Music is almost as old as humanity itself, and it may have had a profound influence on the development of our brains. Our brains are hardwired to respond to music. When we hear a tune that we find pleasant, our dopamine levels increase, and our brains release endorphins (natural painkillers).
Music has a profound impact on our lives. Whether we admit it or not, we listen to music for various reasons. The music we listen to can make us mad, sad, excited, sleepy, or relaxed. It can also influence our mood and even increase our heart rate and blood pressure. Music also has powerful healing powers and has been used as a treatment for people with physical and psychological ailments for thousands of years.
It can make you happier.
Countless studies have explored the medical benefits of listening to music. But a recent study published in the journal PLOS One has gone one step further, claiming that listening to music can make you happier. Researchers from Duke University and the University of Arizona surveyed 1,000 people, all over the age of 18, on how they feel while listening to music. The study found that those who listen to music have significantly higher subjective well-being than those who do not. “Our study is the first to show that listening to music triggers positive emotional states,” Paul Mills, one of the study’s authors, said in a statement. “I was surprised by this, as I’d assumed that listening to music was more neutral than active.” Recognizing the potential of music to increase happiness, you can enjoy diverse musical genres through streaming platforms, relish musical performances, and even partake in popular concerts, the tickets for which are available on sites like ticketsmarter.com. By intertwining music into your life, the pathway to increased happiness can be easily paved.
Stimulates memory
Have you ever gone somewhere and taken a moment just to look around? Did you take in the view? Did it make you think of the past? Did you hear music playing and think of a time in your life? Music can affect us in many ways, and the way we absorb it, often subconsciously, can evoke memories in us.
Research shows music strengthens the brain. A 2010 study in the Journal of Neuroscience found that listening to Mozart “strengthened memory” in mice. Later research revealed that listening to classical music could enhance cognitive function in older adults. A new study published in the Brain Connectivity journal reveals the mechanisms behind the effects of music.
Has the ability to reduce stress
Music has long been known to be more than just a way to pass the time. Music has a powerful ability to soothe the soul and calm the mind. In fact, listening to music has been used for centuries to help heal the body.
Music has a biological effect on our bodies that scientists have only recently begun to understand. The impact of music is so powerful because it activates both our right and left-brain hemispheres, which are responsible for certain functions like decision-making, thinking, and talking, but also emotion, creativity, and memory.
Can lessen pain
Some music sounds better than others. It has been found to help some people cope with pain. Music therapy is a therapy that uses music to help people express, communicate, and cope with the emotions, conditions, or events that cause pain or discomfort. Music therapy is used by hospitals, doctors, rehabilitation centers, and schools. Music therapy is a growing trend and is available to all those who want to try it out.
Did you know that listening to music can lessen your pain? According to psychologists, listening to music distracts us from the discomfort of our pain. The activity takes our minds off of what is causing the pain. This may be because the brain interprets the pain as unpleasant music.
So, there you have it! Listening to music has more benefits than we may have thought. By doing so, you could see a significant improvement in regard to your health and wellbeing.