Exercise for the Mind

Numismatists have known for ages the joys of collecting. Now its cognitive benefits are being backed by scientific research, according to an article in Discover Magazine’s September/October issue.

An estimated 1 in 3 adults collects something, and research suggests that this may enhance memory, forge new connections in the brain, and trigger the body’s relaxation response. Neuroscientist Shirley Mueller states that collecting feeds the pleasure center of the brain without the drawbacks of alcohol, gambling, or nicotine. 

“Collectors are drawn to collecting as a means of bolstering the self by setting up goals that are tangible, attainable, and provide the collector with concrete feedback of progress,” states Brandon Schmeichel, a psychology professor at Texas A&M University, in a paper published in Leisure Sciences. “It also taps into people’s need to seek challenge.” 

Collecting can also strengthen memory, as hobbyists can look at an item in their collection and vividly recall the experience of searching for and acquiring it—memory is improved when it’s tied to tangible objects. The friendship and community that come from collecting is yet another advantage.

So, if you needed more reasons to keep adding to your collection, you’ve got your pick! 

A version of this article appears in the November 2024 issue of The Numismatist (money.org).