November 21, 2025, 9:59 am | Read time: 6 minutes
The topic of Alzheimer’s has been a personal issue for Chris Hemsworth and his family for some time. The Australian actor carries an Alzheimer’s gene. His father has now been diagnosed with the incurable disease. In “Chris Hemsworth: A Road Trip to Remember,” airing on National Geographic starting November 24, the two embark on a journey together. The goal: to slow the progression of the disease. FITBOOK explains what this has to do with memories and the Hemsworth childhood home of Chris and his brothers Liam and Luke.
In the documentary, Chris Hemsworth not only gives the world insight into how his father Craig, 71, is dealing with the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. More importantly, the focus is on therapeutic attempts to confront this particular form of dementia together. A wonderful approach that aims to raise awareness and give courage to others affected.
“The Result Was a Journey That…”
“My father and I are taking a journey into our past. He is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. I want to do everything I can to help him. As it turns out, this experience could help in the fight against the disease,” the star actor revealed in the official YouTube trailer. “The result was a journey that was deeper, more moving, and more surprising than I ever expected,” said the 42-year-old.
Also interesting: Alzheimer’s May Begin Much Earlier Than Thought—in the 20s
Memories Against Alzheimer’s
Initially, the question arises of how the progression of Alzheimer’s disease should be slowed. Answer: Through memories or memory therapy. But how exactly does that work? “We know that every time we recall a memory, the connection between neurons is strengthened,” Dr. Suraj Samtani told the U.S. magazine People. “It’s like building more roads leading to a suburb. You have more ways to get there, and if one road is closed next time, you can take another.”
Dr. Suraj Samtani is a clinical psychologist at the Center for Healthy Brain Aging at UNSW Sydney and served as an advisor throughout the documentary.
Chris Hemsworth Recreated His Childhood Home
Memories for Alzheimer’s patients can be created through music or photos to train the memory. Chris Hemsworth went a few steps further. In “Chris Hemsworth: A Road Trip to Remember,” the entire environment where the family lived in the 1990s was recreated. Filmmakers used family photos of the house where Chris Hemsworth and his brothers Liam and Luke lived to replicate the furnishings in detail.
“Rebuilding the house on the outskirts of Melbourne was a unique opportunity. Normally, we use albums and songs, but recreating an entire house like this is incredible. It’s like maximum memory therapy,” emphasized the Alzheimer’s expert.
Adrenaline and Fear Are Stronger Than Joy
Throughout the documentary, it will apparently be shown how Craig Hemsworth’s cognitive abilities actually improve. A significant factor is a long father-son motorcycle tour into the Australian outback to visit an old friend with whom Craig tamed wild bulls and cows in his younger years. A not entirely safe and very exciting hobby that released a lot of adrenaline back then. And for this reason, these explicit memories can be particularly strong.
“Adrenaline memories or memories related to fight or flight are stored directly in the amygdala, the fear center of the brain, and not in the outer layer of the brain, the cortex, where all other memories are stored,” explained Dr. Suraj Samtani. Thoughts of one’s graduation, for example, may still evoke joy in retrospect, but not to the same extent as before. “With a fear memory, however, you actually feel the original fear you experienced back then, and the same goes for these adrenaline memories,” he emphasized.
“I Think It Was a Success for Us”
Another important factor is social interaction with other people. In the documentary, these moments arise especially when Chris Hemsworth and his father visit some places from the past during their journey. “That was really effective. At first, he was very reserved and didn’t quite know where he was or what was going on. In the end, as you can see in the documentary, he laughs, smiles, remembers all these important memories from his past, and is really confident,” described Dr. Suraj Samtani the changes in Craig Hemsworth.
His conclusion is very positive. “I think it was a success for us to get him out of his shell and make him feel more like himself,” the scientist stated. Now it’s about continuing the therapy. “It’s an ongoing process, as the effect lasts about three to six months.”
Also interesting: Why It’s Healthy to Take Time for Worries
Important Message: Alzheimer’s Is Not a Death Sentence!
And then Dr. Suraj Samtani sent out a valuable message that every affected person or relative of those affected should always keep in mind: Alzheimer’s disease is anything but a death sentence!
“It really isn’t. It’s possible to live well with dementia and Alzheimer’s, and it’s really possible to do all the things you love and be physically, mentally, and socially active–and that actually slows cognitive decline,” he emphasizes. The prerequisite, of course, is to take your fate into your own hands and fight against it. Just like Chris Hemsworth and his father.
Liam Hemsworth Speaks Emotionally About His Father’s Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
Chris Hemsworth: “That’s the Worst Feeling in the World”
After Shock Diagnosis: Chris Hemsworth Stays Positive
In November 2022, a genetic test revealed that Chris Hemsworth carries the Alzheimer’s gene APOE4. He inherited this risk factor, one of the most severe for Alzheimer’s, twice–once from his mother and once from his father. “The good news is that this gene is not a predestination. At first, I was very shocked, but then I understood that while I am in a higher risk category, it doesn’t mean I will definitely get the disease,” he said positively in a FITBOOK interview in June 2023.
More Sleep and Meditation, Less Stress
The disease has not yet manifested in him. Anyway, the “Thor” star, who was already known for his active lifestyle, has further optimized his life after the diagnosis. “I have received a lot of tips, tools, knowledge, and information that I can now use to protect and preserve my brain health. And by doing that, I not only keep my brain healthy but can also prevent all sorts of other chronic diseases and lead a healthier and happier life,” he told FITBOOK at the time.
In addition to fitness and nutrition, Chris Hemsworth has since improved his sleep habits and reduced his stress levels. “I try not to give in to the feeling of constantly having to do something and enjoy more moments of silence. I always thought I knew and considered all this. But when I was honest with myself, I had to admit: I don’t meditate enough, I have too few quiet moments, I go for walks alone far too rarely. In this regard, the information (regarding the Alzheimer’s gene, ed.) has worked small wonders,” he confessed to us.