Is talking really essential for our brains?

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Is talking really essential for our brains?

Thanks for asking. We chat with family, colleagues, and strangers almost without noticing. But as our lives become more digital, we can now go hours, sometimes even days, without having a proper conversation. And that may matter more than we think. Do we really talk less than we used to? Apparently, yes. A 2026 study published in Perspective on Psychological Science suggests that the amount we talk has fallen significantly. Psychologists Valerie Pfeiffer from the University of Missouri, Kansas City, and Matthias Smell from the University of Arizona analyzed data from thousands of people in several countries between 2005 and 2019 Participants wore devices that randomly recorded snippets of their conversations. Their findings suggest that the average number of words spoken each day fell from around 16,600 to fewer than 12,000, a drop of almost 30%.

But why are we talking less? The researchers point to several possible explanations. We spend more time alone than we used to, a trend that intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. And many everyday interactions have been replaced by digital alternatives.

Instead of calling a restaurant, we book a table online. Rather than speaking to a shop assistant, we order from an app. Even small encounters with strangers or acquaintances are increasingly easy to avoid. Does talking less actually affect our brains? It can. Conversation is a surprisingly demanding activity for the brain. When we talk to someone face to face, we draw on memory and attention while simultaneously interpreting facial expressions, gestures and tone of voice.

And there is another important element, empathy. Psychologist Sherry Tuckle argues that face to face conversation allows us to experience other people's emotion in a much more immediate physical way. So is talking good for our mental health? Research suggests it is. Talking about our emotions with an attentive listener can reduce stress and emotional distress, while social interaction itself can trigger the release of chemicals such as oxytocin, dopamine and serotonin, all linked to well-being. According to neuroscientist Ben Rine, our brains have evolved to reward social connection. For most of human history, living in groups was essential to survival. So it makes sense that our brains learn to associate social contact with positive experiences. There you have it.

Now you know if talking is really essential for our brains. In under three minutes, we answer your questions and help you understand the true meaning behind the trends, concepts and acronyms that are making headlines. Listen along and you really will know for sure.