Curiosity is an Anti-Aging Agent

Yesterday I spoke to my 86 year old Aunt. I hadn't talked with her in years because we both moved and had lost contact information. It was great to reconnect and catch up. She talked about all the wonderful things she was exploring and doing. I commented on how great it was that she was still so curious about so many things. She said it has been that way her whole life. She also said that her friends always comment on how her changing interest sand curiosity has kept her young and vibrant. Her doctor thinks it has kept her 'real age' at about 20 years younger than her chronological age.

I really believe that curiosity is an anti-aging agent. Everything we are learning about brain agility and brain plasticity reinforces this view. There is so much research coming out now about how your thoughts can actually act back on your brain to heal you. This is because thoughts stimulate chemicals in the body and the chemicals can build you up or tear you down depending on which thoughts generate which chemicals. For example, worry and anxiety generate adrenaline and cortisol and wear your body down. Focusing on pleasurable things that you are interested in and curious about can generate the release of dopamine which can regenerate the body.

Many neuro-scientists are now talking about the role of learning and our ability to continually regenerate our brains and avoid some of the diseases of aging like dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The willingness and ability to stretch ourselves and to learn new things plays a key role in our mental agility. The more we learn new things, the stronger and more vital and vibrant we stay. Our curiosity is a key ally in this drive.