Sensory And Mood-Enhancing Effects of Music On The Brain

The discovery of ancient bone flutes unearthed by archeologists mean that the human race enjoyed the sounds of music tens of thousands of years ago. However, it is only in more recent times that scientists began exploring the effects that music has on the brain. Besides being a favorite past time, researchers found that many cognitive functions are positively affected by listening to music.

Physiological Effects of Music on the Brain

In an attempt at visualizing the specific physiological effects that music created in the brain, a group of researchers performed MRI studies on subjects while the individuals listened to classical music. The images revealed that initially, the frontal region demonstrated activity. The scientists concluded that this activity indicated that the brain was in the process of analyzing the melody. Soon, the cerebellum demonstrated activity. This activity increased when the music changed tempo, rhythm or featured moments of intensity. This study, and later research performed by neuro-specialists, additionally indicated that when listening to favored kinds of music, the brain showed an increase in dopamine levels by as much as nine percent.

Music and Mood

The mood enhancing chemical known as dopamine increases when someone experiences pleasurable events that might include anything from eating to being in love. Music's ability to increase these levels has been shown to induce a calming or relaxing effect, which thwarts depression and fights insomnia. While dopamine levels rise, the stress hormone known as cortisol decreases, which also helps eliminate stress and tension in the body. As the brain focuses on the melody and lyrics being played, the mind also becomes distracted from the thoughts that triggered the stress response.

Improvements in Attention and Concentration

Studies reveal that in test subjects of all ages and intelligence levels, performing tasks while hearing classical or easy listening music enhances concentration. Neuroscientists also learned that when listening to classical or rock music, individuals also recognized letters, numbers and other visual stimuli faster. People often enjoy hearing music in the background while working. However, not many realize that this action actually increases overall productivity.

Affects Intelligence and Learning

Researchers once believed that listening to classical music, particularly the works of Mozart, improved the cognitive scores of test subjects. More recent findings however, prove that listening to any genre of music that one finds pleasing has the same effect. Additionally, listening to music, or playing a musical instrument, seems to trigger the centers of the brain that are associated with learning. Studies indicate that music stimulates higher brain function in a number of areas that include emotional intelligence, mathematical ability, reading and comprehension, along with spatial/temporal reasoning. Interestingly enough, students diagnosed with attention deficit or hyperactivity disorders scored higher on academic tests after listening to music. Physicians now believe that stroke victims experience healing faster when listening to music for as little as one hour daily.

Memory Enhancement

Imaging studies illustrate that listening to music activates both the left and right hemispheres of the brain simultaneously. Scientists observed the same brain activity when subjects were engaged in the act of playing an instrument or singing. This level of stimulation makes the brain more susceptible to processing and retaining information. In the same way that people remember a certain event when hearing a specific song, music in general helps individuals recall learned information when hearing the melody played during a specific learning session. Recall might also be triggered when playing the melody mentally. There is also evidence that suggests that youngsters who learn to play an instrument, or who regularly engage in some type of musical training, demonstrate better memory skills compared to students lacking musical training.

Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/music-articles/sensory-and-mood-enhancing-effects-of-music-on-the-brain-6889307.html