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Neuroscientist explains power of saying ‘I love you’ to people with Dementia�
Watching your loved one suffer from dementia is devastating. Although the condition causes memory loss, the highest form of verbal affection appears to have a profound impact on the brain.
Dementia is one of the leading causes of death. Studies show that specific foods such as olive oil or even walking regularly can reduce the risk of the condition. Similarly, strong emotions can trigger memories in people with dementia.
Neuroscientist says ‘I love you’ to her dad with dementia
American Neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki was on Mel Robbins’ podcast when she shared her experience of saying “I love you” to her parents for the first time – an emotion that isn’t openly expressed in her culture. She’s a third-generation Japanese American.
She was on a call with her parents when she felt the urge to say the powerful three-word phrase after learning about her father’s diagnosis.
It was “awkward” at first and she took a few moments before telling her mother that they never say “I love you” to one another and that they should start expressing affection more openly and frequently.
She took the initiative to say it first at the end of the call, although in a “Disney voice” to make it less awkward. Dr. Wendy says her father was more comfortable as he saw his wife and daughter say it to one another. She “burst into tears.” at the end of the call.
However, what happened in the following call, truly surprised the neuroscientist.
Why the emotion triggers the brain
Saying those three magical words to her parents became one of the most memorable moments of Dr. Wendy’s life.
“I had kind of changed the whole family dynamic of generations of not saying I love you. That was the tipping point in my family history,” she said.
But the point of her story is to highlight the impact of emotions on the mental health condition. She proceeded to say “I love you” to her mother when she called her parents back a week later.
While it was significantly less awkward with her mother, her father was the one to say it first. Although her father didn’t remember anything because he was in the middle of dementia, the three-word phrase remained intact in his memory.
As a neuroscientist who studies memory, Dr. Wendy knew why he could remember only one specific detail from their previous conversation.
“Emotional resonance makes hippocampal-dependent memories stick,” she said, although her father’s hippocampus wasn’t working well.
However, the emotional resonance of his adult daughter asking for the very first time to say, I love you, formed a new memory in him.
Positive emotions are pivotal in preventing brain-related issues. So much so, that hugging your loved ones multiple times a day can drastically reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
