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NEW - Volunteering Slows Brain Aging by 20 Percent: Scientists Can't Explain Why
Volunteering two to four hours weekly slows cognitive decline by 15 to 20 percent, according to data from 31,000 adults. Dr. Samantha Yammine, neuroscientist, explains why researchers are stumped by their own findings.
The study controlled for wealth, education, physical health, and mental health… all the usual suspects that could explain the results. The effect held anyway. Whether it's formal volunteering or just helping a neighbor with groceries, the act of assisting others shows up on cognitive tests as measurably better memory and mental math performance. But here's where it gets…
The skinny
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