How Reading Shapes Your Brain: What Science Reveals

Opening a book is like opening a window to a whole new world. Stories begin to unfold, and we see everything without really seeing it—without needing a screen. But how does this happen? How are these mental images generated? How is information processed, retained, and understood? And more importantly, what happens in the long term when we build a reading habit? If you’ve ever asked yourself these questions, this article is for you.

Researchers at UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico) have found that reading activates a specific region in the brain—mainly the left hemisphere, starting with the occipital lobe, the area responsible for recognizing visual stimuli such as faces and shapes. This stimulation excites neurons and causes blood vessels to release nutrients. However, there’s another fascinating step: the brain must still decode what it sees at the word level. We first see a series of symbolsthat, on their own, are meaningless. Only when one letter follows another do we begin to form concepts, then sentences, and eventually syntax and meaning. We analyze grammar, interpret coherence, and ultimately understand the emotional and logical layers of what we read.

But there’s even more. Studies from New York University and the Language Dynamics Lab in Lyon, France, reveal that our brain doesn’t clearly distinguish between reading about a character’s experience and actually living it. This means that reading can trigger strong emotional and sensory responses. For example, the motor regions of the brain that light up when we silently read action words are the same areas activated when we physically perform those actions.

This suggests an overlap between the brain regions used to understand stories and those used for empathy and social interaction. In other words, by feeling connected to fictional characters, we also become more emotionally attuned to real people. Frequent reading may help improve our ability to relate to and understand others.

In the long term, reading has additional effects on the brain. Even though the brain isn’t a muscle, “exercising” it can improve its function over time. The Brain Institute found that reading stimulates imagination, anticipation, and learning, thereby boosting brain function and improving mental health. Over time, this can help protect the brain against neurodegenerative diseases, delaying symptoms of conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Reading is a habit that gets better with practice. The more we read, the more skilled we become—and the faster and more effectively we comprehend information. Regular reading—even once a week, according to studies—lowers the risk of cognitive decline, enhances social skills, provides knowledge, and strengthens critical thinking. So, if you were looking for a reason to pick up a book, now you have plenty.

Here, the official National Geographic website tells us about the importance of reading throughout our lives and the benefits it provides.