Brain Stimulation and Aging Can stimulating one's brain actually hold off the aging process? All signs point to yes. Experiment on Aging An experiment was started in 1999 to study a group of individuals that resided in a retirement community. As residents passed away or moved, the new residents that occupied their apartments were followed in their place, over a term of years. The study concluded in 2015. With the results in, it was very obvious that stimulating the brain keeps it active and alert. Half of the residents were given brain exercise to complete on a daily basis; the remaining residents did only what they chose to do. The activities provided were puzzles, word jumbles, and brain exercises of various means. In addition, the residents were to do 30 minutes of physical exercise per day. The residents were not put on any dietary restrictions, they ate as they wanted. They devoted 2 full hours each day to brain activities as part of the study. The Results are in Overall, the group that was not participating in brain stimulation or activities scored 48% on cognitive functions. The group that was participating in the brain stimulation scored 79% on cognitive functions almost double those that did not participate in brain activities. The residents that participated were asked what their diets were like, and the typical diet consisted of coffee, actually lots of coffee, cereal, eggs, vegetables, proteins, breads, and sugars. The diets were not restrictive, in fact, some incorporated too much sugar and fat. The only difference was the brain stimulation. Related: The 5 Most Common Causes of Back Injuries among Nurses Interviews with the residents were very revealing, it was simple to see that a portion of the group was still very physically active as well as mentally. The physically active residents were very alert and enjoyed being social, essentially getting out and doing physical activities more often. While the stimulation of the brain improved brain function on 50% of the residents, the residents that were more socially and physically active beyond the experiment requirements, had better physical health, including better blood pressures and overall better lab results. The resident’s ages ranged from 72-98 years of age. One participant that was 97 years old still participates in a daily exercise classes, does swimming,
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