Mood Music: Songs & Science
Peer Educator: Amy McPherson
January 24th, 2022
Soundwaves. Brainwaves. Each affecting the other like the motion of an emotional ocean;
the tides of music crashing against the aural plane. Music affects the brain, the
body, and the connection between both in every listener. Understanding how music alters
mental and physical body mechanisms and its positive impact can improve one's quality
of life.
Music influences mood, memory, and attention by jumpstarting the neocortex portion
of the
brain. The neocortex is responsible for controlling impulsivity and placating upset
feelings. When listening to a favorite song, the repetitive lyric and chord structure
acts as an aural pacifier: soothing the listener into focusing on the music and the
beat instead of whatever the person was thinking about before putting on their headphones.
Listening isn't the only way to reap the benefits of music. Making music through any
instrument
involves more brain structures (more brain involvement = more mental benefits! #winwin).
Dusting off that old guitar or busting out your vocal pipes gives opportunity for
the body to be fully utilized in conjunction with the brain during any music-making
session. Whether you perform for your neighborhood, partner, or your bathroom mirror,
making music in any capacity helps kickstart creativity, cultivate a better attitude,
and increase the motor connections between the brain and body.
Groovin' and movin' to music is good for your body, too! From casually dancing at
home to full-on jamming out at a cardio dance class, coupling exercise to listening
to music adds a new dimension of health benefits. Lower blood pressure, decreased
anxiety, and even less pain accompany listening and boppin' to beats.
References
The Johns Hopkins University. (n.d.). Keep Your Brain Young with Music. Johns Hopkins
Medicine. Retrieved December 22, 2021, from
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/keep-your-brain-young-withmusic
Warren, M. (2016, December 19). The Impact of Music Therapy on Mental Health. NAMI.
Retrieved December 22, 2021, from
https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/December-2016/The-Impact-of-Music-Therapy-on-Me
ntal-Health