How Does Music Influence Our Brain?
Introduction
Music is the way to connect our mind, body, and soul. We enjoy music when we are free. In fact, the daily dose of music is great to maintain our mental health. What is music? How can we define which music is ideal for our mental health?
Music is a part of our culture. Its definition changes from one community to the other. There are different genres of music emerged over the years. From old folk songs to modern music, we have so many types to listen to and enjoy. Let us find out what music stands for and then proceed to learn the effect of music on the mind.
What is Music?
Music is the formulation of coordinated sounds created using musical instruments and vocals. It can be either instrumental or a song. There are different genres of music developed with human culture throughout the span of history. It is a type of art that represents melodious sounds, rhythm, and harmony.
As time passed, the process of setting musical tones to a perfect alignment to create something remarkable became better. Musical instruments were developed and reinvented using modern techniques. We have electronic machines and musical instruments that help us compose engaging music we like.
How does your Brain Process Music?
Our ears are where the story begins. It travels to your middle ear and then to the inner ear. The sound waves are then converted into electrical signals and carried to the brain. To be specific, these signals are sent to the front lobes and hippocampus.
The frontal lobes are responsible for problem-solving, logical reasoning, judgment, language, and emotional expression. Hippocampus, on the other hand, is responsible for motivation, emotions, memories, and learning.
When you dance to a song, your hindbrain is activated as it regulates motor movements. When you learn to play an instrument, it will increase your coordination by involving and training other parts of the brain. There are some people who experience hearing colors and tasting music. This is called synesthesia. It is not a disorder but a unique way of experiencing music and colors.
The Effect of Music on our Mind
We understand and feel music according to our emotions. In fact, our emotions decide which type of music we want to listen to. Hence, music is the perfect interpretation of emotions with sounds.
Researchers have been studying the relationship between the effects of music mind mapping. They have found that music has exceptional healing powers. It has the power to rewire the human brain and help it relax.
Positive Effects of Music
Read Also : World Music Day 2022
List of Effects of Music on Us.
Music Makes Us Happier
Listening to your favourite music helps you release dopamine and other happy hormones. This music acts as a mood elevator. A study done at the McGill University on the effect of music and the brain concluded that the human brain releases a higher amount of dopamine when it listens to favourite genres. It means music keeps us happy and excited. We feel joy and tend to feel more enthusiastic when we listen to music.
Music Enhances Your Performance
One of the best positive effects of music is that it enables you to enhance your performance. Here is a simple example. Plug into your favorite genre and start walking. You will feel less tired. In fact, you will be able to walk faster and longer than conventional walks.
Music can inspire you to achieve bigger things. Your auditory receptors will coordinate with the music giving you a rhythm to follow. It has been scientifically proven that runners run longer, lifters can lift more weight and athletes can align their brains in a better way when they listen to music on a regular basis.
Stress Release
The best way to release stress is to become a musical mind after you have done hard work throughout the day. Simply playing calming music while you lie down for a couple of minutes can work like a charm.
Stress is linked to more than 60% of the lifestyle diseases people develop over due course of time. The best and easiest way to get a daily dose of happiness is through music. It helps you to unwind and release stress faster.
Music Can Improve Sleep
Listening to music every day can improve your sleep. Relaxing classical music can help your mind to calm down from an alarming state. When you are studying or preparing for an exam, you will find how busy your brain can be. It can ruin your sleep as you will feel anxious and alarmed. Listening to music for half an hour is the antidote to anxiety.
Memory and Learning
Music can make your brain learn faster. Your memory power will increase when you listen to your favorite genre and even sing the songs while being played on your computer or smartphone.
Can Music Change the Brain?
Music has the power to make significant changes in our brains. Researchers have found evidence that music can change the brain chemistry of patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease. Music therapy can be very beneficial for such patients.
The human brain has a unique feature. This feature enables our brain to make certain changes based on its use and functions. This is called neuroplasticity. Music can enhance this feature and make us more efficient. It has been found that musicians have better learning and comprehension capabilities. Playing music can strengthen your nerve connections making your brain more efficient. You will develop better motor movements too.
You can see how beneficial listening to music is. That does not mean you will remain hooked to music for hours to become super-intelligent. Short spans of music can do miracles to your mind and body.
