Music and the brain: what are the effects?
Who hasn't felt a rush of happiness when listening to a favorite song, or found motivation thanks to an energizing playlist? Or have you ever noticed how much easier it is to remember the lyrics of a song or a poem when it's set to rythm ? Music amplifies our emotions, soothes or motivates us and helps us concentrate. But how can a melody or a rythm exert such an influence on our brain and behavior? Can we really improve our memory, manage our stress or even transform our state of mind thanks to a few notes?
To find out more about the effect of music on the brain and mental health, Newzik dug a little deeper into the subject. And the least we can say is that our brain's playlist has some surprising clues to reveal!
Why does music make us feel good?
Music has the ability toinfluence our perception and improve our mood, but why does this effect make us feel so good? To find out, we need to take a look inside our brains!
When we listen to music, our brains spring into action. Sound waves picked up by our ears are converted into electrical signals, which are then processed by different areas of the brain, including the auditory cortex. This area of the brain not only decodes sounds, but is also responsible for emotional perception and memory. This brain activation then releases several hormones, such as dopamine, often called the "happy hormone", which gives us that euphoric feeling when we hear our favorite tunes.
Music: a dopamine catalyst?
Dopamine is a key neurotransmitter that plays an important, not to say crucial role in our brains and bodies. It is associated with feelings of pleasure and reward. When we hear a song we like, our brain releases dopamine in response. It's like receiving a reward without any physical effort, which explains why music can be so addictive.
The effect of music on stress
In addition to stimulating the release of dopamine, music acts directly on our nervous system. When we listen to music we like, our brains release dopamine, contributing to a general sense of well-being. More technically, music can help to :
slow down our heart rythm ,
reduce our blood pressure,
lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
This is due to its influence on the autonomic nervous system, the unconscious regulator of bodily functions such as rythm heartbeat and digestion. By acting as a natural regulator, music can promote a deeper state of relaxation.
This explains why music is often used to manage stress and anxiety, in therapy, meditation or even before stressful events such as surgery or sports competitions.
How can music help reduce the effects of stress?
Choose music that soothes you: although classical music, soft jazz or the sounds of nature are often recommended for soothing yourself, choose music that you really enjoy and that helps you feel good.
Integrate music into your daily routine to reduce stress: take advantage of relaxing moments, such as breaks at work or before bedtime, to listen to music.
Practice active listening to music: focus on each instrument and each note. This detailed attention is a form of mindfulness that can reinforce the beneficial effect of music on your mood.
Combine music and relaxation: use soft background music for relaxation practices such as yoga or meditation.
When music meets emotion
Music can also evoke memories and intense emotions. Songs can remind us of specific moments in our lives: a first love, the carefree days of vacation, or even moments of melancholy and comfort in difficult times.
Music's ability to evoke memories is no coincidence. Our brains create associations between the melodies we hear and the experiences we have had while listening to them. In this way, a simple song can trigger an avalanche of emotions linked to particular moments.
Numerous researchers have looked into the subject and conducted several studies highlighting the impact of music on the brain, emotions and learning. These studies have shown that music influences not only our cognitive capacity, but also our emotional well-being.
How does music influence our memory and learning?
Have you ever wondered why it's easier to remember the lyrics of your favorite song than the dates of a history lesson? The answer has a lot to do with rythm and the melody, making them more accessible in our brains.
Music activates several parts of our brain simultaneously - memory, attention, motor skills and emotion - creating a multi-sensory learning experience. This stimulation strengthens neural connections and helps to anchor information more deeply. rythm helps structure information, making it easier to remember and retrieve at a later time. It's a bit like your brain using music as a cue point associated with memories to retrieve them more easily later. Which also explains why we still remember our childhood commercials so well, and why they're still playing over and over in our heads!
What kind of music can I listen to to help me concentrate?
Whether you're studying or working, music can be a valuable ally in helping you maintain that level of concentration. However, not all musical genres are created equal when it comes to improving productivity. So which musical genre should you choose to boost your concentration?
1. Classical music
It's often said that classical music is the best choice for intellectual tasks, and there's a reason for this: the Mozart effect. Listening to the music of Mozart, but also Bach, Beethoven or Debussy can improve our concentration and reduce stress.
2. Ambient electronic music
Ambient electronic music creates a favorable sound environment that helps maintain concentration. Artists such as Brian Eno, known for his ambient albums, have composed tracks designed to enhance creativity and concentration during work or study sessions.
3. Film music
Film soundtracks are designed to visually accompany without distracting, making them ideal for listening while working.
4. Mellow jazz and blues
Soft jazz and blues can be excellent for stimulating the mind without taking up too much of your attention.
5. Sounds of nature
Although not technically a musical genre, nature sounds such as rustling leaves, birdsong or a babbling brook can also enhance concentration. These ambient sounds help to create a soothing, stress-relieving environment.
💡 For optimal concentration, keep the volume at a moderate level and avoid songs with lyrics.
The benefits of music therapy: beyond listening
Music therapy facilitates positive changes in behavior, emotional well-being and pain management. It can include listening, creating, singing, or even moving to rythm music.
Therapists use music to tap into people's natural responses to melody and rythm. For example, rhythms can help regulate bodily processes, influencing heart rythm and breathing, while harmonies and melodies can be used to elicit emotional and cognitive responses. This approach can also help relieve pain and facilitate communication, particularly in the case of language disorders.
Music therapy is particularly beneficial for people suffering from :
Neurological disorders and rehabilitation: In cases of traumatic brain injury, music therapy can help restore speech and movement skills. Patients who have difficulty speaking may find it easier to sing phrases, using the melody as a guide to formulate words and sentences, thus improving their language processing.
Parkinson's disease: for Parkinson's patients, rhythmic music can be used as an external cue to facilitate walking and improve fluidity of movement. Therapists can also use percussion to help patients control their fine motor skills and coordination.
Autism spectrum disorders: For children and adults on the autism spectrum, music therapy offers a non-verbal means of communication and expression. It can also help develop social and emotional skills, such as recognizing emotions through musical expression and responding appropriately to rhythms and sounds, facilitating language learning and social interaction.
Learning to play music: are the effects beneficial at any age?
The idea that learning music is just for the young is a myth. In reality, playing an instrument offers advantages at any age, bringing significant benefits for the brain and general well-being, whether you're 6 or 60.
Learning a musical instrument stimulates the brain, improving functions such as memory, attention and coordination. For children, it can aid cognitive and motor development. For adults and seniors, playing music can serve as a great brain exercise to keep the mind sharp and delay the effects of cognitive aging. It has even been shown to boost self-esteem and strengthen social connection when played in a group.
Music courses for adult beginners are springing up everywhere, with teaching methods tailored to those who may never have held an instrument before.
Do you feel the call of the guitar ringing in your ears, but you're still hesitant to take the plunge? Discover 5 good reasons to learn to play a musical instrument as an adult.
From ear to brain, music takes us on a journey that influences our emotions, moods and mental health. So don't wait any longer to listen to your favorite tune and enjoy the multiple benefits of music. Your brain will thank you!
🎶 For all enthusiasts of the 4th art, amateur or professional, the Newzik sheet music player is made for you! Whether you're rehearsing at home, in a music class, with your band or even remotely, Newzik makes it easy to find, annotate and record your sheet music. Like thousands of musicians, join the Newzik revolution and transform your musical practice with our platform. Let's the music play!
