A groundbreaking study published in Nature Communications reveals that living through the COVID-19 pandemic may have aged people’s brains by up to 5.5 months-even if they never caught the virus! Researchers used AI to analyze brain scans of nearly 1,000 UK adults, comparing pre- and post-pandemic images. The control group (with scans before the pandemic) showed significantly slower brain aging compared to those scanned afterward.

Interestingly, the structural aging occurred regardless of COVID-19 infection. The real culprit? Experts believe the psychological toll of lockdowns, isolation, unemployment, and disrupted daily routines had a profound neurological impact. Men, older adults, and those facing financial hardships were the most affected.

However, only participants who actually had COVID showed signs of cognitive decline, like slower thinking and reduced flexibility, suggesting structural brain aging doesn't always translate to mental slowdown.

Experts advise boosting sleep, social interaction, exercise, and mental wellness to counter these effects. This research hints that the pandemic didn’t just change society-it may have physically changed our brains too.