In a world filled with constant noise—traffic, notifications, and chatter—silence feels like a rare gift. Imagine stepping away from the bustle, turning off your devices, and finding calm in the quiet. Could this simple act do more than soothe your nerves? Could it actually boost your brain? A viral claim suggests that just two hours of daily silence can spark the growth of new brain cells. Let’s explore the science behind this idea, separating fact from hype, and discover how silence might benefit your mind.
The idea that silence could influence brain health gained traction with a 2013 study led by Imke Kirste at Duke University, published in Brain, Structure and Function. Researchers exposed mice to various auditory stimuli—music, white noise, pup calls—and used two hours of daily silence as a control condition. To their surprise, silence had the most significant effect. In the silence group, mice exhibited significant increases in new neurons in the hippocampus, a brain area important for memory, learning, and the regulation of emotions, within seven days.
Kirste noted,
“We saw that silence is really helping the new generated cells to differentiate into neurons, and integrate into the system”
This finding challenged the assumption that adult brains rarely generate new neurons, suggesting silence might trigger neurogenesis as an adaptive response to minimal sensory input.
While the mouse study is intriguing, translating these findings to humans is complex. Animal brains differ from ours, and direct evidence of silence-induced neurogenesis in humans is limited. However, related research offers clues. Practices like meditation and mindfulness, which often involve silence, have shown promising effects on brain structure.
In 2011, Harvard University carried out research that determined an eight-week course of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction was linked with greater grey matter in the hippocampus. This shows structural development but doesn’t confirm new neuron development because the grey matter can change due to synaptic density. However, this suggests silence, which is part of mindfulness, can contribute to brain health.
The impact of silence has also been examined in more recent studies. According to a 2023 study at Johns Hopkins University, which was reported in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the brain actually distinguishes silence, with specific neurons in the part of the brain responsible for sound processing activating in response. As researcher Ian Phillips explained,
“The kinds of illusions and effects that look like they are unique to the auditory processing of a sound, we also get them with silences, suggesting we really do hear absences of sound too.”
This indicates silence is a unique stimulus, not just a lack of noise.
Also, a 2025 study reported that following three days of continuous silence, participants exhibited changes in brainwave activity from alert-beta waves to alpha and theta waves, which are associated with relaxation and creativity. Such changes might provide an atmosphere in the brain to learn and regulate emotions, but there is yet direct proof of neurogenesis.
Social media has amplified the claim that silence grows new brain cells, often exaggerating the science. Posts on platforms like X have shared headlines suggesting definitive human benefits, but these overstate the evidence. The 2013 mouse study is the primary source for neurogenesis claims, and experts like Kirste emphasize its preliminary nature, noting that human studies are needed to confirm effects on conditions like dementia or depression.
Misinformation thrives when complex science is simplified. While silence may reduce stress and enhance focus, claiming it directly grows brain cells in humans lacks robust support. Individual responses also vary—some find silence calming, while others may feel anxious, potentially reducing benefits.
Despite limitations, silence offers tangible perks. Long-term studies, cited in bgr.com, suggest regular quiet periods may slow age-related cognitive decline, reduce stress-related brain damage, and boost memory while lowering anxiety in older adults. A 2021 Healthline article quoted Audrey Hamilton from the Carmelite Friars of Boars Hill, UK:
“Silence helps individuals focus and be present, potentially leading to a healthier brain.”
The rise in mindfulness, with 62% of U.S. adults engaging in practices like silent retreats per a 2023 American Psychological Association survey, reflects growing interest in silence’s benefits.
You don’t need a retreat to try it. Start with mindful walking—leave your phone behind and focus on your steps. Short device-free breaks, even 10 minutes, can help. For deeper practice, silent meditation or yoga can quiet the mind.
“It’s about reducing sensory overload,”
says neurologist Robert Zatorre, noting the brain’s default mode network thrives in quiet, aiding self-reflection and memory.
