Jeremy Vine tries to ward off dementia by listening to songs he hates

Jeremy Vine attempts to ward off dementia by listening only to songs he hates, as expert says forcing yourself to try new things will keep your brain healthy into old age

• The 58-year-old broadcaster said he found he was listened to fewer songs
• He said he hopes it will keep his mind active and reduce memory loss 

Radio 2 host Jeremy Vine has revealed he now only listens to songs he hates because he thinks it will help keep dementia at bay.

The 58-year-old broadcaster said the range of music he was choosing to play was getting narrower with age, and feared it would end up with him just repeatedly playing his favourite artist, Elvis Costello.

As a result, he deployed the radical solution to challenge his brain.

Vine said many of his friends were trying new things to keep their minds active and prevent memory loss, and that he was inspired by a right-handed friend who has started writing with his left in a bid to prevent dementia.

Vine told the How To Be 60 podcast: ‘He wrote me a postcard and his handwriting had just gone to s***. 

Radio 2 host Jeremy Vine has revealed he now only listens to songs he hates because he thinks it will help keep dementia at bay

‘I showed it to my wife and said: “It looks like Joe’s had a stroke.” It was illegible and I rang him up.

‘He said: “Don’t worry, I’m right-handed but I’ve started writing with my left to reprogramme my brain to ward off dementia.” 

‘I said: “What?” He’s the same age as me. He’s panicking already.’ 

Vine said this inspired him to do something similar with his passion for music, adding: ‘Music feels like it’s my life. The trouble is my passion is gradually zeroing in.

‘It goes from rock, to a period between 1977 and 1982, to Elvis Costello, to Elvis Costello’s second album which is called This Year’s Model, and basically, by the time I’m 70, I’m just going to be playing track one.

‘So I’m trying to only listen to music I don’t like. On Spotify, I’m deliberately giving the thumbs-up to bad songs. It’s giving me stuff I don’t like. You’ve got to shake it up.’

Dementia experts last night said they were unsure whether Vine’s trick would work. 

But it is well-known that taking on challenges in later life, such as learning a foreign language or to paint, can reduce the dementia risk.

The 58-year-old broadcaster feared he would only end up listening to his favourite artist, Elvis Costello (pictured in 2018)

Dr Susan Mitchell, head of policy at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: ‘Studies have shown that engaging in different leisure activities can be good for brain health.

‘We don’t yet have reliable evidence that listening to unfamiliar music, or songs that you dislike, really does reduce the risk of developing this devastating condition.’ 

And Caroline Scates, of Dementia UK, advised that being active was more important. 

She said: ‘Taking up activities such as walking, swimming, tennis, or fitness classes improves cardiovascular and metabolic health. What is good for the heart is good for your brain.

‘We also know music can help a person living with dementia to connect with the past by evoking memories, feelings and emotions.’ 

Neuroscientist and best-selling author Dr Julia Jones, who has worked with Team GB Olympics squads, also warned Mr Vine’s tactic won’t help stave off dementia – but that his friend’s will.

She said: ‘What he’s doing is a very effective exercise helping to mitigate against brain degeneration, whereas Jeremy Vine is not building a new skill. 

‘He would be better off learning a new instrument – he could learn the drums.’ 

Vine admitted that he had a ‘senior moment’ while planning for his 60th birthday in two years’ time.

He said: ‘Last week, I went to see a person about a sky bar to celebrate. I thought at least I’ve got to have something to look forward to.

‘What’s even more tragic is that when I found what I thought was the right place online, I went to it and it turned out it was the same place I celebrated my 50th – it had changed its name.’

Specialist says it’s not nearly as weird as it sounds 

Expert view by Dr Tim Beanland

Challenging the brain by trying new things is something we should all be doing if we want to keep our grey matter healthy.

We’re all guilty of settling down into our routines as we get older. But the brain thrives on stimulation – a varied, colourful, interesting mix of new experiences and challenges – to keep all sorts of neural pathways ignited.

That means, in theory, swapping your usual Mozart for Metallica or writing with your opposite hand aren’t necessarily bad ideas. Both certainly challenge the brain. But there’s no evidence exposing yourself to music you don’t like reduces your risk of dementia.

What we do know is that music – and particularly music you know well – can benefit those who already have dementia. People with advanced disease, who can no longer communicate verbally, can ‘come alive’ when they hear a familiar tune.

Studies show the brain’s response to familiar music is greater than the response to unfamiliar melodies in healthy adults and in people with Alzheimer’s.

So listening to music for pleasure may not only be more enjoyable in the longer term, but may even be better for the brain.

Proven ways to reduce your risk of dementia include exercise, a healthy diet, not smoking and reducing alcohol intake. Learning a musical instrument and playing it regularly can often reduce the risk of dementia, too.

Learning a new language or doing puzzles stimulate the brain to build new pathways and create a ‘cognitive dam’ to hold back symptoms of ageing or disease.

Treat the brain like a muscle: use it or lose it.

Dr Tim Beanland is head of knowledge at the Alzheimer’s Society and author of Mind Games, published by Penguin Random House.

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