A healthcare researcher has suggested that taking up knitting could reduce the risk of developing dementia by up to 50 per cent. Neil K. Shah, a specialist in elderly care, shared the findings on TikTok, citing a Mayo Clinic study that linked knitting and other crafts to a 30 to 50 per cent lower likelihood of mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to dementia.
Shah explained that knitting builds 'cognitive reserve' by engaging both hands in coordinated, complex movements. The logical side of the brain counts stitches while the creative side reads patterns, providing a dual mental workout that may protect against cognitive decline.
Beyond dementia prevention, knitting has been associated with pain relief. Shah noted that the brain can only process so much at once, and knitting floods it with signals that can 'crowd out' pain. This effect is so recognised that UK pain clinics now prescribe knitting as a therapeutic activity.
Knitting also acts as a powerful antidepressant. A survey of 3,500 knitters found that 81 per cent of those with clinical depression felt happier after knitting, with over half describing themselves as 'very happy'. The activity triggers dopamine release, rewarding the brain for creating something with the hands.
Additionally, the repetitive rhythm of knitting can lower blood pressure by activating a calming response similar to meditation. Heart rate and cortisol levels drop, offering relaxation benefits that can last into old age. Shah emphasised that knitting is portable, fights loneliness, and can be continued even when other abilities decline.
