Happiness and the brain: Can wellbeing slow cognitive decline?
Preventing cognitive decline has become a major public health concern. As life expectancy increases, so do cases of dementia, pushing researchers to identify factors that could help protect the brain. Risk factors such as depression and anxiety are now well established. However, the potential protective effects of psychological wellbeing remain underexplored.
Psychological wellbeing goes beyond the mere absence of mental disorders. It reflects a positive mental state nurtured by autonomy, a sense of control, pleasure, and the ability to find meaning in daily activities. Several studies suggest that wellbeing may directly influence how the brain ages, lowering the risk of memory impairments and, over the long term, dementia. Nevertheless, until recently, few studies had examined this effect across large populations and over extended periods.
Wellbeing and cognition: A long-overlooked connection
In 2025, an international team led by Amber John (University College London and University of Liverpool) published a landmark study in Aging & Mental Health to evaluate the long-term impact of psychological wellbeing on memory. Using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), researchers tracked over 10,700 adults aged 50 and older none diagnosed with dementia at baseline over a 16-year period.
On nine occasions, participants completed the CASP-19 scale, which measures various aspects of wellbeing such as autonomy, control, pleasure, and self-realization. They also completed memory tasks, including immediate and delayed word recall.
Using advanced statistical models, the researchers examined the direction of the relationship between wellbeing and memory while controlling for age, sex, education, ethnicity, and depressive symptoms. The findings revealed a consistent association: higher levels of wellbeing predicted better future memory performance. The effect, though modest, was robust and sustained across the study period. Conversely, better memory scores did not reliably lead to improved wellbeing, suggesting that wellbeing acts more as a protective factor for memory than the reverse unless cognitive decline is already present.
How does wellbeing protect memory?
Several mechanisms could explain the protective effect of wellbeing. Biologically, positive psychological states are linked to better cardiovascular health and reduced inflammation both critical for brain function. Behaviorally, people who feel good about their lives are more likely to adopt brain-friendly habits such as regular physical activity, engaging social connections, and restorative sleep all of which contribute to cognitive preservation as we age.
Another hypothesis deserves attention: low wellbeing could be one of the earliest warning signs of underlying cognitive vulnerability even before any measurable deficits appear. This perspective encourages us to view wellbeing not only as a protective buffer but also as a potential early indicator of cognitive risk.
Ultimately, the ELSA study sends a powerful message: psychological wellbeing matters for brain health. Living with a sense of satisfaction, autonomy, and pleasure may not guarantee immunity from cognitive decline, but it increases the odds of preserving memory over time. This insight invites us to rethink prevention strategies. Beyond biological markers and lifestyle habits, the subjective quality of life also plays a key role in cognitive resilience.
Reference
John, A., Desai, R., Eshetu, A., Willroth, E., Marchant, N., Woodward-Carlton, B., … Stott, J. (2025). Wellbeing and memory function: Testing bidirectional associations in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). Aging & Mental Health. Advance online publication.
