A recent research has concluded that searching on Internet boosts brains power for middle and older individuals.

Affected areas of brain when regular web surfers read book.
Affected areas of brain when regular web surfers read book.

A team from Los Angeles California based University has suggested that searching the web stimulates centres in the brain which control decision making and complex reasoning.

Searching the web can help counter act the age related physiological changes that tends to slow down brain activities.

A number of changes occur in the Brain as the age increases. The brain tends to shrink and there is a reduction in its cell activities which hampers its performance.

Activities such as solving puzzles, playing chess, games help keep the brain cells active. Surfing web too can help serve the purpose.

Researchers said “The results of the study are encouraging, the emerging computerized technology may have physiological effects and potential benefits for middle aged and older individuals”.

Web use stimulated more activity in the same brain
Web use stimulated more activity in the same brain

Internet surfing help improve complicated brain functions.

The study was done on twenty four individuals between the age group 55 to 76. Half were used to surf the web and the others were not.

Every volunteer had to undergo brain scan at the time of surfing the web and reading book.

There was a considerable activity seen in the areas of the brain controlling language, reading, memory and visual ability. However, there was an additional activity seen in separate areas of the brain which control decision making and complex reasoning. This additional activity was seen only in the individuals who were regular web surfers.

The comparison was between reading and web surfing. Web surfing concluded that from the vast sea of information making a decision of clicking a particular link which had a relevant information showed activity in that part of the brain.

Activity seen in web newcomers: similar for reading and internet use
Activity seen in web newcomers: similar for reading and internet use

The research also concluded that the brain is sensitive and can continue to learn even at older age. Such brain stimulating activities can reduce the risk of dementia.