Scientific studies link insomnia therapy and reading to improved aging and cognitive health

Recent scientific analyses highlight how specific lifestyle habits and therapies may influence biological aging and cognitive health.

A study from UCLA suggests that treating insomnia through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT-I) may slow biological aging. Researchers monitored adults over 60 using the DunedinPACE epigenetic clock, finding that those receiving CBT-I showed a slower biological aging rate compared to those receiving standard sleep hygiene education. This effect may be linked to reduced cellular aging markers.

Separately, a review published in Psychological Medicine by researchers from the University of Cambridge and The Queen’s Reading Room indicates that pleasure reading is strongly associated with improved mental well-being and cognitive longevity. The analysis of various studies suggests that regular reading—even just 30 minutes a week—is linked to a lower risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in older adults. Furthermore, readers reported better empathy, improved stress management, and increased social connectivity.