The Universal Language
Music is a universal language, with evidence of instruments dating back 40, 000 years ago in caves of the Swabian Alps. It has continually intrigued neuroscientists, due to its profound impact on the human brain. In this month’s wellbeing blog, I wanted to talk about how music can shape and enhance our mental health.
1. Elevating Mood through Musical Engagement
When we connect with music, our brain’s reward system ignites, releasing dopamine—the pleasure and reward neurotransmitter. Salimpoor et al. (2011) discovered that this dopamine surge rivals the joy from delectable food or a warm hug. Harnessing this neuro boost can be a game-changer, particularly in nerve-wracking situations like presentations.
2. Stress Reduction: The Soothing Power of Music
Music’s calming influence extends to stress reduction, with the brain regulating cortisol, the stress hormone. Thoma et al. (2013) found that music can lower cortisol levels, fostering a sense of relaxation and stress relief. The genre of music matters, with classical tunes reducing stress and improving concentration, while upbeat genres like pop and rock can boost energy levels.
3. Enhancing Memory: A Symphony for the Brain
The impact of music on memory is astounding. Chan et al. (1998) revealed that music training enhances verbal memory, engaging the brain’s cognitive circuits and improving memory retention. This sheds light on the cognitive enhancement potential of music, a promising area in neuroscientific research.
4. Emotional Expression: The Intricate Dance of Emotions
Exploring music’s capacity to express and evoke emotions unveils the intricate interplay of brain regions involved in emotional processing (Juslin and Västfjäll, 2008). Music’s ability to convey complex emotions reflects the brain’s remarkable capacity for emotional regulation and expression.
5. Cognitive Enhancement: Music’s Impact on Skills
The intricate patterns in music can enhance various cognitive skills. Bugos et al. (2007) emphasize that music training, especially in childhood, improves spatial-temporal abilities, language processing, and mathematical proficiency. Music becomes a tool for navigating the complexities of melodies and harmonies.
6. Resilience and Emotional Regulation: Music as a Catalyst
Music serves as a powerful tool for emotional regulation and resilience by activating brain regions responsible for processing emotions (Koelsch et al., 2013). This empowers individuals to navigate life’s challenges with enhanced emotional resilience.
7. Social Connectivity: Music’s Evolutionary Role
Evolutionarily, music has played a pivotal role in fostering social bonds. Recent studies show that synchronizing movements to music activates brain areas associated with social bonding (Kokal et al., 2011). Music becomes a potent tool for promoting social connectivity and strengthening relationships.
8. Neurological Therapy: Harnessing Music for Healing
Neurological music therapy (NMT) utilizes music’s neuroscientific principles to aid individuals with neurological conditions. Thaut et al. (2015) demonstrate how structured music interventions engage various brain regions, promoting speech, motor skills, and emotional expression in patients with conditions like stroke and Parkinson’s disease.
How to Incorporate More Music into Your Life
In a world filled with distractions, mindful listening to music fosters a genuine connection between your emotions and the music you love. Here’s some ideas about how to incorporate mindful music listening into your daily routine:
- Create Playlists: Curate playlists reflecting your mood or desired emotions for relaxation, motivation, or self-reflection.
- Remove Distractions: Find a quiet space to fully immerse yourself in the music without distractions.
- Breathe and Feel: Take deep breaths and let the music wash over you. Pay attention to how it makes you feel and the emotions it evokes.
- Reflect: After your listening session, take a moment to reflect on the experience. What did you discover about yourself, and how has your mood shifted?
References:
- Salimpoor, V.N., Benovoy, M., Larcher, K., Dagher, A., & Zatorre, R.J. (2011). Anatomically distinct dopamine release during anticipation and experience of peak emotion to music. Nature Neuroscience, 14(2), 257-262.
- Thoma, M.V., La Marca, R., Brönnimann, R., Finkel, L., Ehlert, U., & Nater, U.M. (2013). The effect of music on the human stress response. PLoS ONE, 8(8), e70156.
- Chan, A.S., Ho, Y.C., & Cheung, M.C. (1998). Music training improves verbal memory. Nature, 396(6707), 128.
- Juslin, P.N., & Västfjäll, D. (2008). Emotional responses to music: The need to consider underlying mechanisms. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 31(5), 559-621.
- Koelsch, S., Skouras, S., Fritz, T., Herrera, P., Bonhage, C., & Küssner, M.B. (2013). The roles of superficial amygdala and auditory cortex in music-evoked fear and joy. NeuroImage, 81, 49-60.
- Kokal, I., Engel, A., Kirschner, S., & Keysers, C. (2011). Synchronized drumming enhances activity in the caudate and facilitates prosocial commitment – if the rhythm comes easily. PLoS ONE, 6(11), e27272.
- Thaut, M.H., Gardiner, J.C., Holmberg, D., Horwitz, J., Kent, L., Andrews, G., & Donelan, B. (2009). Neurologic music therapy improves executive function and emotional adjustment in traumatic brain injury rehabilitation. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1169(1), 406-416.
