Can brain training rewind 10 years of aging for your brain?

 

Hey there, Can you turn back the brain clock without using medication? It looks like the answer is “yes”. What if I told you that your brain can look and act younger, just by training it online, with no pills, no scans, and no fancy medical treatment? That’s what a major new study from McGill University just showed. And yes, the training actually reversed markers of brain aging by about 10 years. Not in a metaphorical sense but in real biochemical measures. So what happened in this study, I hear you ask. Here’s the deal in plain language: Older adults (65+) took part in a clinical trial. They used a brain-training app called BrainHQ every day for 10 weeks for about 30 minutes a day. A comparison group played ordinary recreational computer games. Only the BrainHQ gang showed real brain biochemical improvements. And here’s the biggest surprise: the training boosted a key brain chemical system so much it looked like the brains were about a decade younger on the inside. Yes, 10 years younger. But what’s this “Brain Chemical System” the research talks about? Well, there’s a system in the brain tied to: Memory. Attention. Learning. Decision-making. It’s powered by a brain chemical network called the cholinergic system. As we age, this system naturally declines, and that drop is strongly linked to problems like memory loss and dementia. In this study, the brain training restored cholinergic function to levels you’d typically see in someone 10 years younger. That’s not just performance, that’s neurochemistry. Right now, you might be wondering if doing crosswords is enough. But here’s where the study gets practical. A lot of people think things like crosswords, reading, or casual puzzles are enough to keep the brain sharp. But the lead scientist pointed out: not all mental activities trigger the kind of brain plasticity that builds real biological change. BrainHQ isn’t just “fun games.” It’s adaptive: Games scale up as you improve. They push specific cognitive skills (like processing speed and memory recall). And that’s exactly the kind of challenge that seems to rewire the brain rather than just entertain it. The study found that BrainHQ actively pushes and challenges your brain in a way other games don’t. This isn't a theory. The researchers used super-specialized brain imaging, a rare kind of PET scan with a tracer that lights up cholinergic reserves. Only a few places in the world can do this kind of imaging, and it showed biochemical changes after the 10-week training. That’s better than “score went up”, that’s measurable biology. So, can this new learning help lower dementia risk? That’s the big question. We know: The cholinergic system declines sharply in Alzheimer’s. Brain training boosted this system in healthy adults. So it could help stave off dementia, or at least slow early stage decline. But, and this is important, more research is underway to see how effective it is for people already showing cognitive symptoms. Still, the early signs are very hopeful. So, what’s the takeaway for you? Here’s how to think about this in everyday terms: Your brain can change for the younger, even in your 60s and beyond. Neuroplasticity isn’t just a buzzword. Not all mental activity is equal. Adaptive, challenging tasks matter more than passive ones. Daily habits add up. 30 minutes a day for 10 weeks made measurable differences, and that’s something anyone can do. And, If you want to take action, here are simple, practical steps you can do from today: Try evidence-based brain training. Apps like BrainHQ or other cognitive programs with adaptive tasks can be a good start. Aim for consistency. Daily sessions, even short ones, are better than big, infrequent ones. Mix in variety. Challenge processing speed, memory recall, attention, and multitasking. Stay social and active. Physical exercise, social interaction, and real-world learning all boost brain health too. Talk to your clinician. If you’re concerned about cognitive decline, ask about brain training. It can complement medical advice. Brains are biologically malleable, even later in life. And this study proves it not with theory, but with hard neurobiology. You don’t need pills, you need practice. And that’s a message worth celebrating. Start today, your brain will thank you for the stimulation!

Yours in good health, Andrew Peloquin Editor-in-chief, The Longevity Journal