Enjoying reading for pleasure — whether novels, comics or being read to — is associated with improved mental health, stronger empathy and a lower risk of dementia, researchers from the University of Cambridge and The Queen’s Reading Room say.
Evidence across the life course
In a review published in Psychological Medicine, Professor Barbara Sahakian and Dr Christelle Langley from Cambridge’s Department of Psychiatry, together with Vicki Perrin, chief executive of The Queen’s Reading Room, synthesised evidence from surveys and long-term studies showing benefits of leisure reading at all ages. The work builds on a 2025 book by Sahakian and Langley, Brain Boost: Healthy Habits for a Happier Life, which drew attention to the wide but under‑researched advantages of reading for enjoyment.
According to the review, habitual reading for pleasure has been linked to:
- improved attention and memory in children and adolescents;
- enhanced emotional regulation and greater empathy;
- reduced stress, loneliness and better overall wellbeing;
- a lower risk of cognitive decline and dementia in older adults.
One large study cited by the authors tracked more than 10 000 young people and found that children who began reading for pleasure early in life showed measurable gains in attention and memory. Other studies in the review linked regular reading to greater grey matter volume and stronger connectivity between brain regions, which may help build cognitive reserve — the brain’s capacity to withstand ageing and damage.
“Reading is a great way to support our brain health, develop important cognitive skills and boost our well‑being… it’s never too late to start, and it can bring benefits throughout our lives and into old age,” Professor Barbara Sahakian said.
Shared reading amplifies the benefits
The reviewers highlight that reading with others — in book clubs, classrooms or parents reading to children — appears to deliver additional gains. Social aspects of shared reading may strengthen empathy and social cognition while also improving motivation to read, the authors argue.
The review also notes worrying trends in reading habits. Survey data show that reading among children and adolescents has fallen to its lowest recorded levels, with a particularly pronounced decline among adolescent boys and children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Even so, many young people acknowledge reading’s educational value: nearly half of respondents said it helped them learn new words or new things.
Implications for policy and practice
The researchers propose that promoting reading for pleasure should form part of public health and education strategies to support cognitive development and mental wellbeing. Interventions might include improving access to books in schools and communities, encouraging family reading routines, and sustaining book‑sharing programmes for older adults.
While the evidence links reading to brain health and wellbeing, the authors caution that more research is needed to clarify mechanisms and long‑term effects. Health and education practitioners should consider reading promotion as one of several lifestyle approaches that may protect cognitive health.
As with any health concern, individuals with questions about memory, mood or cognitive decline should consult a clinician or clinic rather than relying on self‑diagnosis or single interventions. Reading can complement medical advice and established prevention strategies, but it is not a substitute for professional assessment when symptoms arise.
The review was published as part of wider initiatives marking the National Year of Reading, and was produced in collaboration with The Queen’s Reading Room, the charity founded by Her Majesty The Queen, which promotes literacy and access to books.
