Brain health roulette is back at the Edinburgh Fringe

When it comes to your brain health, are you aware there are things you can do to increase your odds of keeping sharp?

That’s what Professor Alan Gow from Heriot-Watt University will be exploring in “Brain Health Roulette” at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August. 

As we age, we are more likely to experience general declines in our thinking and memory skills (these are referred to as our mental or cognitive abilities). Some people experience noticeable changes in their thinking and memory skills across their 60s and beyond, while others maintain these into old age. This variation suggests a number of factors influence our brain health.

Knowing what factors might be “brain healthy” is the first step, but doing something with that information is what really matters. Research studies suggest that although people often have concerns about brain health, we might not always be sure what protects or harms our brain as we age. And even when we do, there’s often a mismatch between knowing and doing.

In “Brain Health Roulette”, Alan will explore the things we might want to do more or less of to maintain our brain health as we age. Importantly, there’s no secret ingredient. Rather, it’s about understanding the many, many things that are important, and rather than one big change it’s about making smaller, but hopefully more manageable, changes.

Alan and his team in The Ageing Lab at Heriot-Watt University explore the factors that might protect thinking skills, and in the show you’ll hear about some of their own and others research focussing on brain health. 

While the show is based on the latest research, this isn’t a traditional lecture. The show is part of The Provocateurs programme, previously known as The Cabaret of Dangerous Ideas and a staple of the Fringe for 13 years! A comedian comperes proceedings, ensuring the audience get a chance to have their say too. No slides but plenty to make you think.

All Provocateurs shows are double bills, so alongside brain health you could learn about the weakness of vulnerability or satellites destroying privacy! The shows are hosted by The Stand Comedy Club, and you can read more and buy tickets at the links below.

If you can’t make the show but want to know more, Age Scotland’s Health and Wellbeing in Later Life guide has a section on brain health.

To get a flavour of what to expect, one of Alan’s previous Fringe shows was recorded as part of BBC Radio Scotland’s Brainwaves series which you can listen to here.