Music and the Brain

Music is so expansive. It can change the way someone feels in an instant. How does music have such an impact? Music has many different effects on the brain. It can change the way we perceive time, reduce seizures, induce fear, make one stronger, improve communication, boost your immune system, make one smarter, and evoke memories--these are just several of the many things music has the ability to do. Music has been a part of human nature throughout history. Dating all the way back to 30,000 years ago, humans were already playing bone flutes, percussive instruments, and jaw harps.

Music has been a bit of a mystery for scientists to decipher. It truly is a part of human nature. In recent years, neuroscientists have been able to get further insight into how the brain and where in the brain music is processed. Music has been found to engage in different parts of each individual’s brain. The ear has the least amount of sensory cells but the human response to music is so strong.

Music starts by entering in sound waves, striking the eardrum. This causes vibrations to occur and is then converted into electrical signals. The signals then travel by the sensory nerves to the brain stem. After this, the brain receives the message for auditory information. It is quite remarkable when considering the fact that different parts of the brain are activated depending on the type of music being transmitted.

Music can also alter brain structure and function, especially after repeated exposure. Infants experience a pleasant feeling when listening to music and it continues through their life as they grow their music taste changes.

Music can also have healing properties for the brain and has been noted to have a therapeutic effect on patients who have dementia, depression, and other neurological conditions. Music has also notably helped patients with Parkinson’s disease. When a march is played, circuits in the brains of Parkinson’s patients have been observed to stimulate the patient to move physically.

There are many parts of the brain that are working when humans are listening to and processing music. The temporal lobe helps process the tone and pitch; the cerebellum helps to discern and regulate rhythm, timing, and physical movement; the amygdala and hippocampus both have a role in emotions and memories. These various parts of the brain can serve as a reward system for the listener.

Music is a significant subject in science and it is integral to human pleasure. With so many different genres and an endless stream of songs, there is always something new to listen to. The brain’s ability to interpret and enjoy music is no small feat. All parts of the brain work in harmony in order to process the wonder that is music, just like those who produce and perform it-- the brain working to understand each note is a concert in itself.

Purnima Chopra

References:

Harvard Medical School. “Music and the Brain.” Neurobiology, neuro.hms.harvard.edu/centers-and-initiatives/harvard-mahoney-neuroscience-institute/about-hmni/archive-brain-1. Accessed 19 Jan. 2021.

“Music and the Brain: What Happens When You'Re Listening to Music.” Pegasus Magazine, www.ucf.edu/pegasus/your-brain-on-music. Accessed 19 Jan. 2021.

Weinberger, Norman, and Norman Weinberger. “Music And The Brain.” Scientific American, 1 Sept. 2006, www.scientificamerican.com/article/music-and-the-brain-2006-09/?error=cookies_not_supported&code=3e0e545d-09e0-4f19-a07e-c16f42610145.