#Agingsociety

Scientific curiosity about dreams has captured the human imagination for centuries, yet neuroscientists have only recently started to unravel why some people vividly recall their dreams while others wake up with no memory at all. As reported in May 2025 in a new study published in Communications Psychology, researchers have identified multiple factors—ranging from sleep patterns to personality traits—that influence an individual’s ability to remember dreams, offering fresh insights with both global and Thai relevance (Medscape).

A recent headline in international media warns that a common over-the-counter (OTC) medication, widely used for allergies, may increase the risk of dementia, prompting concern among health professionals and the public in Thailand and globally. Leading doctors cited in a recent report from Women’s Health Magazine are drawing attention to mounting research that connects the use of certain antihistamines—medicines typically purchased without a prescription—to a greater likelihood of future cognitive decline.

A growing trend is reshaping retirement abroad, with Chiang Mai in northern Thailand emerging as a favored destination for foreign retirees. A Business Insider profile follows a former Disney Imagineer couple who traded high-pressure careers in the United States and Asia for a new life in Chiang Mai. Even as they faced health setbacks, their backgrounds in architecture and design helped them discover a balance of affordable living, accessible healthcare, and a creative lifestyle that many retirees in the West often seek. This story highlights both opportunity and challenge for foreign retirees in Thailand and invites reflection on healthcare, living costs, and the country’s evolving role in global retirement migration.

Recent international coverage highlights a potential link between certain over-the-counter antihistamines and an increased risk of cognitive decline. Leading physicians note that long-term or heavy use of first-generation antihistamines—commonly found in allergy and cold remedies—may contribute to future dementia, especially among older adults. This aligns with a growing body of evidence suggesting anticholinergic medications can affect memory and learning.

Antihistamines are a staple in Thai households, particularly as urban pollution and allergy rates rise in Bangkok and other cities. The caution matters for millions who self-medicate with OTC drugs, often without professional guidance. Thai readers should understand which medicines carry higher cognitive risks and how to choose safer options.

A new comprehensive review published by the American Heart Association highlights the often-overlooked issue of sexual health following a stroke, calling for increased awareness and tailored support from healthcare professionals worldwide, including Thailand. As stroke survivors face numerous physical and psychological challenges, the report underscores that the impact on sexual function and intimacy is significant, yet remains rarely addressed in standard care.

Sexual health plays a crucial role in overall quality of life, particularly for stroke survivors, whose relationships and sense of self can be deeply affected. In Thailand, where over 250,000 people experience a stroke each year and the number of survivors continues to rise due to advances in acute care, the topic frequently falls outside the scope of post-stroke rehabilitation programs. According to the American Heart Association review, addressing the sexual wellbeing of stroke survivors should be an integral part of recovery—not only for physical rehabilitation but also for emotional and social reintegration (ahajournals.org).

A comprehensive review from the American Heart Association highlights a frequently overlooked aspect of stroke care: sexual health. The report calls for greater awareness and tailored support from healthcare professionals worldwide, including in Thailand, noting that sexual wellbeing significantly affects quality of life but is often not addressed in standard rehabilitation.

Sexual health matters deeply for stroke survivors, influencing relationships, self-esteem, and overall recovery. In Thailand, where more than 250,000 people experience a stroke annually and surviving patients rise with advances in acute care, post-stroke programs often exclude intimate health. The review emphasizes that sexual wellbeing should be an integral part of recovery—encompassing physical rehabilitation, emotional healing, and social reintegration.

A new wave of research is challenging long-held beliefs about marriage vows, especially the pledge to stay together “in sickness and in health.” Findings published in the Journal of Marriage and Family and summarized by Psychology Today in May 2025 reveal a troubling pattern: women who fall ill in their 50s and early 60s face a significantly higher risk of divorce than men. For Thailand—with its rapidly aging population and evolving social norms—these insights touch at the heart of family resilience and gender equity.

A wave of new research is challenging long-held beliefs about the vows that bind couples—especially the promise to remain united “in sickness and in health.” Recent findings, published in the Journal of Marriage and Family and reported by Psychology Today in May 2025, reveal a surprising and deeply concerning trend: women who fall ill in their 50s and early 60s face a far greater risk of divorce than their male counterparts (psychologytoday.com). For Thailand—a country with a rapidly aging population and shifting social values—this revelation strikes at the heart of family resilience and gender equity.

A groundbreaking international study has revealed that every type of exercise—even well below recommended levels—can provide meaningful health benefits for older adults, challenging traditional health advice that has long focused on hitting specific activity targets. For Thailand’s growing elderly population, this is a hopeful message: shifting from long hours of sitting to even occasional movement can have a protective effect against serious health conditions.

As reported on May 20 by News-Medical.net, the research led by sports science experts from Örebro University observed 871 individuals aged 65 to 79 from four European countries: Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and the United Kingdom. This large cohort was split into two key groups: those who met or exceeded the widely cited guideline of at least 2.5 hours of moderate, pulse-raising activity per week, and those who did less. Using wearable activity trackers—rather than relying on self-reported data—the scientists were able to obtain more accurate insights into the participants’ actual movements, a crucial improvement over prior studies that often depended on people’s memories and estimations News-Medical.net.

Pelvic floor health is often misunderstood, but new research and expert guidance are reshaping how people approach this topic. A recent Guardian piece highlights five common myths about pelvic floor care and offers evidence-based takeaways that are highly relevant for Thai readers.

The pelvic floor is a key group of muscles at the base of the pelvis. These muscles support the bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs, and they play a crucial role in continence, sexual health, and spinal stability. Many people remain unaware of their function until problems arise. Health professionals note that education about pelvic health is limited across ages, which can delay seeking help.

A new international study shows that any form of exercise—even well below official targets—offers meaningful health benefits for older adults. This is especially hopeful for Thailand’s aging population, where moving more during daily life can protect against serious health issues.

The study tracked 871 adults aged 65 to 79 from four European countries—Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and the United Kingdom. Participants were split into two groups: those who met or exceeded the guideline of at least 2.5 hours of moderate activity per week, and those who did less. Researchers used wearable trackers to measure actual movement, addressing a common flaw in prior studies that relied on self-reported data. Participants also kept a week-long food diary and were evaluated against dietary guidelines. Beyond weight, researchers measured waist size and analyzed five biomarkers linked to metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions including high blood fats, high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, and insulin resistance that raise the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

Pelvic floor health has long been shrouded in misconceptions, with a new wave of research and expert opinion now challenging what many take for granted—especially the belief that Kegel exercises are the universal remedy. A recent article from The Guardian, released on 20 May 2025, shines a spotlight on five prevailing myths surrounding pelvic floor care and offers evidence-based insights that could reshape how people in Thailand think about their own well-being The Guardian.

A new discovery is sending ripples through the medical world: scientists have identified a gene called PHGDH not just as a bystander but as a direct cause of Alzheimer’s disease, potentially changing the diagnosis and treatment of this devastating condition. Uncovering a previously unknown function of this gene, researchers have also pinpointed a candidate drug-like compound that may one day prevent or slow the disease in its earliest stages – a major leap forward, especially for aging societies like Thailand.

A new study from the University of Tsukuba shows that light physical activity—such as gentle jogging, yoga, or easy cycling—can trigger brain chemicals linked to sharper memory and better brain health. Researchers found that dopamine and noradrenaline, two key neurotransmitters, directly boost activity in the hippocampus, the brain’s memory center, during light exercise. The findings help explain why small daily movements can improve thinking and may slow age-related cognitive decline or memory disorders.

A new study reshapes our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers identify the PHGDH gene not just as a marker, but as a driver of brain changes linked to Alzheimer’s. They also spotlight a candidate drug-like compound that could slow the disease in its earliest stages. The finding holds particular relevance for aging societies like Thailand, where dementia care poses rising health and social challenges.

Globally, Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, affecting roughly one in nine people aged 65 and older. In Thailand, the rapidly growing elderly population brings heightened concerns about cognitive decline and dementia care. While rare genetic mutations are known to cause some cases, most Alzheimer’s cases arise spontaneously. This research offers fresh scientific insight and potential hope for families and health systems facing dementia.

A new study from the University of Tsukuba reveals that even gentle exercise—like light jogging, yoga, or leisurely cycling—can set off a cascade of brain chemicals linked to improved memory and brain health. Researchers have found that dopamine and noradrenaline, two powerhouse neurotransmitters, are directly involved in ramping up activity in the hippocampus, the brain’s key memory center, during light physical activity. This discovery shines fresh light on why just a bit of daily movement can sharpen minds and potentially help counter age-related cognitive decline or memory disorders.

A major new study has found that spending prolonged hours seated each day may shrink the brain and raise the risk of cognitive decline, regardless of how much a person exercises. The findings, which have generated global attention, suggest that even regular physical activity may not be enough to counteract the potentially damaging effects of extended sedentary behavior on brain health, especially in older adults. For Thai readers, who increasingly balance desk-based work with daily commutes and digital leisure time, the message is clear: simply hitting the gym may not be enough—reducing sitting time itself is essential for healthy brain aging.

A groundbreaking study shows that long hours of sitting may cause brain shrinkage and faster cognitive decline, even for those who exercise regularly. For Thai readers juggling desk jobs, commutes, and digital leisure, the message is clear: cutting sitting time is crucial for healthy brain aging, not just hitting the gym.

Researchers tracked thousands of older adults over seven years, using MRI scans and genetic data to assess brain changes. They found that more daily sitting correlated with greater loss of brain volume and faster cognitive decline, even among people who met physical activity guidelines. The effect was stronger among individuals carrying the APOE-e4 gene, a known risk marker for Alzheimer’s disease, underscoring the importance of early lifestyle interventions for at-risk groups. Data from studies conducted by leading health organizations informs this insight, while health reporters around the world have highlighted the finding’s implications for aging populations.

Interest around the farmer’s walk is growing among health professionals and fitness writers who see it as a practical way to build functional strength, cardiovascular fitness, and potentially longer life. The exercise—lifting two heavy objects in each hand and walking a set distance—has earned renewed attention as a simple, accessible habit for longevity, especially for men who may overlook strength work. Research from reputable outlets and medical sources highlights grip strength and loaded carries as indicators of resilience in aging, making the farmer’s walk a compelling addition to health routines in Thailand and beyond.

A growing body of research and fitness journalism is shining a spotlight on an exercise routine that combines functional strength, cardiovascular endurance, and a surprising promise—possibly supporting a longer, healthier life. Known as the “farmer’s walk,” this exercise is rapidly gaining traction as a secret weapon for longevity, especially among men who often overlook simple strength training for its anti-aging benefits. Unlike fads that come and go, the evidence for grip strength and heavy carries as cornerstones of resilience into old age is mounting, making the farmer’s walk an increasingly recommended addition to health regimens in Thailand and worldwide (Men’s Journal, Healthline, CNN, Medindia).

A new Harvard-led study offers a glimmer of hope in Alzheimer’s care. The researchers suggest that a rigorous, multi-faceted lifestyle program may slow, and in some cases partially reverse, cognitive decline in early-stage patients. While preliminary and not definitive, the results invite a rethinking of non-drug approaches to dementia, with potential relevance for Thailand’s aging population.

In a 20-week trial published in Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy, 51 participants with an average age around 73.5 were studied. The intervention group included 26 individuals who followed an intensive plan: a strict plant-based diet with home-delivered meals, daily aerobic and strength training, targeted supplements, mindfulness practices, and weekly group support via online sessions. This “everything-in-one” approach required about 12 hours of guided activities each week and was designed to be highly supportive, including involvement from participants and their spouses. The study’s intensity is notable, as most prior dementia research has tested far less demanding programs.

In a development that could shift global approaches to Alzheimer’s care, a recent study led by Harvard University and partners reports that intensive lifestyle interventions may not only slow but also partially reverse cognitive decline in some early-stage Alzheimer’s patients. While the findings are preliminary and warrant caution, they challenge long-standing assumptions about the irreversibility of one of the world’s most devastating neurodegenerative diseases and offer a spark of hope—especially for Thailand, where the rapidly aging population faces rising rates of dementia (Harvard Gazette, Local12.com, BGR).

A new international study shows that mammals with larger brains and stronger immune systems tend to live significantly longer. Researchers mapped the genomes of 46 species and found that brain size and expansive immune-related gene families are closely tied to maximum lifespans. While published in Scientific Reports, the work also offers timely insights for human health and aging, a topic of growing importance in Thailand as the country emphasizes preventive care and active aging.

A groundbreaking study has revealed that mammals with larger brains and more robust immune systems tend to live significantly longer lives. The international research team, spearheaded by the University of Bath and published in Scientific Reports, mapped the genomes of 46 mammalian species and discovered that both brain size and an expanded set of immune-related genes are strongly linked to each species’ maximum recorded lifespan. This scientific breakthrough does not just add a new chapter to our understanding of animal longevity; it also prompts intriguing implications for human health and aging—topics that resonate deeply with Thai society where active aging and preventive healthcare are becoming pillars of national policy.