Brain Understands the Language of Music.

Before I write, I just want to know, “How many of you love music?” Maybe all of us do. Albert Einstein says, “I see my life in terms of music.” Music gives a soul to one’s life, making the mind fly in the world of imagination. This is how music fits in my life.

Sometimes, people can’t memorize the lyrics but they are still considered as intelligent people. Why? I mean how can a person remember everything but not the lyrics of a song? I also listen to music, while I work, while I’m happy or whenever I feel low because it really helps me during my tough times to declutter my mind. But if you turn it off and ask me what I was listening to then, I can’t really recall it.

I have listened to many songs hundreds of times and till today I’m unable to sing these songs from beginning to end without any pause in between. Somehow, I can hum the whole song. Maybe you can relate to my situation. But have you ever thought that – why listening to music makes us happy or sad? Or how music is connected to our brain? And why does our brain always respond to music?

To satisfy your thirst for knowledge, you will have to read it further…

Brain loves music

Yes, it’s true. Music impacts the brain functions and behaviors of a person. Also helps us in reducing anxiety, pain, saving us in stressful situations, and to minimize the symptoms of depression.

This is how different parts of the brain respond to music – Let’s start with the frontal lobe which is the largest of the four major lobes and controls planning, reasoning, decision-making, problem-solving and expression of emotions. Sugaya says – listening to music can improve the functions of the frontal lobe.

The temporal lobe is the second-largest which is located near the temples. This lobe is responsible for hearing. Your left hemisphere tries to understand the lyrics and your right hemisphere makes the sound or music more understandable.

Some More Info

Broca’s area is the region usually in the left hemisphere of the brain and controls the functioning of speech production. The way to express music is the result of this area. If you learn to play any instrument then it can improve your ability to interact with people.

Wernicke’s area is a region that is necessary for speech development. This area helps you to understand the speech produced by the Broca area. Yonetani says it plays a pivotal role when you understand and enjoy music.

The occipital lobe is responsible for visual processing. A person who is not familiar with music can use other areas but if a music lover is listening to any kind of music then the person will be more likely to visualize it.

What kind of music do you like?

Your playlist depends on your mood. When you are happy, you prefer rocking songs and when you are sad or unhappy then the whole scenario changes around you and you play sad songs. It helps your brain parts to get enlightened.

So, do you think that music can incite aggressive thoughts? A journal of personality and social psychology was published in 2003. According to the journal report, violent songs can incite the feelings and thoughts of aggression in a person. I think I completely agree with this point.

Have you ever got goosebumps while listening to a patriotic song? You can feel all kinds of emotions while listening to music.

In research, it was confirmed that music can influence the way you see the world around you. And this is how Charles Darwin perceived his world after listening to music, “If I had my life to live over again, I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once every week.”

Everyone listens to music for various reasons and feels happy about life.

Let’s see how music impact your daily life:-

1. It helps your brain to be gold in your old age – Berthold Auer Bach remarked, “Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” Age is just the number when you do everything you love. Especially if you love music then it helps you to improve the quality of your boring life in many ways. Like stress and anxiety can be reduced, boosts your mood and health, helps you to get rid of sleepless nights, and even makes you smarter to resolve your problems of an uncertain life.
2. Good music means Happy life – William James, “I don’t sing because I’m happy; I’m happy because I sing.” It has been proved in different studies that listening to music can make you feel excited and happy. Next, you feel low, just listen to your favorite music to lift up your mood.
3. Get rid of your sleepless nights– “Music gives rest to my overthinking brain and to my soul.” In research on Americans, experts found that over 30% suffer from insomnia. The research confirmed that students who listened to relaxing classical music for around 50 minutes before sleeping. It helps them to get better sleep than before. If you’re facing any difficulties before sleeping, try listening to soothing songs before bedtime to catch some Zs.
4. Improve your memory skills– Kushand Wizdom, “Each memory has a soundtrack of its own.” It depends on how much you love music. It helps you to recall things better. So, listen to your positive music more before your exams. It will help you to learn more and you will be able to perform better.
5. An effective stress reliever- Meditative music was created to soothe the mind. It is a better way to handle your stress. A research was conducted in 2013, all the participants took part in one of three conditions. Few participants had to listen to relaxing music, some listened to the sound of water, and the rest received nothing. It showed that listening to music had a great impact on the individual stress response, especially on the autonomic nervous system of the people. Those who had listened to music, they were able to recover more quickly.
6. Music helps you in reducing depression- Maya Angelou, “Music was my refuge. I could crawl into space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.” Hans Joachim Trappe in Germany conducted research that showed that music can be a great benefit for patients with depression. Meditative and classical music lifts up the spirit of people. So, whenever you feel low, put on some classical or meditative music to lift your mood.
7. Alzheimer’s Patients can recall things with the help of Music: Oliver Sacks, M.D, “The past, which is not recoverable in any other way, is embedded, as if in amber, in the music, and people can regain a sense of identity.” In old age, many people die from Alzheimer’s Disease. So, if you know someone who has Alzheimer’s or other dementia try to connect with loved ones who suffer from age-related dementia, try playing their favorite music. An old man Jivan listens to music from his era, this wheelchair-bound dementia sufferer who can barely speak, sings Kishore Kumar songs, and happily reminisces about his life.
8. Stroke Patients can recover: Maya Angelou, “I know why the caged bird sings.” Research at the University of Helsinki confirmed that stroke patients who listened to music they chose themselves for two hours a day had significantly improved recovery of cognitive functions. If you know anyone, bring their favorite songs. Listening to them can significantly improve their condition.

Healing through Music

Music therapy helps you in expressing your emotions while using music to improve the physical, psychological, and social well-being of a person. Many activities are performed in this therapy such as listening to music, singing and playing a musical instrument. This type of therapy is facilitated by a trained music therapist and is often used in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, and nursing homes.

The evidence for music therapy. It can improve medical outcomes and quality of life in numerous ways. Like it helps in improving invasive procedures, restores lost speech, reduces side effects of cancer therapy, aids pain relief and it also improves the quality of life for dementia patients.

How to find a music therapist?

If you’re facing any troubles or illness, or just want relief from the hectic life or want to stick to an exercise program, a music therapist may be able to help you. You can find one on the website of the Nada Centre for Music Therapy, Indian Association Of Music Therapy, and Chennai School of Music Therapy.

Conclusion

Take a long and deep breath and let the music flow through you to feel all kinds of emotions. Everyone has a deep connection with music. Nowadays, we all are busy with our own stuff. And when we are alone, music is the only source which makes us feel alive. Also, it helps an individual to improve in numerous ways. Music therapy is more useful in healing the patients, so it should be used more in the field of Health and illness.