reagan

PS – Speaking of outside factors that can negatively impact your brain, check out this afternoon’s eAlert.

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