Brain and Music: A Prologue

The dynamic interplay between the mind, brain and music has always amused intellectuals for ages. Music profoundly impacts not just the brain’s functionality but its structure as well. It can evoke various emotions, motor functions and impact cognition. Listening to music helps in the release of chemicals called neurotransmitters (dopamine etc.) that induces pleasure that is equivalent to winning rush & reward. The brain’s plasticity adapts itself to musical experiences, that leads to structural and functional changes.

Recent advancements in cognitive neuroscience have allowed us to conjecture on some potential mechanisms that show almost the entire brain is activated by music. The auditory cortex in the temporal lobes around ears is activated primarily. While emotional music not only activates the brain’s emotional regions, but it also synchronizes them. Further, music stimulates different memory locations. Interestingly, listening to music stimulates the motor system. It has been postulated that our ability to detect the beat of the music before we begin tapping our feet to it is due to the activation of the brain’s motor system. Indeed!

Both active and passive involvement in music further strengthens the neural connections and enhances cognition. Thus, Music has emerged as a therapy in treatment of various neurological disorders as well. This shows the multidimensional relation of music with mind and brain. (In the upcoming articles you’ll get to know how the mind and brain are not same and these terms cannot be used interchangeably). It impacts sensory, emotional, cognitive, and motor aspects of brain. Thus, the relation of music with enjoyment, life quality and brain cognition are inevitable. According to a study at Harvard Medical school, People listening to music feel better mentally and emotionally than non-listeners. Listeners feel low anxiety & depression. People that regularly attend musical events showed better brain health compared to those who have never gone. 68% of participants were exposed to music in childhood and have better learning capacity. Thus, engagement with musical activities improves cognitive functions and happiness rate too, even for individuals over 50.

Alright, so the entire brain is activated when listening to music. Why is that such a big deal? Have you ever heard the saying, “You’ll lose it if you don’t use it”? said Lamark. And this is true for the brain. When used more, brain circuits and networks become stronger via forming more synapses. When not used, they become weaker. The brain is efficient, so when a brain route isn’t used for a long time, it won’t maintain its strength. And this diverts to serve different purposes for the brain. Hence, learning a foreign language again after a 20-year absence can be challenging as many of the previous neural pathways have deteriorated and the neurons are being utilized for different functions. Either apply or forfeit it…Lamarckism in favor!

Your brain networks remain robust while you listen to music. Music can stimulate nearly every region and network in the brain, which means that it can support the health of a wide range of brain pathways and networks, including those related to happiness, quality of life, learning, and well-being. Uplifting music can lift your spirits. You can feel more energized by fast-paced music. Additionally, listening to music while engaging in an aerobic and social activity maximizes its health effects. Enroll in any dance class. Join a jazz aerobics. Jump to the rhythms of rock & roll. Engaging in social activities is the only other way in which you may simultaneously excite these many different brain networks.

What purposes does this series fulfill for you personally?

This prologue is just the start of our journey together for our upcoming series “Music, Mind, Brain and Life (MuMiBrLi): Past, Present and Future”. The series will delineates literally each and every aspect of our life that impacts our brain and mind; various methods utilised in past and contemporary times to help people maintain a healthy nervous system.

Stay Tuned for a mind-boggling series of articles to delve deeper into the intricacies of the sulci and gyri of your brain. Certain logically intuitive protocols will be revealed via a Comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to attune the brain with life. This rich tapestry of insights will guide you through the tough phases of life to hack your brain and mind to be used at your disposal via daily rituals that we can use for a healthy and happy life.

Brace yourself up for the unforeseen adventure lying ahead!

Thus, paving a way forward to live an intentional life.

Now, you may start playing your favorite song with the intention of getting a happy mind before it ends.
Cheers!

Happy Reading
Neha Saini “नितळ”