The Amazing Effects of Music on the Brain
Have you ever played music when you are feeling low or upset? Has listening to your favorite song made you feel happy, calm, and emotional? Does playing music relax you when you are stressed? And does it motivate you when you study or workout? Music has known to have amazing, powerful effects on our mind, brain, and health. It can alter your mood immediately. What are the other effects of music on the brain?
Research has found that music stimulates the brain positively. It can aid in healing, helping patients with neurodegenerative diseases, and boost your memory. Listening to music has the proven capability of reducing pain. When we listen to music it triggers optoids, the body’s natural version of pain relievers. This can explain why you feel a release when you listen to your favorite song or feel emotions when you hear a song that is important to you. People connect to music on a deeper level and this is due to its effect on the brain.
Music also the capability of reducing stress by reducing cortisol levels in your body. It depends on the kind of music you are listening to or what memories it triggers in your mind. Scientists recommend listening to relaxing music when in distress or physical pain as it can help distract you and even calm you down.
Listening to a particular song can immediately trigger your memory. Music has been regularly linked to improved memory recall since the last century. People also tend to learn better when musical elements are added, hence the idea of rhymes or poetry for teaching little children. You can remember your favorite song even years after you first heard it. This is the power of music. Studies suggest that listening to music while studying can even improve your ability to concentrate and remember things.
Stress can cause seizures or strokes with patients of epilepsy. Music is used to assist these patients with memory loss and speech improvement techniques. They are also recommended to listen to soothing music regularly. Music therapy is highly powerful to improve lost speech or memory in patients who have suffered from a stroke.
Playing your favorite song literally lights up your brain if it’s being scanned. Favorite songs and music are associated with our personality, childhood, lives, and memories. The kind of music you prefer depends on your personality and tastes. Musical memories never fade out even in patients suffering from memory loss or neurological diseases. The music you grew up to also has an impact on your brain, communication skills, and memory.
Whatever activity you are doing, exercising, meditating, socializing, or even watching a movie, there is always music. The type of music differs on the effect the place has on you. When you are at a gym, the music is motivational, intended to spur you, and ensure there is no lull. For people who do yoga, the music is steady, calmer, and helps you relax. Similar music is often played at spas or wellness clinics. They want you to let go of your stress and anxiety. Clubs have energetic, fast music that encourages people to get on the dance floor. Restaurants have classical, instrumental music so diners can relax and enjoy the food. Retail insiders have revealed that shops select music based on their happiness quotient so shoppers feel happy and excited to buy. They curate playlists especially to entice shopping and purchasing. Even surgeons have playlists to listen to while operating as it makes them more focused and accurate.
Learning music as a child can give you better communication skills, coordination, and creative imagination. If you learn music as a child, it engages your brain better and your brain becomes designed for music. Whether its singing or dancing or playing an instrument, children with musical talents pick up things faster and remember it longer. It is easy to teach a child music before the age of 8. Children with music skills do better in math, communication, and language skills.
Musicians have bigger, sensitive, and better-connected brains. Science has shown the effect of music on auditory skills and flexibility. Musicians are better oriented at motor control, auditory processing, and spatial coordination. Music affects mood by stimulating the processing of dopamine. Dopamine is the motivator chemical and an integral part of the pleasure-reward process. It is the same feeling you get after eating chocolate or what is called a runner’s high. Similarly, music can also help you process your negative emotions. Listening to sad music when you are upset can act as catharsis for you. You can relieve your anxiety and pain through song. Even half an hour of music can increase blood flow and change your mood.
What are you waiting for? Hit the play button and start listening to some music right now!