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Podcasts Take Two
Reading novels gives your brain a physical workout, study says
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This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
Jan 14, 2014
Listen • 7:38
Reading novels gives your brain a physical workout, study says
New research from Emory University suggests that reading novels can actually lead to neurological changes in your brain. Not just the linguistic areas of your mind, but also in the parts governing physical activity.
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Photo by nate bolt via Flickr Creative Commons
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New research from Emory University suggests that reading novels can actually lead to neurological changes in your brain. Not just the linguistic areas of your mind, but also in the parts governing physical activity.

There's another way books may be good for your health.

New research from Emory University suggests that reading novels can actually lead to neurological changes in your brain. Not just the linguistic areas of your mind, but also in the parts governing physical activity.

So when you examine the brain after reading a novel, it looks as if you've been physically in the protagonist's shoes, too. For more on this, we're joined by the lead author of this study, neuroscientist Gregory Berns.