Music’s Effect on Our Brains

Written by Pooja Gopinathrao

Most people love music. The average person now spends 20.1 hours a week listening to music. But, should we? Based on many studies and experiments, yes! Music has many positive effects on our bodies and moods. 

An Improved Mood

Music increases the brain's production and triggers the release of dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is a chemical that makes us feel good, it can also help relieve anxiety and depression. The type of music can define our mood and overall emotions; faster music can make you feel more attentive and concentrate better. However, this can also be distracting while multitasking. Upbeat music can make you feel more happy and have a more positive outlook on life. Slower and calming music can leave your brain fresh, quiet your mind, and relax your muscles.

When you're listening to your favorite music or a song that is your favorite at the moment, brain circuits/parts like the amygdala and the nucleus accumbens come online. These are the same areas that get activated if you're thirsty and you have a drink or when you get food you’ve been craving. That triggers the production of chemicals that evoke pleasure.

Brain Synchronization

Brain synchronization can also be called neural synchrony. This is when the brain waves align during interactions, actions, conversations, and more. More scientifically, this occurs when neurons fire, in the same locations but in different brains. Now,  neurons in the brain can also fire with the beat of the music. This can help people feel connections and relax their mind. Most music is around 60 beats per minute. Listening to music can cause your brain waves to line up with the beats of the music, basically leaving you relaxed and calm. Recent experiments have found that music that is around the 60 beats per minute mark can cause alpha brainwaves to form. Alpha brain waves have a frequency range between beta and theta- 8-14 hertz. They are found in states of daydreaming, relaxing, and not focusing (have your attention wandering around). Suppressing these alpha brainwaves can cause anxiety and worry. Research conducted by the University of Nevada found that listening to these 60 beats per minute music pieces causes brain frequencies to shift towards relaxed Alpha wave patterns. This happened in approximately 75% of the individuals in just five minutes of listening.

Cortisol Reduction

Cortisol is the primary stress hormone. It increases sugar in the bloodstream and slows down functions that would be unneeded in fight-or-flight or highly stressful situations. Music can help lower your cortisol levels, reducing your stress. Frontiers in Psychology found that listening to music can lower cortisol levels by up to 61%. PLoS One journal’s study showed that 89% of a sample population saw that music helped them reduce their stress levels.

Singing and Humming

Listening to music can make you naturally sing or hum along. Singing shifts the vibrations of your thoughts hence resulting in relaxation. Humming can help you focus and help you get in your zone and lock in. Many experiments prove that humming gets rid of brain fog and causes you to be more attentive.

Overall, music is completely positive and helps our bodies and minds.

References

Alpha wave. Alpha Wave - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. (n.d.). https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/alpha-wave#:~:text=Alpha%20waves%20have%20a%20frequency,%2C%20high%20stress%2C%20and%20insomnia.

Releasing stress through the power of Music: Counseling Services. University of Nevada, Reno. (n.d.-b). https://www.unr.edu/counseling/virtual-relaxation-room/releasing-stress-through-the-power-of-music#:~:text=Current%20findings%20indicate%20that%20music,we%20are%20relaxed%20and%20conscious.

Stein, R. (2023b, July 29). These scientists explain the power of music to Spark Awe. NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/07/29/1190374074/these-scientists-explain-the-power-of-music-to-spark-awe#:~:text=%22It%20modulates%20levels%20of%20dopamine,listen%20to%20the%20same%20song.

Victor, D. (2024b, August 26). How music can reduce stress and improve mental health. Harmony & Healing. https://www.harmonyandhealing.org/how-music-can-reduce-stress/#:~:text=Additionally%2C%20music%20can%20decrease%20cortisol,University%20of%20Maryland%20Medical%20Center).

Written by Pooja Gopinathrao from MEDILOQUY