From the beating of drums in ancient civilization to the songs that we play with our headphones today, music has always been a powerful and impactful part of human life. Music is a form of entertainment that has been with humans for tens of thousands of years, even with traces of instruments dating back over 43,000 years. The relationship between our brains and music is much deeper than just being a simple form of entertainment that is easily accessible. Music can have significant effects on your brain that can be both positive and negative depending on the way that it is used. It connects deeply with our emotions, memories, and even thinking patterns. This relationship between music and our brains is very complex. Understanding how and why our brains are affected by music can help to explain why it can be healing or harmful.
Music can have a powerful positive impact on our brains, especially our moods and overall mental health. When you listen to music that you enjoy, your brain releases a chemical in your brain called dopamine. Dopamine creates feelings of pleasure, satisfaction, and motivation because it is like a messenger for our brain’s reward system. “Because music is often an enjoyable activity, it can activate the release of endorphins, which creates a general feeling of well-being.” 1. Music also lowers our cortisol levels; Cortisol is the body’s main stress hormone. Common times people like to listen to music is while studying, working out, or even while walking or driving somewhere. Music can be comforting during hard times, helping people express feelings that are difficult to put into words. Music can lift your mood, ease high levels of stress, and even make hard days more enjoyable.
Music does more to the brain than just providing plan benefits, it can also strengthen the brain’s ability to focus and remember information. Studies have shown that music can help you concentrate while working. We can concentrate better because listening to music activates the same areas of the brain that are used for attention and memory. Dr. Masha Godkin at National University stated, “Music activates both the left and right brain at the same time, and the activation of both hemispheres can maximize learning and improve memory.” 2. Music also helps our brains focus. Music has even been used as a therapy for people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. In a variety of ways, music exercises our brains. It keeps our brains active, helping people stay focused whatever it is they are doing. Music that has a regular and consistent beat can help people concentrate because it gives the brain a rhythm that it can follow, which helps to reduce distractions and keep your attention steady.
Although music has a ton of positive effects on your brain, it can also have several weak effects if you use it improperly. It can start to become a problem if it is overused or used in an unhealthy way. One of the biggest problems is the volume at which you play your music. Studies show that sounds at 85 decibels or higher, such as concerts, can harm the tiny hair cells in your ears that send sound signals to your brain. In addition to the problems that the volume can cause, certain types of music can cause feelings of anger or even irritability. This shows how powerful lyrics and tone can shape your mood. Even though music can be used as a tool to help you focus, it can also be very distracting when multitasking. Songs with lyrics can make it harder to read, write, or study. This happens because it is hard for the brain to process the words from the song and from text at the same time, leaving the brain overstimulated. While music can improve mood and memory, it is important to make sure it is used in moderation.
Music is an influential part of our everyday lives. In everyday places you hear music. Whether you are in a store, or walking down the street you might hear music. It is common because it can boost your mood, reduce stress, and help to improve our memory and focus levels. Music plays a very significant role in our brains and how they work. It starts to work against us when the lyrics of the songs we listen to promote negative emotions. No matter how music is used, though, it will always have a strong connection to our minds. However, when used in moderation, it can bring happiness, inspire creativity, and make life more meaningful.
- https://www.tmh.org/healthy-living/blogs/healthy-living/how-music-affects-your-mind-mood-and-body
- https://www.nu.edu/blog/can-music-help-you-study-and-focus/
