Volunteering two to four hours weekly slows cognitive decline by 15 to 20 percent, according to data from 31,000 adults. Dr. Samantha Yammine, neuroscientist, explains why researchers are stumped by their own findings.

The study controlled for wealth, education, physical health, and mental health… all the usual suspects that could explain the results. The effect held anyway. Whether it's formal volunteering or just helping a neighbor with groceries, the act of assisting others shows up on cognitive tests as measurably better memory and mental math performance. But here's where it gets interesting: researchers don't actually know why. Current theories point to stress reduction, lower inflammation, and less cortisol, but the biological mechanism remains a mystery. Sam walks through what psychosomatic effects might be at play and why something feeling good in your heart can translate to actual molecular changes in your brain.

The conversation explores what happens when you reframe exhaustion as luck, whether employment has the same effect as volunteering (spoiler: maybe not, and here's why that distinction matters), and how healthcare could start prescribing social programs alongside medication for people at risk of dementia. Purpose and community aren't just nice ideas… they're measurable protective factors for your cognitive health.

KEY TOPICS:

- Volunteering effects on cognitive decline and brain aging

- Why helping others improves memory and mental math performance

- Biological mechanisms behind social connection and brain health

- Healthcare prescriptions for dementia prevention beyond medication

- Employment vs volunteering: different impacts on cognitive function

GUEST: Dr. Samantha Yammine, Neuroscientist | samanthayammine.com

Originally aired on 2026-01-06